The New York Herald Newspaper, May 26, 1862, Page 1

WHOLE NO. 9369. “IMPORTANT FROM GEN. BANKS. The Attack af the Rebels Jackson and Ewell on His Column. Official Despatches from Gen- eral Banks. STRENGTH OF THE Operations Previous Attack. to the BANKS FALLS BACK ON MARTINSBURG, The Disaster to Col. Kenly’s Regiment, THE REBEL PREPARATIONS, &o., &., &e. Genera) Banks’ Official Report, ‘Hmapguarrane, Marrmaivna, May 25—2:40 P, M. Ben. E. M. 8rarton:— | The vebdole xtt:cked us this soorming at daybreak to grea! force. Their force was ewtimated at.16,000, con- Pieting of Ewell’s and Jacksen’s divisions, The fire cf ‘We pickets Began with the Nght, and was followed by ‘Me ariillery unti! the lines wore fully under fre on both ides. The left wing ptood firmly, holding its ground , Woll, and the right did the same for atime, when two ments broke lines unger the fre of the enemy. ight wing fell back and were ordered to with- @eaw, and the troops passed through the town in consi- Gerable confusion, ‘They wore quickly reformed on the “ether side, and govtinued thelr march in’ good arder to Martinsburg, whore they arrived at twouty minutes to ‘threo P. M., a distance of twenty-two miles. ‘Our trains are in advance and will croes the river in Safety. Our entire forve eugdgod was less than four ‘Wousand, consisting of Gordon’s and Donnolly’s brigades, ‘with two regiments of cavalry under General Rateh, and twe daticries of artillery. Qur less was considerable, as was that of the enemy, Bat cammot now be stated, Wo were reinforced by the Petecnth Maine, which did good service, anda FegiW” say of cavairy. NLP. BANP‘,, Major General Co amaniing, The Details of the Fpcagements. We iwarom, May 26, 1862, Advices received by th§ War porartment state thet General Banks was attacke/y a, Winchestor this morning, end has fallen back tow ris Martinsburg and Harper's ‘The enemy sre ‘reported to be in large force, ‘The city bas "geen Allied with exvitieg rumors ali day Gm egard & the fate of the remnant of General Bank’s eotamn, Vite in the vicinity of Strasburg. After three-fifths of his army had been rent to rein- Serer General McDowell, from the supposed approach of (hy zade} forces under Jackson and Ewell at Fredoricks- ren, it appears now that the supposition of General ‘MeDowell that Jackson and Ewell were pressing upon Sls front was incorrect, and that at the very moment when be called for these reinforcements these rebel ‘Generals wore still hovering about General Banks’ posi- ‘Wen, and were not within eixty miles, or several days’ @aareh of Fredericksburg. ‘She great cause of regret bere is that the rich valley ‘98 the Shenandoah, which had been recovered by the ‘whvance of Genera! Banks driving Jackson step by step ‘Vetere him from Winchester to within ten miles of Staun_ ‘Prompt efforts have been made to succor Banks. It is Sepposed that by to-morrow General dilles will have rein. Saveed Banks with a considerable force. Bs te reported to-night that Cofonel Kenly and his Béeoutenant Colonel, of the First Maryland regiment, at ‘Gwent Royal, and all the regiment except forty, have ; Been billed im the attack of Jackson upon their Qeekion. ‘Many reports state that the rebel force has left Rich- mand and moved vorth to take the offensive. Wasmiweton, May 25—Fvening. ‘fhe enemy, under Generals Ewell and Johnson, with @eaperior foroo, gave battle to Gen. Banks this morning @ daylight at Winchester. Gon. Banks fought them six ours, and then retired in the direotien of Martinsburg, ‘with what logs is unknown. ‘The enemy is, it ie understood, advancing from Win- @ester upon Harper's Ferry. Our troops there are Seing rapidly reinforced. Rumor says that Gen. Jackson is advancing to the sup- pert of Bwell and Johnson, and there are also statements ‘that there is still another force behind him. Prompt means have been taken to meet the emergency @ traly reported. A d@espaich recoived to-night states that General Banks has made good his retreat across the Potomac at ‘Wilkamsport. General Rufus Saxton is in command at Harper's Berry. ‘The city is intensely agitated by the intelligence from be valtey of the Shenandoah, and mere rumors and @peculations increase tho excitement. Batrimone, May 26, 1962 Two members of Koniy’s regiment have arrived in the @uy. ‘bey report they were attacked by a large cavalry @eree under Ashby and several regiments of infantry, @ad twice repulsed them with great loss. Kenly’s force consisted of ‘the Firat Maryland regiment, one section of Koapp’s Pennsylvania battery, and three companies of @e Twonty-ninth Pennsyivanie, While the fight was Progressing two companies of New York cavalry came to ‘Wheir assistance. The fight commenced at twelve o'clock end continued up to night, when the infantry force suc- @eeded in surrounding them ‘The first fight and repulse took place ast of the @enandoah, and finding the force too grent, he retreated te the west side, destroying one of the bridges; but was fteo hotly pressed to sucered in destroying the principal ‘Wridge. Ho made another stand on the west side of the iver, and Knapp’sibattery mowod the robela down with @@ell and grape = They fired in all nearly two hundred @eunds. Colonel Kouly reveived a musket shet in the eek during .the firat attcck, but contmued on horseback featil the close of the day, when he was placed in an @mbulance, porfectiy exiwusted, The last fight took Piaee about four miles this side of Front Royal, his efort ‘being to fall back m ordor, expecting reinforcements @ementarily from Genoral Banks, A momber of Knapp’s battery, who esonpod, says tho Maryland regiment fought with indomitable bravery , and @at Colonel Kenly led them en frequently to bayonet @harges. He also says that on the third approach of Ashby he displayod white flag until within pisto! eange, when Colonel Kenly ordered tc cease firing. The white dag was then throwa down, and the enemy rushed @m our troops, cutting and slashing and refusing ail quarter, Lieutenant Colonel Dushane and Major Miller ere both reperied wounded aad prisopers. Our Army Correspondence, Hannisonnvna, Va. , May 4, 1862. We Redels Rernforced Treir Sirengh and Position Report of Their Advance ~The Bfect of General SI Presence, dc., ke Tho following maportant intelligence comes from our ewn scouts and dovoriers from thy enemy, aad is only bat which is reliablo:—Jackson’s column has been rein Porees by about seven thousand men from Gordonseilt ‘gad othor places of less note along bowh sides of the Rue Ridge Mountains This, with the troops proviously ‘ender his command, swolls his army to 18,000 or 20,000 (een, The ngmber of his guna i# thirty-four, They are @R fold pieces, and among them ft one twenty-four grender riled cannpe. Ho has posted himself at the the NEW YORK, MONDAY, MAY 26, 1862. THE NEW YORK HERALD. Scene of the Operations of the Rebel Generals Jackson and Ewell on Front Royal and) pase of the Blue Ridge, on <n western side, and is within gol rupprrting distange from Johnson's column in the vi- Gwity of Gordoysiiile, The position ho has selectea, and which it is highly probablo he will defend, is an indentation or sicove at the baso or in the side of the range of mountains known as Swift Run Gap, From this circumstance you can readily perceive that i! will be next to an impossibility to out- flank him, and that the only manner in which he can be de- fea'ed is by wern fighting or by some strategy which will draw him from this mountain ss. There is au inferior road Jeading from Harrison. to Stanardsville on tho east. ern side of the Bi» Ridge, which passes through the rebel camp + Dy a wooden bridge over the south or main fork of the Shenandoah. As it is nive miles from the bridge to Jackson's headquirters, before our troops could cross tie river in any foi. aud attack tha enemy he will hav: ample time to guard agsins! @ surprise. A glance at the map of Virginia, which was published in the Herarp some time ago, will give aclearer ides of the position than auy further verbal account oan do, The roads are in good condition, the telegraph line has been completed as far as Mount Jackson, and the weather is fine and highly favora- dle to, campaigning. ‘This town was startled yesterday by a report that the rebel army was advancing upon us. General Banks was premptly upon the alert, and everything was prepared to give him battle. - ‘The night passed off quietly, however, and every one is of the opinion that as soun as something definite te heard from Yorktown this column will immediately advance across the Blue Ridge. New Manner, May 9, 1862. The Rebels in Force in the Mowntains—A Narrow Ber cape—The Querillas, de. Across the Muss»nutten Mountains the enemy still maintains a large cvnp. I askirmish over there, which ocurred yesterda) about thirty of the Indiana regiment were cut offand tiken prisoners, The rebels mut havea very consilerable force in that vicini/y, for they show a stiff front and skirmish daily with our pickets. A company of cavalry had a very barrow escape from capture on tho eastern bank of the Shenandoah, towards Surrey, the day before yesterday. They were on a foraging expedition, and before they were aware of any danger they suddenty discovered them. selves surrounded on thefr front and flanks byinfantry and cavairy of the enemy. Perceiving their situstiva, they dashed back towards tho river firing their carbines and pistols in retreat, The Shenandoah at that point is deep and rapid, Notning daonted, however, the caval ry dashed their horses inte the stream and eTeeted thelr ercape by swimming the river, and returned to their amp withont losing a man The only mishap was tho shooting of the chaplaia’s horse. This adventure wana Jegnon of caution to our cavalry which was fot uwneces sary. ‘Tho weather is warm and fine This change is fully appreciated, so wet and gloomy has been the winter and earlier spring, Fine weather, when it is not too warm, is on advantage anywhere; but nowhere so mach ia it appreciated ns ina military camp. The army in this department may be said to be quietly resting on its oars at present, though it is co-operat- ing with the other columns of the Army of the potomac by holdina al least an ewal force of the rebels detached to counteract it, There is a party of one hundred guerillas between Winchester and Strasburg, and it is evident we will have some guerilla pesta all through this valley. Vigorous measures are taken to stop them, however, ‘and one of them was arrested yesterday, near Stras- burg, and forwarded to Winchester jail, where he has since lodged. No punishment could be too severe for these infamous and murderous vagabouds. Some of them are supposed to be deserters from Jackson's column. ris Frowr Rovat, Va., May 16, 1862. ‘Movements of Gen. Shields’ Division—The March to Latray— The Reported Strength of the Rebels Under Ewell—Genera Shields’ and Geary’s Forces Withdrawn from General Banks’ @ommand, do. ‘The division of General Shields arrived hore yestorday about breakfast time. % left Newmarket on Monday last, and marched to Luray, arriving there thosame afternoon. The march was quite interesting, for we had to pass the division of the rebel General Ewell, whe, it was hoped, would dispute our passage, Tho enemy's pickets retired on our approsoh, however, and, though the mountain passes and woods on the line of maroh afforded excellont defensive positions, the rebel general had not temerity § sailiciont to toduce bim to risk an oncouuter with the Union forces, The nambers of the rebels under Ewell are re- ported by five officers of tha Union army, who escaped through the rebol lines from imprisonment at Richmond, to be about ten thousand men, The day was fine during the march, and overything went on well. We passed through a considerable dis trict of !’age county, whore we had tho pleasure of meet. mg many Union people, Tho ladies, dressed in their best habilimente, when they heard of our approach, sang the national patriotic airs as the army moved past, These scenes, though thoy may appear trifling, not only havo their significance, bat were chooring and interesting to our gallant troops. ‘Tho re- bole, on the other hand, remained mute and apparently unconcerned. Asa goveral rule the rebels in this dia. trict admit that their eaure is hopelessly lost,and they now fall back on the ery that the war was unnecessary, and South Carolina had no right to commence jt, Some of them expressed a hopo that the North would deal mereiful ly with the South, and not require her to pay the whole ex. ponse of the war. A few were af opinion, or at least affected rte eset aia = Winchester, May 4 de Of the opinion, that the falling back of the rebels and recent succession of disasters which have occurred to them are only the policy of the rebel generals lo defeat the government armies, On Tuesday the division marched from Luray to Mil- ford, the weather still continuing fine. Nothing of dif- ferent character from the scones of the first day’s maieh occurred on Tuesday. Before the break of day yes- terday our division was again in motion, and reached hore at the time mentioned in the begin- ning of thie letter.“ A new regulation was in- troduced during this march by General Shields. It was that the knapsacks and biankots should be drawn along with the regiments as baggage, instead of being lugged by the men on their backs through a bot sun, over a bad and dusty road. The consequence was that the men were very litile fatigued by the marching, and accomplished their journey with comparative ease, ‘The column is on its way to join McDowell’s commands while the division of Gen. Williams guards the valley by holding Strasburg, which is regarded asthe ‘‘key” to its possession. Ome division is now considered amply sufficient fer that purpose. Shields’ division goes forward by railroad from here to-day. Since our arrival here the weather has been wet and disagreeable. General Geary’s command has alse been detached from Banks to McDowell, and will, probably, soon join the column under the command of that general. Front Rovar, Va., May 17, 1862. General Shields Gone—The Rebels Advancing—The Work Accomplished by General Geary's Comnant—Our Force Divided—The Rebels Concentrated—General Banks in Di- Yesterday the rear guard of General Shields’ division left here, and resumed its march to Fredericksburg. The place has relapsed into its former quictude, and the change in this respect wrought by the departure of the trope is quite remarkable. Two days ago Johnson and Jackson, the revel generals in the valley, united their forces with those of the rebel General Br, and encamped around Harrissnburg. It ts now reported that they are advancing towards Strasburg, slowly and steadily, and, according to one statement, they are already ap far as Kdinburg. It this isso they will probably try to overpower General Banks’ command at Strashurg. A good deal of u ul work has beea done by General Geary’s command, and sinee be took charge of the rail- road from here to Manassas Junction, not only has the road been repaired and the bridges ovor ft rebailt, but it has been guarded for upwards of fifty milea against attacks from guerillas and other rov- ing parties of the enemy. The britge butt over the Shenandoah alone at this point is awork of great labor. Ite longth is 450 feet. The first train will passover it to-day to Strasburg, and thus the road will be open throughout its ontire length Guerilla Lande and detached parties of the ensmy' airy infest this section. A company of thoss men at eked our men protecting the railroad ats point eighy Tiles below Front Roya!, two nights ago, irilling one man wounding another and takingten prisoners. Thusare our’ c our troops protecting the railroa constanily subjectto night at- | tacks from desperate and unscrupulous foes while they ave spread out in smatl parties, while the rebels can bring a larger force to bear on then at any single point. ‘Ths opening of tho railroad from Alexandria to Stras. burg will be advantageous in many ways. Jn the fir place it will strengthen Banks’ command by opening direct and rapid communication between k's headquarters and the capital, Tt will strengthen oar hold on the valley of Vir- ginia, and it will facilitate and increase the rid y of majl communication between this division of th. ray and the country in.genoral. The strength of tre en-my’s forces in Une valley at present is about twenty-five to thirty thousand men. Two deserters made their way here from there yestorday. They balonged to Ewell’s column. Their report is that Jackson has been orderod to retreat southward with the rest of the rebel forces, but that he has expressed the determination to dio in defence of Virginia, and Virginia alone, They also report that his army would not accompany the cotton States evan if he was willing to go ther ap it is he has to koep oxtra guards on duty every night to prevent thousands of bis command from rashing to their homes, which are now within the Union lines. The Rebel Preparations, THE WORK MARKED OUT FOR JACKSON AND SWELL. {From the Richmond Examiner, April 23. Republished from the Naw Yous Herat of May 1.) ‘The clouds of war thicken cach moment. The enemy are pouring large forces into the valley of the Rappa. hannock from several directions, McClellan is reported to have despatched a body of troops up the Rappahan- nock from the bay to reinforce MoDoweli’s division at Fredericksburg. A citizen ef Fauquier, who arriv yesterday, reports a largo army as advancing from War- renton, Goneral Jackson {s said to have fallen back from the valley to Gordonsville, before Banks, who fol- lows after him with a columa of about thirty thousand men. If Banks and McDowell should combine their divi. sions, which is probably their purpose, Richmond would bo thrertened from the direction of the Potomac with sixty thousand mon. Our govermment has ordered Reavy reinforcements to meet these approaching columns, and & is very probable that a decisive battle maybe fought north of Richmond bifore that on the Peningula has Wanspiret. Our bost Oyhting generals havo pursued the poliey of giving the enemy a flerce ight before falling buck under the pressure of superior forces, Thie was the tacties o Jack#on at Win- chester; and if he is let alone, will doubtless be his section again before falling back behind the line of the Chickahominy 24 and 26, 1862. Ly GERSTOWN ‘The effort of the enemy will doubtloss be to offeot a Junction of his forces under Banks and McDowell somewhere jn the county of Louisa or Caro. line. We suppose it will be necessary for General Jackson to withdraw until he can got both of thee columns in his front. This dono, the justincts of the man will, doubtless, iInduoe him to offer a battle, Our Corinth ison the Chickakominy, and our Shiloh somewhere in ad- vue in Careline or Louisa. We should not le surprised at hearing within a week of a fierce battle on this advanced theatre, wherever it may, be. We augur well for the result of any engagement that may come off in that region of country. The enemy will be far fiom his water base of operations. He will ‘be compellea to meet us on equal terms in every respect except his superior numbers, and we can mavage pretty heavy odds of theae. A soldier accounted in a soldier's satisfactory way for our yielding at Jast in one of our most important battles, He said whipped them the Dest part of the time, and as long as we could fizht, and we ahonid have whipped thém all the time if they had not - reinforoed”’ until there was no end to them. ‘They the better of us on the second day at Shiloh simp this process of *‘out reinforcing’ us, which their mity to the river onabled them to do. If they ) upon us asfaras Caroline or Louisa they will | * from their water transportation that tbis favorii: «+. of ‘out reinforcing” will be impractica- bie. Ws «ver odds they open the battle with, those odds on}y » | ‘hey hold against us. The men that fight and are ned one day, will have to fight and be whipped ‘ if they renew the encounter. A whip- ped army ¥'. rest while afresh army comes for- ward to engage Our troops, worm and weary with a dey’s exertion and exeitement, as on other cecastous: Mis not for ua to divulge the number of our own troops that are concentrating on the lines north of Richmond. Suffice tb to say that we believe them to be ample to withstand and repulse the enemy. There is this further encouraging feature of the campaign in that direction—namoly, that both Generals Jackson and Ewell have the reputation of being fighting generals. Farnest and vigorous work on our side js all that is wanted. Dispute every mile of the road, sell every foot of territory for blood, is the true tactics. The sage policy of the back track may do very well at times, and the virtue of spades and sand bags may be very greatin the p place; but here isa campaign in open fleld, where numbers will not be great- ly unequal, and where neither sido has had time for engincering and dirt digging. Thal country, loo, offers many battle fields; and, a8 this war at last must bo decided by battlos, better that they should be fought promptiy aud bravely than postponed to more gonvenient soasous and localities. Tf Richmond is to fall by the want of valor in troows or conduct in yonerals, it may as well fall this month as the next; aud if the enemy is to be driven, beaten and diegraced from our soil, far Dotter than it should be done when they have freshly entered than after they baye ruined the country by a long occupation of it. We yee more by delay than they do. Their exponnes go on, whotber their armies are within our tovritory or hanging upon our borders. We lose Uiousands of doilara in value ory day the marauders remain in our miist, ‘The strategy of the back track ts a very costly ene us country. fearful. prolongs indefinitely tbe agovies of exile, which is the citizen's living death, Invasion should be the signal of Dloody ama derperate work, of Merve encounter and wrathfur Viows, not of cold strategy an impossible official policy. The wear and toar of feeling it entails 1) First Maryland Regiment, ‘Tho following is the list of the odicers of Col. Kenley's regiment at the time it left Baltimore to take active ser- vice under General Banks, after having performod guard duty in the State of Maryland for several months:— Frederiex tare) Hirt Liewlenanis. Serond Lieutenants Bon), Gillingham, J.J. Bredsha 6. R. Gillingham, eye rgil T. Mercer, G—J. W. Willaen, Robt. $. Smith. . Willson, H—D. H. Schley, J. Ma¥. Lyeth, lee Albangn, 1 —— ——- Josiah B. Colomay w—— K—thos, Johnson. N.G.Starkweather, —— ——. ‘Thoro may have been a few changes in the above list since the regiment loft Baltimore; but they have not to our knowledge been oMcially recorded with the Adjutant General of the State, Important Movements of Oar Militia, THE SEVENTH REGIMENT, Haapgvartans Sevaxta Resiwent, Natiowar, Grano, New Yorn, May 26; 5 } The membors of the regknont are hereby directed to assemble at Hoadquarters, this (Monday) morning, at nine o'clock, in citizen's dress. Business of importan MARSHALL LEFFERTS, Colone} Commanding Soventh regime TAB SEVENTY-PIRST REOTMANT. Meanquankrens Saventy-rrret Mecnrent, ; New Yous, May 26, 1362 } The officers and First Sergeants of companion will an- fombio at the Regimental Armory (Centra street), today (Monday), the 26th instant, at eleven o'clock A.M. The officers and members of companier will assormbl respective Company Quarte ight o'clock. By order of HENRY P. MARTON, 2 Pree, Adjutant a a nn nn ee a ee It exhausts the pocket, it crushes tho heart of the ' 1k protracts the work of ruin, ft intensifies avd | OLUNIN. ANNAPOEIS. CTR TOWN . ROCKVILLE VILLE y ce JASHINGTON FORT WASHINGTON GAIERSASCN GREAT KXCITEMENT OF THE PROPLI Sunday seems to bea marked day in this rebellion. Right out of every ton Dattlos that haye beon fo ight during the war have takon plaice on the Sabbath, and the news of almost every other battle has arrived here just io time for Sunday's paper, or at such an hour as to render the issue of aSundoy extra necessury, This singular coincidence has becv frequently voticet by the generals commanding our armies, the editors of payers, and clergymon in their pulpits. War is evidently no respocter of the seventh day of reet and peace, the foriy abolition screaming parsons to the contrary notwith- standing, and mon will eoem to shoot and stab and mangie each other on Sunday, as well as auy other day, without stopping {6 consider the sanctity of the occasion. | The News in the City. ' i bad returned from morning forvico, and wore about to sit down complavently to their dinners, when the noise of the newsboys shouting out ‘The Defeat ef Genoray Banks!” startled them from their easy chairs, and sum. moned them to tho street doors to purchase # paper con- taining the unlooked.for intelligence, The news circu- lated through the city, as all bad news will, on the wings of lightning. The nowsboys were all over the city in a few hours, and extras were bought up at the most fabu- Jous prices. The excitement, as will readily be supposed, ‘was intense, and increased every hour, the most fever- disaster. A rumor to the effect that the militia of this and neighboring Statea had been notified to hold them. selves in readiness to march to the defence of the na- from Virginia, and gave rise to the fear that Washington town crowds beset the newspaper offices, amd the appear- rebellion. The disaster, coming #0 soon on the heels of #0 many glorious victories, caused the shock to be felt the recoption of bad tidings. THE LATEST NEWS. Heapquarrers, Brvoxn Marrnsnuro, ) May 25--6.46P.M. 1 A prisoner, captured tbia afternoon, says the rebe foree In our renr is to bo strengthened ; that their pur- Williamsport, He confirma all we have heard in regard to the rebol force here. We all pass the Potomac men, trams andal). I N. TP, BANKS, Major General Commandi: IMPORTANT FROM NORTH CAROLINA. Beported Capture of Raleigh, the Capital of the State, &e., &e, &eo. Baurrsone, May 26, 1903, Tho Old Potmt boat has arrived. Our news letter has not yet come to band, it is reported that Gon, Burnside bas taken Raleigh, N.C, Fortrms Mox! The Ellen 8. Terry arrivod from » May 24, 1862, jewbern this after- noon, with some thirty woanded men. Phe American flag was raised in Raleigh some three or Sour days ago by the citizens, No particulars bad becn received. ‘The news arrived by flag of truce. ' On day before yesterday a party, consisting of two | companies of North Carolina cavairy and one company of infantry, visited Swift crook, twelve miles from New bern, where a Union mooting bad recently been hold, and arrested several Union men, taking thom away with thom, One of the men, who was very joud in his ex pression of Union sentiments, was taken into the woods by the enomy, where his throat was out, and where "> ‘was afterwards found by our troops. ‘A recoaveissance was made to Clinton, rineteen miles south of Newbern, afew days since. The enemy's ad- ‘vanced pickets were found and asxirmish engued. We Joos one lieutonant and four privates, taken prisoners. We loft nine of the enemy's dead on the field, and took two prisoners. ail the greater by the people, who were fii prepared for | but comtain nothing new The Lively and Successful Skirmish at New Bridge. Advance of Our Troops on Richmond, &e. &e., &. Mocation’s HeanquskreRs, May 24, 0662, The drivingof the revels from the vicinity @& New Bridge by our artillery yesterday was followéd upto day by amovemert wholly unexpected (0 our adveres- ries. A reconnoivsance, composed of the Fousth Michigan regiment, Colonel Woodbury, and a squad of the Second cavalry, Capt. Gordon, was made, which is worthy of sp°ciad-montion. Five companies of the Fourth Michigan regiment, under LJeut, Bowen, of the Topographical Engincers, and Lieut. Custer, of the Fifth cavalry, acting with the Topographi- cal corps, crossed the Clickahominy @ short distaace abovaNew Bridge, with thiriy men pf the Fourth Michi- gan regiment, This small command succeeded im getting betwoen four companies of the Fifth Louisiana regiment, who ‘were out on proket duty at the bridge, and a brigade of theenemy who were supporting them. In the meantime the balance of the regiment and the squadrons of cavalry approached the bridge from thie side, thus attracting the attention of the four Louisiane companies. The first knowledge the rebels had of the near presenco of anenemy was the firing from thirty muskets at pistol shot range, making havoc in the ranks and causing @ serious panic, while the main bedy ad- vanced in front and opened a deadly fire. ‘The resalt was that thirty-one of the exemy were takep prisoners, fifteen wounded and between sixty and seven- ty left deadon the field, Among the prisoners was 8 Jientenant, The casualties on our side were one killed, ono mortally and six shghtly wounded, Lieutenant Bowen had his horee shot wader him during theskir* mish. ‘The Light brigade, ander General Stoneman, and the brigade of General Davidson, of Smith’s division, to-day advancea from New Bridge up the Chickahominy to Eh- gon’s milJs,on Bell’s creek. Here they encountered four regiments of the enemy’s infantry, with nine pieces of artillery and a command of cawalry. Uf theve, two regi- ments of infantry and three pieces of artillery were op tho opposita side of the creek, The balance of the in- ‘autry, composed of dhe Fighth and Ninth Georgia regi- ments, under General Howell Cobb, were posted in a fa- yorable position to rasist our advance to Mechanicsville. Fixler’s and Robertson's batteries of the Second artillery wero quickly brought into action, and after firing some one bundred and ifty rounds the rebels withdrew with their gous—not, however, until one of thorn had boen dis- mounted » the v! covered by their infantry and cavalry, Four regiments of General Davidagn’s brigade, with Wheelers bitiery, were then sont around, but night wont into camp within 600 yards of the coming on, @uciny, At daylight the batteries on both sidos o,oued, Wheeler confi his guas to sholling the houses, be- hind which the cnemy’s infantry were concesled, ‘Ibe firo was lo hot for the rebelg, and they left the village, a portion retreating across the Chic:ahominy, tho remainder falling back to the railroad, Tbe Thirty. third New York were the first to enter the village. The Yesterday we had snothor Sanday senration. People | houses showed unmistakeable evidence of the accuracy of our artillery, some of them being riddied m @dosep places , ‘The enemy carried off Afteen killed and wounded, ane men excepted, Ovr cagualties were two killed and four Wyollnded. Colonel Mason, of the Seventh Maine, was slighty injured by the explosion of a shell. Gen. Stoneman then sunt two squadrons of the Eighth Iilmois cavalry, under Major Clenderin, three miles fur- ther up the river, and caused to be dostroyea the briige of the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad. Mechanicsville, which is now occupied by our troope, sh anxiety existing te learn full particulars of tho | is five miles from Richmond. Gen, McClellan and etaff visited the nowly acquired section of country this afternoon. ‘A hack, containing a lady, which left Richmond at tiona) capital naturally hoigbtened the effect of the nows | eleven o'clock to-day, was captured by our cavalry pick ets, and brought to General Stoneman's camp. The lady, was in danger of boing captured by the enemy. Down | who lived withia our lines, was sent hone. Several contrabands came in from Richmond to-day ance of things ;roatly resombled the early days of the | hey had nothicg to communicate but what is already known. ‘The Richmond papers of the 2ist have been obtained, MoCun:tas's Heapquanrmrs, May 26, 1862, General Negley’s brigace ia now encamped five miles boyond Bottom’s Bridge. To obtain this position they wore forced to engage the rebel General Stewart, with his brigade, composed of five regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and two batteries. Our loss was two killed and eix wounded. The officers engage supposo the rebel loss to be Detween fifty and sixty killed. A num $s to onter Maryland at two points—Iarper's Ferry | ber of their dead is leit oa the fold, ‘There ja nothing of juterost from the vicinity of Rich mond to-day. Contrabands who come in say that the inbabitauts of Richmond are leaving as fast as they can for Dansville. All those capable of bearing arms are compelied to romain, Very few eoldiers ave in the city all being iu their camps. Nonsor x, May 24, 1862. Four doserters came in from Petersburg this afternoon, and say, in consequence of the scarcity of provisions, the army in Richmond is much domoratize!, and a gr number of desertions ocour daily, Théy siate that half the army would desert if they could have aa oppor. tunity. ‘The army has boen drawa from all parts of the rebe! confederacy, and it is intended to make a desperate rosistanc' The troops have been recentiy eubsisting upon less th an half rations. Uur Washington Correspondence. Wasmsaron, May 22, 1862 The general belief here in military circles is that the fall of the rebel capital will not induce the rebels to abandon Virginia, but that they are determined to con- teeLevery foot of ground upon which they can fight, with & prospect of prolonging the war, 1 was permitted this afternoon to peruse a portion of a letter, dated Richmond, May 10, written by an adjutant ‘fn Gen. Johnaton’s army to hia vite in this city, in which jt is eaid that the rel al govern do not expect to be bie to hold Richmond longer than the latter part of no, if so long. vhey are confident ia their ability to repulse and urlve back McClelian’s armg in ti\eir first attempt en the eapital, but expect the attack will be renewed agon after ward with a superior and irresistible force. Agreat deal of machinery and several manufacturing establishments have heon removed from the city to Lynchburg and other points on the James river berween there and Richmond, and are in active operation, ‘The letter referred to was transinied from Richmond to the lady in question by way of [ultimore,and wae mailed at the latter city. Fatal Boller Explosion. Dwrnorr, May 26, 1862. ‘Tho tug Pouave exploded hor boilrs on Lako St. Clair ‘The health and spirits of the troops at Newbera con- | at oleven o'clock to-day, killing Captain M. W. Lee, Be. tinue excellent. Washington, N. C., bas been ocoupied and a newspaper | and one fireman. The boat ie started there by the troops, Whe Fire at Li Busquvenanna, Pa., May 25, 1962, ‘Tho fire at Lanesboro was more serious than at first In addition to the viaduct, ok stated, burned, Freight trains will not be ablo to pass the broak'for three or four days, Passenger trains are run. ning as ueval, A Rowe, Fiac Carrens> at Fort Macon.—Major Has jabero, zara, of General Burnside’s army, and Lieutenant nor, of the Fi(ty-seventh New York regimont, calle! at this oflee yosterday and showed us a rebel fag contain. ing thirteen stare,’ which was captured at Fort Macon by Colonol Fricker, of the Signal corps, and p esented to Major Hazzard, Tho frat rene” captured in the fort war a turtle weighing two hundred ponuds, which Major Vazaard transmitted to Ine fathor for culinacy purposes, ven houses were | sachustts; Hen. ©. Vibbard, of Albany: cond Engineer Wim. A. Downer, John ‘Burrill, the evok, Personal Intelligence. jer General Sullivan, of the indiana Voluntesrs, FL. Mygatt and famey, of Uxiord, Gon. Cook, of New Joraey; Dr. Eliot, of the United Stave Army; \dred Smith, of Washiegton; br. hennedy and famby, of Mt sient Clements, of Wiuchsst-r Va , and Dr. Hy A, Rich: Of the United staes Army, are stopping at ihe St, N Jan Hotel. W.R. Morphy, of Pittetborg; George Morris, of Cl elnnati; R. T. ones, of Fulton; Th ms 6. Hamb ew , of Baliimore, and 1, A. Steve von, Chacien Gotta a and J. W. Barnes, of the Unitod stares Amy, are Among tie arrivals at the Metropelitan Hots), Jesse D. Bright arrived in Indianapolis on (he 22d inst Fernando Wood and family, of Now York, arrived ia Chicago on the 22d inetant. Mrs, Dandridgo, better known a8 Boity Bliss, dovghtor of the ate President Taylor, is @ resident of Winc!.eat ¥, Virginia