The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15

to their earthworks were through ravines
and swamps, while rain fell in torrents
throughout the day. The men had also
been lying on their arms all the previous
night, and we're soaked with rain and chill
ed with cold. The battle ragged from early
in the morning until three P. m, when Nc
Clellan arrived with fresh troops, and rellev
ed Hooker's division, who were nearly
prostrated with fatigue. The three regl
ments of Sickle's brigade had their ranks
terribly thinned by the enemy's batteries
They are represented as having fought with
such bravery that not less than 2OO OF them
were killed or wounded.
After the arrival of Mcclellan the enemy
we're 6ercely charged on by Hancock's brig
ade, and we're driven within their works
before nightfall, With heavy loss. Nearly
700 Of their dead were left on the field,
With many wounded, though most Of the
latter were carried into Williamsburg. Our
loss is nearly 800 killed and 700 wounded
Night having come on our forces. lay on
their arms on the battlefield, prepared to
storm the works in the morning. Tuesday
morning Mcclellan sent out scouts willis,
preparing to move on the enemy's works.
The scouts soon returned and reported the
rebels had again taken to fight during the
night.
Their works at Williamsburg were then
occupied by the Fedetals. Fort Magruder
was the most extensive work capable of a
prolonged defense.
The enemy is reported by a few negroes
and women found in the town, to have fled
in great confusion.
A large number of wagons and munitions
and a considerable store Of provisions were
found in the town.
The roads in the vicinity were strewn
with army accoutrements.
A number of deserters also made their
escape and came within our lines who stated
they had intelligence that large number
OF Fcderals were landing on York river
above Williamsburg to flank them.
Doings of the Navy.
WASHINGTON, May s.
The Navy Department has received dis
patches from Com. Dupont from Port Roy
al to May Sd. On tue Goth ult., the gun
boat Hale went on an expedition to capture
a rebel battery near the junction of the
Dawho, Paw paw and South Edisto rivers.
The enemy opened fire upon the Hale when
within 800 yards and continued it as she
wound her way up to attack at close quar-
ters When the Hale reached the cast
bend of the river within a short distance of
the battery the rebels fed in haste. A
party returned without a man injured.
Shortly before noon to-day the Monitor,
Nangatuck, Seminole, Susquehanna, Da-
cotah and San Jacintc, in the order named
steamed towards Sewall's Point. Most Of
the shots were good ones. 1t was nearly
Lalf an hour before reply was made from
the Point. The position of the Monitor
was fry in advance Of the rest of the feet
She continued in motion until within mile
or two Of the Point when considerable ex-
ecution mus. haze been done by her accur-
ate firing.
The Naugatuck kept in the back ground,
the range of her Parro;t gnn enabling her
to DO So The Sewall's Point battery re-
piled brishly. The Rip Raps ared occasion
ally. Continual firing was kept up from
the gun-boats. On account Of the distance
no details can be given. At two o'clock
the Monitor returned from her position and
rejoined the feet. At 2:15 very heavy
black smoke arose rapidly from the point,
caused, probably, by the burning of the
rebel barracks. The Mcrrimac is still off
the Point. There is no prospect of fight
at present, (5:30, p. m.) The Monitor has
The Merrimac is in the same
position.
Scarcely hundred yards between the
rebels and our men when our skirmishers'
FIRE ceased. The 9th Wisconsin and Sd and
4th Now York formed in close order, long
range, musket barrels came level; one
terrible volley tore through the rebel ranks,
the same long range muskets came to a
second level on an order to charge bayonets,
away went two regiments with loud cheers.
Gallant as the foes were they could not
stand this. For space generally estimat-
ed at three-quarters of mile they advanc
ed under fire of splendidly served battery
with cloud of skirmishers stretched across
their front, whose fire was very destructive.
The rebels bad not nerve enough, and fed
IN complete panic.
From CoTinth.
CAIRO, May 10.
An arrival from Pittsburg says General
Grant in force attacked the rebels on We'd
lesday few miles west of Corinth. Their
inc constantly retreated though in perfect
rider. The result of this engagement was
hat the rebels surrendered the line of the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad, taking