Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-05-30
From Gen. McClellan's Army.

Gallant Erploit Of the Michigan Fourth
Regiment,-Heavy Skirmish at Eli
sons MtHs-the Rebels under Ho,oeH
Cobb Beaten.-Fsght 6et,0een Gen.
Ncgley's and the Rebel Gen. Stuart's
Brigades.--2Hs COntederotes again
Whipped-We People Leaving Rich
/ m0nd
MCCLELLAN's HEADQUARTERS,
Saturday, May "a.
From the Army Correspondent Of the
Associated Press, The driving of the
rebels from the vicinity of New Bridge
by our artillery,yesterday, was followed
to-day bv a movement wholly unexpect-
ed to our adversaries. A reconnaissance
composed OF the 4th Michigan regiment,
Col. Woodbury., and a squadron Of the
second cagairy, Capt. Gordon, was made,
which is worthy of special mention. Five
companies of the 4th Michigan regiment,
under - Bowen, of the Typographical
Engineers, went in advance, when Lieut.
Cushner of the 9th cavalry, acting with
the Typographical corps, crossed the
Chickahominy a short distance above
New Bridge, with thirty men of the reg
iment.
This small command succeeded in get
ting between four companies Of the 9th
Louisiana regiment, who were out on
picket duty at the bridge, and brigade
of the enemy, who were supporting
them. In the meantime the balance Of
the regiment and the squadron of cavalry
approached the bridge from this side,
thus attracting the attention of the four
Louisiana companies. The first know
ledge the rebels bad of the near pres
ence of an enemy was the firing from 80
muskets at pistol-shot range, making
havoc in their ranks, and causing panic,
while the main body advanced in front
and opened a deadly fire. The result
was that 81 of the enemy were taken
prisoners, Is wounded, and between 60
and 20 left dead on the field.
Among the prisoners was lieutenant.
The casualties on our side were one kill
ed, one MORALLY wounded and six slight
ly wounded. Lieut.. Bowen had his
horse shot under him during the skir-
mish.
The Light Brigade, under Gen. Stone
man, and the brigade of Gen. Davidson,
of Smiths division, to-day advanced from
New Bridge up the Chickahominy to Ell
lison'5 Mills, on Bells Creek. Here
they encountered four regiments of
the enemy's infantry, with nine pieces
Of artillery and command of cavalry.
Of these, two regiments OF infantry and
three pieces Of artillery were on the OPP
posite side of the creek.
The balance Of the infantry, composed
of the 9Th and 9th Georgia regiments,
under Gen. Howell Cobb, were posted
in favorable position to assist our adj
vance to Mechanicsville. Fitlar's and
Robertson's batteries, of the I'd artillery,
were quickly brought into action, and
after firing some $50 rounds, the rebels
withdrew with their guns, mot, however,
until one OF them had been dismounted)
to the village, covered by their infantry
and cavalry. Four regiments of Gen.
Davidson's brigade, with Wheeler's bat
terry, were then sent round, but night
coming on, they went into camp within
GOO yards of the enemy.
At daylight the batteries on both sides
opened. Wheeler combining his guns to
Smelling the houses behind which the en-
emy's houses were concealed. The fire
was too hot for the rebels, and they left
the village, portion retire ating across
the Chickahominy, the remainder falling
back to the railroad. The 33rd New
York regiment was the first to enter the
village. The houses showed unmistak-
able evidence of the accuracy of our ar
tillery, some of them being riddled in a
dozen places. The enemy carried off
their killed and wounded, one man ex
cepted. Our casualties were two killed
and four wounded. Colonel Mason, Of
the 9Th Maine regiment, was slightly in
jured by the explosion of shell.
General Stoneman then sent two
squadrons of the 9Th Illinois cavalry,
under Major Clenderine, three miles fur
ther up the river, and caused to be de-
stroyed the bridge of the Richmond and
Fredericksburg railroad.
Mechanicsville, which is now occupied
by our troops, is five miles from Rich
mond.
Gen. Mcclellan and staff visited the