Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-16

under the command Of General DANA arrived in trans
ports from Yorktown and remained in the centre Of the
river while some u our light dfaught gunboats took
trip up the Pamunkey aud Maapoucy to capture pot-
ton n the rcbe mosquito feet which brought into
for carrying our men from the transports to the
shore as the river here is too shallow for vessels drawing
SIX feet Of water.
During the night some Of the rebel pickcts made \
sortie one Of advanced vidctes and shot him
through the heart The news soon spread through the
camp, and by daylight this morning the plain, which
takes in about Thousand acres Of ground running
southwest from the York yer presented Scene such as
have never before witnessed. Long lines uf men eX
tended from LEFT 10 right the centre " the field
and squads Of skirmshers stood marking, Zoe dun out.
line their forms against the heavy woods and under
brush which presents unbrokon front every
side except that bounded by the river Here the
stood for some time, ready 70 march At moments
tice but no foe appeared and the permitted
to return to their camps for the purpose Of getting their
breakfast, and, perhaps, some sleep strong picket
composed Of the New York sd, 0jth aud 96th pcuus,
Vaa troops were en- at the edge OF the woods 10 Keep
sharp lookout Tor the enemy, who were now believed to
be In close proximity 10 our lines.
About this time one Of our gunhoas discovered reg
meni OF two VI the enemy the side " the river
who dispersed IN great confusion after having received
some hall dozen Of our heavy shells in their uidst This
made strenuous efforts get the brigade Of Cen Dana
shore, that might be able 10 give the enemy a
warm reception should he make ms appearance. Gen.
Dana was ndeaugabe IN his laburs 20 get the troops of
the transports and through bis uxOriuns Of the
men ana horses were Oh the boats By nine O'Clock and
preparations being made To breakfast the men IT
this brigade when the order was given flr the l6h
3lst aud 32d New York, and the 9th and 03th Penn
syivtnie regiments Go advance into the woods aud
drive Of sume Of the rebel scouts who were firing os-
oasonal shots at our pickots and were supposed 10
be strongly supported by force concealed i'm HE woods
Ibis supposiuon proved correct for had
men made an advance into the woods than they
ceived with yoley Of muskctry from the rebels who
were hidden in the dense underground Our men press
ed on, and gave them voey. after which the enemy re-
treated further into the woods, with the 32d New York
close at their heels but they were too swift footed for
our boys-oeng more protectod-and they left the
dZd struggling 10 the mud.
While this scene had been g1ngon the right centre
another Transporting on the centre where the Qjh
PcnnsJ regiment had entered the woods In few
moments aUet lhty cLtcrcd they found themselves IN
dense swamp. and ia their uggcs get across became
separated nom each other one Of The companies mau-
aged 10 ge the other side and climbing the bank ON
lying in ambush "Who comes there 70 cried he p,ffv
IVA ambush "trieuds' was the answer. What are
you was the next Interrogation "a company Of the
10Th feunsy Naniaus No sooner was this answer nee
turned than the party whom the Captain had mistaken
iof some OF ms own regiment opeucd terrible fe upon
our men, VINO returned She fire aud then returned % our
reserves. In this affair Capt Bcauass. OF Company b.
was snot through the shoulder, but not dangerously
wounded, and one or two pfiyacs whose name. | am
yet unable 70 learn were killed. and carried o ~ y
their friends who, before they quit thc ground
the ia o. Their brave comrades oy giving the enemy
few well directed yoileys.
But now the action became more general throughout
the nes and nom every quarter of The woods came the
shaIp crack OF musketry tried for time be ubi-
qutuus, uut after travelling fIum point 20 another
soiue hiy times, for the purpose OF seeing how matters
yOT0 ID 10 / uIta mo 49, al.
awaited he coming events Tbe b4, amy
and nearer and at len, th n bail o igcd I'M , W
my size vas about TO move from my dangerous 1t,r.
when attention was attrae cd 10 tb,t rrt,, ~
the woods where the Thrt,-.,coud New Y,rt So,
Militia had entered -Four men were carr,in, the b,Jy
Of a man, which, upon irery. Dndrrs,3oss, Nv no ny
who was shot in the throat and died ipsf,,dS M
fight had nov been gpiug an Tor tbror bo,,r.
iutermission and "a nunbor N mo-, w. L MA -
wounded At mi. iunc,nro ,,,- - - 49, ' aNu
from, ne yy,,J 49, - 'Nl "lyn were Nlihufawn
worst Of a. and tbe "a I}ri,,i 81, ~. -'t'iH@ tne
G ,pt Arnold va.,ri.- Joy, 'ttcS a,Heiy' under
Can't Por,er's lst Ws h,, p,''t'n On ,he lsni' ana
the Ien and In a Tow mimi a. " % fos'yD" uPon
through the air AZ the r,,,,t -, sun ".,e niins
I.,, IlF'," "t i'9eis ]" maze move more on our
tbey we're tbs, 1..,,io MY tlau ulon Ino ground
rcsf Tor the ,,ickel. ~ , 49, KY, Ky c''u'nt! is no
.',vcs upon our leii thau our gunboah which up
fair opened tbsi b,,,oi. Nv u1.e hahu 10 the az
effect hot whom T .,,,,,,'-1 ~ wy "' "ul 80 uiu'h
pletely driven The enemy o., ~ ;,t, 4 '.4 V'"
am inclined 10 tbnk tb,t Xxx ,,, alu I'a'ius.
re5 a. - o.. tly I,pgS; "no ere TINS reaches the