The Sun.
London, England, 1862-07-15 00:00:00

TAW! i SUN, LONDON, ITESDAY EVENING, JULY 15, 1862.

eels contiguous. The wives and children of the con-
trabands also soon made their appearance, and with
bundles and babies took position on the canal boats

as they were floated out in the stream.
"The mail steamer, which should have left for
Fortress Monroe at 7 o'clock in the morning, was
ordered to be retained, and at 9 o'clock a despatch

was received that a general battle was progressing
along the whole line, the enemy having renewed
the attempt to flank General Porter's position on
the right wing. At 1 o'clock a second despatch
announced that General Porter had driven the
enemy before him and repulsed them three times
with terrific slaughter, and was then ordered by
General lkl‘Clellan to fall back. This despatch was

a signal for renewed energy in the work of evacua-
tion, and all the quartermaster's papers and valu-
ables, and the chests of the paymasters were brought

on board the mail boat. The family of Quartermaa.

ter Engle was also brought on board,with his horses
and carriage, and the horses of Assistant-Quarter-
master Sawtell. The household furniture and the
servants of these officials also soon followed, which
increased the excitement among the sutlers and
army followers. Some of the sutlers became so
panic-stricken as to sell out their stocks at half-
price, and hastened on board the boat, while some
determined to hold on and take the chances. That
there was an intention on the part of Gen.M'Clellan
to evacuate the White House as soon as his move-
' ments in front should be perfected there was no
doubt, but whether as a necessity or a strategic
movement could not at that time be foreseen.
" During the afternoon the panic increased until
half-past 3 o'clock, and the steamers and tugs were
busily engaged in towing down the transports.
At 3 o'clock a despatch was received from head-
quarters, in substance as follows :
" We have been driving the enemy before ns
on the left wing for the past half-hour. Cheers are
heard all along the lines.
" This was the signal for a new change in the
programme. All the Government valuables and
the property of the officers were taken off the
mail boat and placed on board the steamer Camonico,
and the order given for the departure of the mail
boat, which left at 3 o'clock for Fortress Monroe,
taking with her in tow two heavily-laden steamers,
with directions for them to be dropped at West
Point.

Two of the large hospital steamers filled with
sick and wounded also left about the same time,
and moved majestically down the river. The
steamer Commodore was still left at the wharf
to receive any new arrivals from the battle field,
and the Daniel Webster and the Elm City, de-
voted to the same service, soon after arrived. It
was also announced that General Stoneman with
6,000 cavalry and artillery was within six miles of
the White House to protect the work of evacuation,
if a dash should be made by the enemy in that di-
rection.
" The scene presented on the river was a most
interesting one. Ten miles below the White House
about 200 brigs, barques, and schooners were at
anchor, with any quantity of canal boats loaded
with implements of war, commissary and subsistence
stores. On the whole route down steamers and tugs
were passed, having large numbers of vessels in
tow, and at West Point, 40 miles below the White
House, not less than 300 vessels were at anchor,
while the numerous steamers and tugs which had
brought them down were preparing to start up for
the several hundred still up the river.
" About 7 o'clock on Friday evening numbers of
the wounded commenced to arrive from the front
of the lines, with a few of the most intelligent of
whom I had an opportunity of conversing. Those
engaged in the repulse of Stonewall Jackson repre-
sented his rout to be most quick and disastrous.
He came down on them expecting a surprise, but
found them all momentarily expecting his approach,
having been informed by General M'Clellan two
days previous that he was coming upon them.
Instead of a surprise, the enemy received the first
shot, and after two hours' fight, retreated in con-

fusion.
" The wounded from the flight which immediately
ensued represented it to have been a most terrific
encounter, the enemy coming out from Richmond
upon them in such dense masses that the shell and
grape poured into them as they advanced made great
gaps in their lines, which were immediately filled
up, and they moved forward most determinedly.
Their artillery was so poorly served that the damage
to our ranks was light in proportion. They still
moved on and exchanged showers of Minie balls,
which were destructive on both sides, but when
General Porter ordered a bayonet charge they re-
treated in double quick, though General Porter
purseed them but a short distance.
"The enemy again rallied and approached our
lines a second time, when the same terrible
slaughter ensued ; this time their artillery, being
better served, was more effective in the ranks of our
men. On coming to close quarters they were again
repulsed and', driven back greater distance,
this twice fought over battle ground being literally
strewn with the dead and dying. General Porter
then a second time fell beck to his position, and
waited nearly an hour for the enemy to renew the
assault. They, however, finally came on in in-
creased numbers, having been largely reinforced,
and were again received with shell and grape,
causing great chasms in their ranks, and one poor
fellow, who had lost his arm, assured me that he
saw the loose arms and portions of the bodies of the
enemy making gyrations through the air. A
third time the enemy bore down most bravely and
determinedly on our lines, and this conflict was the
most severely contested of the whole, but when the
bayonet was brought to bear he fell back, and was
pressed towards Richmond, fully a mile beyond our
original lines.
" Again, for the fourth time, General Porter fell
back to his first position, when an order was re-
ceived from General M'Clellan to continue his re-
trograde movement slowly and in order. So soon
as it became apparent to the enemy that it was the
purpose of General Porter to retire, they again
pushed forward most :boldly and bravely, when
their advance was checked by the entire reserve
force, consisting of the New York sth, Lieutenant-
Colonel Duryea; the New York 10th, Colonel Bene-
dix, and two other regiments, under command of
Colonel Warren, acting Brigadier-General, and the
entire force of regulars under Major-Gen. Sykes.
This fresh force held the enemy in check, while the
force which had previously borne the brunt of the
battle moved steadily back and in good order, car-
rying with them their wounded and their dead,
"The enemy made a fierce attack on the reserve,
but cannon were posted at various parts of the
route by which they were retiring towards the
Chickahominy, which occasionally poured in shot
and shell upon them, and checked their movements
and enabled the troops to move back in the most
admirable order. At one time in this retrograde
movement the reserve force of General Sykes
charged on the enemy with the bayonet, and drove
him back nearly a mile. In this charge the gal-
lant New York sth and Colonel Benedis's New
York 10th drew forth the plaudits of the army by
their steadiness and bravery, in which they, how-
ever, lost about 100 of their numbers, whose bodies
it was necessary to leave on the field. Cheers went
up along our lines at this gallant repulse, which
was at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and the enemy
did not again renew the attack during the balance
of the evening, but turned his columns down
towards the White House, which seemed to be the
haven of all his hopes. The division of the enemy
despatched in this direction was estimated at from
20,000 to 30,000 cavalry, artillery, and infantry.
They started down at 3 o'clock on a Friday after-
, noon.
"In conversation with a paymaster who was
of treasure in o
with General Porter's division when the battle
commenced I have a very full confirmation of the
stltt'inent of this gallant soldier. Ho says that
being
anxious for the safety of the large amount
on the Richmondhisproceedpossession
askedstation,andtold
side of the Chickahominy, in
company with the
that direction 'with th waggon train then moving in
all the valuables from the
vag
e knapsacks of the men and
various camps of the di-
vision. He joined the train
reserves stationed along the
and moved on, and
retiring of the right wing of the
rdoeasdcritboepdrottheectartthil:ery

army across the Chickahominy. He says it wts a
most orderly movement, conducted slowly and
steadily, and that the only evidence of panic was
amongst some teamsters, who threatened to break
their lines, but were instantly checked by a com-
pany of cavalry who drew on them and were or-
dered to blow out the brains of the first man who
deserted his post or disobeyed the orders of the

guards..
" This gentleman left the Savage Station, south
of the Chickahominy, at seven o'clock on Saturday
morning, and states that during the night the en-
tire wing of the army passed over the river in per-
fect order, not losing a waggon of the train, and
only leaving such portion of their camps as was not
deemed worth removing as they retired to their
new lines. There has been no firing during
the night, though at five o'clock on Saturday morn-
ing' some heavy cannonading was in progress on the
extreme left towards the James River, which soon
ceased, however, and at seven o'clock all was again
quiet. The railroad was in operation all night on
Friday after the battle, and the last train that left
for the White House took its departure at seven
o'clock, and met no interruption all the way down.
" On Saturday morning the work of evacuation
at the White House had been nearly completed,
and, although there was still a number of vessels
before the landing, there was abundance of steamers
in readiness to move off with them any moment.
"At nine o'clock a train of cars started out for
head-quarters, but had not been gone more than an
hour before it returned, reporting the enemy to be
approaching Despatch Station, which is 11 miles
from the White House. This, however, is supposed
to be a mistake, as telegraphic communication
through to General M'Clellan was continued up to
11 o'clock, at which time the mail boat started for
Fortress Monroe.
" From the foregoing, I think I have conclusively
proved that the object of General M'Clellan, long
before the battle on Friday, was to abandon the
White House, and also draw in his right wing
across the Chickahominy. That he has accomplished
this most masterly movement with but little loss in
comparison with his punishment of the enemy, there
can be no doubt, and that he has strengthened his
position by contracting his lines and changing the
base of his operations to the James River is equally
self-evident. There he will have the co-operation of
the gunboats, and if the enemy attempt to interrupt
his supply vessels by making a dash on the James
River, they will meet with prompt punishment from
the gunboats, and so weaken their force in front
that the city will fall into his possession with but a
slight struggle. Although ' hope may be father to
the thought,' I would wager a big apple that Gen.
M'Clellan is in possession of Richmond by Sunday
next.—Yours,

" C. C. F."
Apparently the same writer adds the following,
under date Washington, the 29th :
" Since closing my letter from the White House I
find myself very unexpectedly in Washington city,
and in possession of most reliable information from
the White House and other points on the peninsula,
nearly a day later than are contained in my letter.
" It appears that the telegraphic communication
between the White House and General M'Clellan
was not broken until near 1 o'clock on Saturday,
and then the wire was cut at Dispatch Station, 11
miles out. Tunstall's Station, four miles out, was
in our possession until 4 o'clock in the afternoon, at
which hour the operator at White House heard a
strange signal coming over the wire. On going to
the instrument he was heralded with what the Fede-
ral soldiers call the Rebel National salute, ' I say,
0 you Yankee —of --." This was the signal
given for the final evacuation, when a portion of
the infantry forces immediately embarked on steam-
boats in waiting for them, the last of the trans-
ports was moved off by the steamtugs, and the few
articles scattered about on shore, even some da-
maged hay, was fired. The whole was of very small
value, and thus of the many millions of property
here a few days ago perhaps not 5,000 dols. worth
was destroyed.
"In the midst of this closing scene of the beauti-
ful Chickahominy region I regret to have to state
that some Vandal set fire to the White-house, and
it was entirely consumed. -This doubtless arose
from the ridiculous teachings of a recent grave sena-
torial debate on this little cottage.
" The enemy made his appearance in considerable
force at the White-house about 7 o'clock on Satur-
day evening, and, although he neither found bread
for man nor hay for beasts, was welcomed with
heavy showers of grape shot from the three gun-
boats which were ranged along in front of the land-
ing. They were supposed to be 30,000 strong, and,
unless they brought their haversacks well supplied
must have gone supperless to bed. In the best of
times I found starvation to stare me in the face at
the White-house, and I hope the Rebels found no
better fare.
"The cavalry at the White-house guarded the
departure of the last of the waggons and horses,
which moved off at the final evacuation, and joined
the force under General Stoneman, who were ho•
vering around the vicinity all day. After passing
these trains off and securing their safety, General
Stoneman, with his entire force, moved off in a
direction that I am not at liberty at present to state.
" General Casey reports that he lost not a man,
nor did he leave a soul behind, not even a contra-
band. _

" At 10 o'clock on Sunday morning Col. Ingalls
and Capt. Sautelle were before Yorktown with an
immense convoy of vessels and steamers:on their
way to the new base of operations on the James
River. They would doubtless move down imme-
diately to Fortress Monroe, and await the instruc-
tions of General Al'elellan. A large number are,
however, already up the James River under the
protection of the gunboats.
Since a very early hour on Saturday morning
General INl‘Clellan has been deprived of his tele-
graphic communication with Washington. He
abandoned its use several hours before the wires
were cut, doubtless being fearful that the enemy
might, by placing a magnet on the wire, read his
orders. Direct communication is now being opened
with him, however, by gunboats up the mouth of
the Chickahominy, and all will soon be right in
this respect."

SERIOUS STABBING CASE Al HALTON

On Saturday the Mallon magistrates were en-
gaged in the investigation of a serious case of cutting
and wounding, preferred by Matthew Preston, of
Old Mahon, against George Barker, of the same
place. The men, with several others, were drinking
at the Fat Os publichouse in Malton on the night
of the sth of July, and a quarrel arose between Bar-
ker (the prisoner) and Preston. The men turned
out to fight, but Barker refused to proceed, and he
left the company,
the other men remaining until 11
o'clock, when they set off home. A few yards from the
house Barker was found in a passage, and Preston
seized him and pulled him out, when he in turn
seized Preston round the neck or by the hair, and
a scuffle of a desperate nature ensued. A com-
panion, with difficulty, pulled the men apart, and
discovered that Preston was covered with blood,
but he (Preston) was not aware that he was stabbed
until he got to another public-house and was washed.
A surgeon was sent for, and dressed the wounds.
Two of Preston's companions corroborated his evi-
dence, and Mr. Charles Hartley, surgeon, stated
that a wound 2 inches in length on the head, and
two others on the neck, seemed to have been pro-
duced with a sharp instrument, being incised
wounds, with smooth edges. Superintendent
Simpson, hearing of the affray, arrested Barker on
Sunday morning early, and found bloodmarks on
his hand and face. He denied doing anything to
Preston, and said he had not had a knife, but in
answer to a subsequent question, when taken before
a magistrate for remand, said, in reference to his
knife, he "supposed some of
.'ern had got it." Mr.
Dale, of York, appeared on behalf of the prisoner,
and he reserved his defence. The prisoner was
committed to take his trial at the ensuing
York
Assizes.

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,discharges hem the throat and uose6

DISTRIBUTION OF THE WIMBLEDON
PRIZES AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.

The ceremonial distribution of the prizes won at
the late rifle shooting match on Wimbledon-com-
mon, took place yesterday at the Crystal Palace.
The weather was exceptionally fine, and conse-
quently the Palace and grounds had put on their
best aspect for the occasion. The most popular of
royal dukes had consented to distribute the prizes,
and the Prime Minister had promised his presence
at the distribution. The interior of the Palace had,
under the tasteful care of Mr.-Wood, assumed a most
martial and striking appearance. The cornices of
the Handel orchestra were covered with inscriptions
recording the names of the various corps in England
and Scotland, and in the front under the proscenium
banners drooped down in which were emblazoned
the names of the heroes of the day's distribution.
In the front was a platform covered with crimson
cloth, upon which were to stand H.R.H. the Duke
of Cambridge, the more distinguished guests, and
the heads of the Volunteer institution ; and on a
table close at hand were spread out the most splen-

did of the prizes, conspicuously arranged so as to
be seen, and to serve as a stimulus to the marksmen
of future rifle matches. This table was an extra-
ordinary centre of attraction for the visitors who
had obtained tickets for the platform, and every one
concurred in applauding the richness and artistic
design of the various articles. There was the As-
sociation Cup, in silver-gilt, of elaborate cinque-
cento design, which was to be carried off by Major
Moir ; the Queen's Prize, which fell to the fortu-
nate Mr. Pixley, of the Victoria Rifles, having been
originally £250 in money, the gold medal of the
Association, and a Whitworth, but the money por-
tion of which the winner had invested in two ele-
gant claret cups ; the Eton Cup, which was won by
Lord Eldon ; the Ashburton challenge shield ; and
last, though not least in beauty of design or work-
manship, the Albert shield and vase, which the com-
pany were most anxious to see and to touch, in affec-
tionate recollection of the illustrious name with
which it was associated. The shield is a fac-simile of
the table in oxydised silver,and covered with the most
elaborate repousse work, which was made for the
Queen in 1851 by Messrs. Elkington, who had also
furnished the other articles previously enumerated.
Close to the table a row of seats had been placed,
which were occupied by Lady Palmerston, the
Duchess of Wellington, Ladies Bury and Elcho, and
several other ladies of rank. Among the male oc-
cupants of the platform were his Royal Highness
the Duke of Cambridge, president of the day ; Vis-
count Palmerston, the Duke of Cleveland, Lords
Elcho and Bury, Lord Powerscourt, Sir Joseph
Paxton, Mr. Farquhar, chairman of the Crystal
Palace Company; several French generals. and one
or two members of the foreign diplomatic body. The
whole of the orchestra was densely crowded, as was
also the transept area, whilst the galleries down as
far as any view of the proceedings could be obtain-
ed, presented a brilliant array of beauty and fashion.
The Duke of Cambridge was loudly cheered, both
on entering and leaving the building ; and Lord
Palmerston had also a very warm and hearty recep-
tion. Besides the table before mentioned, upon
which the most valuable prizes were arranged, there
were one or two stands covered with the awards
of lesser value, and about the edges of the platform
stood the rifles, field glasses, and other articles with
which the less fortunate of the marksmen were to
be satisfied.
The formal proceedings of the day were opened by
his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge with a
few preliminary observations to the Volunteers, who
were drawn up in line in front of the platform, but
which were quite inaudible to every one in the rear,
and the delivery of prizes was proceeded with by
Lord Elcho. A printed programme had been cir-
culated of the order of presentation, but at the last
moment the public, who had invested largely in the
purchase of copies, found that it was of not
the slightest use in following the speaker, who
could only be heard with the greatest difficulty.
The full prize list will be found at the end of this
report, but we shall here endeavour to note such as
were most remarkable or attracted most notice from
the company. The Messrs. Ross, father and son,
received rifles and a prize of £lO5 amidst tremend-
ous cheering, and the Master of Lovat also took a
prize under a gratifying salvo of applauee, and Mr.
De Gendre, a Swiss gentleman, had quite an ovation
as he accepted his £5O. Major Halford, 31st
Leicester, had quite an armoury of rifles presented
to him amid tremendous cheering, and Sergeant
Dillon, of the School of Musketry, was presented
with an engraving which we are sure would be
quite large enough to paper the walls of his quer-
ters at Hythe. This very successful marksman
received two other prizes—a Calisher and Terry
rifle, and a field glass, Lord Elcho informing the
company, amid much laughter, as he called out the
last, that " This was the third time of asking." We
may here observe of these field glasses, that being
all mounted on tall tripods, they were mistaken by
many for surveyors' theodolites, and did not seem
to be very suitable or attractive prizes for riflemen.
Some got gold watches, which seemed to suit ad-
mirably. Lord Eldon was called, but did not
answer, for the Eton cup, but the two Harrow boys
took away their prize amid the most vociferous
applause. Major Halford received the Albert shield
and vase, with a few appropriate observations from
his royal highness ; and Lord Bury also, who got a
field. glass, had a gracious reception. Lieut. Lacy,
12th Foot, received a silver cup, presented by Mr.
Hancock, and various other prizes were presented,
including a great number of rifles by various
makers, the presentation being accompanied in
each case by some appropriate observations from
the royal president of the day. The sympathy of
the public with the successful marksmen was
most marked and enthusiastic, the ladies rising
and waving their handkerchiefs, whilst the men
cheered as each more than ordinarily successful
marksman took his place upon the platform. Mr.
Pixley, of the Victories, was of course the hero of
the day, and next to him the Messrs. Ross, Major
Halford, and Sergeant Dillon seemed to obtain the
largest amount of favourable notice from the
audience.
At the ;conclusion of the presentations, which
occupied about an hour and a half,
Lord PALMERSTON advanced to the front of the
orchestra, and amidst loud cheering said—Ladies
gentleman, I am afraid in speaking to this vast as-
sembly in this great and spacious building that my
voice will not be sufficient to express to all who
are present the full meaning of the words I intend
to address to you; but I think that which I beg to
propose is so pre-eminent in the heart and mind of
all those here, that your own feelings will stand in
lieu of the words from me. You will concur, I
am sure, with me in heartily returning thanks to
his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and to
the noble volunteers of the land. Your thanks are
justly due to his Royal Highness the Duke of Cam-
bridge, for in bis exalted rank and the high pai.
tion which he holds he has been enabled to confer
the greatest benefits on the valiant army of the
country and to encourage that noble volunteer
movement which so eminently distinguishes this
country. (Hear, hear.) His Royal Highness is no
holiday soldier—(hear, hear)--his experience is not
confined to administration at home ; he has shared
with the soldiers of the country the dangers and
privations of war, and in the Crimea at the bead
of his troops he has nobly faced the foes of his
country. (Cheers.) He does not confine his care
to the force which is more particularly under his
command, but he takes the most lively interest in
the welfare, the prosperity, and the efficiency of
the volunteer force of the country. (Cheers.) When
I say that I wish to propose to you a vote of
thanks to the volunteers, I feel that I am
but an inadequate organ of that na-
tional sentiment which glows in the bosom of
every Englishman and of every Englishwoman ;
but if my expressions are feeble, I refer the volun-
teers to the applauding hands of the men who are
present, and to the smiles and the beaming eyes of
the ladies who have been looking on. (Cheers.) To
call that force the volunteers of England is in truth
distinguishing appellation.
not to give them any
If it is the pride of our country that all who serve
their country in arms are volunteers—we have hero
no kind of conscription—(hear)—every man who
handles a musket, who brandishes a lance, or who