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

ou' hotnhR IL Known as regards tho tate that has be-
talen Them They undoubtedly persisted.
NO rebels are to be seen. Newport News has not
yet been attacked an attack, however is expected To-
n'sht Our guard near tho seminary fred upon at
one O'Clock this morning, by rebels the river
Preparations being made both there and at the fort
ress to repel an attack with vgor.
STATEMENT OF MIR. JAMES SCOFIELD.
Mr.. Scofcld, native of BARREN Conn and a resident
Of Hampton, Virginia. for tho past five years carrying on
general variety business IN that yisg was there
at the firing Of the place by the rebels At about half
past eleven o'clock Wednesday night rebcs arry
ed at HAMPTON and completely surrounded the Place
The poor inhabitants Mt least all that were loft were
sound asleep and awakened by the sharp firing OF tho
rebel pickes and the Union troops OF Colonel ber who
were posted on the other sido Of the creek 1t
was now about twenty minutes past twelve
O'Clock ON Thursday morning when Mr..
Scoled noticed about six no SEES, down
town. being fred through the weather boards with fam
beaux or torches, apparently saturated with An old
female slave walked through the place and awakened
those that had not heard thu firing All was hustle and
confusion Mr.. scofeld hurredy dressed himself In
hight suit lying handy 10 his bed and by thu % he had
hts pantaoons shirt he ard loud kno ks at tho
front door and before he could get out Of the door his
bedroom was already set fire by II the torches
In the confusion he escaped, but heard ono
say, eve want you," and Mr.. s. asking who ad-
dressed him. answered that was a member Of the
North Carolina regiment Mr. Scohcld, however, escaped
having been fred upon by pistol shot, but fortu-
uatey escaped unhurt On the outskirts Of Hampton,
formerly of Hampton, belonging to the cavalry, who
answered to question why Hampton fred, that the
cursed Yankees" having had possession Of the place
once and evacuated IT, they (he rebes) might get
another opportunity and they would set fire to il
and keep them from having the same for winter quarters
Mr.. Wilson Jones, an old and gray headed gent,
and his wife (Unonsts) tho Coroner of Hampton, Mr.
Kennon Whiting and lady, and several other promient
citizens of Hampton, Old Point, under the protec
ton Of the Old Flag they born under being kindly
cared for by Major General Butler.
The village is complete wreck; every house is Quilted
with the exception Of about Ave the north and south
end of tho town, which tho residences OF Mr. Moody
the suer at the fort Miss Eliza Jones' "a brick buildng)
the Episcopal parsonage the house Of Joseph Philips H.
Clay Writings store and warehouse, and or two
small frame houses the outskirts.
The reason Of these being spared that tho rebels
had time prosecute their helsh work further being
closely pressed by Colonel weber's men, and the wind
blowing southwest swept through the middle of the town
leaving these buildings untouched.
Mr.. ScoGeld was endeavorng to the bed Of Mrs.
Eenner the lady with whom he boarded and had already
procured wheebarrow for the purpose Of carrying off,
when within about three minutes FIVE rifle balls struck
within ten feet Of him. These missiles came from
the Turner regiment Of Colonel Weber firing at the rebels
from the opposite side Of the creek Mr. Scofcd est.
mates that there must have been least FIVE hundred
rebel troops the village, and, from what he learn
of upwards of Ave thousand stationed
what called the roads the outskirts Of Hamp
ton.
The enemy well supplied with quantity of lad
ers carried on wagons which had ropes attached This
would appear il the rebels intended to get inside of
lines and the ladders scaling However, tho
rapid and well directed firing of the Twentieth regiment
skinshers drove them back, and cautioned them that
by further advancing they would meet with well pre-
pared and rcsulute check
One resident Of Hampton seen TO set fire to
his dwelling, giving that Gen Magruder
gave orders TO destroy everything they could not hold
Mr. scoheh very much regretted to leave the place.
having buried the wife Of his bosom in the churchyard
there having lost every dollar lie possessed in the world;
and when the old church orpd over her grave, his
feelings may be bet i!nag than described Being
compelled To Ay for his life re bad opportunity TO
take anything with him. aad is now thrown
upon the world pennies, after a weary toll
Of eighteen years, having two motherless children 70
support He estimates his loss about eight Thousand
dollars This morning lac returns to Darien Connecticut
to join his relatives
The general impression prevalent that the firing
Of Hampton done by order Of General Butler Even
such opinion pressed within lines But Mr.
Sofed omphatcaIy declares that rebel General Ma
gruder the order to burn and destroy the village
Tie Union troops when compelled by the necessities Of
burn place. spare the inhabitants by giving them
ample and timely warning which the enemy IN this in
stance did not do without a word Of caution o.
warning they set fire to the dwellings and storesr
and that the entire number not burned IL
no-au Of theirs but attributable our gallant troops
vino completely dispersed them.
Mr.. scoheid in getting away, fell in with FIVE little
children Of poor man, resident Of Hampton sitting on
The river bank, shivering in their night clothes their
neither being with them. She asked him whether he
had nythng Of her husband who had returned for
clothing. It was ptful sight to behold.
An English captain arriving from Norfolk under flag
Of truce reports Lat among the rebels there the story
told that Hampton fred by the troops at General
Butler.