Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-02
n. TBE FIeHr AT NEW MARKET BRIDGE.
oixp. NEAR Br1HrL, Dec. %, 1861.


To lie Editor Of the Wig.
As ypu have had no item from the Penpsuls Of late
write you brief accoun. of the fght which came Of
New Market Bridge, on yesterday, between two small
parcels of cavalry and infantry and body Of the
enemy said to be 1000 strong g..
At an early hour yesterday morning, detachment Of
fifty cavalry, (from New Kent Old Dominion and Black
Walnut Companies,) under the command Of Major Phil
lips together with two small companies of the Eighth
Alabama Regiment all under the command Of Col Win.
stou Of said Regiment started scout in the drec-
ton of New Market Bridge where 1t had been under.
stood the enemy could be found in some force most
every day; aud having proceeded down the "sa~yer
swamp road Tor about three miles, the commands di:
yded the infantry securing the wood, to the right Of
The road and the cavalry proceeding slowly forward
When within three miles of1tke bridge Mdjor Phillips,
with a few men, moved forward as an advanced guard
leaving the o! thecavary under the command
of Lieut. Taylor of the New Kent Company, with IN.
sructions to bait until be had gottena mile ahead when
lbe column proceeded to within short distance ofthe
bridge the Msjor obEqung to the right toascertan the
position Of the infantry. ~. ''t" '. :: -" g
Ina few moments sharp firing Of muskery announc-
ed that skirmish had begun between men aud the
enemy, in afedlsepara!sd iromus BY body ofwooif.
Tic cavalry were Immediately put in motion. and gsllop
ire through the intervening appeared in the
a. bu: only in time to see the Yankees beat retreat
across the creek 10 pIics Of security from horse.
msu They observed running in the direction
Of Nsw,Nargs: Bridge, aud spies were seen, evidently
tnieayorug to ascertain the Smouus Of our force. "
The Colonel ordered advance guard from the eava
with which be hastened acrcss to the little field in
front Of the BRIDGE the remaiudarof the cavalry bring.
Ing IN the reas In few moments the'iring announced
that the enemy were sgan seen, aud this time they bap
pcued to be In their svOre haunt where they setmed
for lime willing to make stand The body Of The
enemy were across the BRIDGE which was barricaded
With barrels and along fence and ditch; running at
right angles TO the creek, At these latter the cavay
uIde DASH compelling them to seek shelter With tbei'
comrades on the other the creek and out Of the
reach Of our brave horsemen. =" =: 49, - '''>
In the meantime the Infantry charged nearly to the
b,dge and regardless of the storm OF bullets poured
upon them from the concealed foe, they held their
ground, advancing step by step until the enemy
driven from their. stronghold abandoning their g,
which, together with prisoner, fell into the hands Of
our men. The cavalry were much exposed during the
action (which lasted twenty mnutes while the position
of tho enemy would not admit Ofa charge: - 49,
Both officers ead men received lita veterans several
voleys from thdbridge and were Hiso ted upon from
au Ahuscade theywefe led from their exposed po-
siion In front Of the bridge Is almost mraeulOts
that none Of them we're killed. oae of the Old Denim.
20 pagOors received ball inhe foot while several OF
tho New RENTERS narrowly escaped with the: lives. One
otbem had bis horse shot under him. ball graz ed the
p Of Ills ear taking off the skip another had one barrel
Of bis gun penetrated by minnie bal, Whilet~o Others
resolved halls rough their clothing Colonel WDson
was everywhere in the fight exposing himself wthper
i!ct indifference danger. Major PniIlPs acted with
bis usual coOlness and brIyery. OF the Infantry one
ID m wAakled andtSo Wounded. The loss Of the enc
nv is ascsrtainsd to- be thirteen killed aud several
sounded. After the fight our men returned in good or
der to camp .; g.: s. "A SPECTATOR.