The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-21
MANASSAS. OCCUPIED
UNION TROOPs.
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THE MERRIMAC FIGHT
Official Report Of Lieutenant
''' io Pendergast 'q'Y '''.
THE OCCUPATION OF MANASSAS.

- VAVSA q WV 8
THE OCCUPATION OF MANASSAS.
WAsHrNaroN, March Ill Heralds dis
patch IL Before dark last night, Colonel
Averill, with q large body Of cavalry, en-
tered the forward rebel works at Manassas,
and bivouacked for the night, amidst the
ruins of the rebel stronghold. es.r.i; u.
The intelligence gathered at Manassas
and in the ueighborhood tends to show that
the whole rebel army has retired southwark.
1t is not creditea that they will attempt
to make stand near here, as the country is
open, level, and unpromisiDg for defensive
warfare. 80 f,--,s' - a'-..:.s - 80 = '
The opinion is gaining ground that Cor
louisville was simply the rendezvous for
what was lately the rebel army of the POI
tomac, as it is the Junction of the Orange
and Alexandria with the Virginia Central
Railroad. ..... ....+. ...'-
The only point at which they can, with
any sort OF confidence, attempt to make a
stand is near the Junction of the Frederick
and Potomac with the Central Virginia
Railroad. in which neighborhood the North
Anna and South Anna rivers unite and
form the Ranamaky river, about twenty
miles directly north of Richmond.
At this point the country is much bro
ken, and admirably fitted Tor defense.
1t is reported that the rebels have de-
stroyed the railroad bridge across the
north fork of the Rappahannock.
In their haste they have left behind
struggling parties of soldiers, who seem to
be very glad to be made prisoners.
Wherever they have gone it is evident
that their army is completely demoralized
and unfit for service.
The moral effect of the retreat from Ma
nassas to Richmond will be the same
throughout the South as it is in this part of
Virginia, and the impression prevails that
the Southern Confederacy has collapsed
and many of the people thank God for it.
The forts are all abandoned, but log
nuts, hundreds in number and ample to
accommodate fully 10000 troops, still res
main, also immense numbers OF tents and
heaps OF dead horses cover the fields in the
vicinity. ... ..,.. .....
The log huts are strewn all along be-
tween CentrevilIe and Manassas.
The railroad track is undisturbed except
the bridges
The Stone bridge across Bull Run on
the Warrenton turnpike is blown up, and
also the bridge across Cabrun between Cen.
treville and Manassas. g.. ....l .... ..
Everything at Manassas indicated the
precipitate fight of the rebels.
Some caissons were found, but no guns.
Piles of bullets and cartridges we're left, and
an immense quantity OF quartermasters
stores.
In one place were discovered about 30,
600 bushels Of corn, which had bsen set on
fire, and was still smouldering.
Among the trophies were pack saddles,
army orders, muskets, revolvers, bowie
knives, &c.
Over one hundred thousand pack sad dies
were found, all new, and marked G. s. A.
People in the vicinity state that prior to
the evacuation there were 100000 troops at
Manassas and Centreville.
Covering the breastworks were what ap
peared to be cannon, but on examination
they were found to be wooden affairs, got
up for effect. .. .....
Two Pennsylvania cavalry regiments were
the first Union troops entering Centerville.
At Brentville, four miles from Manassas,
Home Guard had been organized to pro-
tect themselves against the secessionists.
General Nc Clellan has taken up bis quar-.
tiers at Fairfax Court House.
A dispatch has been received here con-
tradicting the announcement that Winches
ter was occupied yesterday by our troops,
and stating that it is held by a rebel force
1t is believed here by the best informed
critics on military affairs, that the rebels
there are simply portion OF militia left
there to cover the retreat of the main body
of rebels.
1t IS not probable that any considerable
force would be maintained in that part of
Virginia after the evacuation of Manassas,
which commands the only Railroad avenue
thence to Richmond.
WASHINGTON, March 1l.-Large mum.
bers of contrabauds have reached our lines,
which now extend beyond Manassas juno.
ton, and are still coming in by droves.
The earthworks at Centreville were
greatly misrepresented. They are not OF the
formidable character supposed. .
The enemy before evacuating bad some>
what injured them by breaking the embra-
sureS.
On our troops arriving at Fairfax Court
House, they found no more than q dozen
families. "a.
The soldiers searched in the Court House
and brought away some Of the records, but
this being discovered the officers directed
their return.
When our troops learned that Manassas
had been evacuated, their spirits suddenly
became depressed, as they had anticipated