New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-07

with a notice given ty Gen. Huger to Gen. Wool, q
few days rince, Capt. nlward proceeded at noon,
to-day, with The steamer New.IIaven, up the James
River, to meet Rebel boat, in which he promised
to send down from Richmond 500 Union prisoners, in
exchange fox those released by Gen. Burnside. Up
TO the honr the boat starts, no tidings have been
heard fioIn them. Weare looking for them tonight.
To the Assoeiited Press
ApyAxcr NEAR wIIIiANsrrRe, I
Honday evening May s. 1862
Wien my dispatch was sent last evening, the IN
dica'icns Were that our troops would occupy VIII
liamsburg without much opposition. The first ind.
cations of the enemys rear guard being Reinforced
was the fact Of their pressing our lines abou. .
O'Clock in the morning, showing a determination 10
resist our advance Sufficient re-enforcements had
arrived during the night to enable our Generals to
act either on the defensive or offensive.
About o'clock tho enemy opened on our troops
pos,ed on the left, composed Of Gen. lockers
Division, and other troops Of Gen. Heintzelmans
Division. The action in this vicinity was very heavy
at times. The loss in killed and wounded is not
known, but supposed to be considerable on both
sides. The enemy was repulsed ct all points.
Gen. Peet's Brigade, stationed 10 the right OF Gen.
IIookers, soon after became engaged. Here the
firing was very heavy for about two hours, during
which they handsomely rpulsed the enemy in max
ing a charge.
Our loss here was about so killed and IS wounded
A brilliant victory was achieved, about 5 o'clock in
the afternoon, by Gen. Hancock's brigade, assisted
by Kennedy's and Wheeler's batteries. They had
been ordered to the right TO feel the enemy, and if
H.. 4. hav
net by Gen. Eariy's brigade, consisting Of the 9th
North Carolina, and 9th and 3sth Virginia Reg
ments, with squadron Of cavalry, who advanced in
line of battle.
Our troops, who were quickly prepared to receive
them, opened heavy fire on them, and the enemy
advanced steadily to within two hundred yards,
when Gen. Hancock ordered charge with the bay
onet, which was executed with the greatest courage
Tie enemy line broken-they became panc-stricken
and fed, leaving their dead and wounded behind.
The Rebels left upward Of so dead and 40 wound
ed. We also took nearly 200 Of them prisoners.
Among the killed and wounded was the Colonel and
Lieutenant Colonel Of the 9Th North Carolina Regi-
ment. Our oss was II killed and 40 wounded.
Among the enemies dead was the bodies Of the Lieu
tenant Colonel and Major Of the 9th Va. Regiment,
together with several otLer officers. Their dead
were buried by our troops and their wounded cared
for.
The conduct Of Gen. Hancock and bis brigade on
this occasion has excited universal admiration. A
standard of coors belonging TO the cavalry engaged
was captured, and ia now on i,s way to Washington.
When the news Of Gen. IIancocks success became
known, a shout went up from tens Of thousands OF
Union throas that made the country resound for
miles around. Gen. Hancock remained during the
night in The two works Of the enemy.
Gen. Mcclellan and stsf arrived on the field at
o'clock, and Immediately rode to the front, where
his presence among the troops was most joyfully
hailed. lie Immediately assumed command in per-
son. The rain has poured in torrents all day. The
trooTs suffer much from exposure, but none COM.
plain.
From information received from the prisoners
taken, the enemy will make decisive stand at Will
lauxburg, reenforcemen,s having been arriving all
day, and Gen. j. l.. Johnston is in command.
JEFF. Davis was at Richmond at last accounts
The enemy's works are very formidable, and
extend across the Peninsula this side Of Williams-
burg.
TUESDAY MORNING May 6, lsc2
This is a beautiful May morning. The operations
of to-day src not yet known. The whole army is in
good spirits.