The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-14
Our Army Correspondence.

Our Army Correspondence.
WEST PoIST, Va, Nav 8, 1852.
Ihavs gathered the following details Of desps
rata sngagspent NJ this point yesterday
After the landing General Franklins division which
camped IN large held surrounded on the south west
and north by dense wood and the east by the York
river tho Thirty Second New York Colonel Mateson Of
Newtons brigade, was ordered to clear tho wood OF
rebels, who had made their, presence known to
pckcts. The Sixteenth New York were ordered 70 the
same work in other portions OF the wood The thirty
second preceded TO their orders Entering the
wood they came upon ravine, at the bottom Of which
they fred upon by the rebel skrmishers Up they
charged, delivering CALLING fire upon tho enemys
position Tho enemy retired troops following until
second ravne appeared in Wow. In attempting 80
this the rebels from the olsr side again poured voley
into them with considerable effect, which had not
the power 10 drive back who calamity pur-
sued the rebels delivering their fire upon then
upon their possion they kept themselves concealed
by the woods. At third and last ravine the rebels had
erected breastwork the opposite side, from which
they opened on our men with small arms and
grape and canister from mountain howtzers.
The Thirty charged calamity up TO within few
feet Of the work. but forced TO retro Of
the superior force Of the enemy They retired adn
radio order. There only compan es OF the
Thirty second regiment engaged against Alabama Texas
South Carolina and Tennessee ooops. The ceisbrated
Hampton Legion formed portion Of the rebel force.
At two O'Clock P. NJ our gunboats, three in NUMBER
opened fire upon the enemy frcm their larger
guns, the shells taking, 70 all appearances, effect
in tho right quarter, for the enemy soon
afterwards retired their battery beng slenced the
first shot from the boats. We could the enemys
retreat by the line Of smoke in their They were
seemingly destroying every thing they rctreatcd
The Sixteenth and Thirty first regiments New York VOL
untecrs were also engaged In skrmshng with tho enemy
in tho woods. The details Of the part these regiments
played in tho skirmsh has not reached learn thai
tho Thirty nd regiment New York Volunteers loss will
be nearly 100 in killed and wounded. Three u,ce.s
Captain Young, Of Company D.; Captain Brown, Of Com
pany G: and Lieutenant Wallace, OF Comnany G-were
killed. and Lieutenant Stone Of Company B, and euen
ant Twadde, Of Company r, wounded severely. Thirteen
privates killed. Lieutenant Wallace wounded and
afterwards bayoneted and his pockets rci by Texan
soldiers. total loss in the different regiments Of
Ncwtons brigade win 200 in killed. wounded and
missing. The loss Of thu rebels is known be heavy
as they were soon from transport carrying their
dead ana wounded on in great numbers.
Captain Montgomery, q General Newton's staff, and
Captain Baker United States Dragons, Franklin star
made q most miraculous escape from tho Hampton
Legion Into whose picket lines they became cntrapped
Captain Montgomery coclly Inquired the Of
tho regiment. Receiving tho answer, "The Hampton
Legion he inquired for General Hampton and told
that he short distance of. lie and Captain Baker
Immediately put spurs to their horses. Tho rebel
pckets fred volley after them, balls entering
the body Of CAPTAIN MS horse, killing him instantly.
He foil instantly brusing tho RIDERS limbs severely
The reb ID Immediately approached and commenced
rfing the caftln's vallabaes, he fegn death. The
affair was So Ia ferrous that the captain laughed
which exposed his condith,n IL the pckets rhey
hal carried him some distance when a b. tt,ry II
al m ffnfnA nfaiv d>r.t
their prisoner and for their dear lives Captain
Montgomery arrived safely within our lines after this
word ,rfnl and romantic enisode
Tho conduct OF tho Texans in this engagement has
been dastardy in the extreme. In some they
the water from wounded soldiers caneeis The
Alabama troops exhibited feeling Of marty ~ strk
ing contrast TO this. They were seen supplying
woundsd with their own canteens O. O. with water.
Tie sixteenth Now York Thr'y first New York nd Nine
ty.rffh Penney vana brisky gagged with IN
my sklmi hers dur e day. Some u the campaDesof
che Sixteenth time surrounded by the rebels,
and actually had to force their way nut. The hty frs,
he tbikest part of fray and bore themsevcs
ralianty The Ninc'y anh Pennsy vsria. Goslin
Touaves at the ~ 1t cha of the enemy appeared
recoil for instant and looked rcdy TO break. This
was their FIRST taste Of war, But after tho irs,
closed lfncs, which mt the rebels
engaged AGAINST them to retreat. They cam
The 1% tDs 9Th ' and Eighteenth Sew York.
thorch exposed at times ~ the frc Of the
rohcls. escaped without loss. The New Jersey
brigade hayo COMO ne,riy four miles, bu: Ind nc
fore. OF the rebels. They have rck ed many srag
cers from the eneys ranks They reuresenf the enemy
a. neelng along both III, James and York rivers
columns. Thn oss nr the icmy In the skirnsh IL
double great though they were In most cases con
cealsd in thick underground. which prevented their dis
cnverv by men until In Their prosencc. The web
directed fro Of men. aided by the beautiful gnnboat
nrig must have terribly decmatsd their numbers An
officer who rode thu circuit Of the or skmshng
Yesterday, discovered Abundant evde OF he ensuy
heavy loss. Tho rebels foight with lesrrati,n sud
vaIar worthy Of a better caiso. Thourh IN superior
force own they gave away Mt last before the
perior discipline and courage - onr trooLs. orr
,nrn deserve much for their assistance a. causing the
rchels make tracks. At the timo the rebss attacked
us our force hero quite small Now we have force
sufficient this point to defend against any force
they bring against us, which IS being aided ~
hourly.
wo are waiting nnxiously for OF Mclc
Ian appearance with force on tho Jones river side
hear that he is driving the rebels IN that drec
ton Richmond will he before many DAYS elnpse
n the reports from Williamsburg which reach
ihna md linn has