Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-03-20
In their haste thew have left behind strag.

=
In their haste they have left behind stray
Cling parties Of soldiers, who seemed to be
very glad to be made prisoners. Wherever
they haye gone, it is evident that their army
is completely demoralised and utterly unfit
for service. The moral effect Of the retreat
from Manassas to Richmond, will be the
part Of Virginia just evacuated, where the
impression prevails that the Sothern Con-
federacy has collapsed, and many Of the
people thank God for it.
SOLDIERS ACCOUNT.
A private of one of the New Jersey resi-
ments writes to ths Tribuns re-
Eight companies under Colonel Taylor
were the first to enter Manassas, and after
hosting the flag, deployed as skirmishers,
and took formal possession Of the remainder
Of the works. The stores were Of all kibdsa and
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and commissary stores
in large quantities. Blankets and officers
baggage were thrown together in a promis-
cuous heap. Every style, color and make
| Of urfif6rm were represented. Eighty bag
gage wxfous, several locomotives, four or
Ave cars, about two hundred tents, six Gals,
sons and four ambulances fell into our
hands. .1'L- ' pi WV
HGeneral Kearney was With us all day.
| Colonel Taylor was untiring in his efforts to
rebuild bridges and remove obstacles being
always in advance Of the regiment. Several
handsome flags were captured General
Kearncy eave the men free access to every
thing left behind. The scene was one Of
great interest. Every man was, on the look
out for q relic of Secessia. The men com
posing the companies behaved well under
the difficulties of the march. The fort, were
of the strongest character, showing US, that
they would have been formidable II maDned
properly. The guns were all removed. No
trace OF the rebels could be found, they hav-
ing vanished quickly on the approach OF ouI
army.
'afhe quarters of the rebels were built of
logs, and very comfortable. They were of
sufficient number to accommodate an army OF
at least 100, 900 men. The railroad as fai
down as Bull Bun was in good condition,
having been used by the rebels for the trans
portation of ~rations. From Fairfax station
the road needs repairs to the Run. The
opinion of the people in the vicinity OF tn
station seems generally to be, that the rob
els have re.reated to Gordonsville Junction
Tho rebels commenced ~evacuating thei
works. about Friday last, the rest leaving
this morning."
THE RETREAT OF THE REBEL ARMY.
Another correspondent says:
;, 1.-The absence of the enemy robbed tn,
occupation of these works by the Uniol
forces of all romance and startling sensation
$ The fact that the enemy was gone was az
certained, and that was all. The work
Q were found in better condition than was ex
: pected, showing that more labor had bee
Q expended upon them than on any Of the REX
el Notifications that have been erected b
them except the forts at Port Royal an
Fort Donelson.
"The intelligence gathered at Manasss
g and in the neighborhood tends to show tn;
D the whole reebel army has retired southwark
n as they themselves reported, to Gordonsvill,
1t is not credited that they will attempt
rs make q stand at that point, as the COUNT
% is all open and level, and unpromisins Fl
d defensive warfare. The opinion is gainir
e. ground that Gordonsville was simply Il
E. rendezvous for what was lately the reb
army Of the Potomac, and it is the junctit
ve of the Orange & Alexandria with the vi
r. ginia Central Railroad.
o. 1.-The only point at which they can, wi
i'd any sort Of confidence, attempt to make
al stand q, Is near the junction Of the Fredt
T. Railroad, in which neighborhood the Nor
mt Anna and South Anna river: unite al
IS form the Pamankey river, about TWEEN
1t. miles directly north of Richmond. At Il
ed point the country is much broken, and q
Dr. mirably fitted for defense. Its report
re that in their retreat the rebels have destrt
en- ed the railroad bridge across the north 70
of tho Rappahannoek."
he a1 a ,yc,nv,re
ior 49, -,
ed Oai soldiers have iound a9unaans r.,