The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-27

at their head and all In splendid spirits a. the
prospect OF rsneontre with the rebels. secondary
object Of the expedition to obtain Information IN 70
gard to the roads and fords !" tie vicinity Lieutenant
N. Bowen, Of tho Topogra hica Engineers, went with
the expedition also squa Of tho Second regular
cavalry, under command Of Captain Gordon company
Of the Fifth airy, Lieutenant Coster company OF tie
Eighteenth infantry Captain Forsyth, and company Of
the sscond infantry. Captain McMen. New Bridge Is
four miles from the camp. They went down the main
road about two mics. 70 what called the Old Mill and
thence turned to the right through piece Of woods
keeping IL till they to open Geld, commanding
view OF the Chickahominy river.
portion Of Company A, Fourth Michigan regiment
Captain Rose, here sent forward skirmishss, and
the remnant Of tho company kept reserves The regi
ment filed Of the wood by flank and formed 10 line
Of battle very nearly parallel with tho river the left
tending the main road. Here the rebels werc
seen lying behind fence across tho river. The right
wing or Colonel Woedburys regiment was ordered 10
the river which this point is about thirty feet
wide. In the plunged. all accoutred they were,
but conrived 70 keep thcr mussss In condition TO
In places the stream, which had, been swollen by
the rain during the night and morning. deep tina,
tho obliged to swim. and got over with
out wading waist deep in water. But this
not the worst. Tho enemy. who had lain
ccaled behind a fence close 10 the opposite bank
Of the river kept up nccssant fire upon them. For
tunaey the eneys shots passed harmlessy over their
heads but the shooting did not dsmay the men in the
least. Lieutenant Bowen attempted tho stream
with his horse but tho latter shot under him before
ho had advanced third Of tho way This pre-
vented field officers and the cavalry from attempting 10
ford the All tho companies but passed tho
river Ono OF these renamed behind to skirmish
In tho wood tho light, and the other u keep
In,
being aanked on either s'do by the enemy.
AS soon crossed the the work Of firing
commenced Capt. ROSES company discharged tho FIRST
yolley side. All the remaining companies had
their muskss 10 their shoulders 10 double quick time
The firing brisk aud continuous both sides. The
rebels had two pieces OF artillery from which they hurs
shells ut men, but tho shells, like their vollsys o.
misketry passed over the heads OF Their can
non were planted hill beyond while the Infantry
s kept position behind the fence which, In addition
having cmbankmcnt the basc In the style Of old
Virginia fences, had deep and wide ditch In 'front.' The
shooting continued for nearly hours Our men drove
tho rebels behind the fsncs and their encamp mcnt q,
the le They ned, leaving their dead and wounded be
hind them, taking refuge in encampmcnts on the hill
On our side the last shot was fred was not deemed
prudent TO pursue tho retreatng enemy IL was svden,
that they had mistaken force. or else acted In
retiring more intensely cowardly than we have ever
thought them TO be- They had four regiments engaged
Fourth and Fifth Louisiana regiments, . Virginia
Alabama regiment. besides their artillery while
on side thcre actually only eight companies d
the Fourth Michigan regiment who did the fighting.
Under the circumstances, Of cousss u mot deemed
prudent TO follow The foe.
The battle ended then the Of the killed and
wounded. Tho following ID . iiss Of the killed snd
wounded On side
Private Abel NJ D. Piper Co. b shot through The heart
woUnpnD.
Privats franklin Drake, %. q, mortaly.
Private VIM a. Chase, 70. O. mortally; compound rao-
ture of thigh.
Privas, George K Young, Co. D, nesh wound In arm.
Corporal John Campbell Co, b, Aesh wound 10 high.
Private Martin Brookway, Go. b, compound fracture
OF iorearn
Private Charles Brunsr, Co. A. nesh wound N thigh.
Private Chas Bunow, o. I, wounded Ia mouth.
The tebsl loss Is estimated In killed and wounded at
about one hundred. In the ditch found twenty