The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-10


hundred thousand dollars. The village ruins and
serted save by the enemys pckets and negro
An attack on Newport News is hourly expected.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
Hampton has been burned Scouts and fugtves yester-
day morning brought word Of the approach Of large
rebel force from Yorktown. These were confirm
Cd at five O'Clock p by intelligent descrer from the
rebels, named E. A. Mathew native Of Maine, but
dent OF Georgia until impressed into the service who
furnished account of the expedition Mr. Mathew has
been stationed at Yorktown since the LIST Of June Friday
last Colonel (now Genera Magruder left Yorktown with
force Of 1000 men, including zoo cavalry and eight
pieces Of artillery vizthree PARROT guns, four how
tzers and rified Part Of the troops were
from williamsport. Monday night they encampod at
Big Bethel which had been completely deserted. Tues
day night they advanced toward Hampton and at noon
yesterday took up position Black river three
miles from the town. where Mr. Mathew managed to escape
through cornfeld, and, by swimming couple of
streams reached the fortress.
lie says the object Of the expedition TO draw out
forces, attack Camp Hamilton Newport News if
practicable, and at least to destroy Hampton,
prevent OFT using it for winter quarters.
General Butler repaired this end Of Hampton
bridge, where he remained until eleven O'Clock Colonel
Weber erected barricade the Hampton end 81 the
bridge, and placed strong guard various points this
side Of the creek.
few inmates past midnight General Magruder with
about five hundred rebels, of them belonging in
Hampton, entered the town and Immediately fired the
buildings with torches The greater part Of the Ave hun
drcd houses buit.o wood and rain having fallen
lately the strong south wind produced aterbe con
fagraton There were perhaps twenty white people and
double that number Of negroes remaining in the town
nnbiiity hon Nrod
without walking the inmates They gave Wilson Jonas and
his wife, both Of them aged and inrm, Out fifteen mi
afew articles Of furniture so the garden
Several OF the whites and also Of the negroes were
hurried away to be pressed int the rebel
service Mr.. Sceich, a merchant took refuge in q
swamp above the town. Two negroes drowned
while attempting 70 cross the creek. company Of
rebels attempted to force tho passage on the bridge but
rcpulscd with aIoss of thpco HE'D ana ztx wounded
The fire ragged all night The greater part of the re-
bells withdrew towards morning, and at noon to-day
when visited the place, but eight buildings were
left standing.
The glare Of the confagraton brilliant tia,
enabled TO write by it. more sublime and awful
spectacle has yet been Witnessed. The high south
wind prevailing at the time famed the flames into lurd
blaze and lighted up the country for miles and miles
around The fire broke out between eleven and twelve
time previous pickets from Oolonol Max webers
rebels but by dropping on their faces troops
did sustain any loss. They however re
turned the fire with deadly aim from their trus,y
rifles, which must have made sad havoc among
the enemy We conid the rebels passing from one
house to another, by the glare Of the light use the
ncendiary's torch with effect. Every building In this
beautiful village is destroyed with the exception Of
the Military Academy and that came, possibly BE- saved
Our camp was alarmed instantcr and the troops got
under arms. IN attack from Fox Hill momentarly
expected and Colonel weberis regiment Immediately
supplied with extra ammunition and out in all direc-
tions pickes, patrols and skirmishers They have
done their work bravcly and efficiently Two companies
arc watching for rebels and guarding the fridge
from being fred The bridge viii bc-saved. 1t is disman-
Tied about rod from the farther shore and terminates
there in barrcade OF boards behind which portion of
our picket stationed when fred on by the enemy
Captain stroupc, OF the Twentieth regiment has lust
started to the barrcadc with six men in the face of
the flames and foe. lie is anxously watched from this
side as it is expected that he will he lrod upon The
light is as bright as day. and The figures Of men rc seen
reflected in the wafer They have reached the barrcade
in safety
Tic rebels have done tcir work cGcctuaily nothing is
now left mark the beautiful Hampton but the
chargcd, towering chmneys looming up in the distance
as monuments OF The das.ardy wol4; Of The rebels.
The destruction Of ule town was wanton act Of cruel
~ to the resident Unonsis, and entirely p'e
less as Gen Butler Intends winter his army any
miles beyond Hampton hn attempt WIZ be made
TO fas,cn the the General but after ten O'Clock at
night on Wednesday there not Union soldier IN
Hampton
4 flag Of truce has just coma in from Norfolk, with
Miss Mayo, niece Of General Mott on Der way from
Richmond to Ne York she states that the rebels attn
butte The act TO General Batter.
General M4gruier bas oncanpcl near New MARKET
bride Iie viii hardly venture to attack Newpor. Views
Mr. ,'ahcw says there have been seven thousand
rebel troops stat lacd at Yorktown. ten DAYS ago
a battalion came down the outskirts Of Hampton and
carried away a hGudrod and eighty negroes
Provisions are abundant Yorktown and most OF tho
regiments are receiving uniforms for the winter cam
paign.
THREE O'CLOCK 4. NJ
The Military Academy, a large and fine building is
rs, beginning to burn company Of our mon, jus, re-
turned from the village state that the Gc is raging ur
ously The loors of The Academy were saturated with
camphcne and other combuatibe material Of An inamn,
bic nature ard to insure thorough draft Of air holes
tween this place and Fortress Monroe for considerable
period, and we arc hourly expecting attack
STILL LATER.
The destruction Of Hamrton is comrlete: sn,ouldcrinc
are the only objects visible presenting desolato
ana heartrendns appearance Six fami(s were left at
Hampton when j. was evacuated BY troops last week
.s.>ssy,