Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-16
ON cial Dispatch from General
Mcclellan.

The following, dated yorktown, May 7th,
at o'clock, is taken from the correspondence
of the american of this city:
Gas l close my letter, the latest intelli-
gence from the field of battle is that Gen Nc
Clellan has come up with the enemy, about
8 miles beyond Williamsburg, and after
pretty severe skirmish with his rear has
again put him to flight across the Chicka-
hominy. A large additional number of pris-
oners have been taken, including many de-
serters, who report that they have had moth
ing to eat but few hard biscuit for nearly
48 hours, and when brought fell down in a
state of exhaustion. Heavy cannonading
could he heard by the boats coming down the
river. at an early hour this morning. Moth
ing of the result is yet ascertained. There
is no doubt but that the whole army-Lee,
Johnston and Magruder-are in a state of
utter disorganization, and'under the rapid pur-
suit of Mcclellan are fleeing with great pre-
cipitation, without the intention of making
stand anywhere, and unless they reach Rich
mond in boats by way of James river they
will certainly be intercepted and captured by
the forces landing and landed at West Point
Not less than 30 steamers are engaged trans
porting the balance of the army to West
Point. A large number Of prisoners are ar
irving there, and others are constantly being
broug ght in. On Monday the enemy took
about 80 of our men prisoners and captured
one of the Pennsylvania batteries, having
first killed all the horses. They having but
q small support of infantry were overwhelmed
by superior force, and were compelled to
abandon their guns, but before the close of
the day this battery, with one of the enemy 8,
was re captured by Gen. Mcclellan, and the
prisoners they had taken were found in Will
liamsburg, engaged in attending to the
wounded Of the enemy, they had left behind.
The retreat of tho enemy was accompanied
by too much confusion and haste to be
troubled with prisoners.
"LATER-I have Just learned that the ene-
my have destroyed all the bridges across the
Chickahominy, and that Gen. Mcclellan is
resting his army on this side. 1t will be re-
membered that the Chickamahominy was
parallel with the James river, into which il
enters. It is the general impression that
Gen. Mcclellan has now got the enemy just
where he wants them"
FIT. MONROE, May Z.
President Lincoln arrived here this morn
ing and spent the day with Gen. Wool. Thi:
afternoon he visited Newport News to SET
Gen. Mansfield and to have clear view O
the Merrimac, which has been lying off Ora
ney Island all the afternoon for the purpose
no doubt, of preventing our gun-boats from
running up the James River. She made nj
attempt to come out.
| The George Peabody arrived here from
Hatteras and started. Immediately for New
York.
No news has transpired.
SANDUsKY, May 8.
| About A. N. fire broke out at Miller
Book Bindery, in the Register Block. Th
building destroyed was occupied by tn
United States Express Office, Sandusk,
Register, E. Hosmer, wholesale liquor mel
chant, and Bear & Son, produce aud commits
sion dealers. Total loss $35, 900 insure
I$14,000. r,z
i BALTIMORE, May 8.
The following is from the American's ! q.
count of the battle at Williamsburg:
The battle before Williamsburg, on Nor
day, was most warmly contested engag
ment Owing to the ,oughness of the coul
} try, and bad condition Of the roads, but
small portion of our troops could be brougl
; into action. Gen. Sickels' Excelsior Brigac
and Gen. Hooker's division bore the brunt
tho battle, and fought most valiantly througl
out though greatly overpowered by numbe
and the superior position and earthworks
the enemy. The approaches to their cart
!, works were series Of ravines and swamp
/ while the rain fell in torrents throughout Il
day. The men had al.o been lying on the
arms all the previous night in wood. al
: were soaked with the rain, and chilled wi
. cold. The battle ragged from early in 4
o morning uuth three o'clock in the afternoo
= when General Mcclellan arrived with fire.
: troops and re ieved the division Of Gen. Hoo
: er, who were rearly PROSTATE with fatigue q
: exposure; whilst the Third Excelsior regime
of Sickels' brigade had its ranks terribly th