Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-27
Special Correspondence Of the Chicago Times
Importnnt from WasllIngtOn.


Important from Warrington.
"The Rebel Forces hare Eracuated Manassas
Ho~ they did it. aud rchere they are gone
Notifications Of Beauregard at Centerrale-
The Position and Strength of Be.uregard's
Army-Priormances Of Gen. Jacksons Army
at Romney, DC, DC DC.
WASHINGTON, January 81.
About the end of September last the telegraph
carried to all parts of the country on the same
morning the startling intelligence that the rebels
at Manassas, halfsarved, half naked decmated
by sickness and completely dcmoralized, had
evacuated that position in disgust and retired
southwark. 1t was known that all telegraphc
matter coming from Washington (as this did
must pass under the eve of the Government cen
there, and this fact caused the statement to be
believed a week afterwards however, il was
found that there was not word OF truth in the
statement. About the end of November again
the same agercy caused the announcement to be I
made that large part of the rebel army at Ma /
nassaS, alarmed at the expeditions that were fit I
ting out for unknown points on the Southern !
coasts, had abandoned Beauregard and his for /
tunes, and had marched to the defense of their /
respective States. lt WIS two weeks tins time
before II became positively known that there was I
more truth in the last than in the first an
nouncement; that Beauregard's army at Manas- !
sas. far from being reduced IN numbers had /
been actually augmented by - 900 fresh troops: /
and that the people of the Southern coast States
ha raised enough troops at home for their own
defense
Undaunted by these unsuccessful attempts to
deceive the public, the the telegraph ut this city
Is again employed to send the whole cciIn- I
try the statement that the rebels have evacuated
Manassas anu have gone south-this time sure. !
This statement IS dated Yesterday. No inteli- |
has haaf Val bora. 4 NJ
nassas since the 18th inst; but | venture to MS
sert that the whole statement is entirely destitute
of truth. a statement of the real force aud pres
ent condition of the Confederate army on the /.
Potomac cannot be destitute of interest 90 the
readers of the Times. | obtained the facts on the
10Th. and they represent the state OF affairs rs
they existed during the first week of the present
month. They may he relied OH as authentic in
every respect
Before the end of December. all the sick and
disabled soldiers were sent down to Richmond, As
their presence was only an ncumbrance The
headquarters of General Beauregard are estab-
lishej at Centrevile around which the main
body OF the army is entrenched. The whole
country between the Potomac aud Occoquan riv
ers is extremely hilly; and while this renders diff
hcult the operations of large bodies OF troops, it
renders the country easy of defense General
Beturegard, being. a scientific officer, took adj
vantage ot this fact and employ ed the months of
summer and autumn. from August Till Novem
Der. in erscting around Centreville twenty six
forts, which in extent and strength rival those
southwest of this city
How could he do this without its being known
The answer Is contained in single word: MuN.
SONS HILL. By throwing forward few regi-
ments, he took possession of Muuson'S Hill about
the end of August, which Genera, Mcclellan ut
that time unable TO hold he having but just
commenced the task of making soldiers out of
the disorganizcd fragments otrhe Bull Run rout.
By making show cot iOrtifymg that hill. he di-
verified attention from what he was really doing.
But there was one man in Washington. and prob
ably only one. who penetrated his designs Gen
Mcclellan knew that he was fortitying at Center
vile. But 10 what extent even he was ignorant
until appraised 10y a deserter long after the evacu-
alton OF Munsons Hill
Why has Beiuregaid thus fortified Centervillef
When the Union army of the Potomac moves.
the reason will become manifest. Centerville i
the KEY OF Manassas Junction. and Manassas
Junction Is the door 20 Richmond and indeed, II
may he said. 10 the whole OF Virginia. Examine
4 military map OF the country. trace the roads,
the streams the ranges OF hills, and it will be
seen that Union army entering by any other
door will be sure TO be surrounded. cut of from
their base of operations and destroyed. Ii the
strong lines OF Manassas can be forced and the
communication toe kept open with this city. "A
Union army can advance southwark, conquerng
a II advances. and laying the whole country un-
der contribution. Hence the importance OF for
titying Centerville.
These twenty SIX forts. which are so situated
a To command every possible approach to Cen
treville. from Arcola. on the Gum Spring road
on the lett. 90 the Occoquan river. two miles be.
low Union Mills on the right. On the morning
of the battle OF Bull Run the Confederate army
pasted ON the right bank of that stream from
the Stone Bridge Ia Union Mills. The recon
n0iSSances made bv Gen Mcdowell on the day
previous enabled him 4 large norton of
his force Gen. Hunters column) AT Sudley's
Ford. a mile and quarter above the Stone
Bridge. This disarranged Beauregard's whole
plan OF battle. and came near defeating him
he hardest fighting of the cav and ill 1 clock
I in the afternoon. took place wesi OF Sadiev's
Ford. aud between u aud the Warr.nton turn.
+ pike The two forts. then between Arcola and
>udey's Ford are designed to prevent the ford
/ from being used BY the Union troops The
largest and strongest forts are call Ell Fort Beau
regard, Fort Davis. and Fort Slide They all
command roads that must be taken IN order to
approach Centrevie All Of the twenty tx
, forts are mounted with suitable artillery IL was
b. celebrate the completion Of these works tina:
ia great review OF 20 900 Confederate troops
took place early IN December az which JEFF
Davis was present. and at which the battle
hags" were presented TO each regiment.
Gen Beturegard's army has gone into winter
/ quarters the same way that our army here has
namely. without being ordered 90 50. the men
have been allowed . make themselves comfort
able Ia hats of their own construction General
I Beauregards main body. fully 5000 strong, Is
I posted IA aud around lie>e forts near Ceutersie
Tie righ; wing. - 900 strong Is posted betW cen
the right bank OF the Occoquan River and Acqua