The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-13

From the Petersburg (va.) Express, May
TYH WAR NEWS

was also stated by passengers on the early train from
Richmond, that courier had reached that city at an
carly hour yesterday morning, who left Barhamsvils
just at the close OF the fight Wednesday, This courier
represented that the light had been the most frghul
in carnage Of the war; and that when night
closed upon the bloody scene had two thousand
killed and wounded while the Yankee loss was estimated
at 100. Anxious inquiries were made every hand
and men hung about the telegraph Office though they
expected every click Of the Instruments to bring them
further intelligence from the sangunary field Thus
matters continued until three O'clock when despatch
received at this Office and placed upon bulletin
board, which, upon being read, Immediately caused
every change its dooful appearance
pleasing to contemplate. 1t came from General
Johnston, who dated at Barhamsve. Wednesday, eleven
A. M and stated that all quiet in tho army; that tho
enemy had appeared perfectly contened with his ex-
ploits of Monday at Williamsburg, and had evincsd no
disposition whatever to renew the combat.
from the Richmond Examiner, MayS.l
HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM THE PENINSULA.
There quite breeze Of excitement yesterday over
reported victory Of ordinary dimensions the Pc
nnsula We were informed Tuesday evening that the
Adutant General had received despatch Of affair of
cavalry that had occurred Monday, and that was
s'even more brilliant than Captain wckhams affair.""
but this despatch understood have been sent to
President Davis and copy could not be obtained
press Yesterday this news was magnin0d into i'm
potant BATTLE with the most serious consequences,
hundred prisoners taken and most magnificent prize OF
artillery.
Tho fact is that the affair is named by General John.
son "handsome" ono. and we doubt not that con-
siderable triumph achieved by arms, although
very much below tho importance attributed by the
wild ignorant street Of yesterday. 1t appears
from what be learned that the affair took place at
Williamsburg Tho enemy attacked our rear guard in
great force and wore driven back to tho woods about
mile. The troops principally engaged side were
those commanded by Generals Longstreot and Stuart
Tho magnied at different periods OF the day.
repuscd with loss Of several hundred prisoners
This runor traced to soldier who arrived this
morning from below, and solemny affirmed that letter
from General McIaws 10 General Cobb read In his
hearing communicating the above Information.
Liter in the day the affair was magniasd again: and
was that the Secretary War had received
Onir MI was
heavy that had takcn nine hundred prisoners that
had captured ten or twelve pieces OF artillery and
that had loft the bloody field five hundred in killed
and wounded. Now, thu Secretary OF War received no
such official intelligence. What he did recovo was
despatch from General hsgrader which was written q:
that despatch stated that General Magruder had heard
that such the results Of the action.
LATER PR0A THE PINISsULA-h0NDAY's BATTLE
We obtained last night additional particulars OF the
action Monday. General Longstreots division. about
six thousand strong was engaged with the enemy from
below Williamsburg Tho fighting is described 10 have
boon worry but the enemy epussd and driven
AZ one time under the deception of white dag con-
sid portion Of the enemy got within forty PAGES Of
lines Tho flag was carried in front BY small party,
while the main body concealed In the woods and
lying down In the bushes murdorous tire was thus
poured into our ranks.
Colonel August Of the Forty Virginia regiment s
reported been killed but the report needs
The Seventeenth Virginia regiment is said to have
Tho report Of the death of Colonel WARD OF Florida s
contradicted.
but 1t is impossible TO obtain with any accuracy state.
ment results in the Of loss either SIDE
the number OF prisoners taken, &c.
courier who reached nere last night stated that he
had passed hundred and twenty five Yankee prs.
on their way to Richmond.
LATEST THE rFSnSsUIA-A GENERAL ACTION yEsrTR.
DAY-rBx xSEMy . aUNBoArs POSITION.
late hour last night dispatches addressed TO Gen.
Lse reached here BY the hands Of . courier.
the bulk OF his strength having engaged our lnes at
place called Barhansvills In New Kent county about
eighteen miles above Williamsburg, and thirty three
The courier Left Al twelve O'Clock au which time the
action had become general. The lighting commenced in
.hs r,ar ,ns, n ~. rorn,rs orh, Of
pulsed tho onemy four times
At later hour positive Information received that
the enemy landing immense forces from their gun.
boats and transports at Barrow's Mills
This demonstration OF the enemy appears to imply a
flank movement with their transports
We could obtain last night nothing definite OF the re-
suit OF yesterdays action. Rumors plentiful OF
course but spare our rsaaers any repetition OF them
The single who reached here night had rid
don horse a distance Of than forty miles A
relay might have obtained OF the action
in very lew hours. General Lee was not in his Office
to receive dispatches OF the courier who reached
Richmond after dark and thsy had to be TO his resi-
dcnce where he had retired from the burdens OF his ON
cial dosk.
From tho Richmond Enquirer, May 81
THE ENGAGEMENT NEAR WILLIAMSBURG.
Tho cheering intelligence from the peninsula on yes
terday, had the effect OF pleasant surprise upon tho
community. The details or the fight are, yet eagre
but brancy Of the victory Is the less certain
Tho FIRST dispatches wsso slightly exaggerated being
participant in the fight informs that loss in
killed and wounded. sums up two hundred and twenty
the federal loss, In killed and wounded, Is unknown the
number captured by our forces Is six hundred and
twenty three The fcderas had appeared six thousand
strong along skirt Of woods, short distance from
small tlcaton possession, below Williamsburg
At early hour on Monday morning General Long
street despatched howzer TO the right and another 70
the left Of their position, and subjecng them cross
are which did terrible execution, advanced on their
front put them to rout taking tho above number OF
prisoners eleven mot wevs) pieces OF artillery The
prisoners Immediately put the march to Rich.
mond, and expected 10 arrive last night.
Among the killed on our side in this engagement, we
regret to loarn, Colonel Ward, OF Florida aud |
Major VIM H. Palmer, Of the First regiment virginia |
Volunteers Captain A. J. Humphreys, Seventeenth viz.
ginia regiment. Among the wounded were Colonel Car
land OF Lynchburg Colonel kemper, Of the Seventh
ginia Speaker OF ths House OF Deogatos) Col Corss
Seventeenth Virginia regiment, and others Conflicting
rife last night TO the real extent OF our
loss and presume that the statement given above
correct.
yesterday, at Barhamsvile, which Is situated on the
dividing line OF New Kent and James city countless thir.
teon mics from williamsburg aud seven miles from |
night who loft the vicinity Of the scene OF action AZ noon
on yesterday and brings intelligence that the fight was
being conducted In the most terrific manner.
Our troops acting calamity and had repuIsed
the enemy for tho third tne. Both sides were largely
reinforced The mutual loss Is believed to be very large
The result is, Of course, as yet undecided.
The following additional are reported US as among
the sad casualties Of the late engagements;--
In the cavalry engagement on Sunday Major w. II.
Payne Fourth Virginia regiment II Is found, was NOR.
tally wounded--shot through the neck
In Monday fight, Colonel 7. B. Williams, Firsi virgil
mia regiment, mortaly wounded.
KIrixp.-Iieutenant John q. Addison, Alexandria;
Lieutenant Winston Carter Prince William private JOS
H. Mcveigh, Jr. Alexandria; private Eugene Fairfax
private Frank Ballenger, Alexandria.
wouNpxp--Iieutenant John A. Addison, private
Henry Bradley, private Willie Mcknight, Alexandria
The Nineteenth Mississippi regiment is said 10 have
suffered very severely.
TELEGRAM TO THE PETERSBURG EXPRESS.
RICHMOND, May 8, 1862.
An Official letter from General Johnston, dated Bar