The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-16


move.
Two explosions were heard vest orday In the direction
OF the Chckahominy which we're supposed TO have
caused by the blowing mp Of Che railroad bridge.
Our New Kent Court House COrrespond-
encc.
Nrw KKsr COURT House, Va, May IL, 1882.
The Start from W,lliamsburg-Poor Viryin.a-Our Sol
dies and The Inhatitants General Mcclellan and the
Toops-Descritton Of Ne,o Kent County and Court
House-White House, de-, DC.
ON Friday morning army left Williamsburg and
took up its line Of march for Richmond. The day was
beautiful and no more splendid sight be imagined
than presented as the long line Of infantry and
cavalry fled through tho street and started upon their
journey The faces Of the inhabitants who were visible
presented anything but cheerful appearances Is they
saw them marching toward 'Dixe," and many Of them
doubtless offered up an inward prayer they might
live 70 return for one, sorry TO leave Will
Iismsburg as it is really delightful town. and had
been fortunate enough 70 secure accommodations the
house Of Mr. Bowden, thoroughgong Union man, and
enjoyed the luxury Of sleeping in nice clean bed
for the first time since leaving Washington. Mr. Bow
den Of tho few influential men in Virginia who have
remained loyal throughout the whole Of these troubles
and has suffered all manner fpersscution consequence
He was for several years member OF the Legislature
and has fought against secession from ts commence
ment He not only voted against Il at the imminent
peril Of his life, but gave up practice Of law worth
eight thousand dollars year rather than practise in
their courts and has steadfay refused to receive or
recognize their paper currency.
His life frequently threatened, and for two months
be slept with his doors and windows bsrricaded and
with loaded guns and pistols by his sdc which he and
his two had provided to protect themselves against
assaults. About three months since he was obliged TO
with his family to the country for safety. and
remained there till the entrance Of army into
williamsburg when he was able 70 return and proclaim
bs sentiments without fear Of being molestcd His ac
count the rise and progress Of the rebellion Virgil
mia very interesting and tho atrocities committed by
the rebels would be almost beyond belief had we not
heard OF many similar instances. He deserves
especial praise for the he has taken, he
native Of Virginia, large slave and land owner and has
bocr robbed Of about thirty thousand dollars in conse
quvucs &C his fidelity to the old Union. General Johu
son nade the house where he concealed his head
quarters during the retreat of the rebel army from vii
liam.burg, and would doubtless have carried him a
prisoner TO the South had he known OF his presence.
Mr.. Bowden owns beautiful residence In Williams.
burg, aud farm or nineteen hundred nine miles
from town. Ills family consists Of two and bean.
tful daughter. all saunch Union people Many OF his
neighbours less fortunate than himself have been arrest
cd and carried as prisoners 10 the South for
In oshsome dungeons until the triumph Of the
Union army shall have put end TO this
unhoiy and unnatural The has lasted so long
that many who at FIRST strongly In favor OF the
Union have been drawn into tho rebellion from havn
and friends in the rebel army and from pecunary
motivss the value Of the Confederate money depends
upon the Of their army and many OF them have
sold everything they possessed 10 the army and taken
this psfer in exchange.
If the past year could be bloted out and Virginia
placed back where she before the war the vote
DO again taken whether no she would In the
Union, the result would be very different. The country
through which we have passed In coming from williams.
burg New Kent Court House sarpasses anything we
have yet old Virginia The quality of the land is
much superior, and the farmhouses finer and larger
presenting more the appearance Of thrifty Northern
farms than those beyond Yorktown.
Many the houses closed and the places
except by the blacks who seemed TO stand OF
the Yankees while others who remained had white flags
flying IN front Of their houses az peace offerings which,
as far as could learn, were religousy respected
by soldiers. Our army has made moro Union
by thcir good behavior, than they would have done
by dozen victories in battle Not thing have they
taken any one far could learn without pay
ing for IT, and have presented TO the inhabitants such
striking to the behavior OF the Southern army
that many Of them speak Of il Of their own accord.
What IL IT, become OF the Inhabitants residing along
this road hard 10 ten for many OF them rsactusy
almost starving condition, as they have boon unmerc
mou,hfu OF food aud nothing to buy with except
Southern shnpssters which of course now useless
Many Of them will doubtless suffer, thoy are ali,
both rich and poor, in the same condition.
Tho first day marched distance OF thirteen miles
sncamping about three O'Clock p. NJ. Although many
obliged to fall out from the regiments from fatigue
and came on at their leisure the most Of thom stood II
finely.
have never been proud Of the army than during
these two daye march Instead Of "booty and bcauty'
being their motto as has been told the inhabitants by
their leaders have to the FIRST
one either male female, being nsulted by any u our
soldiers. TN tho contrary, they havo treated the in.
habtants with the utmost Kindness In every instance
The rebel wounded who fell into our hands have
testified to the kindness with which they
had been treated by our mon, and many
of weary soldiers lay all night in the upon tho
battle field having wrapped their only blanket around
the body of wounded enemy. Many OF the wound.
cd who were left at Williamsburg by the rebels suffered
for day or two from the want OF proper medical attend.
snce, A. the surgeons who came in from the enemy
under Tag Of truce neglected TO do their duty and
surgeons had all they could attend In taking care
Of our own men but believe they arc all doing
we'll
was undoubtedly the most desperately Tough,
battles that has occurred during the and the loss on
both sides is much heavier than first supposed
The hardest lighting and greatest loss took place upon
the left or our line In the woods bat the battle was un
doubtsdiy decided py the magnificent charge made by
by General Mcclellan 10 the troops engaged there will
show.
Tho advance Of army occupies New Kent Court
House, the county seat of New Kent
New Ken, was formed in 1904 from York. The boun-
6ates were then defined ne fohows.--
at ordered that The upper part Of York county shall
he distinct county called New Kent from the west side
cf semeao creek 10 The heads Of panuDkey and Malta
Iom ivers and down 20 the west side of oropotanko
creek
The ramrnkey runs on 10 northern and The Chi,ka
homny on las southern boundary 10 each &C those the
respective losl uns ~ the county incline. New Kent IL
about twcntysn mites long and moe broad Population