Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-08-16
important from Fortress Monroe.


important from Fortress Monroe.
FORTRESS MoNRoE, Aug, g. The village Of
Hampton has been burnt, by General Magrur
der, in his advance with the rebel forces.
: Scouts and fugitiVes yesterday morning
brought word of the approach of large Con-
federate force from Yorktown.
These rumors were confirmed at p NJ, by
an intelligent deserter 'FRONT.' tho secessionists,
named +. A. Mayhew, native of Maine, but
a resident of Georgia until impressed into the
service, who furnished an account of the expe
ditioD.
Mr.. Mayhem has been stationed at yorktown
since the first of June.
On Friday last, Colonel (nOw Generall Ma
gruder left yorktown with force of 1000
men, including 200 cavalry aud pieces of
| artillery, viz:-3 Parrot guns, howitzers, and
l rifed cannon.
A part of the troops were from Williams
burg.
On Monday night they encamped at Great
Bethel, which had been completely deserted.
On Tuesdry night they advanced towards
Hampton, and at noon Yesterday took up ro-
sition on Back river, some three miles from the
town, where Mayhem managed to escape through
a cornfeld, and by swimming a couple Of
streams reached the Fortress
He says the object of the expedition was to
draw out our forces to attack Camp Hamilton,
near Newport News, if practicable, and at least
to destroy Hampton, so as to prevent US from
| using it for Winter quarters.
Gen. Butler at once repaired TO this end of
Hampton Bridge. where he remained until IL
o'clock
Col. Weber erected barricade near the
Hampton side Of the bridge, and PLACED q
strong guard at various points on this side of
the creek.
A few minutes past midnight, General Ma
grader, with about five hundred Coufederates,
some of them belonging 10 Hampton, entered
the town, and Immediately fred the buildings
with torches.
The greater part of the Eve hundred horses
were built of wood, and ss no rain has fallen
lately, the strong soath wind soon produced
terrible confagratioil.
There we're perhaps twenty white people and
double that Sunber Of negroes remaining in
the town, from inability TO remove, some of
whose houses we're fired without waking the
inmates.
The rebels gave Carey Jones and bis wife,
both of them aged aud inirm, but fifteen min
utes to remove to few articles Of furniture to
the garden.
Several of the whites aad also of the negroes
were hurried away to be pressed into the Con.
federate service VIM. Schofeld, merchant,
took refuge in our camp above the town.
Two negroes were drowned while attempting
to cross the creek.
A company of the rebels attempted to force
IL L-.l Il !
with loss Of three killed and six wounded.
The FIRE ragged all right.
The greater part Of the Confederates with
drew towards morning, and at noon to day,
when | visited the place, but seven or eight
Buildings we're left standing.
The destruction of the town was wsnton
act of cruelty TO the resident Unicnists, and
moreover entirely useless, as Gen. Butler in>
tends to winter his army beyond Hampton.
An attempt will be made to fasten the act
upon the General, but after ten o'clock, on
wednesday night, there was not Federal sols
dier in Hampton.
A flag of truce, just 10 from Norfolk with
Miss Mayo, a niece rof General Scott, on her
way from Richmond to New York, states that
the rebels attribute the act to Gen Butler.
Gen. Magrrder has eneamped near New Mar
ket bridge. He will hardly venture to attack
Newport News.
Mr.. Mayhem states that there have been
about 1000 rebels stationed at Yorktown.
Some ten days ago q battalion came down to
the outskirts Of Hampton, and carried away
| l80 negroes.
/ Provisions are abundant at yorktown, and
most of the regiments are receiving new uni
forms for the Winter campaign.