New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-18
somewhat surprising. Examined IN detail, they o..

full of technical imperfections. Criticism wooIs
crush them at Q stroke. The dtches are mar
row; the scarps are not abrupt the parapets ar
ragged; the imbrasures are irregular. The name
of their construction 10 truly Southern-that is Il
say, indolent, ungainly, careless, and awkward
Criticism, I say, could demolish thsm with single
thrust. Satire would make quick work of them, aus
against deliberate sarcasm they would not stand {
chance in detail. But as whole, dread to thnl
of the possibilities of destruction they would hav
possessed against our best battaons. Lazy as tbei
execution may have been their conception and thei
plan were comprehensive and effective. They com
mand the entire approach from the front, and TO
certain though far less perfect degree, they provd
against movements from either flank The hasties
view Of them proves their real character. The Re
bells certainly trusted much to them; there ia no req
son why we should despise them.
For these reasons, If not for others also, at.sc
more importance to this little village than has urus
been bestowed upon it. To NE it presents pecus
cams for the recollections Of the and event
of last July are too painfully fastened in my memor
to allow me 10 re-enter it without strange feelps
II is quster now than when we frat invaded
Then we flooded II with noisy and jubilant throngs
which had no thought but of triumphs already WOO
and glorious victories yet to be as easily achieved
No Northern man could enter 1t with the same spin.
now. The reverse which then destroyed our hops
still holds its spe although the days Of our disasts
are past. And, moreover, there ID something inf
nitely sadder in the aspect Of the place. 1t isaGe
serted village, though by no means the loveliest
the plain" II is crowded with desolaton. IL
of aH roulfitudAn ara everyVhav
around Here are the vacant dwelling-places
thousands and thousands of men. Suddenly an
panic. stricken they have sped away, proving ulei
weakness but leaving the evidences of their nuU
bsrs and their strength behind them. There D
whole cities Of huts and cots planted all about II
moonlight Eliminates broad avenues and numberles
little passes from ward to ward. Vast fields, late
populous. now lie barren and abandoned. There
no attempt to ward OFF the dreary effects of the de
ser,ion. Carcases of beasts strew the plain, sp
ugly birds prey upon them. Dogs run through IT,
vacant bowels, and howl mOurDfully among the fret:
grave-yards, as if seeking lost masters 1t IS melsn
choly enough wherever we turn, and the lights c
the village are too weak and too few 10 disspate t.
gloom.
But TIE village itself revives "reminiscences enoeg
10 occupy one tuVukutc. tiNiSs Vh oHS S'~~ - -
stone Church where hundred Of our brave fellows
wounded in the first days fight, lay and suffered un
complainingy. until We were forced 10 leave iheic
Here, on the other, is the little shaDty whence tn
dSarisb lsrsslite dispensed ink that would not now
pens without point, and waters without stick I
recommend them. Here is piazza, carefully coz
s.ructed Of the hardest wood Virginia grows, upo
which | slept, with Brady and Wood, and othe
amateur warriors, the night before the battle, an
was enabled. by virtue Of fatigue, to dream
sweetest peace, in spite Of want OF ligneon
symua'hy. Here is the dwelling Of Aup
Polly, formerly famous for her durabilit
of Union sentiment, the tswny bloom Of he
compeAicn, and the luxuriant fragrance Of her hoe
cake-and mere is the mansion OF her former mase
.,ie noy repadisies the chattel tiel, Mr. Grigsby
Who having once vaunted the splendors of Secession
now ENJOYS tine opportunity of fully realizing them
lie owned large estates in this and adjoining cour
ties which sre rendered worthless by the trespasse
Of unruy armies. He owned negroes, who shook o;
their aUeeiance long ago, and yet remain about him
10 boast q cir independence. He owned edifces
Alexandria among them the famous " Marshal
House. which now lie almost in ruins, and useles
70 bis purposes hereafter.
The few remaining residents of the village pre-
-erye their old fierce feeling, and they almoe
tde only yes,iges which retain the sembanee Of the
former selves. The blacks are all as vociferous
Union demonstration as ever; the whites those VIII
happen 20 linger) are as vehement in Southern dis
play. These latter are infamed even beyond preco
dent by the deinquences of their late slaves, wh'
have quietly shaken off allegiance, and declin
service of any except adequate compensation
This uprooting of Virginia seudiees occasions mncl
Indignant discussion. They cay they are fre
10 s, ,ays young Mr.. GEgsby, 'iand suppose the,
are until the wars over; but If come scross any
them sfterward it won't be good for them III teach
them -
Centreyille stands isolsted now from the course
public travel. The tide of curiosity turns towar'
Mauassas--,hat of warfare TO distances far beyond
Bu, those who pause here find their nteresS aeutel
stimulated. 1t is dresry enough village, to b
sure but /; is something 10 see the monument o
Jolneton and Stuarts and Smiths best skill L
will be long before the Centreyile fortlhcation
cease 10 attract attention. They point moral, to-
that IN this, as in other memorable cases, the Rebe
leaders "haye Undertaken more than they coul'
accomplish
s~-.ssss.S~s-ssas
pn.,.usr A. Nrntc.f A -Abok two week