Army of the Potomac.
[our own correspondent]
Centreville, Dec. 11.
On Monday, at 11 o'clock, two soldiers belonging to the ‘"Tiger Rifles, "’ were shot, by order of Gen. Johnston, after having been tried by court martial and confined under the 9th article of war. This reads as follows:
‘"Art 9 Any officer or soldier who shall strike his superior officer, or draw or lift up any weapon, or offer any violence against him, being in the execution of his office, on any pretence whatever, or shall disobey any lawful command of his superior officer, shall suffer death, or such other punishment as shall according to the nature of his offence, be inflicted upon him by the sentence of a court-martial."’
These two unfortunate men were found guilty of striking an officer while endeavoring to prevent them rescuing a prisoner then in his custody.
Their names were Dennis Corcoran and Mike O'Brien--Irishmen by birth, but for some years residents of New Orleans.
As the hour for the execution arrived some ten or fifteen thousand soldiers arrived upon the ground, and were formed on three sides of the spot selected.
The men were brought up in a wagon and accompanied by a Catholic Priest.
They were dressed in a full suit of Tiger uniform, and being men of fine manly forms presented a splendid appearance.
They bore the ordeal bravely.
Alighting from the wagon, each walked up to the stakes prepared for them, and kneeled while their hands were tied and the bandage adjusted over their eyes.
Then came a moment of breathless suspense, and the next the bullets of their own comrades sent their souls into eternity.
Both were buried near the spot of their ignominious death, and according to the rites of the Catholic Church.
The most affecting part of the scene was immediately following the discharge of musketry.
One of the men had a brother in the crowd, who, before the smoke of the volley cleared from the spot, ran to his side and supported him as his life-blood ebbed away, and felt the last quiver of mortality as the soldier's body fell into his arms.
It was heart-rending to see the poor brother's agony.
The life of dishonor and crime were both forgotten as one thought of that fire of brotherly love that had burned through years of sin — The death of the criminal was borne with stolidity, but the simple sight of such heartfelt, brotherly grief moistened every eye.--How often we see such scenes in real life, that show how thoroughly love rules the world, and proves the truth of Coleridge's assertion that all thoughts, all passions, all delights are but its ministers, and serve to feed the sacred flame.
I have seen the most depraved and reckless men weep over the sorrows of some poor Camille, or sigh from the bottom of their heart at the agony of some dying Acuzens; and I have seen men who marched up to the cannon's mouth unmoved — who won distinction on the Crimean fields — shed tears, during the opera of ‘"Rigoletto,"’ at the touching story of that sad old man who, lost himself to all sentiments of honor, still cherished in the inner chambers of his heart the maintenance of his daughter's love.
The weather still continues beautiful, but somewhat colder than it has been for two weeks past.
The roads are still good, but there are no signs of an advance of the army of subjugation.
On the contrary, I have information that the Yankees have fallen back from Annandale, and have probably gone into small huts that have been built in the woods on the plain in front of Munson's and Mason's hills.
Tuesday night it is supposed nearly the entire force near Annandale fell back to the fortifications, or to the rear of them, and that they burned the building that had been used for storing provisions and ordnance.
There has been no apprehension of an attack here for a week, notwithstanding the thousand and one rumors that come up in some of the Richmond papers.--On Saturday an inspection of a division of the army took place, which seemed to furnish material for supposing an advance about to be made.
I must repeat a previous assertion, that the only, basis for the belief that there will be a fight on this line, is the supposition that McClellan will be forced to advance by public opinion at the North.
Yesterday Capt. Rosser, with the 2d company of Washington Artillery, was relieved on the outpost by the 4th company, under Lieutenants Norcum and Battles.
The 2nd company reported to Major J. B. Walton, at the headquarters of the battalion, and are now on duty at Camp Hollins.
The 1st company, Capt. Squires, and the 3d, Capt. Miller, are also here.
I am very much pleased to learn that Major A. M. Barbour has been recently promoted, and is now Quartermaster of this division of the Army of the Potomac.
This appointment has given general satisfaction, I believe, for I have heard him highly spoken of as an efficient and satisfactory man for the position.
Major Barbour now has his headquarters at Centreville.
Contracts have just been entered into for building a railroad from Manassas to this point.
The line has been surveyed through, and is now being leveled.
The grade will be heavy.
Manassas is one hundred and sixty-three feet above the level of Bull Run, and is considerably higher than the hills of Centreville.
The distance is six miles. It is four miles from the Station to Bull Run, and two miles from there to this point.
The work will be one of great accommodation, as a large portion of the army will remain in this immediate vicinity.
This morning a brigade cavalry drill was appointed by Gen. Stuart near by headquarters.
On account of the high wind, it was deterred until to-morrow.
Bohemian. 