The New York Herald Newspaper, May 27, 1862, Page 3

NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1862.—TRIPLE SHEET. 3 senante. One was sh t with two bails through the head | and the body of the other was compe ely riddied with men accompany them, whom are Senator Gwin’ Calfornia, And hissou. It is the intention of Presi” dent Davis to lead an ariny against the hosts investing * @f the river. Richmond, and he fag daciared ite streets shall run with ‘Detere he yivics tte LATEST FROM GEN, BANKS? ARMY, ne Tlis Forces Safely Across the River. THE ENEMY NOT YET IN SIGHT. Details of the Attack on the First Maryland Regiment, Rey kee, General Banks’ Despatch to Sceretary Stanton. Wasiixctow, May 26, 1862, ‘The following is the latest received at the War De partment from General Binks:— Wittsamsrorr, May 26, 1862, Bon. Eow M. Sravmx, Secretary of War:— We believe that our whole force, trains and aft, Wil gross in sufety. The men are iu fae ypirits and crossing ‘m good order, The labor of last night was fearful. The onemy followed us last night on our march, but Despatch from General Banks to the Pre- sident. SAVE PASSAGE OF THE RIVER BY BIS ARMY, Wasurxaron, May 26, 1862. ‘The following was received atthe War Department st @leven P. M.:— ‘So Tum PRESIDERT:— T have the honor to report the safe arrival of my com- mand at this place last evening.at ten o’clock, and the passage Of the Fifth corps across the river to-day, with eomparatively littlo loss. The loss of men in killed, wounded and missing in the different combats in which my command has participated since the march from Stras- burg, on the moruing of the 24th inst., 1am uvable now to report, but I have great satisfaction in being able to Tepresent that, although serious, it is much less than might have been anticipated, considering the very great @isparity of forces engayed, and the long matured plans ef the enemy, which aimed at nothing less than the entire capture of our force. A cetatl be forwarded as soon as possible. My cummand encountered the enemy in a constang wuccession of attacks, and ia well contested engagements at Strasburg, Middlewwn, Newton; at a point also between these pluces, and at Winchester. The force of the enemy was estimatea ut from 15,000 to 20,000 men, with very strong artillery and cavalry supports. My ewn force consisted of two brigades—less than 4,000 strong, al) told—1,500 cavalry, ten Parrott guns and six smooth bores, “The substantial preservation of the entire supply is a source of gratification. It numbered mbout five hundred wagons on a forced march ef fifty-three miles, thirty-five of which were performed in one day, mtack in front, rear and flank, according to ‘ts position by the enemy in full force, The panics of teamsters, aud the mishaoes of river passage of more than 300. yards, with slender preparations for ford and ferry, Tet not many more than fifty wagons. A ful statement of this loss will be forwarded forthwith! Very great commendation is due to Captain J. B. Hola’ dird, A, Q; M., and Captain E.G, Brockwith for the gafe- Wriuamerorr, May 26—@P. M. ty of the train. ‘ur troops are in good apiriti, alid Géeupy both aldes N. P. BANKS, Majot General Commanding. The Dete Front Royal. Barrons, May 26, 162. ‘The following te the atatemont of Capt. George Smith, ‘of the First Motyland regiment, who succeeded in effect- tag his escage from the fight at Front Royal:— About owe o'clock in the afternoon a negro, mounted ‘pon hetseback, came dashing into camp, crying out that "The rebe\s are coming in great numbers, and ‘thy wil surround you and cut you of.” At Gems fee men laughed at him, stating that they had waited ‘yoo long for them ; they did not believe a word of it, as poon as Colonel Kenly, however, saw the mam he became atisiied of their approach. The long roll was beaten, ana the men responded, springing fhastily to arms, and forming in line by companies. ‘Very soon the revels made their appearances, ‘end, strange to say, not a single gum was fired by the ‘piokets of the First Maryland regiment. It may have ‘Been that, in consequence of @ suddea turn of the road, they were surprised and captured. Company A was erdered to depiug as skirmishers amd support « section ff Knapp’s Pesasyivania battery, which mustered e@bout forty men. In the meumtime the Lieutenant ‘GColomel of the Twenty-ninth tafautry, with a small de- tachment of his men, who had deem adting ase ploneer ‘corps, also formed and prepared to receive the caemy. ‘Tho battery was soon engaged, and discharged shot and sgholl for nearly two hours, nid nearly all tueir ammuni- ‘ou had been expended. The firing was spirited, and There is no doubt of its efiiesey. Unable, dowever, to withstaud such an overwhelm- ing foree, the order was given to retire, whieh was done, aad the entire uolumn inoved over the Bhevandoah river, the retreat being covered by a com- pany of the Fifth New York cavalry, about eighty Strong. While passing over the Gridge the Captain ‘Gistinctly saw the cebel forces, There was a very strong columa of cavalry, say four squad- Tens (eight companies), and five regiments of infant- fy. Of this force twe rogimeuts of infantry and two ‘squadrons of cavairy wore fordiug the stream, the water ‘being very low. The order double quick was given,and the Unionists took ve the pike, where another stand was made, Colovel Kenty aldressing the men ani telling ‘Mom that their oaly chance was to stand and fighttothe deat, especially as the rebel cavarry were fast pushing on end displaying a back flag. Captain Smith sates that ‘ee did not seo them display the white ting. 4 second stand was made, aud my shots exchanged, ‘when the New York cavuiry (still in theceanof the tolumn) broke, and revreated, riding pellmel) through the ranks of the iwfantry. Apartof the Me:yland command retreated to a wheat- Geld, and there mado still agother stand, fring rapidly ‘and with deliberate prevision, Presentiy em game the rebel cavalry, cutting right and left, end terribly yelling like Imdians. Ia seme instances aecither the dying nor wounded wero spared, and in two instances the Captain saw the rebels draw their pistols and shoot them in the ded whilst iyieg on the roedside, The Captain told the men they had better return to the pike aad escspe as thoy best could. He had not procusted fac bevfere a cavalry otticer code ‘ap to binr and demanded tne sword and picie!, which he Vbrew upon thegrouud, the rotmd at the time drawing a Pistol upon hum. In Lhe confusion of the oecasion, how- over, hesucceedet in reyaining bis pistol, end, observ. tng a rebel shoot one of the Finst Mary and, he drow bh pistol aud thot hiny, and succecded, with Lieu danant Campher, in socuriog the rebei’s horse and riding ‘off. Alter proveeding about two miles thay same across the ant) ne@ ta whieh Colonel Kenly lay, Mienled by Surgeon Mitchell, of tho regiment. The vehicle was passin; along the pike, and had been re peatediy iired inte by the rebel cavalry, Finding thom. solves closely pursued, they abandoned the horse, and, feaping several fences, took to the woods, where they man ged to conceal thumsvives unidl the enemy gave up the search. There were but fx companies of the First Maryland segiment engaged fa the tht, the remaining four being tm picket duty and as provost guard at Front Rogal, Waraworon, May 26,1862, Up to this aftorneon despstchos to the War Depart. ment report that three hundred of Culonel Kenloy's regi- tent had come hm. ‘Thy foresight of William Prescott Smith, Master of frangportation of the Baltimore aod Ohio Railroad, taved from capture by rebels @ vast amount of porerninent stores and produce which would otherwise eave been within their reach at Martinsburg, Newspaper Account. the Raimore Amecican, May 20.) ‘The announcement on ae morning that Col Kenly’s Firet Maryland regiment had met with a severe severse at Front Royse! caused quite an excitement in the bas vot made his appearance this morning. The news of your movements South bas unquestionably caused them to lovk out for their safety, Your despatch was read to the troops this morning amid the hearticst cheers, N. P. BANKS, Major General Commanding. RICHMOND AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. The Immediate Vicinity of the Rebel Capital---The Scene of General McClellan’s Strategical SCALE OF MILES TREDEGAR IRONWORKS sir aio Fan orto Cy 8 _— Movements. ERS Bure iD .& Per, SSN and resulted in scenes of disorder and violence, somo de- tails of which will be found elsewhere. On Saturday evening a despatch was received from Martinsburg by the brother of Col. eek ye | thes he had died on the battle field. A later despate! {rom the War Department, on Saturday night, announced ‘that he was not dead, but wounded and a prisoner in the bandaof the enemy.’ This despatch gave considerable reli? to his numerous friends here, and when aunounced on the bulletin boards yosterday morning caused an in- va@luntary cheer from assembled. Laver accounts, however, leave but littie doubt that the first account was correct, and this most gallant officer has fallen a ‘victim to the rebellion. Colonel Kenly’s command consisted e€ the First — land regiment, threo companies of the Twenty-nin Pennsylvania, and one section of Knapp’s battery, con- sisting of two rite guns. Whilst the Gght was progress- jog he was also reinforced by twe companies Wight ght gommenced on Priday vy it on rong: dash of cavairy, under command @f the famoas Ashby, om the position tiken by Col. Kenly, about a mile cast of the Shenandoah. After a fight Of two hoars the ene- ‘ith heavy loss, and driven back ¢ in good order, and the el but the landing force of ‘ ‘dye could be destroyed, ana Col. Kenly imme- ry got his guns in position and his men in line of bat- tle to prevevt the crossing of the river, Another fight here to. k place, which lasted nearly two hours, and the enemy was against repulsed with heavy loss. Finding that no reinfurcements arrived, Coionel Kenly, wounded by # ball in the neck at the first assault, ad- dressed his men and urged them, although assailed by a force at least five timos their own numbers, to keep to- gothor to the last, otherwise they would be run down and slaughtered by the enemy's cavalry. Then, placing his artillery in the rear, he commenced to fail back, bus ofore he had gone three miles they wore again overtak- en by the enemy, formed in line of battle, and the arsil- ay! 6 sang @ destractive fire on them. t this moment a portion of Ashby’s cavalry was ob- served approaching with a white tiag,as if desiring » pariey, when Colonel Kenly ordered his command to cease firing. They wore allowed to advance withiu - tol range, when the white flag was thrown down and a blue or Back tlag raised, and = churge from several quarters mace on the exhausted men. All of thote whe escaped persist that the cry of the onemy was ‘no quar- ters,’ and that eventhe wounded were bayonetted as they lay on tho field ‘this however, we are not disposed altogether to credit, Colonel Kenly is represented as having fought most desperately ,and, wounded us he was, succeedod in cuttivg his way through the ranks of theenemy, and had Not proveeded far when ho fell frem his horse from the efects of @ severe sabre wound tliat he received in this last engngement. He was lifted up and placed in an ambulance, and had not proceeded far before they were bo overtaken and a volley of musketry poured inw the ambejance, killing both horse and driver, and it is supported impossible for the Colonel to have survived this last aesault, ‘The men who hayeescaped, a8 is usual in such cases, consider hat they are the only fortunate oues, but, as they obtained horses, it is probate that many others may havesince come in, They were strongly impressed with the belief that no quarter was given to their oom- rades, but we think this is to be doubted, and,that a large number are prisoner’. “Thoy all admit that oar loss in the two first engagements was very light, and éhat until (he last charye on them they had succeeded im repuising the at every if attack. ‘injor Mier, of” the fine Maryland, is also reported to have been wounded, and is believed to be a prisoner, Lieutenant Celone! Nathan T. Dushane had fonght brave- ly throughout the day, and was with @ division of the Fegiment protecting the artillery when the lastassauk meade, What was ‘was kis fate our informant did mot learn. The section of Knapp’s battery did most efficient ser- vioe throughout the day, and stood by their ‘antl tie last moment, when the rebel cavalry, having broken through the infamry, rushed on them with pistol and sadre, aud secured the two guns. They had, however, but three reunds.of ammunition left, having fired nearly two hundred rounds duriog the day. After this Our lines were broken, amd Colonel Ken; directed hie men to secure their own satety, and cut way ch the cavalry who bad su him. This comrse on hie part some color to the assertion that the ead jared “his intenvion of giving ‘‘ne quarter,’ otherwise this gallant aad oxperienged officer would, in thin last pe pat have been justi@ed in sur- rendering himself and command as prisoners of war. OF CO) R. KENLY. treaeonable events in Baltimore im April last, and was immodiately appointed to the command of the First Ma- ryland regiment. When General Banks determined to depore the Police Commissioners and cijy sathorities, Colonel Kenly was selected as Provost Marshal, and at once, with A promptness and energy that securea ee ‘and trannillity, entered upon his duties, which be faith. fully performed until relieved by the appointment of field, being desirous to prove to the country that Balti- more was net deserving of the sweeping charges of trea- son that had been brought ae on His giment, for four months, were face enemy, and lost quite a namber of men in numerous skirmishes with the enemy’s pickets. When General Banks crossed the Powmac the Maryland First was the first regiment over, and were detailed tosaperintend the crossing of the whole division. They were vet in the ‘Dattle at Winchester, but have ever since been doing picket duty at our advanced lines, ant had been for the past see och at Front al, holding & most important position, and protecting the bridges over tho Colonel Kenly, will also be remombered, served in the Mexican war, and was vrevetted for gallant service at Monterey. He entered the service in command of a com- y of Col. Watson's Meryland regiment, and returned Stajor of the regiment, then under Colonel Hughes and it Colonel Emory, bemg regarded by his com- rades as brave to afault. ‘He returned to private life, and pursued his profession as a lawyer, only again ro- suming his sword at the call of his country to assist m crushing the rebellien. Secessionists P: shed at Hagerstown— Bratality of Rebels at Winchester To~ werds Our Sick. Barrons, May 26, 1862. ‘We learn there was some popular commotion in Hagers- town on Saturday night.and Sunday as in this city. A rebel newspaper office was destroyed, and prominent se- ecessionists punished very severely in all parts of the town. a report from Williamsport says that as our troops re_ treated through Winchester, the women fired upon them with pistols from doors aud windows, and that the sick yet im the hospitals were most brutally treated, and some of their wounded. All is now quiet in Baltimore, The vigorous exertions Of the police commissioners have succeeded in restoring order, The city is perfectiy quiet to-night; there ts, also, a feeling of entire security, In view of activo movements in progress, it is thought the rebels wili stand a chance of being caught in a trap - FROM GEN, M’DOWELL'S DEPARTMENT, Advance of His Army Six Miles Be- yond Fredericksburg. Reconnoissance of the Harris Light Cavalry Fifteen Miles Beyond the Bappahanuock, &., &e., &e Wasatiwatow , May 26,1862, Our forces advanced beyond Fredericksburg last night, ‘and are encamped along Massaponay run, six miles beyond the city. The rebels evacuated their camps on Saturday night, and withdrew their pickets on Sunday morning. Our advance found the fires still burning 19 the aban- doned camps of the enemy, « large amount of stores and camp equtpage having been fred to prevent ite fall ing into our hands. ‘The Harris Light cavalry scoured the country yester- day to a distance of fifteen miles from the Rappahannock without meeting any of the enemy. Mr. O. Palmer, « hospital steward ia General King's division, who arrived in.the oity thie morniag, reports that an explosion took place at Fredericksburg, Va-, aboat noon yesterday, ia # brick building which had Deen used by the rebels.as «& powder magazine, killing the sentinel on duty and destroying.the building, but Aoing no further damage, Some grape shet which were lying on the kegs of powder were thrown « great dis. tance, clear across the river. ‘The explosion cannot be positively accounted for, By somo it is eapposed to have been che work of am incendiary, Another version ia that the sentinel was meddling with the shelle, and thus caused the explosion. ‘The Mount Washington left this eity on Saturday nigh for Aqui creek, taking down Storstary Chase and As sistant Seeretary Harrington, who took the railroad and proceeded towards Fredericksburg, returning to the boa ‘on Sanday afternoon, in company with General Shield’ and other officers. They came up to the city in the Baits® more, arriving at the Navy Yard about tem o’elosk } gor AARBOU, NEWS FROM THE MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT. A Band of Guerillas Put to Flight. ‘Haapquasrens, Mountam DerarTMxnt, " May 25, 1862. } Colonel Latham, commanding the expedition to Shafer Mountain, reports that he completely surprised a large band of the ‘Dixie Guerillas,” putting them to flight aodcapturing most of their arms, without loss on our side, The pursuit will be continued till the band is en- tirely broken up. Franxum, Va., May 26, 1962. Day before yesterday a body of our troops from the Fifth Virginia, with a company of Connecticut cavalry, Capt. Fish—the whole under Lieutenant Colonol Latham, of the Fifth Virginia—surprised a guorilia bund on Sheff Mountain, Randolph county, and dispersed them ih dis order, capturing everything left in the hurry of flight— guns, camp equipage, &e., and wounding a number. THE GREAT IMPENDING ENGAGEMENT Qur Army in the Vicinity of the Rebel Capital. SKIRMISH NEAR COLD HARBOR. An Entire Rebel Brigade Routed by the Fourth Michigan Regiment. General McClellan Slowly but Steadily Advancing. Important Operations of the Troops on the Virginia Central Railroad, &e., e., Virginia Places by his Troops. Wasnietow, May 26,1852 .. General Me(lollan has ‘aphed that bis troops have out the Virginia Central Raitroad at three points between Htagover Guurt House and the Chickahominy. Nothing ope of interest had wanspired. SKIRMISH NEAR COLD HARB . The Fourth Michigam Regtsment Put to Flight « Whole Rebel Brigade. OUR SPECIAL ARMY CORRESPONDENCE, Cou Hamnon, Va., May 24, 1862, ‘The Gallant Conduct of the Bourth Michigan Veluntecrs— The March—The Dash Acros the River—The Figni—The Rebela—Their Strength—The Killed and Wounded—The Rede Dead—The Trophiee—General McClellan's Arrt- val— His Congratulations, dc. ‘The moat important skirmish that has occurred be. tween ear troops and the rebels in front of Richmond, wok place this morning. Engaged on our side wan the Fourth Michigan regiment, Colonel Woodbury , who fought for two hours with desperate and heroic courage an en- tire rebel brigade, We lost one man killed, twounortally wounded, and four seriously wounded, and did not loan & prisoner. The rebels lost one hundre! killed and wounded, aod thirty-seven prisoners, The following iaa detailed aceount of the affair. Intelligence having reached headquarters that quite a force of the enemy was near New Bruige, the Fourth Michigan regiment, Colonel Woodbury, waa sent to fee! them, and, if neccesary, interrupt their quiet. The regi Q WATERS | SONENG BOAR SWAMPS \ owes! pot C) PRON CHURCH Hike mM CHIMOND AND YORK RIVER pine? " e%o.o, ROCKETTS me OSAVA \ : \ BOTTOMS eRInaEf) DESTROYED at their head, and ,all in splendid spirits at the Prospect of @ reneontre with the rebels. A secondary object of the expedition was to obtain information in re- gard to the roads and fords in t10 vicinity. Lieutenant N. Bowen, of the Topogra Rica Engineers, went with the expedition, as alsoa squauiwu of the Second regular cavalry, under command of Captain Gordon; a company Of the Fifth cavalry, Lieutenant Coster; a company of the Eightoenth infantry, Captain Forsyth, and a company of the Second infantry, Captain McMillen, New Bridge is four miles from theeamp. They weat dowa the main road about two miles, to what is called the Old Mill, and thence turned tothe right throngha picce of woods, keeping it till they came to an open field, commanding a view of the Chickahominy river. A portion of Company A, Fourth Michigan regiment Captain Rose, was here sent forward as skirmishers, and the remuant of the company kept as reserves. The regi. ment filed out of the wood by flank, and formed ip line of battle very nearly parallel with the river, the left ex. tending across the main road. Here the rebels were seen lying behind a fence across the river, The right wing of Colonel Woedbury’s regiment was ordéred wo crosa the river, which at this point is about thirty feet wide. In the men plangod, all accoutred as they were, Dut contrived to keep their muskets in condition to use. Tn some places the stream, which had, been swollen by the rain during the night and morning, was so deep tha, the men were obliged to swim, and none got over with oat wading waist deep in water. But this was not the worst, The cnemy, who had lain con. cealed behind a fence close to the opposite bank of the river, kept up an ineossant fire upon them. For tunately the enemy's shots passed harmlessly over their heads; but the shooting did not dismay the men in the least. Lieutenant Bowen attempted to cross tho stream with his horse, but the latter was shot uader him before he had advanced a third of the way across. This pre. vented field officers and the cavalry from attempting to ford the stream, All the companies but two passed tho ‘iver, One of these remamed behind to act as skirmish ers in the wood on tho ight, and the other t keep aneyoon the bridgs and to the loft beyoud to prevent Doing flanked on either s‘de by the enemy. As soon as our men crossed the river tho work of firing commenced. Capt. Rose's company discharged tho first volley on our side, All the remaining companies had their muskets to their shoulders in double quick time. The firing was brisk and continuous on both sides. The rebels had two pieces of artillery from which they hurled shells at our men, but the sheils, like their volleys o. musketry, passed over the heads of our men, Their can. non wore planted op a hill beyond, while the tufantry Still kept position behind the fence, which, in addition to having an embankment as the base, in tI ityle of old Virginia fences, had a deep and wide ditch in front. The shooting continued for nearly two hours. Our men drove the rebels behind the fencejand their encampmont at the left, They fled, leaving their dead and wounded be- hind them, taking refuge {n encampmente on the hill, On our sido the last shot was fired, It was not deemed prudent to pursue the retreating enemy. It was evident that they had mistaken our force, or else acted in retiring more intensely cowardly than we have ever thought them tobe. They had four regiments engaged, Fourth and Fifth Louisiana regiments, ® Virginia and an Alabama regiment, besides their artillery, while on our side there were actually only etght companies of the Foarth Michigan regiment who did the fighiimg. Under the circumstances, of course, it was not deemed pradent to forlow the foo, ‘The battle ended, then came the care of the killed and wounded, The following is @ list of the killed and weunded on our si¢e:— RTLLED. Sree Atel . DoPass Co, B, hot through the heart. ro Private Franklin Drake, Co, B, mortally. jairivate tm. Cease, Uo.0, mortally; compound free "Privat, seorge R. Young Co.B, flesh wound in arm, Corporal John Gampbel, Co, B, dea wound in :high. Private Martin Brockway, Oo. B, compound fracture of forearm. Private Charies Bruner, Co. A, flesh wound im thigh, Private Chas, Bunow, Oo. I, wounded in mouth, ‘The rebel logs is estimated in killed and wounded at about one hundred. In the ditch were found twenty- bulets. Of the thi ty-seven prisoners we took, fifteen were wounded, Our men brought them ou their should cross the stream, whence they were taken to «dwelling house near by, and every possible care given ‘Shem by our surgeons, They al! expressed astonishment St the ca e shown them, and stated that they had been told that if they ever feil into our hands they would be killed; and such fate they expected would be theirs. Our men partook of the dinner the Louisiaua Tigers hat prepared for themselves. They captured their com” pany books, and brought away rifles, muskets, swords” Farhes, &. I might recouut any number of narrow escapes bad I time. General McCleilan, having received intelligence of the skivmish, rode toward thy river aad mot the regiment ou its return. He grasped Geaersl Woodbury warmly by the hand and said, “Geversl, 1am happy to cougratu. yte you aguin on your success. 1 have lad occasion to doso before, ani do s> again with pleasare:” He also shook hands with Captain Kove, of the First Company, and said, “I thank you, Captain; your men have dove well,” To some of the men he said, *Tiow They exclaimed, ‘General, we {ei b “Do you think anything can sto, you from goimg 10 Richmond?” he asked, and an euthusiustic “Ne!” rang from the whole line. All the offloers of the regiment behaved remarkably well. General MoClellan telegraphed immediately to Ge- ‘eral Porter that the Fourth Michigua had covered them- solves with glory THE SKIRMISH AT MECHANICSVILLE. A brilliant skirmish took ylice Uuis morning, in which Stoneinan’s cavalry, the Thirty-third New York infautry wid Tidballs battery drove the evemy from tho position which is now occupied by our trvvps, why behayet re- tma:kably well under the rebol’s Ore. Sheils and bullets flow thickly over the heads of our men, anu our loss was eight killed and wounded. The occupation of Mechanica- ville will prevent the destruction of the Mechaniesville bridge by the rebels, This bridge is only four miles trom Richmond. Baurmorey Store, Sixregy Micas East or ara + May 24, 1862. The Advance of the Army—The Tired Troops Replaced by Fresh Forces—Our Troops Passing the Citckahominy in Force, dc. The movements of the Army of the Potomac during the last three days have resulted in the occupation of the entire line of the Chickahominy river, from the New Bridge to the Long Bridge. Those divisions of the army which were in the rear have gone on to the front, while those that have been marching m the front, in the g: ral onward movement (of which this division is one), have been encamped here, and have seen for three dayo the magnificent spectacle of an uninterrupted column of troops, of all arms—cavairy, artillery and in- antry—with all their baggage trains, marching teudily past them. The management of the entire army, from the day it left Yorktown, has been mosg admirable. The troops have made steady progress each Jay. They have not been hurried, nor overtasked, nor harassed by marches of unnecessary jength. The capa- city of the roads not being great enowmh to permii the whole of the immense army to advance at once, the march bas been so arranged that the corps d’armec that is 1 the advance one day, halts and encamps the next, or for two of three days, as the case may be, till all the others have passed. Thus all the truops are kept fresh aud vigorous. The army has, besides, always presented a strong front to the epemy, as uimberiess skirinishos have proved ; and owr flanks have been placed beyond all possibility of surprise. ‘Two days ago « couple of large trestie Mridges were built at two certain points on the Chickalbominy by the engineer brigade of General Woodbiry, aud over these b:iuges a large force of oar troops have already crossed; and this movement will continue from day to day unti the whole army is before Richmond. you foet, boys”? ‘Warr House, Va., May 25, 1862. Our Army Passing the Chickahominy—The Fourth Michi- gan—The Crude State of the Pamunkey Shores—The Bridge at White House Being Rebuii—The Railroad in Running Order to the Chickahominy, ée. ‘The great body of our army have safely, and, with but little opposition, crossed the Chickahominy river, and our advance guard is within five miles of the city of Richmond. This fact dispels the heretofore prevalent idea thht the enemy would make a bold defence on the west bank of the river already montioned. That they will fight, and that desperately, for the defence of their so-called national capital, there 1s no dowht, and, to make their defence successful, they have spared neither ex- pense nor physical means, 80 far as their resources will permit, Our army is now at tho very gates, s0 10 speak, of the Sebastopol of rebeldom, and afew days yea, in afew hours, may witness one of the bloodiest battles yet to be recorded in the history of modern conflicts. Yesterday there was considerable skirmishing with the enemy along the lines of ourarmy. The @ring com- meuced early in the morning, and was continued at ir. regular intervals throughout the entire day. In the middle of the forenoon it was thought that the Sighting would lead to a general engegemoat in the a‘terncoa, General McClellan disposed of bis troops in such a man- ner as to be prepared for any pressure on his lines. The reserve troops were brought up to support the attacking column. A rain storm, however, set in about eleven o'clock A. M., which forbade @ general battle. As svco as the weather clears up a battle may be looked for. Our troops, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, are in good spirits; our generals are confiden, of success, thongh the process of advancing may be slow. Thus far the strategy of McCieflan has been superb, He bas felt his way to the very doors of Rich- mond with a comparatively smail loss of life. He has driven the enemy from place to place, whithersoever he would. From the front I learn that the Fourth Michigan regi- ment, while on a reconnoissince yesterday, ence: pi arge body of the rebels in a swamp afew mites from tho Chickabominy river. An engagement took place. which resulted in the ciscomiiture and defeat of the rebels, a large number of whom were kilid er wounded and taken prisoners. Our joss was not very consi‘erable. The fight took piace in « swamp, our men fighting to great disadvantage owing to this fact. Tho reacers of the Henauy will receive full particuiars of this affair from another correspondent. ‘This place has been metamorphosed into @ locality of vt J-agt temporary jinportance. Herea: ter it will receive historic importaues and dignity, from being the grind dopot of supplies of the Un! soy io ite atvance vo the capital of rebedem. ‘ihe wnkey river, which flows by this phice.and which has already been Jeally vescribed in the Hewat, is a streata of more importance than horet.,fore accorded to it. From its mo. th at West Pint, the head ot the York river, to this place, a distance of over fifty miles, it runs throngh « pecturesque coun’ ry of a genial climate. It, howeve ,a)\rars crude to the Northern eye, as the river boo! e devoid of villages and country villas, Which the agricultural resources of this section demand and warrent.acd which would have been reared ere this hav (le la d been in porsces on of men, imbued with amoey of or Yaukes enter- prise, ‘The river itseif is somewhat sir pous, and at places quite narrow, but the dep b of water is euilleient for ves - sels drawing not more thea tif eeu iwet of water, The repairs on the briee of the Richmond and West Pomt Railroad, actors the Tamunkey at this ple, have been ¢ mmenced. The briigo was burned by the rebels in their retreat towaid: mend. Between forty ty bridge builders are laboring on ths work, It Ss expectot that the britge will be completed in . Its completivo will facilitace ths tra: stores t@ uur tm. mense army. ‘That pe of we rairad, before mentione |, between this ptt distance oF twelve mies has bev vetween fifty and sixty fre ght the Chiekahomny,® thoronghiy repai: ed. * lave been loaded from our tiangporis, besides two and jower- ful locomotives. say, for the time, steam was got wp on one of the luvier, fhe event was hajled with great joy by the tops here, and e quite as inuch ope 1 fancy as the first futroduction of the uve did in oid England, The locomotive p) oceled om the road wwarde Richmond on an exporimenial & i), to try the gouge of the road. It went ® distance of six miles. As tt passed our guarda en route choer pon choer reverberated im the air from them im honor of the event. This display of en- tet is mM @ great weasure w be atiributed to the teal and energy of Colorel Ruius Ingalis, the Chief Guar- tormanter at (nis post, whose operers duties in bis do. partment, and the mauner in which he bas discharged them, bas won for him a high reyutath —_ (apa otticer of rare ability. The first train of fup. ja dod our army will jouve hore w-day for Bottom's idge. Our Army Correspondence, New Bripas, May 98, 3802. the Grand army Five Miles from Rickmond—Ad- vance acres Bottom's Bridge—General MeClallan Twelve ‘Miles from Richmond— Reconnoissance to Mechanscevills— Tone of the Richmond Papere—Skirmishe with the Bremy and Low of Life—Probabitity of @ Great Bat- fe, de., de. ‘This morning at eleven o'clock our was order- od to move across Bottom’s Bridge und occupy, with bie army corpe, s position beyond the Chickahomiay. Wre- vious reconnutseances had demncustrated the weakness of the enemy at that point, and it in believed that even & single brigade ts posted et oitber ‘Bottoms or New Bridge, Our knowledge uf the o.utry beyend in de. rived second rate; but the baiocn . *ceneions have faile@ 40 make out any considerai ie b. dy «. trvops Om the Bors der of the swamp. ‘Ae all the bridges have bees b essential by Geveral Met « el it was deemed vawe ene should ems