Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-19
TELEGRAPHIO NEWS.
HIGHLY IMP0RrAN FROM GENERAL
MCCLELLAN.

MCCLELLAN.
ssIrsn Clads" Repuised frsm Fort Darling
Explosion Of the NausstRck's Big GuS-
The Advance some fiiteen Mics from
Richmond.
The following dispatch was received at the
War Departm. mt on Saturday night:
WILLIAMsBuRe, MAY 17.-To Hon. Edlcin M.
STATION, Secretary Of War: The gunboats g. enc,
Monitor, Arostook, Nsugatuck, and Port Royal,
were repulsed from Fort Darling, seven miles
below Richmond, Yesterday.
A porti-n OF them have returned to jamestown
Island, near this place, In the James river
Lieut.. Morris, commanding the Port ROYAL.
sent overland to us this morning for Intelligence
regarding the forts below the island and also for
assistance in burying the dead which he brought
down with him. Seventeen be- dies have been In
tered on the banks Of the river and there are a
numoe, OF wounded on board, Including Lieut..
Morris himself. -
The 100 pound gun of the Naugatuck exploded
at the first fire. DAVID CAMPBRLL,
Colonel Of the Fifth cavalry.
Further Particularr-Ths jams River
Clear OF Obsuuctisns to within Eight
Miles OF Richmond.
No official report OF the gunboat affair on the
James river has been received at the Navy De-
| partment The messages received on the subject
indicate an opportunity to do better In the future
The river is now clear Of obstructions to within
eight miles of Richmond. At that point there is
heavy battery mounted on a high bluff and the
river is temporarily closed to CATION by ken
vessels, among which are said to be tie rebel
steamers Yorktown and Jamestown, aud by piles
chains, &c. The Monitor could not elevate her
guns sufficiently to reach the high battery, which
rendered her useless.
The banks Of the river were filed with rife
pis, from which an incessant fire was poured
upon the heet, part OF which were enp1ged at
from 6O1 to ,0C0 Yards OF the main battery Ate,
an action Of four hours the feet, finding Il i'm
practicable under the circumstances to silence
the battery on the bluff withdrew out of RANGE
thirteen lied md ,,A
ed, among the latter Lieut. Morris in the leg by
a MIME ball. but not seriously.
Naval and Army Expedition mp the Pemuu-
key hiver-Ihe Rebels Forced to Dettr Y
two Steamers and twenty Schsoners-The
Army Advancing.
HEApQUARTERs ARMY OF THE POToMAc White
House, May IL, 1920 p. IN HIN f. NJ. Stanton
Secretary Of War:-A con- bined naval and army
expedition under Capt. Murray, L. s " with
troops and artillery under Major Willard and
Capt. Ayers, of the Army, went some twenty. g We
miles up the Pomunkey river to-day, and forced
the rebels to destroy two steamers and some TWEEN
ty schooners. The expedition was admirably
managed and d. serves great credit.
We have advanced considerably to-day The
roads are now improving.
GKo. d MCCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding.
One Line Of our Advance at ottom Bridge.
within Fifteen Miles of R:chmend-The
Enemy Driven Across the Bridge.
[Army Correspondence OF the Associated Press 1
WHITE House, Va, May Is The advance
guard OF our forces on the main road TO Rich
mond, by way Of Bottom Bridge, drove the enemy
acfo's the ChickahOminy river, at that point, yes
terday morning. When our troops arrived within
half mile Of the bridge, which " as burnt. they
were opened upon ny brisk IRE of artillery from
the opposite side OF the river, but one in
jured The bridge is 1fteen miles from Rich
mond.
At tbs point cur troops will experience consid-
erable difficulty In crossing as the country is low
and swampy on both sides Of the river
| A reconnaissance was made Yesterday by one Of
the gunooats, with two companies Of Infantry
/ und@r Maj r Willard, up the Pamunkey river at
distance OF 25 miles from here, at point known
| as Russell's landing. They found the steamer
| Logan, one propeller and fifteen schoonerg in
bames. They were laden mostly with corn, which
| was being unloaded
| Some contrabands on shore stated that when
| the reoels heard that our gunbOats Were coming
they commenced putting the corn on bs ard az siI,
so as TO Insure its destruc ton. few shells soon
dispersed the remaining rebels in that locality,
when the gunboat returned to the White House
Ihe ROADS Tor the past three days have been next
l 70 lmpas' able, owing TO tue recent heavy rains
| division train was i.ty six hours making its
way i've miles with teams doubled, together
| with the assistance furnished by large nurn6er
4 OF troops The advance Of the army niIgt neces-
s1rly be slow from here, IL loses tie benefit Of
4 river transportation, requiring all the supply
trains at the disposal OF the qua 'tsrmasters de-
partment to furnish so vast body OF men with
1 subsistence.
The bridges between here and the enemy have
been destroyed, and every imag inable obstruction
placed In the way OF our advance
The Richmond Dispatch OF the 18th has a
| lengthy article on the evacuation os Norfolk and
| Yorktown, and the conduct OF the war generally
/ III says "6y abandoning detached posts which eie
within reach o. the enemy's neet, and which Il Is
| therefore impossible to defend we are enabled
| TO concentrate powerful forces upon essential
poinis and to bstts the enemy in every attack Of
vital importance -
| The same paper makes mention OF terrible
l panic in Richmond on Friday, 18Th Inst on the
approach OF our gunboats
This telng Sunday, the Army Of the Potomac
has ceased its la6oTs-the troops remaining in
camp, enjoying day Of rest.