Thoughtfully curated historical journalism
Fortress Monroe, May 16, 1862.
There is no news from General McClellan’s army to-day. He is pushing on as fast as practicable.
A recent order appoints Major Richard Nixon, of the Ninety-ninth New York Volunteers, Asssistant Provost Marshall of the Department of Virginia, for the city of Norfolk and the surrounding country.
The American‘s account of the battle of Monday says it was a warmly contested engagement. Owing to the roughness of the country and bad condition of the roads, but small portion of our troops could be brought into action. Sickles’ brigade, of Gen. Hooker’s division, bore the great brunt of the battle, and fought most valiantly, though greatly overpowered by numbers and the superior position and earthworks of the enemy.
PARTICULARS OF THE WILLIAMSBURG BATTLE.
Bravery of our Boys.
Williamsburg, May 7, 1862.
Dear Father :—As we have again been in one of these bloody encounters with the rebels, you are of course in the midst of excitement at home, each one anxiously waiting to hear from their own friends and relations in the army. It has been a terrible fight, and many of our friends lay dead on the battle field.— The 2nd N. H. regiment took a prominent part in the fight making the attack, and company B. was the first to drive them from their right position, and kept them at bay fer two and a half long hours, waiting for reinforcements — all our ammunition gone excepting two or three cartridges, which we kept for any emergency, not wishing to fire unless we were sure of our man.
The Mass. 1st came nobly up to our aid, and stood their ground manfully, meeting with a good deal of loss in both killed and wounded. In fact, all of our boys fought well, and bravely, but in the afternoon, we were whipped twice and driven back to the ground where we first attacked them.
The first four day of last week—Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday—were distinguished for the splendid operation and achievements of the Grand Army under General McClellan on the York peninsula.
On Sunday, by a triumph of consummate strategy and engineering skill, McClellan took possession of Yorktown, which the rebel Generals had been compIled to evacuate and retreat ten mile up the peninsula to their works at Williamsburg, where they doubtless calculated upon making good their position.
New Market, Va., May 7.—Yesterday afternoon a detachment of the 9th New York cavalry made a reconnoissance to Harrisburg. When five miles this side they encountered upwards of 200 of Ashby’s cavalry. They charged upon them and pursued them within two miles of the town. Ten rebels were killed and six token prisoners. Our loss was one killed and a battalion adjutant taken prisoner. The work on our side was done with the sabre, and was a very gallant affair.
Fortress Monroe, April 22.—A small row-boat arrived here this morning, from Norfolk, containing three men, a woman, and two children, refugees.
They report that the Merrimac is still at the Gosport navy yard. Workmen were engaged in placing iron shields over her port-holes. It was supposed that the improvements would soon be completed, and the Merrimac be out again in two or three days. She was aground on the last day she came out, as was generally supposed here.
We have not had, by telegraph a clear and satisfactory account of the fight near Yorktown, in which the Vermont regiments were engaged. Neither do the letters from the army tell all we want to know about its purpose and proceedings. The following from a letter dated near Lee’s Mills, gives the clearest account of it we have seen:—