NEWS FROM MANASSAS: Reports of Our Correspondent with the Advance of the Army; The Rebel Evacuation Commenced on Friday Last (3/13/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 3/13/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, March 12.

A courier from the Union troops in the direction of Brentsville, Va., brings reports to 5 P.M. yesterday. Up to that time they had sustained Their difficult march with much fortitude, and but few lagged behind. All are much disappointed at the flight of the rebels. The smoke of burning property near Manassas can be plainly seen from camp.

The roads in many places are very bad.

Contrabands coming into our lines report that officers commanding the twelve months "Confederate" troops advised their men to disband and repair to their homes.

Great columns of smoke seen in the direction of Brentsville, indicated the abandonment and destruction of the enemy's works.

A correspondent of the TIMES, who accompanied the advance upon Centreville and Manassas has just come in. He was in every fort at Centreville, and went with the first column that crossed the Bull Run battle-field and entered the famous stronghold, Manassas. He corrects many previous statements we have had of the evacuation of those places by the enemy.

It was only last Friday that the retreat of the rebels from Centreville commenced. Gen. JOHNSTON left on Friday morning; Gen. SMITH left on Saturday afternoon, and Col. STUART last Monday, the day our army left camp on the Potomac.

The retreat was conducted very orderly at first. Everything was carefully cleaned up at Centreville -- nothing left that could be useful to us. The forts were well planned and very formidable. They command the roads, and the fire of not less than a hundred guns could be converged upon any approach to the defences; but the guns were never brought from Manassas to mount the Centreville forts. A railroad track extended from Manassas to Centreville, and a telegraph line.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

News from Manassas: Reports of Our Correspondent with the Advance of the Army – 2
The Plan of the Campaign – 2-4
Important from Washington: War Bulletins Issued by the President – 4-5
The Late Naval Battles: A Rebel Account of the Engagements – 5-6
Another Fight in Tennessee: Defeat of Six Hundred Rebels at Paris – 6
Rebel Spies at the North – 6
Important from the South: Generals Floyd and Pillow Suspended from Their Commands – 6-7
The Exploit of the Monitor-A Scientific Comment – 7
Editorial: The President Commanding in Chief – 7-8
Editorial: The Starving Out of the Rebellion – 8
Floyd and Pillow in Disgrace – 8
A Monster Quelled – 8
Brooklyn News – 8
From San Francisco – 8