The Lansing state Republican., 1862-05-14

diers ana negroes we're at work - ther intreoeh.
nents until o'clock this oorning. vhso their
rear guard ordered the work to cease and take
up the march to Williamsburg.
Washington. Nay S.
The following statement, dated yesterday, On
the Rappahannoek, has reached. Washington:
"A colored man came in to-day. from the other
side Of the river, and represented himsef As
JEFF Davis ceachman. From an examination Of
him, this is probably the truth. Hs reports
scraps Of conversation overheard whilst driving
Mr.. and Mrs Davis in the carriage, and between
Mr.. Davis and those Who came to see him. Mr.
Davis and Gen. J. E. johnson had some heated
discussions about the latter's retreat from Ma
nassas Davis disapproved of il, and ordered
johnson to make q stand at Gordousville John
son declined to do this, and offered to resign,
and was even indispossd TO 60 to kYorktown.
Mrs. Davis said she thought this Was bad in him
(Johnson) to be unwilling to go and help Gen.
Magruder. The coachman overheard conver
sation between Johnson and the wife Of Davis,
the former saying that if he had not left Manas-
sas, Mcclellan would have come out against him
and cut him TO pieces. Mrs. Davis read an ar
ticle in the Richmond Examiner to her husband,
ssying that 1t was part of the Yankee plans
. junction in Louisa Or Caroline county, and
move down on Richmond. Davis remarked he
thought that was SO, but his Generals would take
care of them. The coachman overheard q con-
versaion between Davis and DR.. Gwin, formerly
United States Senator from California. Davis
said that he had sent General J. R. Anderson
from North Carolina to resist the march of the
Federals from Fredericksburg and to delay them
long enough for him to see the probable result
of the contest before Yorktown, SO that if that
was likely to be unsuccessful he would have time
to extricate his army from the peninsula, and
get them into Richmond and cut OF Virginia,
that otherwise they would all be caught. The
coachmaR represents that Mrs. Davis said that
the Confsderacy was about played out, and that
it New Orleans was really taken, they had no
longer any interest in the matter, and all she has
10 there; that it was great pity that they had
ever attempted to hold Virginia and the other
non cotton growing States, and that she said to
Mrs. Dr. Jones, daughter Of Col. Jas. Taylor,
U. S. Commissary General Of Subsistence, Who
was very anxious to get to Washington, where
she has one of her children, not to give herself
any trouble, but only to stay where she was and
when the Yankees came to Richmond she could
60. The coschman says that Nr. and Mrs. Davis
have all their books, clothing and pictures pack.
ed up, ready to move off that there 10 much
outspoksn Union feeling in Richmond that hsv-
ing been a winter in a hotel there, he
knows all the Union men Of the place, and that
the Yankees are locked for with much pleasure
more by the whites than even BY the colored
people.
Confederate money is not taken when it can
be avoided. Mrs Davis herself was refused
when she offered $40 Confederate note.
Many of the Richmend people wish the Union
troops to come, as they are half starved out.
The bank and Government property is all
packed up for removal to Dansville near the
North Carolina line. Gen. johnson did not
think they could succeed at yorktown.
The coachman overheard the rebel officers say
if they failed at yorktown and New Orleans they
would leave Virginia.
May 6.
In Congress, yesterday. the Homestead Bill
passed the Ssntste, and the Pacific Railroad
Bill the House.
1t was currently reported in Cairo that Cor
NTH had been taken possession of by General
La Lo
Pennington, only FIVE miles east Of Corin:h, SO
that it is not improbable that the report may
turn out true.
General Pope, by 4 strategcal movement, sue
ceeded in capturing 1000 rebels at Farming
ton.
At the battle at Williamsburg our forces took
two Of the enemy's redoubts. Our loss in the
engagement was II killed and 40 wounded :;
the enemy's about double.
Washington, May 6.
Official dispatches received here indicate that
the enemy are in large force and strongly en-
trenchsd near Williamsburg, and that they in.
tend to dispute at that point the further passage
Of our army. There had been some brisk fight
ing. in which Gen. H.n~o"k h.d taken two bat.
swrrcs Irpuisea Esrly's rebel brigade by
brilliant bayenet charge. In this engagement
Gen. Hancock's forces are said to have killed
two rebel COlonels, and Lieut. -Colonels, and
captured one Colonel aud l5o prisoners. Gen.
Mcclellan highly compliments Gen. Hsnceck's
conduct.
At the time 0. the sending Of the dispatches
our loss was not known, but it vas supposed to
be considerable, in proportion to the extent Of
the engagement, as the fight was very severe
BIvouAc IN FRONT OF WILLAxsBURGH,
May 5, ls62-l0P n.
To the Hon. f. NJ Stanton, Sec'y of War:
After arranging for movements up York river,
was urgently sent for here. find Gen. Jo
Johnston in front Of me in strong force, proba-
bly, greater good deal than my own. Gen.
Hancock has taken two redoubts and repulsed
Early's rebel brigade by real charge with the
bayonet, taking one Colonel and $50 prisoners,
and killing at least two Colonels and many pri-
Yates. His conduct was brilliant in the extrene.
do not know our exact loss, but fear that Gen.
Hooker has lost considerable on our left.
learn from the prisoners taken that the rebels
intend disputing every step to Richmond, and
in check here while resume the original plan.
Nv entire force 10 undoubtedly considerably in.
ferier to that of the rebels, who will fight well,
but viii do al l can with the force At my dis