The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-09

Of the position at Lees Mill; but only the sight Of can
convey full idea Of its absolute npregnability, hold
with the proper number Of and guns. From pri-
soner we learn that Magrudsr, when II determined
to retreat. got drunk and swors tsrriby-worss,
perhaps, than the army did in FIanders-and wanted
there Az Aagruder doSs got drunk, the rest Of the
story 10 credible.
CHrvAIRY THE LAST DITCH.
within the fort We found . characteristic fsa-
ture Of chivalrous warfare in tho shape Of per
cusson shells, buried In the roads In such
manner that the foot Of either . man or horse
might in contact with the percussion cap and
plods the SHE'LL One Of these killed and wousd
ed FIVE. Numbers OF them were dug up.
sKIRsnsH.
From the examination Of the fort diverted by
report that the enemy was not FAR ahead aud after
hard ride the front found that cavalry skirmsh
had already taken place in the road and had qucksned
tho snemy's pace Hooker's division Of Hcintzemans
corps moreover had crossed front, gotten the
left Of the left wing, and then engaged In tho
change Of . sharp FIRE Of muskstry with tho enemy
Soon after Gibsons battery engaged in Hockers 'front.'
roughly handled by the enemy, lost three cassons
and was compelled abandon famed gun, which, how
ever, the enemy got away. Smiths division, Of the
Fourth corps, moved up and took position to Hookers
right, near nighfall; and so closed the Sunday
OUT oNiGHT.
During the night began 10 rain, and our
men, all without shelter, many without
blankets, had hard time OF 1t, and were
Of course drenehed before day Experience only ap
preciate night passed In such way and DO properly
dsgrsed at IT, To dwell upon IL TO the inexperienced
is q waste Of words.
rosIrIoS.
Shortly after day We began lnd exactly whore
We were, and the enemy made similar discovery
what later Our proximity in force was, II seems,
what Of a surprise to him. He had thought could
get up within reach for two three days yet and had
already begun his retreat from Williamsburg; but tho
rapdity OF our movements changed chat, and seossh
was actually compelled to turn back and fght for tho
salvation Of its army. We might say without exaggera
ion that the Southern army has relays Of .ortbcans
at short distances all the way tho road Richmond.
The peninsula IL honsycombed with batteries,
and, ovsrtaks them where may the rebels
will doubtless have forts from which 70 fight
so n proved here. We had approached Williamsburg
from direction little south Of east, the regular
Yorktown road and right the road In sight Of the
stsepes OF the quaint old capital found Fort Magru
der large enclosed work. In which thirteen guns.
To the north and south Of II rsdoubs which sstab
shed fortified line OF thrso miles in extent, In which
the sDomy had twsnty.ons guns Every approach Was
wen covered Ivy his guns The approach tho front
was obstruetsd by heavy abat. and the trees were
fslod for mile 70 give his guns the cearsst possible
sweep.
HosriruEs BEGIN.
At about eight A. H. they determined TO interrupt our
further examination OF their little arrangements, and
threw out body Of infantry TO their right which soon
exchanged Gre with the advance OF Hookers division
Though did not at nrst serious this irs OK
| changed intsrmittcnty for good while. Some light
batteries became engaged in It, and drove the enemy
pretty hare until unluckiy they got under Hrs OF the
snemys heavier guns whom they, OF course, got the
worst OF IL. Bramhalls New York battery in particu-
| lar, had gotten into . scrape, and q very hard
| 6ght took place In tho sndsavor 70 save IL.
All the horses sthcr killed wounded the guns
red, and, though fought well and hard
the enemy poured his infantry out avshly right
tIms and the right place and finally carried away the
guns, with most terrible shorus or ysps and cheers
II noon, and the enemy. encouraged by his
SUCCESS sft disposed push harder in tho
direction. Two divisions Of the Fourth corps were
the nsd and Pecks brigade, OF Couch division
with two regiments Of Devens' brigadsths Seventh Mas
sachuses Col Russell and the Second Rhode Island COL
Frank whsaton-in all about six thousand rnsn were
pushed 70 the right Of Hooker stopped The enemy
advance, aud perhaps saved Hooker entirely Psck,s
position not one that Afforded chance for any bril-.
liant display; but required the stubborn resist.
ance aud he maintained u handsomely all day and 70.
pulsed every attempt that the enemy msds TO advance
Rampsred by his position in the woods aud equally per
haps by his orders he could not 60 was thus kep,
under such Are shat u Is miracle hts loss proved
| small. For great portion OF tho time his
1at their faces, and many Of their wounds
we're received In that position. Bat the woods all
around the place we're cut TO shrsds with gapeshot
General Peck late In the afiern on, supported by
ralmsrs brigade OF Casey dvision, ard thus formed
| very strong centre.
Still there was no advance, and "every Qua won
| dsred."
| But while thus on the left aud CENTRE with modcum
OF reverse, at best did little belte than no our own
l the right presented more uratcTuIs ectselo