Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-13
The Department Of the
Mississippi. V s y
GEN. HALLEOK In COMMAND.
GEN. FREMONT u COMMAND.
This Mornings Report.
FROM WASHINGTON,
WAauTuaTou. March II

Hersld's despatch;
Before dark lsst nightCol Anvil with
a large body Of cavalry entered the far
famed rebel works at Manassas, and biV-
ouaoed for the night amidst the ruins of
the rebel stronghold.
The Intelligence gathered at Manassas
and in the neighbOrboOd tends to show that
the whole rebel army has retired south
ward.
II is not credited that they will attempt
to make stand near here, ss the country
is open and level, and unpromising for de-
fensiye warfare. irrs .-,lax a7zs
The opinion is gaining ground that Cor
donsville Was simply the rendezFons for
what vas lately the rebel army Of he RO-
tomsc, as It Is ths jcunction Of the Orange
and Alexandra with the Virginia Central
Rsilrosd. .rts
Ths only point at which they can with
any sort OF confidence attempt to makess
stand is near the juction Of the Frederick
and Potomac with the eehtrsl Virginia
Railroad, in which vicinity the North Anna
and South Anna rivers unite and form the
Papamaky river about twenty miles direct.
ly north Of Richnond, q which point the
country is much broken and admirably
fitted for defence. "a
1t is reported that the rebels in their rs-
treat have destroyed the railroad bridge
oesross the north fork Of the Rappshan-
mock.
In theit haste they have left behind
struggling part es of soldiers, who seem to
be very glad to be made prisoners.
Wherever thsy have gone Il is evident
that their army IS completely demoralized,
and utterly unit for service.
The moral effect Of the retrest from Man
assas to Richmond viii be the same
throu hout the South as it is in this part
Of Virginia, and the impression prevails
that the Southern Confedefaey has collsps-
ed, and many Of the people thank God
for it. ---,--.
The forts are all abandoned, and log
huls, hundreds in number, and ample
to accommodate fully $1,000 troops still
remain, also an immense number Of tents;
heaps Of dead horses cover the felds in the
vicinity. The log huts are streWn oil
along between Csnterville and Manassas.
The railroad track Is undisturbed except
the bridges. The stone bridge across Bull
Run, on the Wsrrenton turn pike Is blown
up, as also the bridge across Cab Run, be
tween Oentreville snd Manassas.
Everything at Manassas indicated thI
preeepitate flight Of the rebels. Som'
caissons were found, but no guns. Piles 0
bullets and cartridges were left, and al
immense quantity Of Quarter Master
! stores.
In one place we're discovered about 80,
600 bushels Of corn, which had been set ol
fire, and vas still smoaldering. Anon
: the trophies were paCk-saddles, army ord
ers, muakets, revoiveTs, bowie knives, LEI
| tiers, Sc. Over 1000 pack-saddles Wer
+ found, all new and marked &C. s. A."
5 People in the vicinity state that prior t
t the evacuation there were 100, 000 troops 6
: Manassas and Centerville. Covering th
) breastWorks were what appeared 70 b
+ cannon, but on examination they proved
9 be wooden affairs got up for effect.
Two PennsylVania cavalry regiment
e were the first troops entering Cente-Till
0 At Brentville, four miles from Msnsssa
= a home guard had been organized to pr
Z tect themselves against the rebels.
= Gen. Mcclellan has taken up his qua
I ters at Fairfax G. b.
e A dispatch has been. rsooiEsd here cOl
n tradioting the announcement thRt5 VII
chester was occupied syssgsrday by O
e troops, and stating that It is held BY
y rebel force. 1t is believed here BY the be
% informed critics on Military Affairs tn
1f the rebels there are simply portion
q Virginia military left there 70 ccyer I
q retreat Of the main body Of rebels. It
7 not probable any considerable. force won
d be maintained in that part Of Virgin
ID after the eyseusiion Of Manassas, Viii
Of commands the only railroad thence
h. Richmond.