The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-07-25
A Bloody skirn,ish near Fort Monro,
NO.. Z.


The Fort Monroe correspondent of the
Philadelphia Enquirer thus describes bloody
skirmlsh which took place in that vicinity on
Thursday OF last week, between party of
| Hawkins New York Zouaves, numbering TWEEN.
ty-tlve men, and company of rebels:
THE expedition had advanced about two
miles further, when they were surprised to
discover an armed force of rebels lying in the
bushes by the roadside on their flank and side
They believed it an ambuscade into which they
had been drawn, and expected in an instant to
be moved down by their lurking enemy.
Bap. Hammel, at this juncture, with most
commendable GOODNESS, ordered his men to
break ranks, each pick his man, fire, and then
retreatlng to the woods on the other side of the
roid, each man, if possible. get behind tree.
moment more and they poured a volley
into the bushes. The shot was promptly return.
ed, and brisk engagement was progressing,
when an officer, apparently Colonel, accom-
panied by an officer of ingerior rank, sprang
out into the road shouting at the top of his
voice-StOp! stop For Gods sake stop
you're shooting yOur Oaon men Don't uou re-
member the squad that aoent Out last night ,oith
Cdptdln-? "Washington'' was undoubt-
eddy the watdhward The officers and their
men wore uniforms almost precisely like the
First Vermont regiment, and for moment
Captain Hammel looked upon them with the
terrible belief that he had been firing upon
members OF that regiment who were out upon
an expedition, unknown to him. The next
moment, however, he discovered the white Sc
cesslon band ON their hats, and ordered his men
to fire. There were three Minnie rifles in the
company, aud two of these-one in the hands
OF Sergeant Martin-were aimed at the two of
hcers Both were shot fatally. Rhe ball from
Martins rifle entered the left side of the rebel
Colonel He placed both hands upon the wound
and FELL The other officer appeared to have
been hit in the head or neck He also fell,
dropping the musket in his hand.
number of soldiers Immediately thereupon
rushed from the bushes, and Selling the bodies
and the gun, dragged hem in after them, the
ground and bushes being deeply dyed with
blood on the spot. The firing then continued
briskly on both sides for several minutes, when
the rebels, hastily gathering up their dead and
wounded, fled in great confusion up the road
At this juncture, and just as Captain Hammel
and his men had formed to pursue them, having
just reloaded their pieces. he was surprised to
see company OF about eighty dragons, with
field piece, swee ping down towards them.
The retreating infantry poured forth to meet
the approaching cavalry for support Capt
Hammel's men reserved their fire and still pur.
sued moment after the rebel infantry and
cavalry came into collision, and a most terri
blee confusion ensued.
Capt. H. then orderd his men to fire, and they
sent rs balls whistling into the mingled mass
of horses and men. Shrieks and groans, and
yels and imdrecations filled the air. Abortion
of the horses wheeled about, and two or three
of them staggered and almost fell. A scene of
the most inbescribable confusion resulted.
Horses trampled upon the infantry, and after
one or two fruitess attempts to rally, the
whole force fled. From the disparity of the
numbers of the rebel and Federal forces, il was
not thought prudent by Capt Hammel to-
pursue the retreat.
The following is the Southern account of the
affair:
RICHMOND, July 6.
Passengers who arrived here late last night
report that skirmish took place near Newport
News on Thursday night, between $50 Louisi
anians under Lieut.. Colonel Charles d. Dreux
and New York regiment.
Col. Dreux was on a accommodating expedi-
ton whenthey met the eneSy. A brisk fire
was given for SINE time on both sides,
The loss on the Confederate side was killed.
including Col Dreux.
The number of the enemy killed and wounded
is vet unkuown