The New York herald., 1862-05-08


Struggle ON Monday Near Williams
burg.
wnllAxsBuRG, May Q, 1862.
It was after ten o'clock Sunday morning when
cavalry and artillery passed through Yorktown in pur
suit Of the retreating enemy. They presented mag
ncent appearance they pushed past the rebel works
and along the road the rebels had rstreasd General
Hookors division and other divisions OF army fol-
lowed close after the cavalry and artillery During the
whole Of Sunday regimsntsof infantry leaving their
encampmsnts, in front Of the deserted forncations
and proceeding to tho support OF those which
had taken the advance. In the course OF q
few hours our cavalry came in: contact with
part Of the guard Of the enemy, and slight skrmh
ing took place between the antagonisto forces. The
rebels covered their retreat with number Of pieces Of
artillery which at particular points halted wheeled
position, and threw Shells for the purpose Of impeding
the progress Of army. Some prisoners taken
py us, and few casualties occurred but general en-
counter with any considerable body Of the rebels had
occurred before tho fast approaching darkness rendered
It prudent for advrncs TO halt for the night and
await the arrival OF a sufficient number Of infantry.
The main forces Of the enemy having left their camps
at Yorktown and along the Of the Warwick river
several days previous they had abundant opportunity
themselves behind their interior line Of works
here at Williamsburg, which forms portion Of their de-
earhworks including nve redoubts, which quite
mdabls in character. When daylight dawned found
that the enemy strongly inrsnched and had i'm
msnss force behind those works. The rebels quite
inclined make obstinate resistance at this place
During the morning the advance had several little skr
mishes with bodies Of the enemy. From Of their
rsdoubts the right OF position they annoyed
men considerably. Gen. Smith, with two Of his brgades
attempted take the work. One Of these brgades took
up position TO assault tho redoubt in 'front.' while tho
other sent round to the attack II At the side
the Tho rebels had secreted large orcc In
the woods, this work, and when brigade ad-
vanced <he assault the rebels Of the
in which they concealed and endeavorsd outHank
u.s. When this Of tho rebels perceived
Brigade in exricating itself from the critical position IL
placed in fought desperately until forced 70 retire be-
fore their superior numbers at this point The Second
New Jersey brigade. In General Hookers division suf
fsred severely. Colonel A. j. Johnson Of the Eighth
New Jersey regiment badly wounded In tho breast
Colonel William NJ Dwight, Of the First regiment Excel
sor brigade, was also among the wounded Tho First
Massachusetts, and Second New Hampshire regiments,
which fought bravely in tho battle OF Ball run,
also engaged in this action, and lost quite number Of
men. Quite number Of officers belonging TO either
side fell on the field. charge made BY . de-
tachment from cavalry was repused. During the
engagement the enemy captured three OF batteries
namely the First Sixth New York and the First bat
terry OF regular artillery. Captain Bramhal in General
Hookcrs DIVISION lost his guns because they became
mbsdded the mud and all his horses killed. and
whom the enemy advanced to take them we had mot =
sufficient force Of infantry enough to support them
Hence they had 10 be abandoned. The tide Of battle
evidently against until at proptious moment late in
the afternoon General Mcclellan appeared the field
in person. He was greeted by our soldiers with tho
greatest enthusiasm He perceived at the position
OF Affairs. Tho difficulties by which our forces
rounded that critical moment called out the genius Of
his military mind, thsnceforward the former dsas.
in part retrieved and the fortunes Of the day
were in favor. Gen Hancock's brigade by brilliant
bayonet charge succeeded in capturing rebel redoubs
and in driving the rebels their position that
part OF the line General Kearnsy's division also
engaged the action Another rebel redoubt cap
ured at the point Of the bayonet when night closed
the desperate conflict Of that svenfu day Thus
the rebels sgnsy defeated at their second defensive
line Daring the night they evacuated the portion Of
the position which they hold when the battle closed,
leaving their dead and wounded the Geld entirely
neglected General Mcclellan followed up this advant
age as Napoleon would have DONE and is fast in pur-
suit Of the fleeing foe In the meantime, az noon to-
day General Franklns division started In transports up
the York for Vest Point When he effects land
ing at that plac probably cut off the retreat Of
a large purtiY routed rebel army.