Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1862-03-29
ARMY CORREsPONOENCE,
CAMP BUrrERfsKLp,
HALLS HILL, Va, Feb. 24th, 1862,

day IN closing communication for your
paper l expressed the hope that should
soon have something Of importance to
about. Since that time glorious victories
have been gained by our troops in Ken.
lucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and
Missouri Imperishable laurels have been
won, and many brave hearts that then
beat high with patriotic emotion, now
sleep the sleep Of the brave; and still the
grand army of the Potomac maintains the
mastery inactivity that has character.
lied it since the fatal rout ut Bull Run
Occasional rsconnoisances, frequent re.
joicings over victories, and visit of the
General in-Chief among the troops, are the
ouly incidents that have occurred to break
the monotony Of camp life. 1t has rained
the greater part Of the time, and almost
oil drill has been suspended excepting a
little target practice, and occasionally a
dress parade, when the mud is not too
deep On Saturday, the 22d inst, in
compliance with On order from head quar-.
tiers, all the regiments in this portion of
the army we're called on. to listen to ex-
tracts from Wsshington's Farewell Ad.
dress. 1t was scene calculated to AVA
ken the iveliest emotions of patriotism -
While the chaplain read with clear, so.
norous voice the parting admonilous of
the Father Of his country the National
airs came floating on the breeze from the
bands Of dozen different regim en,s IN
the vicinity.
Gen. McClellan's visi, last week was his
first appearance on this side of the river
since his late illness. He looked some
what thinner and paler than when have
seen him on former occasions, but there
still remained the same determined look,
and patriotic fire in his eagle eye. He was
everywhere received by the troops with
the strongest tokens Of enthusiasm. He
was present at dress parade and bay onet
drill Of our regiment on Friday last
After complimenting the officers on the
good appearance Of the regiment and their
proficiency in the bayonet exercise he
referred in feeling manner to the glori-
Gus achievements of our fellow soldiers in
North Carolina and the west, and assured
us that zoe too would soon have work to
do. Hoping that this promise may be
speedily fulfilled, and that your correspen-
dent may be there to see, and live to give
an account Of the work that is done,
will close. Yours, &c, T. L. Ii.
CESTREvILLE, Va, March IL, go
Well, we have at last made an advance
Our regiment (he 4I,h N " started
from cur camp at Halls Hill yesterday
morning at one o'clock, and reached Fair
fax Court House about nine A. NJ, and
found the place already occupied by the
Fourth New Jersey regiment who had
come out the afternoon before. In front
of the town there is quite an extensive
range Of rifle pits, and off to the left Of
the road on o little eminence is a small
| earthwork with two embrazures for can.
non. We halted, and our Company took
up quarters in a church, aud the rest Of
the regiment quartered themselves in other
vacant houses about town. While we were
drying ourselves, for it had been raining
oil the morning, cavalry, artillery and in
fantry came pouring into the town in large
| numbers. After partaking OF hasty meal
we fell in again, and by twelve o'clock
were on the march for Centrevile-
44th having the right Of the line and
the leading in the advance. The distance
is six miles from Fairfax to Centreville,
and the Ellsworths marched in and obtain.
ed complete possession of the place and
all the fortifications by half past o'clk.
The rebels had left the night before and
taken everything away with them that
they could carry. There are eight or ten
large forts IN the vicinity, mounted with
big logs painted black to represent can
non. A contraband who escaped from
them last night stated that they never had
more than FIVE or six guns mounted on the
embrazure.
There are log huts CROUCH to accommo.
date FIVE or six thousand men. A detatch.
ment Of cavalry Immediately in our rear
came up and went on to Manassas and
found this boosted stronghold of the rebels
e.acua ted. They had set fire to every.
thing that would burn, blowed up Iocomo.
tiyes and railroad bridges, and left nothing
but o mass Of ruins. l.. l.. II.
FAIRFAX CouRT HOUSE, March IL.
could not find my letter yesterday, as
we had to start back to Fairfax ut noon.
Just as we started Gen. Mcclellan aud
staff arrived, and after riding round and
examining the works, they went on to
Manassas. He was followed by three or
four thousand cavalry. 1t was with reluc
lance we took the back track, but it is not
for soldier ito question Why Probably
the evacuation of Centrevlle and Manas.
sis has materially changed the programme
IF pporatiopu