DOCUMENTS. the evacuation had been effected with considerable precipitation. Among the first of the duties devolving on the gallant tars who had taken possession, was the running up of the glorious Stars and Stripes. This was a matter of the most ordinary convenience; for the rebels, in their haste, had actually left the flagstaff, with its halyards, standing, and the Star-Spangled Banner was run up by Acting Master Williams-"Old Jack," of Mathias Point -who has achieved a reputation for devotion to the American flag. brave boys. As at Cockpit Point, too, the gun- The rebel fortifications are perfect gems of en- On further examining the fortifications at Cockpit Point, it was found that some dangerous traps By an inwere attached to the three magazines. genious contrivance, a flap on hinges, at the entrance of each magazine, was made to descend on the caps of conical shells of large calibre-the flap having iron plates fitting down on the caps -while heavy shells on the flap would give an impetus to the blow. Outside of the entrance, concealed strings were so contrived that, on touching one with the foot, the trap would fall, involving all near by in destruction. The sagacity of Mr. Williams, however, enabled him to discover the snare, and he counteracted it by sending on board the Anacostia for a pair of shears, with which to cut the accursed strings, as he thought the jarring of even a knife might have had the effect that the rebels contemplated. Perhaps they relied on the uncalculating impetuosity of seamen. If so, they reckoned this time without their host. While these things were going on at Cockpit Point, fires were seen in Quantico Creek, and all along the line of batteries to Chapawamsic Creek. The rebels were evidently destroying all they could not carry away, including the burning of the steamer George Page, and other vessels in Quantico Creek. Accordingly, the Anacostia soon got under weigh, and stood down the river to Shipping Point. Arrived there, a landing was about to be effected, after shelling the batteries, Back of the guns are a number of excavations, when a canal - boat was seen putting off from Budd's Ferry, loaded with a company of one of the Massachusetts regiments, that, without orders running underground, into which the rebel solfrom the general, were willing to do a little fight-diers could run whenever they saw the flash from ing "on their own hook." Capt. Badger towed the Union guns, either on the river or on the them to Shipping Point, and on the way lent the Maryland shore. Of course, these "rat-holes " gallant boys a flag belonging to one of his boats. are bomb-proof, and, provided a man can get into On nearing the shore, however, the tars were de- one in time, he is safe from hostile shot or shell. termined to be ahead of the "sojers" - not a Like the entrances to the magazines, these "rathard matter with seamen, in their peculiar ele-holes" are lined with cedar planks. Still further Influenced by this sentiment, they made a dash on shore, and soon Mr. Williams came up to the flag-staff, which, like that at Cockpit Point, was still standing, and hoisted the pennant, as a substitute for the Stars and Stripes that had been The military, too, soon lent to the soldiers. landed, when the American ensign was hoisted amidst the most deafening cheers from the vessels, and from both banks of the river. Here, as at Cockpit Point, great caution was observed, to avoid falling into snares, and to steer clear of the probable explosion of mines. But, by the exercise of that prudence which is always allied to true bravery, under the protection of Providence, ment. back, and at divergent angles, are a number of rifle-pits, where, in the event of the cannon being taken, the rebel soldiery could keep the Union troops at bay; and about half a mile further in the rear a large steel gun is, or rather was, mounted. This was surrounded by other rifle-pits, by means of which it was hoped that, even though the intrenchments in part might be carried, the rebels might make the last stand, and either repel the Unionists, or, if the worst came to the worst, secure their own final retreat. The batteries extending from Chapawamsic Creek to Quantico Creek, embracing Shipping Point and Evansport, are provided with defences guns at Cockpit Point had their trunnions broken off, after which they were precipitated over the bluff into the river. Some of those at Shipping Point and other places remain. Among military and naval officers the evacua tion of the batteries on the Lower Potomac is con in the rear somewhat similar to those at Cockpit point. Shipping Point may be considered as an island, for the only way to make the mainland from that place, is by means of a narrow wooden bridge, thrown across a deep and dangerous swamp. It was shrewdly calculated that this narrow passage would be a point of strength to them-sidered as a military necessity, after the fall of selves in case of a retreat, with the Unionists in pursuit; for nothing would be easier than to burn or otherwise destroy the bridge. And yet, though not pursued, the rebels forgot to destroy the bridge, showing that some unaccountable panic must have seized on them. After the crew from the Anacostia had landed at Shipping Point, the gunboat arrived opposite the Point, and sent a boat on shore with some spikes; but it does not appear that many of them were necessary. Roanoke Island, the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, and the occupation of Nashville, taken in connection with the advance of the grand army of the Potomac; but the precipitation with which they left their batteries hard beset, and the panic with which they were evidently filled, are not so easy of solution. Perhaps they were ap prehensive that if they lingered, their retreat would be cut off by Gen. Heintzelman's division, stationed at Pohick Church. Perhaps, too, the throwing up of several rockets from the Yankee, on Saturday night, was taken for signals, indicatall events, it seems to be a fact that the rebels intended to manage their retreat as secretly as possible, and to take away all they could with them; but they were circumvented by the vigilance of the flotilla. Hence their rapid flight from Cockpit Point, and their simultaneous firing of their combustible goods and chattels from Quantico Creek to below Aquia Creek. No doubt, when they found that Cockpit Point was in possession of the Union troops, they feared a simultaneous movement from across the river and from Pohick Church, and thought it prudent to evacuate as quickly as possible, to save several thousands of their troops from capture. On Monday morning the Commodore, at the request of Gen. Hooker, towed over some canal-ing an early cooperation with the military. At boats, containing two regiments, one from NewJersey, and the other from Massachusetts. They landed at Cockpit Point and Shipping Point, when skirmishers were thrown out, penetrating several miles into the country. In the rear of the fortifications at Cockpit Point they found an intrenched camp, a great deal of the materials of which were but partially destroyed, affording additional evidence of the hurried flight of the rebels, but of the rebels themselves not a trace remained. I annex the following memoranda of arms and munitions found at Shipping Point: A gun, weighing nine thousand and sixty-eight pounds, marked "W. P., No. 4." A long thirty-two-pounder, weighing six thousand two hundred pounds, cast in 1845, mounted on a pivot-carriage, which was destroyed. A six-inch rifled pivot-gun, mounted on a pivotcarriage-carriage destroyed. Fragments of a six-inch rifled gun, cast at the Tredegar Iron-Works, Richmond, Va., mounted on a pivot-carriage-carriage burned and destroyed. Six long forty-two-pounders, on pivot-carriages -carriages all destroyed. Doc. 84. THE CHARGE AT BURK'S STATION, VA. A CORRESPONDENT, writing from Fairfax CourtHouse, March eleventh, gives the following account of this affair: Two days of excitement and the monotony of camp-life on the Potomac is broken. Companies A and H, of the Lincoln cavalry, were on Saturday ordered to proceed to Burk's Station, (your A seven-and-a-half-inch rifled gun, cast at Low readers all know where that is,) and guard a porMoor, England, weighing ten thousand seven hun- tion of the railroad and a bridge, then being redred and fifty-nine pounds, cast in 1861. This paired by a body of laborers. On Sunday morn gun is in good order; it was mounted on a pivot-ing, Gen. Kearney and his brigade pushed for carriage, which was cut with axes in order to weaken it. One hundred and sixty-nine nine-inch shells, with five second fuses. A large quantity of thirty-two pound shot and canister. ward to the same point, feeling his way into the enemy's country. The enemy's scouts were hovering about in the vicinity, and it was evident that we were close upon his outposts. About eleven o'clock, Gen. Kearney ordered a detachment of fourteen men, of the Lincoln cavalry, under command of Lieut. Hidden, to advance to a certain point on the road, feel the enemy's position and report. Flankers were furnished, but they do not seem to have kept up with the cav alry, which soon came upon one of the enemy's To which may be added three "dummies" or supports, where about one hundred and fifty of wooden guns, placed in position to make the bat-his infantry were posted. Seeing the cavalry adtery look more formidable than the reality. They vancing, the enemy quickly formed, and comwere playfully spiked. menced firing, the arms used being Kentucky The shot and shell have been removed. The rifles. The temptation for a dash, on the part Thirty-five six-inch rifle-shells, in good order. Two furnaces for heating thirty-two pound shot. Some shot were in the grate, with fire under them, ready for heating. Three passing-boxes. 2867 DOCUMENTS. of the cavalry, now became irresistible. Quickly Lieut. Hidden told off his men, and placing himself at their head, dashed down upon the rebels at full speed, cheering and shouting to his men as he went. A majority of the rebels, astonished at the intrepidity of the charge, took to their heels, and scampered off in true Virginia style. The rest fought desperately. Lieut. Hidden fell from his horse dead. A rifle-ball entered his left shoulder, curved through his neck, and came out at the cheek, killing him almost instantly. Lieut. Hidden was a brother-in-law of William Webb, the celebrated ship-builder of New-York He was a young man of fine personal appearance, brave as a lion, and much beloved by both officers and men, who deeply regret his loss. To the former he was always the courteous gentleman; to the latter, he was a true friend. Corporal Eugene Lewis now took command, and the fight became even more desperate. Several of our men had their horses killed, and were forced to engage the enemy hand to hand. Corporal Lewis dismounted, cheered his men on, fighting himself like a tiger, killing two of the enemy and wounding a third. Some of these rebels had resolved to die rather than be taken prisoners, and on refusing to surrender, had to be brought to their senses by a pistol-shot. One fought until deprived of his rifle and bayonet, and then drew one of the strangest-looking bowie-knives, and continued to defend himself in the most desperate manner, until despatched by a ball from a revolver. His weapons are now trophies in the hands of the trooper who proved his victor. The whole thing was done quickly and well. We killed three, wounded five, and made. prisoners of eleven, who were marched off before their fleeing comrades had time to recover themselves. Corporal Lewis, seeing one of the rebel lieutenants at a distance, heading south, mounted Lieut. Hidden's horse and went in pursuit. He soon overtook and bagged the game, who turned out to be about as sorry a looking specimen of the reduced chivalry as you ever saw a real whiskydrinker and tobacco-grinder. The F. F. V. had serious objections to being taken prisoner, or rather, as he said, "surrendering to a corporal." A few raps with the back of the corporal's sabre on the rebel's shoulders soon brought him to his senses, and lowered his dignity. He is now sharing the fate of his fellow-rebels in a comfortable prison in Washington. Gen. Kearney, who saw this charge from a distance, declares it the most brilliant dash and desperate bit of fighting he ever saw. He took each man by the hand on his return, and complimented him for his bravery. FLAG-SHIP WABASH, OFF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA., SIR: Having on the seventh despatched a division of my force to hold Brunswick, consisting of the Mohican, Pocahontas, and Potomska, un- After arranging with Brig.-Gen. Wright on joint The gunboats had not yet been able to cross the bar, but expected to do so the next day, the Ellen only getting in that evening. As at Nassau, which was visited by Lieut. Commanding Stevens, There being no probability that the Huron on his way down, the forts seemed abandoned. could enter, I despatched her off St. Augustine, I immediately sent on shore Commander C. R. where I followed her, arriving on the eleventh. P. Rodgers, with a flag of truce, having reason to believe that if there were any people on this coast likely to remain in their houses, it would be at St. Augustine. I enclose Commander Rodgers' most interesting report, which I am sure the Department will read with satisfaction. The American flag is flying once more over that old city, raised by the hands of its own people, who resisted the appeals, threats, and falsehoods of their leaders, though compelled to witness the carrying off of their sons in the ranks of the flying enemy. This gives us possession of a second national fort of strength and importance. Since writing the above, I have received by the Isaac Smith a report from Lieut. Commanding Stevens of his operations in the St. John's River, giving details of great interest. From Lieut. Commanding Nicholson I learn with regret of acts of vandalism on the part of the rebel commanders, (not the people,) in setting fire to vast quantities of lumber, and the sawmills in that region, owned by Northern men, supposed to have Union sympathies. In all this varied and difficult service, having to contend with surf shores, dangerous bars, and inland navigation, in an enemy's country, I think it due to the officers and men under my command to say that they have, on all occasions, dis played great spirit and ability, fully coming up batteries in this piece of woods, and they have S. F. DU PONT, Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. Doc. 85. EVACUATION OF MANASSAS, VA. MARCH 11, 1862. had a regiment in winter quarters here; but they were only on picket, and could have been easily driven into the Centreville forts. In the rear of Centreville was a cavalry camp, and the only shelter for the horses was some cedar-trees, which had been planted so as to protect them from the cold, bleak winds that come whistling down from the Bull Run mountains. How effective it was, can be judged from the fact that in a field but half a mile to the rear lie the carcasses of over a hundred horses, some of them very fine ones, while further down were innumerTHE Correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquir-able horse graveyards, but none of them have been er gives the following account of his exploration buried. Overhead an immense drove of vultures of the rebel camps at Centreville and Manassas: was hovering, and the buzzards were evidently The fortifications at Centreville look, at a dis-anticipating a rich feast, and appeared to be angry tance, formidable, extending from a point half a at the delay. mile north of the town, away off to the south as far as the eye can reach. We rode up to them and found them merely dirt-trenches and sandforts. They have been evidently laid out by an engineer who understands his business, but have been constructed by men who merely wanted to put in the time. There has never been a single heavy gun mounted in them. Embrasures have been made and logs of wood run out in all of them. All were so arranged, however, that field artillery could be used in them. The floors on which they could have stood were hemlock boards, one inch thick, and would not have lasted through a single discharge, but would have let the guns down into the sand. Some of those on the left have wicker-work around the embrasures, which has apparently been done by some old negro basket-maker. On two of them were raw-hides staked down and sand-bags around the embrasures, but these were intended to rake a storming party should we have marched up in front. The ditches around them are nicely arranged, so that our troops could have marched down and up the sides readily to make a bayonet-charge. No timber has ever been placed in front to obstruct a passage, nor were the sides dug perpendicular, but at an angle. Five of these forts command the road to Centreville by which McDowell came in July. They extend over a line of a mile and a half, and are all connected by rifle-pits dug deep enough to allow artillery to move along behind them without being seen in front, under the protection of sand-banks from four to twelve feet thick. No precaution appears to have been taken to prevent a flank movement in the rear of Centreville in anything like such a formidable manner as the front. The ground to the north is covered with a dense woods and stunted pines. A few dirt-banks near Centreville, behind which artillery could have been sheltered, were the only guards on their left. A piece of dense woods, about a mile and a half from Centreville, would have afforded us protection from which, with siege-guns, we could have shelled them out in a few hours. There were a few places where they had had masked To the left of Centreville was a large number of fine cabins, made of logs, plastered with mud and roofed roughly with shingles; they were in regular rows, and none had been fired. The grounds around them were quite clean, and we should judge that these had been evacuated by the troops who went home on furloughs-to reenlist-none of whom returned. These huts are better made than those of our own army on the Potomac, and are now filled by our troops, who are highly delighted with them. A line of railroad has been built in nearly a direct line from Manassas Junction to Centreville, crossing Bull Run at Blackburn's Ford. It has been built right along the top of the ground, and contains some pretty sharp curves and heavy grades. The only bridge on it, which is the one at Blackburn's Ford, and which was merely a frame trestle-work, was fired and burned. The track remains, however, but is in a dilapidated condition. The cross-ties are twice the usual width apart, and laid in the sand and swamp without any ballast. Three or four cars of the M. S. R. R. are broken up and overturned by the side of the track. No cars were left on it here, and the last train passed over it on Sunday noon. The telegraph-office here was connected by a single wire with the South, and the poles bear evidence of its having at one time been extended to Fairfax Court House. The wire and insulation are all gone, and nothing remains to tell the tale but the bare poles. The wagon-road to Manassas has been put in good condition by the plentiful use of planks and logs; through the first piece of woods after leav ing Centreville is a piece of "corduroy road," which is in terrible condition; the bodies of half a dozen horses who had broken their legs were scattered along the side, a testimony against these wretched inventions. The road is now in as good condition as it will be at any time for months; it has been widened for teams to pass; or two to go abreast. The turnpike road to Warrenton is in as fine condition as it ever was; the fields are in good order for moving artillery, and the side-roads, or those of but little use, are very good. The roads are DOCUMENTS. all good after we leave the old lines around Wash- were stretched in a field close by, upon stakes, About noon Gens. McClellan and McDowell, with their staffs, and two thousand cavalry for an escort, came up and took the road to Manassas. We fell in with them and followed on down to Manassas. All along to the left of the road was one continuous string of huts, tents, and forts, all empty now-not a human being or animal showed themselves-not a sound save the clatter of the horses' hoofs, the shrill tones of the bugles, or the loud orders of the officers. At Blackburn's Ford we saw the old battlefield of July eighteenth. The Butler House, occupied by the different forces were explained which was between the two forces and had been by Gen. McDowell. They are the same now as riddled with shot and shell, has been repaired. when we stood there on that memorable Sabbath. It was here Beauregard was dining, and made All was quiet through that now peaceful dale. such a narrow escape at the time. The tree-tops The roar of the murderous artillery, the flash of bear the evidence of the way the shot and shells the musketry, and the groans of the wounded flew around. Large limbs were cut off, and tree- and dying seemed to be still ringing in our ears; tops twisted in a hundred directions, as though but the chirping of the tree-frogs, or a solitary struck by lightning. The woods in which the bird perched upon a sheltered bush, was all that New-York Twelfth, the First and Second Michi- really broke the stillness. gan, and the Massachusetts First went down has all been cut away, and we can now see where the rebels had their artillery, upon the bank of Bull Run, behind a breastwork of logs and dirt. The Washington artillery, of New-Orleans, and three South-Carolina regiments, have been encamped near the Butler House for the winter, The artillery but started away some time ago. left a quantity of harness, etc. None of their tents were destroyed. Further down are the tents of a whole division, all pitched, as though the occupants had gone home to recruit and reenlist, but had not yet returned. The plains of Manassas are really what their name implies. The time was when there were objects which obstructed the range of vision, but they are all gone now; for miles around we have an unbroken view. On the hills around are the camps still left, and a column of smoke away off to the right indicated that Manassas was on fire. Our cavalry had gone there during Monday night, and found the rear of the enemy still there; but A they were firing the remaining property. captain, by whose side we rode, told us of piles of new secesh clothes, swords, flags, etc. Galloping ahead of the rest, we reached the Junction. The sight here cannot be portrayed; the large machine-shops, the station-houses, the commissary and quartermaster store-houses, all in ashes. On the track stood the wreck of a locomotive, and not far down the remains of four freight-cars which had been burned; to the right five hundred barrels of flour had been stove in, and two hundred barrels of vinegar and molasses had been allowed to try experiments in chemical combinations. Some fifty barrels of pork and beef had been scattered around in the mud, and a few hundred yards down the track a dense cloud of smoke was arising from the remains of a factory which had been used for rendering up tallow and boiling bones. About a thousand good hides As we halted for a moment we noticed on the hill-tops a number of empty huts, along the ravines were the strong natural defences so lately garrisoned by the rebel hordes; but they have all gone now. Near the field where Col. Cameron fell are long and broad trenches, only distinguished as graves by the new-made earth, on which the grass this last summer has refused to grow. The hill-side where Schenck led his division under the murderous fire, the ravine where the rebel cavalry outflanked us, the little old negro hut and other buildings they used as hospitals, are still there; the blood-stained floors covered with dirt. The stone bridge has been blown up, and is now a heap of ruins. We rode across the field where our Parrott guns were lost, picked up a cannon-ball, and pushed on to Centreville, reaching here at dark. The rebel army of the Potomac, from all appearances, has been at times strong in numbers and well entrenched. They may have had one hundred and fifty thousand men, but we much doubt if they have had over one hundred and ten or one hundred and twenty thousand. Whether they could have been cut off last fall or this winter, or could have been driven from Manassas in confusion at any time, is not for us to decide. Such as they were, they have gone hence. Contrabands coming in tell us that they said they will make a stand at Warrenton for the present, but will not fight this side of Gordonsville, and will force us to come to their mountain fastnesses to meet them. The rebel Gen. Stuart was at Gainesville last night, with the rear of his army, moving swiftly on, impressing all the slaves and driving them on to work on the new fortifications. Numbers of men suspected of Union sentiments have also been carried away. Posted on a door of a loghouse, where everything had been abandoned in confusion, was the following notice: |