The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-30

kers brigade consisting OF the Third Fourth and Fifth
regiments OF New York Volunteers and the First Caor
mia regiment m pursuance of orders received at enc
O'Clock yesterday morning. from Washington, left last
evening and this morning for that city Two companies
of the Third New York were left behind, besides some
straegcrs and the sick from the other regiments, en-
braced in the referred to above leave night for
| tho destination
The departure of this large fierce seems TO become
known the enemy long before it was generally known
tho officers Of the respective regiments themselves
Before daylight even yesterday morning one Of our
officers who was on duty outside Of lines gained his
first intelligence OF the movement from negro whom he
met. How the proposed movements OF troops come 10
the ears of the rebels early of the mysteries by
which constantly surrounded at this post That
there are spies right among at all acquainted
with matters and things here will question.
All our movements and even thoughts, as II would
seem, are known to the enemy to us, Until
this state OF affairs remeded effect nothing hers
unless with large body Of troops.
The departure Of the main body Of our troops in the
vicinity OF Hampton the of OF the most
extraordinary that il has been my fortune to wit
1t became very evident all that the absence Of
reserve force to prevent flank and movement
the partof the enemy would make it necessary least
wise Of precauon evacuation OF the
camp in tho village OF Hampton at early hour run
the risk OF having two three regiments cut to pieces in
detail by the enemy, without chance of escaping that
result, If the enemy appeared in the and 'front.'
they might do aud by destroying the bridge at Hampton
entirely oil tho of the garrison Of the village
we'll from succor from the fort Consequently, at
carly hour last night orders given to Colonel We
Der of the Twentieth New York regiment and to the
Naval Brigade, to Immediately send their baggage
camp cqupage &c, To the fort, preparatory to com
petc evacuation Of the place, that night or early this
morning. An additional order was also given to the
effect that ali negroes and Union men, with such effects
as they chose to carry with them DO removed from the
village last night possible. When this order was
veyed tn those interested scene ensued which battles all
! description The fear Of immediate attack from the
rebels and the bringing into servude again OF all the
negroes lent wings the COntrabanhs who thcky cluster
the village Of Hampton and the hasty preparations for
instant flight and the exodus that followed were the most
laughablc and at the time pitiablc sight
| witnessed. All awakened from their Sleep they
seized such articles they valued the most, and set
| out in the midnight hours over a long and lonely
road Leading to The fort for that haven in which they
looked for comfort and safety that would not be again
disturbed First came the men, some of them bearing in
their the little picannics who cried and sobbcd from
fear; others toing household furniture upon their heads,
hurrysg along lest their masters should finally snatch
thcm from their newly found freedom, and again send
them to the fields under the overseer's whip. Then
also bearing their clothes furniture bedding and
in short, everything that made up their household effects
Children OF all ages sizes color and appearance chung to
the skirts of the venerable old negro women who rushed
hastily along the road dragging the children after them
and sharply rebukng their cries and expressions Of fear
So during the entire night, amid the greatest excite
m mt and IN many cases agony of fear tho road
hronged with transportation wagons hurrying along.
loaded with baggage camp eQupage camp utensils, fur
niture and other articles which jostled the crowd
tabands Fastening along the route. Artillery bag
gage wagons soldiers negroes all manner OF vehicles,
sped along pel neil during the entire night and all made
confusion worse cOnfounded
Tho day broke, and still the road travcrsed by CON
trabands, each one bearing load on his her head
wheeling crcaSing barrow, or perhaps drawing cart
loaded down with furniture The Naval Brigade held their
positions at tho rodoubt under all night and ready
with two or three pieces Of artillery, which had been left
TO sweep the avenues of approach with shot and shell II
the enemy should make attack At about ton O'Clock
rode over to Hampton, to witness what expected to
be the destruction by fire of the entire village and bridge
leading to it. AT that time met, about TO say hun
drcds OF slaves men, women and Children the women in
varaby turbaned witha flaming bandana handker chief
and the children barofooted and without covering To tho
head Not single article Of furniture found in this
tudc but might have been the heads of these
fortunate creatures, and what too heavy to carry
placed in the canoes, fatboats and whcrries that
dotted the bay pulled by swarhy sons of Africa Never
was such an exodus seen before in this country.
Arriving at Hampton after passing squads Of soldiers
the bridges and along the roads, found tho village
almost deserted, few soldiers, negroes, wagons,
and one or two officers horses were all that could be
in its desolate streets Turning up the road
towards Yorktown, where the old county court house
stands found the of the conagration, which
first discovered from the fort small wooden structure
of great age, lately occupied Odd Fellows Hail.
in ruins and the conaag had far destroyed
the next building occupied by the jaor to induce
them to give all hopes of saving it, and TO turn their
attention to the jail, which then burning All three
of the buildings totally destroyed in spite Of the
efforts Of q detachment Of Zouaves from the Tenth
regiment, who worked the two fire engines sent
up from the fort At the time l left Hampton
the enemy, who were near our earthworks had
sent flag of truce to General Butler, by Captain
Rand Of the rebel force have not learned the object
Of his mission. Up to the time close letter General
Butler had not determined to receive the flag shall
give you the result to morrow.
The soop of-war Dale arrived to-day from cruise. All
well on board
THE MISSION OF COLONEL TAYLOR TO
WASHINGTON.
The following is the correspondence referred to docu