Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-26

FROM McOIeI1OhS Army
McCLELLAN's HEADQUARTERS, Ten MILES
FROM RICHMOND, May 24.-0ur troops crossed
the Chickahominy yesterday, both at Bottoms
Bridge and the railroad bridges, and now oc-
cupy position one and half miles beyond.
Alfew of the enemys pickets only were seen
in front of the advance under Gen Stoneman,
at New Bridge. A strong guard of the enc
my is still visible on the opposite side of the
creek. Their presence will not interfere with
the crossing of our troops when the proper
time comes. large number of men have
been detailed for the building of a number of
bridges at different points on the creek.
The balloon ascension made to-day by Pro-
fessor Lowe gave no assurance of the enemy
being in any considerable force near at hand.
From the best information that can be obtained
the enemy have selected a position between
three and four miles on this side of Richmond,
to meet the federal troops. The advance of
the federal army now being within seven miles
of Richmond, its farther progress must neces-
sarily be slow, in order that the main body
shall come up, to be prepared to meet any
emergency that may arise in approaching the
capital of rebellion. Very little firing was
heard to-day in the direction OF the position
held by our gunboats on the James river.
The morale and vigor of the army of the
Potomac is equal to that of any in he world.
For these characteristics it is indebted in
a great measure to its provost marshal, Brig.
Gen. Andrew Porter. The condition of the
troops in passing through Virginia has prob
ably made favorable contrast to the rebel
army in the minds of the people, as is also
every course which has been pursued by the
military authorities generally.
The only matter Of interest which has oc-
CURED to-day was the Smelling out of the re-
bells on the opposite side of the river at New
Bridge, which was done in a most satisfactory
manner, by the batteries of Major Robertson
and Capt Tithalle of the 2nd artillery. The
enemy made no response, but suddenly broke
camp and left with their baggage trains. The
balloon made an excursion near one of the
batteries, and from its elevated position note
was made of the effect of the different shots
which was communicated to those in charge
of the batteries. Gen. Marcy and portion
of Gen. McClellan'S staff were present and
witnessed the preclpitate retreat OF the enc
my. There is nothing further worthy of note
from the direction of Richmond to-day.
WASHINGTON, May PA dispatch to the
war department from Gen. Mcclellan states
as follows. Three skirmishes took place to-
day. We drove the rebels from Mechanics
vile, seven miles from Newbridge. The
fourteenth Michigan about finished the Louis
lana Tigers. We took fifty prisoners, and
fifty rebels were killed. Our loss is ten kill
and wounded.
McCLELLAN's HEADQUARTERS. SATURDAY,
May pa From the army correspondent of
the associated press. The driving of the re-
bells from the vicinity of Newbrdge by our
artillery yesterday, was followed up to-day by
a movement wholly unexpected to our adver-
saries. A reconnaissance composed of the
4th Michigan regiment, Col Woodbury., and
a squad Of the 2nd cavalry, Capt Gordon,was
made which is worthy Of special mention.
Five companies of the 4th Michigan, under
Bowen, of the typographical engineers, and
Lieut.. Cusher, of the 9TH cavalry, acting with
| the typographical corps, crossed the Chcka-
homiuy short distance above Newbridge,
with thirty men of the 4th Michigan. This
small command succeeded in getting between
four companies of the 9th Louisiana regiment,
who were out on picket duty at the bridge,
and brigade of the enemy who were support
ing them. In the meantime the balance of
the regiment and the squadron Of cavalry APP
| preached the bridge from this side, thus at
tracing the attention of the four Louisiana
companies The first knowledge the rebels
! had Of the near presence of an enemy was the
nrlng from thirty muskets at pistol range,
making havoc in their ranks, and causing
serious panic, while the main body advanced in
front and opened deadly fire The result was
that thlrty-one of the enemy were taken prs-
oners, fifteen wounded, and between sixty and
seventy left dead on the field. Among the
prisoners was lieutenant. The casualties on
our side were one killed, one mortallv wound
ca, ana SIX slightly wounded Lieut. Bowen
had his horse shot under him during the slsir-
mish. '''e 'Nii-
The light brigade under Gen. Stoneman
and the brigade OF Gen. Davidson of Smiths
division, to-day advanced from New Rridgo nm
the Chickahominy to Ellison's Mills on RelI5s
Creek. Here they encountered four raa :
iments of the enemy's infantry, with nine
| pieces Of artillery and command of cav
airy. Two of these regiments of infantry
and three pieces Of the artillery, were on
on the opposite side of the creek The hal
ance of the infantry, composed of the Sth and
and 9th Georgia regiments, under Gen. How
| ell Cobb, were posted in favorable position
to resist our advance to Mechancsvile Fit
lars and Robertson's batteries Of the I'd artil-
lery were quickly brought into action, and af-
ter firing some one hundred fifty rounds, the
rebels withdrew with their guns (not, howev-
| er, until one of them had been dismounted,)
to the village, covered by their infantry and
cavalry. -Four regiments of Gen. Dayidson's
brigade, with Wheeler's battery, were then
sent around, but night coming on they went
into camp within six hundred yards Of the en-
envy. At daylight the batteries on both sides
! opened, Wbeeler's combining its guns to she'll