Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-05-09

The advance under Gen. Stoneman reach
ell this place, two and half miles from Viii
liamsburg, at 2 o'clock this afternoon. AS
we approached the enemy's works regiment
Of cavalry was seen coming in line Of battle
about a mile of. Capt. Gibbons battery
opened on the rebels very effective fire but
didn't change their course The rebels OPEN
cd on us from behind an earthwork A por-
ton Of the LIST and 9th Cavalry then charged
on the advancing foe, and hand-to hand
fight cnsucd. None ofour men were captur-
ed, but we took number of rebel prisoners
Gibbons battery had fourteen horses killed.
Lieut.. De Wolfwas mortally wounded. One
gun was lost by sticking fast in the mud
Lieut.. Benton Of the First Cavalry and ten
men were wounded. Lieut.. Mcclellan and
II others Of the Sixth Cavalry were also
slightly wounded. The rebel cavalry were
forced to abandon their position, but our
want of infantry prevented us from advanc-
ing on the works. We then fell back to await
the coming mp of our infantry. Hancock,s
brigade soon arrived. but it was concluded to
defer operations until Tomorrow. The cne-
my are still retrcating beyond Williamsburg,
but their rear guard is very strong. w..
LATER-Monday, May Sit is raining
heavily. We will occupy Williamsburg ear
ly this morning.
HEADQrAR7sss ARMY OF THE PoroMAc,
Hon. E. NJ. Stanton:
Our cavalry and horse artillery came up
with the enemy rear guard in their entrench
ments about two miles this side of Williams.
burg. A brisk fight cnsucd. just AZ my
aid left. Gen. Smith's division of infantry ar
rived on the ground, and it is presumed car
ried the works. though have not yet heard.
The ene'ny's rear is strong, but have force
enough up there to answer all purposes.
All along the lines their works prove to
have been most formidable, and am now
fully satisfied Of the correctness of the course
have pursued. The success is brilliant, and
you may rest assured that its effects will be
of the greatest importance. There shall be
no delay in following up the rebels. STAG
The rebels have been guilty Of the most
mrrdcrous and ba, barous conduct, in placing
torpedoes within the abandoned works, near
wells and springs, and near flag stats, maya
Zines, and telegraph Offices, in carpet. bags,
barrels Of Flour, &c. Fortunately we have
not lost many men in this manncr-somc
four or five killed, and perhaps dozen
wounded -a.Aauaraf, ~ rs'--s 49, .rrz,
SiiaIi iHakc tIle PIiSp!!eTS remove tnSln Al
their peril. ''.' '...'' F''.'
[Sgn-d,] G d. MCMILLAN, Mai. GenI.
IT #t BivovAc TRoS1 OF wfaIiANsnURo, Il
May 5,h 1s62--5 p. m.
To Hon. E. n. Stanton. Secretary Of War;
After arranging for movements Up York
river was urgently sent for here. find
Gen. j. Johnston in front Of me in strong
force, probably greater, good deal, than my
own. Gen. Hancock has taken two redonb.s,
and rcpnlscd Early's brigade by real charge
with the bayonet, taking twelve officers and
one hundred and fifty prisoners, and killing
at least two Colonies and many privates.---
His conduct was brilliant in the extreme
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 dispu,ing every step to
Richmond. shall run the risk Of ut least
holding them in check here. while I resume
the original plan. My entire force is undoubt.
eily considerably inferior to that Of the rcb
els. and will fight well, but will do all can
with the force at my disposal,
[Signed,1 g. Il. MCCLELLAN,
MajOr-Gencral Commanding.