Complex sentence: The northern press portrayed the battle as a victory for the Federal army however, the defense of Williamsburg was seen by the South as a means of delaying the Federal army which allowed the bulk of the Confederate army to continued its withdrawal toward Richmond.
Split into simpler sentences: The Northern press portrayed the battle as a victory for the Federal army. However, the defense of Williamsburg was seen by the South as a means of delaying the Federal army, which allowed the bulk of the Confederate army to continued its withdrawal toward Richmond.