The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-24

YORK were taken prisoners, and guarded In prison
at Richmond by the Fourteenth Louis At the battle
OF Williamsburg some Of the Fourteenth were taken
prisoners by the Thirty eighth The tables had been
completely turned for familiar faces recognized
again. and 1t found that some OF our men who had
been guarded by rebels guarding those rebels
themselves But would DO useless proiong the
rative Of incident, which could be made fntermnaoe
in this already almost too elaborate AS said in
tho will repeat at the coDclusion that
the battle Of Williamsburg Of the most hotiy
contested engagements OF the war.
GENERAL HooKER's LOSS
was in the proportion Of one In six, which
is q proportionats loss to that OF the Allied
armies at the battle OF Alma in 1854. No other battle
In tho recent European wars compares with it. The
bloodiest battle in Naposcns career, believe, the
battle Of wagram where the loss in oght. Our
regiments engaged in the battle of Williamsburg were
small in numbers, for tho that when thoy
urged with such tonacity found physically
unable 10 keep up tho double quick, and therefore
dropped out OF the exhausted before the regiments
reached the field Of action The force opposed ours
was supposed bo thirty thousand We have prisoners
taken in that fight who represent forty different rsgi
ments. All the Union regiments which participated in
tho battle will have Williamsburg" inscribed upon
their banners.
Dr. Franklin Rdgway, Assistant Surgeon OF the Fourth
regiment Excelsior Brigade was on the field throughout
tho fight, attending to tho wounded, and was himself
twice slightly wounded besides having his horse shot
under hirn-but remained on the field. He riding
near Gen. Hooker when the horse Of tho latter shot
dead with fragment OF SHE'LL and the first assist
the General rise While dressing the shattered ankle
Of one OF tho shell took tho top Of tho mans head
,on At one period OF the action the rebels mado a
desperate charge upon the battery at the right and fear
ing It's capture Dr. Rdgway rode up TO the battery
dsmounting continued TO assist in working the guns
until the rebels driven or lie highly compli.
mented for the gaantry displayed by him the neld
Tho national colors FIRST raised walls Of York
town by the standard bearer Of tho Fourth regiment
which DR.. Ridgway assisted.
THE OCCUP ALTON OF WILLIAMSBURG.
After the battle troops disposed along the
whole line, and pickcts were placed in front Scouts
were sent out TO observe tho movements OF the
An hour after midnight Sergeant Groen from the
Fifty seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers reported TO
raj Jameson and he to General Kearney that tho enemy
was evacuating his position front Of the recent
OF action. He sent out again. and in two hours
turned with q confederation Of his previous state
mont.
FORT MAoRUDER HANDS.
At dawn General jameson went out with two com.
panies Of the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania reg
ment 10 reconnoitre, and, taking detachment OF
dozen men under Lieutenant Gilbert, entered Fort Ma
crudsr, which was found 70 DO deserted Tho
first TO- take possession Of the rebel for
tacations at Yorktown, he was also the first
TO entor the works at Williamsburg. IIs
then advanced with his whole Brigade supported by
artillery and entered the ancient town. Tho rear guard
Of the enemy was just departing as he entered. Tn,
town itself was almost deserted Descrters sraggior
and sick and wounded rebels TO the number Of nearly
hundred wcre found in the streets and suburbs In hos
pi,s,s and private houses. General Jameson march
ing on with his brigade when no was instructed by thu
General commanding 10 encanp just outside tho town
| lle was made Military Governor Of Williamsburg. Ant
thus after Inc signal discontinue q, tn battle tho
my evacuated this strong posDa also, and pushed hi
retroatiag columns along tho nv ares uo peninsula