The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-01-27
FROM MANASSAS,
(ooRRBsP oNDRScR OF THE RICHMOND DlsPATca.1
MANASSAS PLAINS, JAM -, 1862.

MANASSAS PLAINS, Jane -, 1867.
Rain, snow, sieet, mist, fog, mud, ana the
state of the weather generally, have for the
time being, monopolized conversation to the
exclusion OF that everlasting t-pic " the ad-
vance and the expected battle" Since this
mtsera BILE spell Of weather set in the subject
has been quietly laid aside; and, as it Is the
time since last uly, til at a week has gone first
bv without a rumor Of the Federal force ad-
vancing, and it being such a great piece Of
news not to hear it, I concluded to send it to
the DispascA, hoping its readers will feel very
grateful to hear such piece OF intelligence.
A trip down to Centreville last week was
quite an event, considering the state the
roads are In now, but felt amply repaid by
tho hearty greetings OF my friends, and the
opportunity had OF noting the change in
the scene since last travelled over the road.
The old ter t., in some cases dilapidatsd, mill
dewed, and weather beaten, which had stood
the storms and sunshines OF the summer
campaign, have given place to comfortable
cabins, which have quite an air OF neatness
and home comfort, with their stick and
plaster chimneys, and their one window
of six and four lights, and their new plank
door. In some cases the ends of the logs are
sawed off, and the little villages look quite
habitable until you cast glance down at
UGCSfnSH.
course every deserted house between Centre
willie and the outside OF the lines had to fur
nish its quota In this connection an anec-
dots is related Of an old lady, who took her
knitting and went or to spenc the afternoon
with friend Great was her CONSERVATION
upon returning to find her house minus tho
windows. As no smoke was coming from
the chimney 1t was drawn upon as deserted
Everything about CentreviIle hiss an air of
activity, business and hustle; even the old
buildings seem to have frightened mp and
put on an air OF impoI lance as much es to
say II am, or I was he ldquarters " Now
another incident and / am done. Even in
this vicinity we have frequent visits from
the "Eoble soldiers as mine host, meek,
uususpicious, invalid minister of the gospel,
calls them, and many meal, bundle OF straw
and other kindness they receive from him;
and his faith in them could not be shaken
~ such insta aces az the following, until a
day or two ago:
"Hame strings gone, Frederick, where are
sbnnno Ma.sa, spects dem soldiers what
got straw yestiddy, dun tisd EN- E, on to dar
"Tut. tut, Frederick, accuse the noble SOL
diers Of taking them, that WON'T do"
But there was the turning point. Soldier
No. dropped in to get his dinner, depositing
purchase, on the hall table. soldier No 2
came in a1eo. but ate hastily and left the Ia
BILE, returning to the sitting room before any
one else. When the IA uily and soldier No.
came in, the other had disappeared; also
gloves and bucket. This led to some suspi-
cion, and search was made 70 see IL anything
else was missing. It was soon discovered
that small morocco bag, containing porte
monnaie with twenty dollars, was also gone,
belonging to the lady OF the house. Nine
host moralized on the frailty 81 man In gene
raj, and the delinquency OF this noble SOL
der in particular, ana contentsd himself by
quoting
"He who steals my purso steals trash
which il literally true, in these days Of shin.
plas'ers but stiil, as this trash could very
we'll help 70 supply numerous household com.
forts, the good lady was not 20 easily won
over 70 the philosophy Of the quotation. 1t
II but justice to add, Of the hundreds OF sol
oilers who have been here since the 2lst Of
July, these were the first things ever taken
from the house. Il. e. i.