The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-24


bondage Of dress gives improved appearance to the
men.
AS close intelligence has como in that advance
has PASSED Bottoms Bridge.
BALTIMORE Cross ROADS, Va, May 81, 1862
Our Movements Oruoard-S. Peters Church, Recon-
nosisamce and Skirmish-Panic in Richmond dc.
In tho progress OF the march OF the army towards
Richmond this corps ia within twenty miles Of that
city We encampcd to-day the spot whero three
days ago. thirty thousand rebel troops lay upon their
arms. Their camp fires were sl burning when ad-.
vance came up. They rereated the Chickahom
ny over the Long Bridge and Bottoms Bridgs-the
former five miles southwest Of here the latter six miles
west OF this place. visited yesterday afternoon the
venerable St. Peters church, two miles northeast OF
here and four miles southwest OF the White House
is remarkable being the church in which Gen. Wash
ngton married. The sdnce is still in good state
Of preservation. In the graveyard attached to
the ombs Of OF the most distinguished personagss
In early Virginia. Mostof the inscriptions in Latin
nearly efaced BY time Ono Of them Il wife's tribute
OF affection to the memory Of departed husband the
purport Of which the quaint declaration that ga small
piece Of marble cannot contain the record Of his many
virtues"
One Of our generals wont out with accommodating
party yesterday to the Long Bridge, the Chicka.
hominy. Tho cavalry in the advance up with
the rear guard Of the enemy and little skrmish
sued, in which was hurt side. The enemy
appear to be In some force the south side Of the
| Chickahominy. On the way back to camp we fell in
with regular secesh farmer. He frank and appa-
renty honest, and his family lives his farm within
our lines He says he has been accustomed to 60 to
Richmond to market every week, and went last
usual He describes the excitement, CONSERVATION and
alarm that prevail there existing to such extent
to utterly interrupt business Of all kinds. SO many
families leaving the city that 1t seemed to him
thu city being deserted Flo could other in.
dcation OF Notifications around Richmond than the
line Of low earthworks within mile OF the city describ.
| cd in my letter Of yesterday.
WHITE House, May %, 1862.
General Stoneman's Column Force at Neo Bridge
The Encmys Pickes in Chickahoniny Swamp-Taev Are
Seen in Force Beyond the Probability Of Despe-
rate Ba2le-Richmond Papers of the 10th inst-Ssir.
mishes at the Brid0e-Names of the Killed and
Wounded de-, dc.
The advance OF tho grand army occupies stretch
OF country bordering the Chickahominy swamp and
average distance OF ten miles from the city Of
| Richmond
rode out yesterday to the Union pickots at New
Brdgo-or rathsr:he site Of the New Bridge, for the
rebels burned 1t at daylight Tuesdayand witnessed
some brisk skirmshiug between the Sixth regiment Of
| Dragons (rsCuars) and force Of rebel infantry
that fought from their ambush in swamp. Having re.
connotered through the whole country this side Of
The Chckahominy General SLOVENIAN determined pash
to Now Bridge and determine the character OF its de-
fences, If any, and the force Of the enemy in the
| vicinity.
Tho first brush occurred at an old mill two miles
from the creek, when a dragon wounded and his
horse shot dead. Al ten O'Clock Tuesday force Of
infantry was sent TO reconnore, and they penetrated
the woods to the verge Of tho swamp Six mounted
here selected to advance through the swamp by
New Bridge road and discover the whereabouts OF tho
opposing skirmshers They galoped forward in gallant
style, conscious that moment would seal fate Of
some of them. Directly midway Of the reeds and slime
from behind cump Of csdars, squad OF rebels up
and fred into their faces Corporal John venner Of the
Sixth cavalry, regulars Company A. fell dead; James
Brennan, Company A, pierced through the back by
muskst ball that glanced into his chin, struck out his
teeth and cut his lip open VIM. Dixon OF the com.
pany, was badly wounded and the horses Of dra-
goons killed. The wounded and the survivors re-
treated but the infantry pressed on, drove out tho
| enemy and recovered the body.
Contrabands come through the enemy's lines from
Richmond constantly and give much Information as to
the designs force and spirit Of the rebels Jen Davis
still in Richmond Tho enemy lie in immense force from
the borders Of the creek to within three miles OF the
city They appear 10 have formidable Notifications
but assert that they will up troops that they
will get the Chickahomny to Great
CONSERVATION existed In Richmond and most Of tho lead
ing people had moved back Of tho city await the issue
OF the battle Curious handwritings continued to DO
placed the doors OF tho citizens, and the news.
papers were calling for tho execution Of tho in.
| cendiariss. The Eraminr Of Monday-of which
sepd o copy-bittery assals tho administration and
advises Mr. Davis to mount his horse and lead tho armies
Of the confederacy rather than proclaim rsquen. fast
-
has just been confirmed in the Episcopal church.
Our army is again in motion this morning. Cars arc
running part OF the railroad between the Pamun
key and Chickahominy and pontoons mortars and lfe
boats are OF the nstrumenaties Of death that
see around and about u.s. The country between head
quarters and New Bridge Is woody well watersd and
broken into ridges The roads good and favorable
to the passage Of artillery and commissary teams.
All facts point TO desperate battle when troops
pass beyond the Chckahominy though the rebels have
boasted before that they meant to aght and have after
wards retreated
Richmond papers Of Saturday have been received here,
and contain from Je. Davis that Richmond
shall not DO surrendered without battle. Tho Virginia
troops have reliably ascerained have determined,
II Richmond falls, not TO leave their State. Dsssn.
sons exist among the border state troops and the troops
from tho Gulf statos The latter accused of having
regard for tho interests Of Virginia. and member OF
tho Third South Carolina, a. by order pub
shed in the Dpach, recently cashicred for insult
ing his superior ofcer-Specihcation Q. Saying in an
abusive manner, that vrgnans cowardy than
tho damned Yankees
Meantime our army is united and confident. Their
regard for Mcclellan amounts 10 positive worship. The
General will proceed cautiously leaving avenue open
to defoat and am that shall occupy Richmond
before another fortnight. Tho Pamunkoy now nlled
with shipping and munitions Of every description are
arriving by thousands OF tons daily The army has been
rapidly advanced within the past two days. We are
| on the eve Of our greatest struggle
IMPORTANT NEWS FROM RICHMOND.
The River Batteries.
From tho Richmond Examiner, May 19.1