The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-20
GENERAL MANSFlELD's DIVISION.
OUR NEWPORT NEWS CORRESPONDENTS

OUR NEWPORT NEWS CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP BUTLER, NEWPORT News, Va, Dec. is, 1851.
Arrival Of Fbu,tcen Fugitive MaUcs-haportdm Meas
Great Stampede Of Louisiana 7TeopS-Their Suffering
from Cold-7Yme for Action on Our PUf-Genera
Phelps Abolition Programme Officers Of the Tni,o
Massachusetts, Baaalion--G elSal Mansfield Great ia
vo,ite, de-, dc.
party OF fourteen negro mon, women and Children
to pckcts about midnight and claimed pro-
lection They belong to VIM. c. Marrar, Of High War
wick, one and half mile from Big Bethel. The news
they bring US is OF the highest Importance During the
last week four regiments most of them Louisiana men
have left the fortiacatons stretching in continuous
chain from James river up to Big Bethel taking their
artillery with them, thus reducing tho force to one
half OF what 1t numbered by last accounts.
Colonel McIaws, VINO commander of the division
stationed at and about Youngs MIL is gone Williams
burg and there TO BIO tho greatest CONSERVATION
both on account Of the terrible from the South and
the fear OF attack by forces in this department
Food extremely scarce luxuries, such coffee ami
tobacco not to be had for love money and the horses
obliged to subsist on salt marsh hay With true South
want of foresight, they squandered their bountru
supply Of oats and hay early in the season. and the result
Is that their horses almost starving to death
Tbs abatement fever now more than counter balanced
by the suferings from cold. The Virginia winter
tells terribly on the Louisiana soldiers. The supply OF
clothing is scant, and shoes are so that half
tho go barefootcd We sincerely trust that this
state of things will be taken advantage OF by those In
command Of this department Now while the enemy is
in such demoralzed state, is the time for strike
and our men certainly wero never moro capable and
willing to fight.
The negroes state that their master had gone on Mon
day to Gen. MagrIder, and get from him permission
to tako all his slaves South to keep them out
OF the reach Of the "vandaE." This very day
they were to have been carried away but somehow
other they went the wrong way Yhe Of rejoicing
that took place among the coored people OF camp
when these unexpected visitors in cannot be ex-
pressed words it showed after all that the noble and
tender feelings not entirely whipped out Of them
1t is curious coincidence, TINT some of these negroes,
about two weeks ago, assisted Union soldier from the
Fourth ohio nen, by the name OF Qumby (who had
escaped from southern captivity, to find his way back
The account he gave OF the North and the
that harbor none Of those feelings OF hatred and
geance which the rebels attribute TO US, gave them
courage to try ucl, ''on their hook" They proba-
bly, did not expect that their kindness towards North
ern man would be rewarded 30 SOON Now they
earning honest livelihood among frcemen, instead
being carried the far South where the door Of hope
would forever be closed to them.
When the Constitution arrived from Ship Island
we heard Of the rumors that General Phelps, our
old commander. had issued abolition procla
this rumor, and gives all particulars. With all the
veneration feel towards General Phelps for his many
excellent qualities, which wo had ample time know
and appreciate, yet think tina. he acted prema
turcly, and that thereby he may severely ininre
cause. Whatever may DO the issues OF the war, and
whatever may be forced to employ 70 put down
this mad rebellion the time had certainly not come for
such demonstration We admire General Phelps
honesty fearessness but would have preferred him
wait for such change the tile circumstances
and events might bring
The Third Massachusetts, battalion, stationed at this
Point, is to DO increased TO regiment Ex- rigadicr
General Pierce II Big Bethel renown is to be the Colonel
Captain Barnes Lieutenant Colonel Captain Chpman
Mayor These last two officers have served with tbs
battalion since its formation, and their promotion
the hearty appreciation Of every one.
Our camp is now, with an occasional exception
que, and orderly probably, any Union camp General
Mansfield is very careful I'D issuing orders, blt when
issued he hom enforced to the worry letter. Firm
and strc. in seeing his obeyei, ho s kind
and courteous every one, soldier well officer We
sincerely trust that he may ROMAN bore for good long
time come al. hongh hear Il rnmorei that he may
shortly be transferred to field Of action appro
pr iato To his excellence q and a soldier.
must omit to correct the that Gen. Phelps
stan consists OF Surgeon Curtis Captains Bowtsh, Ste
vens and Christensen, stated in Tuesdays sIKRaLD
None Of his old staff went on the expedition