Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-08-15

Mahew, native of Main, but resident OF
Georgia until impressed into service, who fur
nshed an account of the expedition. Mr..
Mathew has been stationed at Yorktown since
the lst June. On Friday last Colonel (now
Gem Magruder left yorktown with force Of
1000 men, including 200 cavalry and pieces
of artillery, viz: 3 Parrot guns, Howtzers
and Rided cannon
Part of the troops were from williamsburg
On Monday night they encamped, at Great
Bethel which had been completely deserted
On Thursday night they advanced toward
Hampton and at noon took up a position on
Black River some three miles from the town,
where Mabew managed to escape through q
corn field, and by swimminga couple ofsTreams
reached the Fortress He says the object
of this expedition was to draw out our forces
to attack Camp Hamilton near Newport News,
if practicable, aud at least destroy Hamptan,
so as to prevent US from using it for winter
quarters
Gen. Butler at once repaired to this end of
HamtOn bridge, where he remained until four
o'clock. Col. Weber erected beFrieRde near
the Hampton end of the bridge and placed
strong guard at various points on this side
| Of the creek. A few minutes past midnight
Gen. Magruder, with about 500 contederates,
some of them belonging in Hampton, entered
the town and Immediately &red the baildiRgs
with torches
The greatest part of the five hundred houes
were built of wood and as no rain has fallen
lately, the strong south wind soon produced a
terrible eonhagration. There were perhaps
twenty white people and double that number
Of negroes remaining in that town from inabil-
ity to remove, some of whose houses were fired
without waking the inmates.
| The rebels gave Carey Jones and his wife,
both of them aged aud infirm, but fifteen min
utes to remove few articles OF furniture to
the garden Several of the whites and also of
negroes were hurried away to be pressed into
the confederate service.
VIM. Scofeld, merchant took refuge in a
swamp above town.
The negroes were drowned while attempting
to cross the creek.
A company of rebels attempted to force the
passage of the bridge, bnt were repulsed with
a loss of three killed and six wounded.
The fire ragged all night. The greater part
of the confederates withdrew toward morning,
and at noon to-day, when | visited the place,
but seven or eight buildings were left stand.
! ing.
The destruction of the town was a wanton
act OF cruelty to resident Unonsts, and more
over entirely useless, as Gen. BntIer intends to
winter his army beyond Hampton.
An attempt will be made to fasten the act
upon the General, but after ten on Wednesday
night there was not federal soldier III Hamp-
| ton.
A flag of truce just in from Norfolk with
Miss Mayo, a neice of Gen. Scott. on her way
from Richmond to New York, states that the
rebels attribute the act to Gen. Butler.
Gen. Magruder has encamped near New
Market Bridge He will hardly venture to
attack Newport News.
Mr.. Mathew stated that there have been
about 1000 rebels stationed at Yorktown
Some ten days ago battalion came down to
the outskirts of Hampton and carried away
$50 negroes.
Provisions are abundant at Yorktown, and
most of the regiments are receiving new uni
forms for the winter campaign.