New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-15
ADVANCE or THE POTOMAC ARMY.
THE STRENGTH OF THE REBEL REGIMENTS.
CAVALRY SKIRMISH AT SyRASBURG
FURTHER FROM MANASSAS AND BULL Run.
How Manassas was Captured by a Ysakst.

Special Dispstca to The N. Y. Tribune.
wAsuIsoros. Friday March H. 1867.
A visitor to Manassas examined tho pro
vision returns Of seven companies Of tho 2lSt
North Carolina Regiment, which be found in a
heap of papers. The highest number Of men
in any one of these companies was thus Off
cally shown to be az, others showed less than
40 men. If there were no more in tho other
three companies, tho regiment was between 4OO
and 500 strong. The returns Of other compa
MES belonging to different regiments averaged
no more men. Irish desertors said that with
furloughs doserters, &C., several regiments had
dwindIed down to 200.
BY what bugbear has the Capital of the
Nation been bcleagured and tho Treasury
bankrupted
Five apparently we-to-do farmers, living
ten miles beyond Manassas, came in yesterday.
They continued to live through it all until the
militia cavalry came to enforce old Letcher's
mpressment proclamation. Then they caved.
DR.. Puleston, the Military Agent of the
State of Pennsylvania, recognized to-day on
-
ident near Manassas, who assured him that
from constant and sharp observation Of the
enemys forcee from Leesburg down through
the Potomac batteries all the past Summer and
Fall. their entire army across the Potomac
never at any one time exceeded $1,000.
The deputation of the joint Investigating
Committee on the Conduct Of the War, re-
turned in wrathful mood this evening from
the bloodless field of Manassas. Their con-
tempt Of the military distractions before
which We have been made to fnlter for half q
YEAR ia outspok.n. Their estimate of the forces
which has held at bay the power of the Re
public. 10 80 small as TO make brave men hang
their heads.
They counted 50 embrasures at Centreylle.
in 80 Of which wooden guns were mounted.
An African resident said, Why, Sar, them
used to nay Jest as good to scare with as any
So deliberate was the retreat Of the Rebels
that on Saturday night 10000 Of them, di.lik-
ing the crowded state Of the roads. marched
back to Ccntreyillc, slep. sOundly and the next
day started anew for Gordonsyille.
~ Wv W.,urNGroS Friday March ~ 1872.
A number Of the itinrant specuatou went 10 Fair
fax Court House yesterday and took possession Of
the yaoant stores to commsDce business The Pro-
vos,- aisrshal, however, elected them promptly.
Yes,srjay evening Il number OF dwellings in the
neighboraooi OF Centreville, were wantonly burned
by somo Of our soldiers.
1 wIscnxsrryi Va, Thursday March 70, 1852
This afternoon, while g Of our cavalry were for.
aging on the Strasburg rood, three miles distant,
they came upon large barn bearing evidence Of
having recently been occupied by Ashbys men.
While our teams were loading with hay, about
200 Of the latter came near, and threw out two com
panies no administers. Our men covered the depart
ure Of their teams and prepared to resist an attack,
which was finally commenced. AZ length six Wis
conan pickets up with rifles and killed two OF
the enemy. One Of our cavalry dashed upon the
enemy amid shower of bullets and killed Que Of the
Rebels with his pistol. The enemy made no effort
at charge, but gradually advanced Sc orr men fell
back to .be town in good order and unframed.
lis a noticeable fact that for several months the
inhabitants Of this section have been entirely with
out coal and with limited means Of transporting fuel
into the towns.
The gas-works at MarIinsburg, Chsrlestown ard
Winchester are closed for want OF stock.
The cars to-day only reached Iialltown, four miles
out Of Harpers Ferry, owing to the previous de-
struction o. tho bridge.
No movements of importance have taken place
to-day.
Con. jackson was in person at Middlstown this
morning. five miles north Of Strasburg.
Ashbys cavalry still hangs in the rear OF jock
sons retreat.
From, Another Couespondeut