New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-27
FACTS ABOUT THE REBELS.
THEIR FORCES IN VIRGINIA.
Only Five Thousand NJ Kichmead.
NO FORTIFICATIONS THERE.
STATEMENT OF JOHN BOWLING,

I bIAIEMENI OF JOhN DOWLtNu,
ADEsERTER FROM THE (so-CALLED) CONPEERATn
ARMY AT ACQUh CREEK, JUNE I'D, 1861.
reside in Great Darlington Mass. left home on
the 5th Of April, 1860; am carpenter by trade;
went to Savannah, Ga, and worked there at my trade
until the following November l left Savannah on tho
10Th of November for Montgomery, Ala, and worked
there and in the vicinity five months having no
further employment. / went to Columbus, Ga. there
Joined the Confederate State Sentnels the 18th
of May, 1861, to prevent being arrested Adolf
ZIONIST; May the 18th, the Sentinels" removed
to Richmond VA, where 1 remained with the troops
six days, and deserted took the direction Of York
town, in hopes Of escaping by water; when within
nine miles of Williamsburg Twas told that could not
get through, martial law being declared in Wiams-
burg and Gordon of troops being located between the
two rivers; 1 then went off in the direction of York
river, and crossed at West Point, which is the ter
minus Of the Richmond Railroad; there found an
earthwork prepared for three four guns; the guns
were daily expected from Richmond; l went to West
Point to enlist with hope that might have oppor-
tunity Of deserving; but was required to take The
oath of allegiance and refused to do 80; then took
the train for Richmond having seen in the papers
that carpenters wanted there worked in Rich
mond six days and half this in the early part Of
this month; finished the work | could get and LEFT
Richmond for Fredericksburg, where | was told
could not get to the river; finding way Of escape,
stipped in the socaed Confederate Navy Capt.
Robert Woeburn shipped mel for ~ months wahone
requiring the oath Of allegiance; this was on the 18th
inst
came down on the train to Acquia Creek, and
reported TO person of the name Of Cunningham, and
be reported my arrival to Capt Lynch On the even
ing of the 20th went battle, and started from tho
end OF the burned wharf for the the Pawnee. After
getting on, about half mile, was discovered and
fred at eight or ten times from rided cannon | was
swept down by the tide, and reached the Maryland
shore, near Maryland Point
THE REBELS TROOPS AND BATTERIES.
saw but one company Of troops in Fredercksearg.
There were no defenses in and around Richmond when
left on the 10th. heard that battery was being
erected ten miles below Williamsburg between the
two rivers found that they were preparing or he'd
q battery near jamestown. There were some 5000
troops between James River and Yorktown-mostly
cavalry There were about 5, 900 troops at Richmond
mostly from the Cotton States. was told in RchniOnd
that the principal crossing place for troops, &C., om
MARYLAND was at a point about 81 miles below Alex
endria.
THE ACQUA CREEK BATTLE.
At Acquia Creek there were three four regiments.
Aboat 5000 men were encamped behind the hills.
Forty-two stationed at the depot. The steam
boat Page is up the creek and not manned or armed
The new battery ON the north hill has FIVE guns Tho
South battery has two red cannon and the lower ba
tery has one riaed cannon The earthworks on tho
point were almost eyeled on the day of the lombard
ment and SHELLS burst in, over, and around the fort.
while the empty shells went through the portfolios aud
earthworks