Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-08
THE BATTLE OF KINGS MILL OR
WILLIAMSBURG.
Il he Part Taken I'm 10 By HeekeT's Division.


Correspondence Philadelphia Inquirer.l
Tne battle commenced on Monday morning,
about o'clock, and only terminated with the
decline Of day, our troops sleeping on their arms
in the field, Notwithstanding the heavy storm.
The enemy on extreme left opened the fight
with three brigades
BOXERS division did the fgb,ing all day,
until Gen. Kearney's division came up, Just be-
fore night.
Our loss in killed and wounded will reach 800
at least. Our troops fought with great courage,
with one or two exceptions. The cavalry in The
rear would not allow any to retire except the
Col. w. F. Small was wounded In the calf Of
the leg in the early part Of the action.
The excelsior" brigade, General Sickels, were
not 30 steady as some OF the others
There was great lack Of ammunition, and we
could not get more than one battery in position
at time.
General Heiuizelmsn had his horse shot from
under him early in the day. General Hooker and
General Patterson also had horses shot from
under them.
General Growers brigade nrst met the enemy,
consisting Of the Massachusetts let and 18th, I'd
New Hampshire, Pennsylvania 26tb, (Smalis)
and regular battery, company II
The two other brigades OF General Hooker,s
division acted as first and second reserves.
The 5th, 9Th, 9TH and sth, Gen. Patterson-the
Second Reserve-fought on the left, holding their
position, although largely outnumbered by the
enemy. The 9Th suffered terribly, especially in
officers; most Of whom are more or less injured
Gen. sickles' Excelsior Brigade, LIST, I'd, Sd, 4th
5th regiments acted az cha Third Reserve Col
TAYLOR had command Of this Brigade
Gen. Growers Brigade fought az ainst at least
10 600 Rebels, and maintained their position
Our ammunition ran out, and the enemy came
very near getting all the batteries connected with
Hooker's Division. Several Of our guns were
spiked by the enemy, and retaken by our troops
The enemy outnumbered US on every side but
could not move our troops from their positions
The infantry stood until they fred their last car
fridge.
TUESDAY MORNING. May 5-The weather has
cleared up, but, up to O'Clock, the fight has no.
been renewed The battle ground would b, in
plain sight Of James river IL 1t were not for the
deep woods. The wounded, this morning, are
all comfortable.
Hooker's division is pretty well cut I'D In the
way Of wounded; most Of the wounds are In the
legs
The enemy called upon our men In several in.
stances not to fire on them, as they were friends,
and then, at an unexpected moment, poured in
Their vollies upon our troops. This Is the reason
the New Jersey Sth lost so many men
Several Of the enemy's rife pits were laken and
maintained by our troops.
The weather, and the want of ammunition yes
rebel Notifications. The roads are in horrible
condition. The troops In first rate spirits this
morning, but somewhat tired. The men and
officers are so covered with mud that II Is hard to
recognize them.
GENERAL M'CLELLAN's DISPATCH TO HIS WIFE
\ II.
t-rday afternoon received the following dispatch
from her husband:
TlLLIANsBURe, May THE battle Of Will
llamsburg proved brilliant victory. We have
the enemy's strong works, the town, and all the
sick and wounded Of the enemy, &c. None Of
your friends injured, though Cur loss is consider
able. That OF the enemy was severe. The Qua
ker army Is doing very well-Hancock was su-
perb yesterday. | am In Joe Johnson headouar-
tiers OF yesterday. This is beautiful town and
quite old and picturesque.
"GLossE B. MCCLELLAN"
A second dispatch to Mrs Mcclellan saws
1.-The more we know the more complete our
victory proves to be. All goes well'
THE PURSUIT BIT OUR TROOPS.
From the New York Times Special
YORKTOWN, Tuesday Morning May6-Yester-
day morning our troops followed up the retreat
Ing rebels with great rapidity, and overlook them
at w iiliams6urg, where they fought ell day.
AT the outset we took two Of their works, and
were advancing, but the exhaustion Of those OF
our regiments which were earliest In the field
and which bad had no provisions during the
day, compelled them to fall back az thew were
utterly worn out. Ono Of our batteries was lost
by getting imbedded In the mud, and its horses
were shot.
General Mcclellan arrived on the ground at five
O'Clock, and assumed command. He directed all
our ex haus.ed troops to retire. filed their places
with fresh men, drove back the enemy, iepos
sessed the ground and works taken in the morn.
ing, captured another breastwork and took abor,
one hundred and fifty prisoners
Hancock's brigade made q most brilliant C barge
The firing was kept up until after dark a
which time everything looEed well. To-day the
whole army, rtsefvesI regulars, and all, 10 or
rebels stand.
strong force has gone to West Point, and vii
httacE the rebels In the rear. Noreport of yester
days Losses 10 yet received.