The New York Herald Newspaper, May 30, 1862, Page 4

ing concealed in the posed position, and the y woods, the men showed the pluck of true soldiers. They never failered, but closed ranks and returned volley after vol quick scion, The field officers were tho mys bullets. DE. WELLS WOUNDED. olley from the enemy Dr. Wells received h the left knee, inflicting a severe wound, special mark of ¥ bliged immediately to leave the field, which he < horse flying, and the bullets flying after him Be. hat he must soon faint from the loss of blood, he stopped his hors the midst of the iron hai! showered tied up his leg with his handis 1 his flight. Fis wou though 4 NEL WOUNDED. The second vetley made the Lieutenant Colonel one of its Victims. A bullet passed through his right arm, just be- low elbow. He bandaged his arm with the ead of his determined not to forsake his re with the arm thus bandage, rode back down tho regiment several times. horse, w dashing from the woods whence the firing proceeded, darted by the regiment, and ran at the height of its speed for the farther wood, across the wheat field. The Lieutenant Colonel’s horse, a spirited animal, followed in the traoks of the flying horse, and it was impossibio with ‘one hand to hold him. The next thing the Lieutenant Colonel remembers was lying in a marsh, by the edge of tho wood. He had fainted (rom loss of blood and had fatien from his horse. He crapt into the wood and worked his way to an am! whence he was con- ‘veyed to Mra. Sk s@ and his wound dressed, Tt was two hours after receiving wound beforo he reached the hospital, ARTILLERY COMING TO THE WORK. Only 2 few v enemy oper the road fr rogiment hav Some time, now withdrew > who saw the fruitiessness of contending further with the odds against Lim. Our advance artillery now whecled their guns into position, I pshooters took their places as support, being inf a little on the left. The batteries fi Those of the eneniy threw shell, canister and g responded with shell and sold shot. Shot and sholl flew fast and furious. Suddenly a reboy nose rider had doubtless been killed, came “t when the tioned on mm: Opened ther doadly fire, sigoTERs yiug, in their. usual style, on hoad no sooner showod it one of their une ballots would strike another from the list of fighting revels. It was hot work for atime. During the progress of the fight they made a brilliant charge, taking one of the ‘8 cannon, OTUze UNION TROOPS HURRYING TO THE RESCUE. The sharp crack of musketry and roar of artillery sent back intelligence to the regiments behind that an eagago. ment was going on in front. The effect was magical. Bent backs were straightened, wearied limbs becamo suddonly invigorated with new strength, and eyes clis- tened with eagerness. General Butterfield, whose bri- gade was next behind, ordered his regiments forward at double quick. General Martindale’s brigade, as also the brigade commanded by Coionel MeQuade, Fourteenth New York regiment, came follow ing after. GRNERAL MORVEL'S TROOPS, ‘The engagement now became general, Gen. Morell, commanding the division, ordered the brigados in posi- tion to support our batteries, who ware directed to shell the woods on the right of the road, where the enemy wore awbuscaded, The roar of musketry was without intermission for some time. Our men, too, poured volley elt after volley of muskeiry into the woods, THE ZNSMY FIND IT TOO HOT. For nearly two hours a sheet of fire biazed from ou, coiumn. The rebels roturned the fre, but their bullets and grape and canister went too high. It was evident that they dred their muskets at random, probably from behind trees, keeping their bodies concealed and not daring to take aim. When they retreated, as our firing compelied them to do at length, our Ketry told upon them with most deadly effect. Meantime the work of shelling them out weaton vigorously. It was nearly two hours before they were drivea from the woods. The work of expulsion had been determined upon, and it was Carried out to most victorious results. CES8ATION OF FU AND PURSUIT OF THE RESELS. For about an hour anda half there was a cessation of firing. It was time not idly spent. General Fitz John Porter by this timo was on the ground. He ordered a pursuit of the enemy by General Butterfield’s and Colonel McQuade’s brizades, Genera! Moreil and staff joining in tho chase, Through grain fields, marshes and thick woods our men pushed after the retreating foe. They moved with the vigor of fresh troops. This chase gave our men nearly six miles additional travel, including their return. The eause of this will be explained in due order. A VISIT TO THE REBEL RAILROAD. While the above pursuit was in progress the regiments of General Martindale’s brigade wero ordered to take a look at the Virginia Central Railroad, Headed by a de- tachment of the regular cavalry the regiments en- tered upon the execution of their difficutt and dangerous mission. On the way they were fired upon and one of the cavalrymen killed. His name I could not learn. This was all the loss sustained. Marching up to tho railroad, they could not have made a more daring demonstration if the whole army of the Potemac had deen at their heeis. A REBEL TRAIN STOPPED. Arobel train was jast coming from the direction of Richmond and appeared in sight as our men reached the road. The enginesr, in obedience, no doubt, to the order of some fri ghtened rebel general—for it must have been» as subsequent events showed, an arrival of reinforce- ments from Richmond—reversed the engino in double quick time and backed the train out of sight. It was well for o:r regiments {that they did s0; for they at once proceeded without molestation to do good work iy the Union cause By destroying about forty rods of the railroad, burning a bridgo and putting an end to further immediate telegraphic communication between Fred @ricksbarg and Richmond. This accomplished, they withdrew to their brigade. SRCOND ENGAGEMENT—THE NOSPITALS FIRED ITO. After the lapse of two hours firing was again resumed: of the second engagement was in the open woods below Mrs. Harris’ house and the woods on the right, Foremostly the rebols—the rein- nts undoubtedly brought from Richmond on the vailrvad—commenced pg upon Mr. Sloughter’s house, used ag a hospital, disregarding, as usual, the fing float. ing from the roof, Happily none of their shots took ef- fect. Satisfied with this demonstration, they moved down in the direction of Mrs. Harris’ house. On their way they fired into tho woods bordering the road, in which there was a large number of our soldiers, Mrs. Harris’ house, although having @rod fing on it,¢amo in likewtse fora volley at their hands. It happened, however, that at the time there ‘were D0 wounded in it, having all been removed during the first engagement to Mr. Slongbter’s house, on account of the flying grape and canister thrown from the ene- my's guns coming about the place with a frequency and violence that caused it to be an unsafe place for the wounded to remain in, I know that while I was hitch- iDg my horse to a tree in the yard @ round shot from the rebel battery struck about two foet over my head, pro- ducing © whistling sound, scattering of leaves and im- pinging effect upon the body of the trec, whose com, Dination gave rise to a capillary excitation the reverse of agreeable. T don’t like that,” sald Dr. Bentley. ‘or do Ty” was my response, © The wounded must be removed from here,’ he con. tinued, and they were removed forthwith. Had the rebel shots taken effect the victims would have been ‘Mrs, Harris, who is said to bave two sons in the rebel army, and ® maidenly sister somewhere betwoen eighteen and eighty, and reported @ strong secessionist ‘These two unprotected females were the sole occupants of the house, GENRRAL MARTINDALE TO THE RRSCHR. The rebel firing upon the two dwellings and on our Soldiers in the woods started General Martindale’s bri- @ade to their feet, for they had been resting on their arms, and the artillerists to their guns, for they, too, had been enjoyinga respite. The Forty-fourth New York regiment, Col. Stryker, was ordered to advance as skir- mishers upon the woods in front, They had not gone far Dofore they saw that the woods were filled with rebels, And now began the secon’ engagement with earnestneas, General Martindalo’s regiments, including the gallant Twenty-fifth New York, which looked {like a skeleton after the ordeal of iron hail it had passed throngh, were drawn up in line of battle. The contest waxed hotter and wer. Our men poured in volley after vo'ley into the Mick woods, while the batteries fired broadsides from their gune The enemy returned the firo with vigor, But they did wot dare come from the woods,and thoy NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1862—TRIPLE SHEET. found every attempt to break our lines unavailing. Not aman on our side flinched, Every officer faced the musie with heroie valor. The fring on both sides was tremendous, As fast as one of our men fell he was conveyed to the ambulances? im the rear, and the closed up. The Forty-fourth behavied most ne, my boys,” said Captain Cridin, one of his Parrots in hearty app phis horse, as also Captain Benson’s. They ing e enemy's ambuseade with s liveli inspired certainly of greatly destructive result. brigade and batteries had it all to themselves for nearly au hour, giving cheer after cheer as they fired, and firing with the regularity of clock work. THE REDEL Our galling fire was too mueh for the enemy. They retreated from their position, and we were masters of the fleld. Asin the first fight, the enemy wasted most of their musketry, while the range of their cannon was too high. Our loss was a: coriingiy light for tho time our men were engaged and considering their exposure to the enemy's fire. The rebel loss was heavy as seca from subsequent eaumination of the woods, ‘THE THIRD ENGAGEMENT. And bere I ome to the record of the largest and most docisive, it not most brilliant, demonstration of the day. The revival of artillery and musketry roar, with intelli- gence sent by General Martindale to General Portor that there had been a large arrival of reinforcements, brought back the absent brigades. And they came back with impetnous and joyous haste, advancing through the fled of wheat in the rear of Dr. Kinney’s house. The onemy, it was ascertained, had shifted his position into the woods, by the road bordering this fleld. ‘THE REBELS TWENTY THOUSAND STRONG. A prisoner who had been captured in the last engage- ment’ said there were twenty thousand rebels in this wood and along the railroad, Tho same progiamme was adopted te drive out the enemy—viz., afreo use of musketry and shell. General Porter ordered the artillery nselyes M the road facing the wood, and on the fthe Béld,each pouring in diagonal fires, while filled up tho centre. Gen. Butterfield’s brigade headed the infantry colum! OUR TROOIS MCHT WH: neering of the men as they advanced on doudlo and steady, undaunted and incessant firing of mus- ketry and shell, were nover surpassed on any battle field. It was a little after five o’etock when the firing com- mene Is was kept up with unequalled vigor and fear- ful slaughter of the enemy until night closed upon the scene, The enemy had athird time been driven back, and the duy was ours. He did not dare tocome out and take the chance of a fair opea field engagment, but in the retreat stuck to the wood with stereotyped obstinacy. How shall I describe these two hours’ fighting. If there was over flery ardor and brilliancy of combat, it was then. If over fearlessness was shown on the field, it was then, Genoral Porter displayed conspicuous gal- lantry during the entire engagoment, and so did General Morell, condueting the division, and Generals Butter: flold and Martindale, who beaded their brigades. I could vot speak too praisingly of the”different staff officers. Captains Locke, Anchmuty and Powers, and Lieutenants McQuade, Mdnteith, Seymour, Butterfield, Martindale’ and Williams, in the #fanamissiod of orders, rode feat lessly back and forth amid the showers of the enemy’s bullets. /The'men, too,'stood firmly under frestood, is was known they would, The sky was cloudiess as the sun went down. A calmer gunsot was never witpess- ed. Tho cool breath of evening gave comfort to our wearied men, whileayoil of smoke skirted the fores; edges—the scene of the recent heavy firing. What gave greatest comfort wasknowing the fact that our loss had been light. Tho following is the list, as far as we'have been able ascertain the names, of the killed and wounde@in the two engagoments:— ‘iLED, Twenty fifth New York: Volunteers. Captain Michael Mc3ahon, Co. C, shot through the ead. Lieutenant Thompson, Co. B, shot through the breast. Lieutenaat Geo. E. Fisk,Co, G, shot through the heart, Ho was formerly a member of the Seventy-first regiment New York State Militia,and was in the three months service. “ Sergeant McCue, Co, E, shot through the head: Sergeant Clark, Co. K, shot through the hedd. Sergeant Costello, Co. K, shot through the head. a iyate Dominick Farrell, ©. B, shot through the add. Private John Cox, Co. I, shot through the head. Private Wim. Hinsell, Fifth regular cavalry. Lieutenant Colonel Sa vage, Fils ball through right arm; ientet nel Savage, ride ; bone fractured. ies ¥ Surgeon Weed, shot through left log. Adjutant O. C. Houghton, musket bail through left log; ball did not touch the bone. Lioutenant Garvey, shot in the left leg. Lieutenant Nixey, Co. H, shot in the right arm. Lieutenant Charles Halpin,Co. K. He received two wounds in the right arm and abdomen, and was captured by the rebels, but afterwards rescued by his own men. a the rescue he shot two rebeis dead with his re- volver. Lieutenant Thomas Coglan, Co. D, shot through the bowels; wound dangerous. ” ic Sergeant Tuomy , Co. C, shot in the breast. Privato Hugh Dinen, Co. B, shot in two places, in the head avd left leg. Private Thomas Riley,Co. A, wounded from shell in right shoulder. Private John C. Piper, Co. F, right groin. Private Owda Flood, Co. I, wound from buck shot, in left arm. Sergeant Patrick Ruger, Co. B, shot through arm. Private Edward Hozar, Co. H, shot in the breast; verely, but not dangerous. Private John Darley, Co. R, shot through right hand. Private Michael Garraty, Co. A, little finger shot off. Private John McKee, Co.’K, shot through bip; wound probably mortal. Sergeant George Laekey, Co. E, shot in the hand. Private Anthony Benedict, Co, C, shot in three places— chest, right leg and left side; mortally wounded. He received the last shot ashe was getting into an ambu- lance. Private Thomas Kane, Co. F, loft log bolow knee. Private John McDonough, Co. E, shot through knee; wound severe. Private Christopher Wicht, Co. E, ball in the right hip, which has not becn extracted, ee James O'Neil, Co. D, gunshot wound in the right leg. Private James Clancy, Co. E, shot through left breast; wound Ley ae Private Michael Young, Co. F, gunshot wound in the Forty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteers. Sergeant Wm. Ellis, Co. E., top of right ear shot off. Second Maine iment. Private John Moore, Co.E., shot in the leg. Daniel Comon, Co. 1, slot in the breast; severe, but not dangerous. Joshua Ray, Co. E, shot in the head, Private J. 7. Dugan, Co. A, gunshot wound in the left leg. ‘Wm. Jones, flag bearer, shot in the knoe. Ho hold the flag up till he famted from loas of blood, which revealed ‘she fact of his boas wounded. terdan hooters, Sergeant Allen, Co. F,shot in the abdomen; not dan. gerous. Sergeant Lewis, Co. B, lower part of left leg dreadful- ly lacerated by a'shell.’ The limb was amputated. Ho said he did not mind the loss of the legso much as the loxs of further opportunity to aid in bringing the rebel- lion to a close. Private Wm. Lowridge, Co. B, shot through the leg; which had to be amputated, Corporal Richardson, Co. D, wounded by bullet in left log. Private Wm. Dawson, Co. F, shot in the neck; severe Private Hammond F. Co. L, piece 1 went through left lex. age parser y Ninth Massachusetts Volunteers. Conlin, Co. I, left side paralyzed from con- cussion by a shell. Private John D. Maguire, Co. C, shot in the breast; se- vere woand, As stated, the above list is incomplete. The lose of the Twenty-fifth New York regiment is much heavier. Next to this regimont the Forty-fourth New York regi- mont sustained the heaviest lose. Thear that they had fally twenty killed, and as many again wounded, Tho remaining rogiments fin Gen. Martindall’s brigade suf. fored more or lesa, a8 also the batteries employed in the different engagements. Col. McQuade’s brigade suffered the least. The Twenty-fifth regiment was the only one which bad any of their men taken pri- soners. Thoy had about thirty men captured. Our Joss in killed and wounded is estimated at about one hun. dred men, and that of the rebels three hundred. We cap- tured some three hundred prisoners, and among them « colonel and major; and an indefinite namberjef line off. cers. Ishall doubtless be able to-morrow to send a full and accurate list of our killed and wounded. SCERR OF THR DAY'S ENGAGEMENTS. The enclosed diagram will show the scone of the day's fights. Ihave drawn it so a9 to give an idesof the threo engagements asfar as possible, From Mrs, Harris’ house down the ground is very nearly level. The woods are dense and marshy. The points of the compas, are seemingly rathor reversed, but I have followed t! . Mapping in tho order of our advance. It will be remem- bored that we were on the Cold Harbor road as wo ente ed on the day's march, and thence tarned into the Rich- mond and Pamunkey turnpike, coming down tho road past Mr. Honghton’s house, ‘THE HOSPITALS AND CARA OF THR DRAD AND WoUNDED. ‘Tho dwelling honses used as hospitals aro indicated in the diagram. Mrs. Harris’ honse, as elsewhero stated, ‘was vemporarily abandoned, but has since been called in * brary groaning wounded and amputating g surgeons were their breasts and limbs, men with all kinds of ‘Imagina”" end they had Mooked in one of them. Tho‘Spectacle was horrifying Some are talkative; most are silent. THE BATTLE AT HA NOVER COURT HOUSE. Its Importance in a Railroad Point of View. O. eons . ee E SWIRLEY FLA mo PPAHAI ISCATA VILLE O / \ ff ‘sl Li Q.\ WALKERSTOW, | i. ny Vy yi os AS ye CLL OURT , requisition, as also a house about half a mile from Dr. | thor back into the woods;’’ was the indifferent response Kinnoy’s og the way to Hanover Court House. Tho last dwelling ge two story house, with a ea quantity of room in it. Dr.Kinney’s house had only just been vacated as our men took rede It i§ also a good sized two story house,,with a porch extending aloug the front. pe pang beds, bedding, a good li- J&e., were Weft in” it. The scones at were @ counterpart of one another—tho with broken legs and maimed arms; men with bullets in ble wounds, fields. of Golgotha, the horrors of war in dreadful diorama. Wounded rebels were taken care of as well as. our Drs. Lyman, Wators, Bentley, Schell, Charchill apd Clark, were.the leading surgeons, ir hands full. The yards as well as houses are full of patients. Some shods adjoifing Dr. Kinney’s house have been converted into temporary receptacles of tho dead. I enough to sickon one of war—enough to make one invoke on the heads of the rebol leaders a worse anathema than the curseof Hecate. Among the doad were two negroes, whom curiosity had prompted to go too near the battle. THE REBEL PRISONERS. ‘The familiar print limning Falstaf’s recruits, would serve as a good reprosentation of our prisoners. They are of all ages, sizes, complexions, arms and dress A large number are conscripts, who have no uniforms or pretensions to any. I find that the bitterast foeling exists relative to the drafting of soldiers in progress in the rebel States. One prisoner told m+ that he had paid three hundred dollars to two men to go as his substitutes. Both his representatives deserted, and he had been obliged to come himscif , being un. able for lov: or money to induce a third one to take his place. Another, giving his name as Josiah W. {Barger, of Ca- tawba, F. C. showed moa letter from his father dated the 11th instant. THREE THOUSAND GRORGIANS REFUSE TO FIGHT ANY LONGER. In this letter the fact was stated that three thousand Georgians, whose term of enlistment had expired, were told that they must continue in the service. loaded their guns, and officers and all refused to obey the order, and no one daredattempt to mako them do it. Tho result was that the regiments had disbanded and gone home. Those who gave any exprossion of opiuion spoke adversely to tho war, and were loud in condemn- They ing the leaders who had brought it about. All said, however, that ths enemy would resist to their utmost the capture of Richmond. As with prisoners heretofore taken, they wore surprised at the kindness with which they were treated. STRENGTH OF THE RNEMY. ‘The statements of the rebel prisoners and wounded conflict a good deal asto the strength of the rebel force engaged in the day's fighting. On our arrival a brigade under command of General Branch was encamped in the neighborhood. This brigade comprised five regiments, Seventh, Twenty-cighth, Thirty-third and Thirty-sevonth North Carolina, and Forty-sixth Georgia regiment, with Nathan’s battery, of six pieces, A prisoner in. formed me that they left Gordonsville last Saturday, and arrived here yosterday. They wore five thousand strong, and wero on their way to Richmond to aid in preventing our Confederate capital falling into possession of the Yankees. The re- inforcoments—and that some cid arrive there is no ques- tion—are variously stated at from ten to twenty thou- sand. The former figure is probably nearer correct. One fact is to be borne in mind. The enemy's troop* were fresh, and their previous night’s sleep had been unbroken. Our troops were carly summoned from sleep, and had gone through the fatigues of a long and difScult march, Many had not taken a mouthful of food since their early morning meal. One thing is certain, that in the two first engagements the enemy were stronger than our forces who contended against thom. INCIDENTS OF THR DAY. I could, if my time permitted, write acolumn and more of incidents. No battle is without its horoee, hand to hand conflicts and marvellous hair breadth ‘scapes. ‘There were noble acts on the field of battle, and noblo acts after the work of carnage was over. More than one obscure private did that, making his name worthy to fill the speaking trumpet of fame, and officers did that in the face of the cannon’s mouth that should give them ‘their fill of bubble reputation. Each day, for a week to come, will bring these ineidents to light. A surgeon to Dr. Waters, Acting Medica Director of the division, that the position of the ambu- lances should be changed. “Where would you pat them?’ asked Dr. Waters. “Over there where General Porter and staff are.” “That is am exposed Qposition, and the safety of the ambulaness i# not to be risked more than is abso lately nesossary.”” “Won't you risk an ambulance where @ general risks himself?” “No, sir.”” “Why not?” “A general can be made any day; but if an ambulanee fs once ruined it is rained forever.’’ On examining the guns of some of the prisoners, they wore observed to contain several loads, Like the Italians in the Austrian service, they kept reloading thelr pieces but did not fire them. “Tam a conscript, sir,’ was the answor a prisoner gave to an officer who asked how his gun came to havo fo many loads in it, “My hoart,” ho added, ‘is against the war, I couldn’t shoot a Union soldier, and I wouldn't. There are thousands in the rebol army like me.” “DA you see that?’ asked Captain Locke, ow seeing ® bullet hit the ground about two feet in front of General Portor’s horse, seattering the mud over the horse's legs. “J goo by my glase that the onemy ts being driven fur. of the gallant diregfor of the day’s work. ‘Go tell Captain Griffin to advance his piecos.’* Licutenantoymour, of Gencral Morell's staff, had the heel of one‘of his spurs‘shot off. He insisted that the man who'fired the shot must have takgg him for a vul- norable'bécled descendant of Vulcan. ; Win: Halpin, private in Company F, Fifth cavalry, was taken prisoner. A captain removéd his sword and or” ] dered him to dismount. He drewa royolver, shot the captain dead, put spurs to his horse, and'ggon was with his comrades again. ‘ } CAPTURE OF THE REBEL MAIL. ‘ Oneof the most important arrests of tho day was ar- resting the progress of the rebel majl on its way from Richmond to Fredericksburg. ‘Ther were about five hundred papera.in the bag, and the Richmond Dispatch of this date. General Porter gave it in charge of Captain Carter, of General McClellan's staff, who at once took it to headquarters. It will doubtless furnish good material for post prandial reading by the Commanding General. : AFTER THE BATTLE, ‘As [sit to-night drawing this lettor te a close every- thing around me is quiet, contrasting strongly with the din and deafening roar of tho afternoon. Some of our wearied mon have been sent on picket; no sleep or rest for thom yet; others are sleeping on their arms, with a possibility of being called at any moment to again march forth to battle, Gonerals and privates have to make the ground their common slesping place to-night. Some have blankets, but most are without. The woods where the enemy made their stand has been Jooked through. The sights were horrible. Bodies of dead and dying and wounded rebels strewed the ground in every direction. My estimate of the rebel less in killod and wounded is predicated not only on my own observation, but the statement of those looking through these woods and those of the latest prisoners captured. I saw Acting Brigadier Goncral McQuade and other officers giving whiskey from their own flasks to the wounded—sacrifices soldiers can appre- ciate. No longer shall my song be— Alas! tho rarity Of human charity. And to-morrow—what shall be its story? I expect it will bet of further battles, farther lives lost, further war’s horrors, What I had to write I have written. It may secm long in view of the comparative smaliness of our loss; but the in- portance of battles is not to be measured by the length of tho list of slain. The dash of the men, boldness and brilliancy of the conflict, valor, incident, add importance to the story, and give vitality to the recital. The con- flicts of to-day are the first this corps has boon ongaged in. Most of the mon have boon wider fire for the first time. Who shall say that officers and men have not acquitted themselves gallantly; that they have come up to the oxvestations formed of them; that they haye given proof of invincibility in the future? Came Tex Mites prom RicnMonp, May 24, 1862. A Recomnvissance—A Skirmish—The Cross Road Taken Possession Of —The Killed and Wounded, fc. To-day thore was afalseaiarm of a battle—though, in- deed, the alarm was not altogether false to seven of our brave fellows. Our General had been ordered to reconnoitre the Richmond road beyond yesterday's reconnoissance, and to go as far as the crossroad which leads off toward Meadow Bridge, and to hold the point at the junction. But the article “reconnoissance’ has been carried #0 far as to bo rather ‘‘played out” with the special correspondent. He maust not be in advance of General Headquarter. Reoon- notssances aro seldom made to the rear of that point. Near noon, during a heavy rain, wo heard the fire of ar- tillery—first a few guns fired at intervals and ata con- siderable distance ahead. This wenton, it increased, and became a bard, persistent fire; and still it rained. and etill the wind blew bard. Un we went over deep and slippery roads, picking the way carefully through trains of baggage wagons, forage wagons, ammunition ‘wagons, officers’ wagons, sutiers’ wagons, and every other epecios of wagons that anybody at all ever waited for or wont by, and the fire went on in front, harder, quicker, flercer—a fire as warm and persistent, and with more “sound and furry” im itat the distance than the fire at the batue of Williamsburg had. Now we began to moet horsemen on the full run back, orderlies with messages or intelligence from the field, and to overtake less rapid runners on their way thither, &c. After nearly an hour’s ride we overtook the Generals, each with bis staff, on their way to the field. Generals of corps and divisions, asjwell as reporters, must leave their comfortable places by the fire and go into the rain to seo ‘‘what’s the maiter.’’ ‘We foll in behind this group and wenton. An occasional lull in the fire only made its sudden revive! the more startling, and there was horé, as well as inthe mind of for correspondent, ¢lear tmpression that a battic was in progress, though no battle been intended. We wore now in the Richmood road running somewhat north of west, and about three miles Beyond the point at which it passes the Chickahominy. At this point we came to a body of troops drawn up in line of battle to the right of the ron’. A little her on we met a” woun yf. CAS rear on a stretcher. Half a aa es by odcemer postion heal kh 101. diers ant ive ion near a hut to the lot of the roed, and’ in his place, at its head, its jaiet and reliable colonel. We were now fairly on the fea, and there was a lull in the Apparently there was now no enemy before None anawered us from whe woods, nor coul any be seen in the open plain, and our fire was sus; |. The enemy had found by our skirmishers a milo back of the present position of our artiliery,and had fired upon them with musketry, and upon @ regimont in ling with two six-pounders. We had lost several mon and one of the batteries had bad a horse killed; the enomy had retired aa we advanced, and was now in unknown force no one know where; and the regiments of our force wero drawn np in the woods round about, except that tion whieh was considerably further ahead, and wo faa been to the Jjanction of the roads and now held it. Sach was the status. A battery was now sent ahead to hold what wa had,and an infantry regiment went to sui it, Jt was posted in © wneat field to tho right of the road, and in its turn shelled the woods beyond. ‘To the loft of the road another rewiment advanced in ime, | ie home to take care of it. with skirm'shers thrown out to its left and cavalry to its richt. We had now advanced w & point at which the high road approaches yory near to the railroad, rather more than r miles from Bottom’s Bridge, with tho mam force of the ree: A smatler force was Ahead in possession rossroad, “and the main force was now ordered forward to occupy and hold that position, There was no more fight or fire, Wo learn from a prisoner that we had been confronted by a ‘Tennessee rai, Aud that their loss had been fourteen killed and Not much reiiance can, however, wound id on these numbers, Uur loss Was as fouluws KILLED. Private Brown, Company (', One Hundred and Fourth Penneylvani«; hit in the head with a six pound shot. Joseph Lebaugh (or Lebo), Company H, Ninety- eighth New York; musket bail in the brain. WOUNDED. Lioutenant Croff,One Hundred and Fourth Pennsyl- vania; contusion in the breast; said to have been hit by theshot that killed private Brown, behind whom he Bicol. Aaron Thompson, Company D, One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania; musket bail in abdomen; ball extracted, ‘Though such wounds are almost hopeless, th: appear to be some rather favorable symptoms in this case, and the wounded man may live. He lay en his face while the surgeon cot in his back to meet the ball, which could not be felt;and the Grst intimation that the man ceived of the surgeon's succe-8 was a bystander’s mark that it was ‘a round ball.’ we the ball,’ said the poor fellow, with a soldier's passion strong in in. Piciward W. Alabach, Company A, Fifty-second Penn. syivania, musket ball in the left leg; leg amputated above tho knee, De Witt Haynes, Company D, Fifty-second Pennsylva- nia; musket ball through the knee joint; not amputated. May save the leg. Danie! W. Hoily, Company A, Fifty-second Pennsyl- vania; slight concussion of brain from explosion of a sheil near his head. Our wounded were carried from the field back to a barn on the place of Mr. George M. Savage, where their wounds were dressed by Surgeous W, 8. Woods and W. A. Peck, of Pennsylvauia, Mr.avage, whose barn was thus converted into a hos- pital, may be an example of the difference that we are to fiid in Virginians as we get nearer tothe capital. His farm is ono: f the finest we. have secn, and ho has stayod After the soldier Alavach’s g Was amputated,as he had had but little to eat that day, tho doctor said he might have a piece of-toast, if it could be gotten. Bread was the ‘difteuky yan one of the suidier’s comrades went into the house to Mrs. Savage, told “her the circumstances, and asked for « piece of bred to toast forthe wounded and hungry man. Mrs. Savage furnished the bread—a very sutall of bread, cut very thin—and she charged ten cents for it, bard tis the money. A well bred and wealthy Virginia y' The Capture of Mrs. General Lee and Her Two Daughters. OUR SPECIAL ARMY CORRESPONDENCE. New Bripor, Va., May 25,1862. | Copture of Twenty-three Louisiana Tigers—Hre: General Lee Taken Prisoner—Siarving Condition of the Kebsls— Statements of Deserters—The Impenting Battle, dec., dc. ‘The enemy’s artillery is not visible; but we are certain that it is in a manger concealed, and last evening it made known its proximity by hurling shell and solidshot within ahalf mile of our outer camps. The infantry has been loss modest in its manifestations, as has heen demomstrated by the capture of upwards of thirty prisoners, who wore brought to headquarters on Saturday, Twenty-three of them belonged to the celebrated corps of Louisiana Tigors. They were a motley assemblage of well armod, half fed men, who professed great relief at being brought, in, and utter disgust at the prospects of the robols,, A “Meuttenant* and th¥eé non-commissioned officers wera among the prisoners. They report the whole rebel army, as living on half ratious, and undecided as to the pro- priety of dofending Richmond. They were captured beyond the Chickahominy. Two members of the recon- noissance were fliléd and ‘three woybted on our side. The enemy had concealed themselves behind a barn on the sido of the creek, with the design of capturing our whole advance picket. A field piece was ordered to our front, and threw a few shells into the barn. As the enemy seampered. away our men picked somo of thorn off with their muskets and captured most of the remainder> ‘These fellows Were communicative, and testified to the condition of things in and out of Richmond. They were examined by Major John Minor Willard, who has no rivat in the art of extracting information—being not only a fine soldier but an‘accomplished scholar. The prisoners, state that there are no fortifications of note before Richmond, save those immodiately adjacent tothe town. They incline to the belicf that we'll be offered pitched baitle in the open field, and state that they have been induced: to this from the ill success of their Splendid earthworks at Yorktown and Willamsburg. “Shiloh,”’ said one of the prisoners, ‘was ayictory for us, and there we gave you afield fight. Yorktown was a defeat, although we you behind ramparts.’’ Mrs. General Robt. B. Leo and her two daughters were captured on Saturday near Hanover Court House, twenty miles from Richmond. They had retired to a farm house, fearful that Richmond would be bombarded, and a scout- ing party of our cavalry, happening to visit Hanover, were informed of the whereabouts of Mrs. Lee by a con- traband. The old lady professed to be highly indignant, and her daughter read our soldiers a lecture upon the duties of chivalry to women. Of course, such heroics passed for so much, and the end of the affair was that a guard was sct around the dwelling, and the fomales told that they must remain in surveillance at Hanover or be removed to Col. Lee’s residence at the White House. No information was obtained from them, as they had not ‘been in Richmond for a month. ‘The people of Richmond beheld from their homes on Saturday the American flag—for the first time in a year—unfarled from the basket of Lowo’s balloon. It hung above them, poised in the blue serene, like an avenging fate, emblematic of the army and the indissoluble government that was soon to swoop down upon them with its bolts and bara. The scone wasa marked one in the history of the war. Our pickets can now talk with the enemy’s across the creok. Ican see their horsemen riding up and down the slopes in the stretches of grain, and fecl that soon the deop artillery of the North and’ the South is to speak in thunder tones and be the umpire of our destinies. The enemy’s menu ate deserting steadily to our side. They stato that tho term of enlistment of a large part of the rebel army has already expired ; but that they are not discharged and are compelled still to bear arms, They consequently demur and leave in great numbers. ~ ur prison ship at White House now contains upwards of @ty prisoners. Pmiapeuema, May 29, 1862. A private letter received here by an officer of General McClelian’s staff, dated Headquarters, May 26, says:— Colonel Rush found Mrs. General Lee and her two daughcers near Old Church to-day. They were sent to White House under a guard. Mrs. Leo exprossed great surprise that our army should have got so far to the north of Richmond. The New Government Telegraph Cable from Cherrystone to Fortress Monroe. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. My attention has been called to an article in your edition of the 22d inst., giving a graphic description of the above named subject, condemning the construction of a twisted cable, and demonstrating very forcibly and justly the great advantage of placing the iron wires constituting the armor lengthways and parallel with the conductors. This isclatmed to be an invention of the managing and manufacturing parties concerned in it, In reply to this J} beg to state that in May and June, 1860, there wae a sample of acable constructed on this principle on exhibition at the Merchasts’ Exchange, where thousands have seon it. In my circulars contain- ing a description of it, and speaking of the defects of the old Atlantic cable, I have used the following jan- guago:— present cable is a ts id the: ire, bei tre send, ring ine sinient line: whit cenire and a single strand, ring tron wire, being cghteen dtrauds) and forming the outstae runs in cure sequently the is the shortest of the two, and re strain ich or break the before it cin reach the iron cable aten- copper id out of @ coll the act oT Gealgtindonlg Tooter the advantages of my cable I enumer- a 6. The cable be! ht twig Kiake are rentered impoueibie, “= 8° Wndency to On the 7th December, 1860, I laid @ cable of this do. scription across the Mississippi at Meg and in May last another one across the Hudson at West Point. eannot allow othors to assume as their invention that which is so clearly my own, and I trust you will do me the justice to give these lines a piace in your valuable t would also state on this occasion that as early ag the 19th April, 1861, I proposed to General Scott to lay three cables from some point on theeastern shore of Virginia viz: one to Fortress Monroe, one to Fort McHenry, anda poe a up the oe to seeeenere, Yon al — other lines as government mi ire. Vory respect- fully, Wittas H. HORSTMANN, New Yoru, May 24, 1862. Sonoors oF THe TRANsrI@URATION Cae nen, Morr Sraeer.— Yostorday was one of tho most solemn festivals of the Catholic church, The services were held in commemo. ration of the ascentof the Redeemer. At the churvh of the Transfiguration, in Mott sirect, the occasion mot ‘with due recognition. The girls of the school, clothed in garments of ansalliod white, crowned with flow, ers gleaming with the colors with which spring endues herself, met, to the number of some two hundred, and a May Queen paving pose elected, indulged in the amuse- ments pormitted by tho sanctity of day. Rev, Fa. thor Treanor made # brief and congratulatory address, and, after the customary refi mente had been distri- butod by the kind and accomplished sisters who have had the children in charge, there general dismissal, with the pastoral blessing. NEWS FROM CORINTH. _ Newspaper Accounts. [From the Louisville Express, May 25. FROM BEAUREGARD’S ARMY. A gentleman who left Memphis about ton days ago in- forms us tha! there is no question of Beauregard making a determined staud at Coriuth. Qur informant does nob know what his force is, but the Southern mea in Memphis seemed to be confident that his for iciont Lo engage the enemy successfully Whenever an attack was He saw Price aud Van Dorn’s command when it arrived in that city, and it amounted to $6,000 men, ac- cording to his information, ‘Theso men were ragged and worn down with their arduous campaign in Arkansas but he says they were furnished with new outfits and better arms. Price was idolized by his soldiers, aud has place in the hearts of the Southern people second to none. ; ‘This gentleman tells us that the reports of the de- moralization and sickness in the Confederate army are not reliable. He thinks that the army at Cocinth is quite healthy, and that it will make a bold and vigorous defence of that place He was f not at Corinth, however, and it is not likely tha: Boaure- gard would permit unfavorable news of his condition to ‘be known outside of his lines. (Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette.) j CountH, May 19, 1862. j Riding up, I was introduced to Colonel Thompson, of ; Genoral Beauregard’s stall. The cordial warmth of man- i ner, fine head, expressive features and grizzly hair aad | moustache wore not unfamiliar in Washington, even Jato ag the beginning of the present year. It was Mr. Buchanan’s well known Secretary of the Interior, Hon. ‘Jacob M. Thompson, Mississippi millionaire, ex-Congress- man from the very district on whose soil he now stood under a flag of truco, and & man still entitled to Northern respect, as the only one of the rosigning secessionists who left Mr. Buchanan’s Cabinet without stain of dite honor upon his name. Both the Colonel and Captain Dreux made thomselves as agreeable as possiblo, and there was a sort of tacit un- derstanding by which both sides avoided unpleasant sub= jects. The grounds of complaint tho South had againss =, the North wore alluded to for a moment, but with Colonel | ‘Thompson’s ‘Well, well, we can’t soe it in the same | light,” the matter was dropped. j ‘They were profuse in their expressions of regret thas the war should haye broken out at all, and particularly bitter against the abolitionists. ‘We don’t like to fight you Northern men,”’ said Colonel Thompson; “it grieves ‘us to think of having to meet men we like as we do you in baitle; we want to fight your abolitionists. I know,’? he continued, “you have very few of them here; but if you could collegt a regiment of them, I’d like to pick out a regiment of our fire-oaters, and have them brought out face to face in an open field. I’d be willing to abide by the results, go which way it would, But we don’t like to have to fight you.” a “Ido regret one thing,” ho said again, addressing himself to the oilicer commanding the pickets of t! ; Seventeenth Ohio, Colonel Connell, whom he bad known i 4s an old line democrat, ‘and that ia, that the old demo- cratic party is permitting itself to be used by the aboii-e tionists, and is now absolutely under their command.’ Colonel’ Connell disprted. tho proposition. “Yowll see how it will be when tho war 13 over,’? said Colonel Thompson, “Even now can see how Concress 13 drifting, and the current is sure to get stronger and stronger in the same direction.” Bat yon might have } checked the current if your members had stayed in Con- gress,” suggested a by-stander. “Oh, nol we might, perhaps, have pushed on the evil day a little further, but ' thot wasall, Abolitionism is i sweep everythin; | bofore it, just as we foresaw it would. It was just as to meet the matter now as at any timo, but we did nos expect you Northern democrats to help swell the aboli- ‘ tion power.” “One of the saddest of all the sad thingsin this war,’’ said the Colonel egain, “is in cases like this: Liout. — is in our army. Hoe has two brothers with you. One of thom, some months ago, was severe'y ‘wounded at Mill Spring, where he fought, too, and he bas. hover yet boen able to loarn whether he died or not. Can any of you tell me?” Unfortunately none of us knew, and so the family suspense romai:.s unbroken, notwith- standing the Colonoel’s kindly effort. And the lowed inquiries alm‘st innumerable about old friends on the other side. amonz others Col. T. asked after Matt, Martin, of Columbus. I to!d"him of. his being the editor of the Stateeman, and when I added, with a trifle of malice aforethought, for which I trast Matt. will forgive me, that up North we accused him of being a pretty fair seccessionist for Ohio latitude, “I anr very glad to heart,” exclaimed the Colonel; ‘‘very glad, indeed, | assure you.”” ‘The Colone! was anxious to know what Cox’s for re-election were from the Columbus district, +I know, of course, that he is doing well, but will he get to Congress again?” It was particularly pleasant to be able to assure him that the Legislature was supposed to have stumbled on a wise precaution in that caso. . ‘ou hayen’t heard of your taking Richmond, yet, have you?’ We told him wo had no despatches to that eflect yet, but that we confidently expected them wit!: a fow days, ‘‘ You won't gotthem”’ vaid he; “ you ave not going to take Richmond without a much harder fight than you're counting on.’? The loss of New Orleins, !’en- sacola and Norfolk was freely admitted, and the im- mense advantage thus gained acknowledged, * But it ali won't do, gentlemen. You may take someof our cities, but you can’t subjugate the South. Your confts- cation, which, stavo it off ag you will in Congress, you are bound to come to, and ‘your subjugation means simply oxtermination. It’s too great an undertaking for = power."? i it was pretty hard to lose New Orleans, they said; and Bon. Butler’s establishing his headquarters at the St. Charles was the bitterest pill yet, but still all this would only give them the energy of desporation. They must fight because they couldn’t afford to fail. The secession prisoners at Columbus were inquired after, and the story of their kind treatment was received with great gratification. Colonel Thompson had some relatives among them, and ‘‘could we arrange it s0 that he could send them & message, or, if possible, a few lines in writing.” Trug to newspaper habits, I had writing materials with me, and the Colonel at once availed himself of the offer, and sat down ona log to wito a letter. He insisted on reading it over to Colone! Connell, to assure him there was nothing improper in what he had written. KS REPLY TO BBAURBGARD. At last the officer returned from General Malleck’s headquarters. The General could not consent that Colo- nel Thompson should come within our lines, as roquested, and he would be willing to roeiprocate the rolen prisoners by returning them an eqdal number in ex- change. Colonel any oe was evidently chagrined at being allowed to go no further; but he was too politic as manly to manifest any open dissatis- The prisoners—a 861 looking set—wero marchod forward, the rebel cavalry turned them over to oar officers, & descriptive roll was produced, and sixty-two reloused prisoners answered very joyfully as their names: were called. Colonel Connell inquired whether they wished them Sworn not to bear arms against the confoderacy untit regularly exchanged. “Oh, we’ve attonded to that already,’’ said Colonel Thompson, ‘‘and I guess its pretty well impressed on their minds.” Some ale was pro- duced, and rebels and loyalists alike drank out of the same tin cup. “if we could only take you up toour camp we could give you something better,’? said one of our oilicers. ‘Oh, never mind,” replied a rebel with a quizzical look; “we expect to eutertain all you gentlemen at our quarters pretty soon, and, depend on it, this party shall have the best old brandy Corinth affords. PARTING WITH REBELS, The lesve taking grew protracted. Each had some- thing to say or ask. Hands wero shaken with cordiality all around, ““‘May we moet again under pleasauter auspices,” said Colonel Thompson, and thore was not one of the Lia Ga did not fervently echo the wish and inwardly hope that he might some cay have an opportunity to doa kindness to this officer of Beauregard’s sia, But at last there was no excuse for waiting longer. Mount- jog their horses, the colonel and captain waved a final adieu and with uncovered hends rede on, the body guard wheeled in behind them, every man lifting bis capas he our officers; aud so, under the white flag, the courteous rebols left us. The Seventh Regiment tn Camp. OUR BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENCE. Bauxiwone, May 23, 186% The Seventh Regiment Encamped at Stewart's Hill—How ‘They are Received by the People—The March to th: Camp Ground, dc. The Seventh regiment this morning marched to their quarters, Stewart’s Hill, about two miles out from the city, where they will encamp until further orders. The members of the regiment have been most cordially re- ceived by tho Union people of Baltimore, and last even- ing they were escorted about the city by many of tho loading citizens. Major General Dix, Major Ludlow and Lieutenant Barton paid their respects to the officers of tho rogiment last evening, and assurod Colonel Leiferta that everything that could be had tor the com/ort of the members of the regimont should be furnished. Colonol Tofferts exprossed his thanks to Major Genoral Dix on behalf of his command, and stated that ho awaited orders to perform any duty that they might be called upon to discharge. ‘The regiment was quartered last night at the Union Barracks, near the Washington depot, At ten o'clock this morning regimental line was formed on Eutaw street, and the regiment marched up to the Ectaw House, where the com- mand was handed over to Colonel Leifurts. The rogi+ mont then proceeded up Eutaw street to West Fayette strect, and thence to Stewart's Grove, om Stewart's Will, where they aro to be encamped. As they marchod through the streets the windows of the houses were crowded with ladios who waved thoir handkerchiefs, and American flags were hung out from almost overy house along the route, Whenabout halfway they halted and went throught several well executed movements by tue sound Ci viten pis jo movementa were repeatedly the crowd of on “Fine regiment reached primer Hill about nalf-pase élevon o'clock, and stacked arms amid ® heavy shower which set in just as they reactied the hill. Tho locaim ia sail to be one of the it aroynd Baltimore. A fine view can here be had of the Sencar oouniry for miles, and a more heaithy tin could mot have been |. The grounds are shaded by trees, tho tents being pitched facing the city, and the streeta runping east nod ‘west, Tho boys seemed highiy pleased with the place, and are making arrangemonts ( od time during their stay. Colovel Lefferts and 8: are to quarter in 's Mansion, a fine building immediate- ly adjoining the ony pie boys have all day been hard at work pitching tents. Brergthi is bustle, bustle, about the camp. Here cam be seon half s dozen cutting wood to mako tent pins, others digging and cutting away the rubbish on tha (i bt are hard at work laying floors hoir tents. tg ‘The city is vory quiet, aot tha slightest excitement ‘veing manifestoc,