The New York herald., 1862-01-08

The Coast Survey schoonsr Bibb arrived his morning
flag Of truce from the flagship this afternoon brought
from Norfolk Captain Ralph Hunt and Lieutenant Ives,
released prisoners Of from Richmond, completing the
number 10 two hundred and fifty.
Captain Hunt belongs 10 Company Of the First Ken
tucky regiment and Lieutenant Ives TO Company Of the
Seventy ninth regiment Of New York.
The Southern papers received contain except
Geographic despatch that the federal troops been
rspulsod sonth Carolina forced refuge under
the cover Of their gunboats on North Ediso Island
OUR FORTRESS MONROE CORRESPONDENCE.
FoRTREss MONROE, Va, Jan. 8, 1926
Reconnaissance T0d,ds Bahe-Rpai Of the Bridge Oper
Rampton Crcek-Collisioa aciM the Rebel Pickes-De.
soats Aspect Of The Surrounding Couny-IMpo,tant Re.
su1s Of the Reconnaissance Of the Troops
and Popularity Of their Commandsr- Discovery efC6n-
tvaband Aytcles-Aoney Sent to Union Prisoners, &C.
The very name Of "Bg Bethel" since the memorable
coup Of General Pierce seems been terror
70 troops and in fact exaggerated reports to tho
strength and force Of tho rebels that point
warrant the anxiety Of soldiers advancing
post. An advance Bethel has long in
tsmplation aud finally General Wool entrusted Acting
Brgadier General Max Weber with tho important mission
or making reconnaissance Tin force) towards the sup
posed stronghold Of the rebels.
An order to this effect was issued, and on Friday
General webor, in command Of companies Of the
Twentieth regiment New York Volunteers Lieutenant
Colonel Francis Weiss commanding: the Union Coast
Guard, Colonel d. W. Wardrop, and three companies
the Eleventh regiment Pennsylvania cavalry, in
mand Of Lieutenant Colonel Perkins Spear late Of
6scond United States dragons, started from Camp Ha-
milton, en- route for Big Bethel.
During last week the bridge Hampton creek had
been repaired, in order to make safe for cavalry to
pass The cavalry formed the advance, and
cortege proceeded in that way until about two miles
beyond Little Bethel when Gen. Weber halted his com.
mand to rest He then instructed Col Spear advance
cautiously with the horse troops drive in the pickes
in he attacked by cavalry to make stand but
infantry artillery should oppose h.s advance Col
Spear TO "doube quick, and the infantry
Teserve would be pushed forward.
Col. Spear carried out his instructions and he had
scarcely advanced mile from where the
posted before he tho rebel pickets whom he
drove in. Pushing further he struck upon the
pckets numbering about sixty mounted men who scam
pcred off with all haste towards Yorktown. The horses
Of Col Spears command being weary from the long
march, the Colonel did not deem it expedisnt pursue
the ing enemy fur ther than Big Bethol Coming up
this supposed stronghold numbers Of the cavalry
3eaped their horses the trenches Of the fortifcaons
which they found to be constructed of earth and built
with four embrasurcs. No ordnance, however was
Cd. After inspecting the works more closely and making
drawings OF the in which Lieutenant Colonel Weiss
participated the cavalry returned, having accomplished
then taken up, and the companies wers posted the
goad by Gen. Weber where the fatal mistake occurred
viz the firing Of the Seventh New York Volunteers into
Colonel Townscnd's Third regiment Volunteers when
marching on Big Bethel under General Pierce-as pre-
caution not to have his retreat cut of by the enemy
The aspect Of the country all the way to Big Bethel is
dcsolae and heart sickcning Fine country residences
and armhouses arc leysed to tho ground having been
burned by the msrciless rebels. Smoking ruins and
ghast!y looking walls only form the hor-
soIs Of devastating warfare Cattle running wild
about the country but troops did not touch the nst
ching that did not bolong to them.
Towards dark tho recommending party returned TO
camp and whom the facts Of were
ported to General Wool tho soldier only
greatly eacd Mt the result, but he also
General Weber On his skill and tact in conducting the
Captain H. NJ Burlesh, Provost Marshal Of Camp Ham
Atoa, Acting Aid to General Weber, accompanied the
The road to Yorktown by way Back river is report.
ed by scouts to be greatly obstruced Huge trees
gelcd, arc laid acoss the causeway, and pioneers
viii find considerable labor in clearing the country, TO
make il passanle for artillery and cavalry.
Ey this reconnaissance two things have been demon
stated. The first Is that the enemy has all his available
force concentrated at Yorktown which is reported
amount 10 about rity thousand troops. The second il
that tho Big Bethel ntrenchments never mounted moro
than four guns and the fact fully demonstrated that ut
eho liaod engagement under General Pierce the battery
might hsvo been carried had there been proper com.
mandeT to direct tho operations OF our forces What tho
fortfcaons at present tboy that time and
any thing, they might have been strengthened since
tha. time. However, Bis Bethel is Of no Importance to
ns as positions consequently Gonorsl Weber did not
deem IL advisable 10 retain by placing force therein
To the credit Of the troops composing the brigade OF
General Weber bo IL said that all Of them desirors
81 participating IA tbs accommodating expedition. and is
highly probable that ner anxiety 10 Iaee tho rebels will
soon b. rratided.
The acting c sncral il beloved TO such an extent by
those under his charge that not OF them but would
glory IN marching to face tho enemy BY his command.
A. soldier and competent commander, General ebcr
has few equals in The army OF which fact The soipne
and efficiency Of BIS brigade give ample evidence
Ga Thu sday Of last week revercad gentleman named
J. T. B. Wilmer. Of Philadelphia and his family, arrived
bore via Baltimore armed with pass TO proceed TO
Norfolk. He brought with him twenly-sou franks
boxes and packages, which vast uncnnt OF baggage
aroused tho suspicion c Provost Marshal Captain hneas
A. Davis The truce boat being IN readiness, the time
too short to allow thorough search thereof before
its sailing.
baggage was retained but the persons were allowed
70 proceed. General Wool would undoubtedly have de-
tained them had he known what The trunks &c, con
tanned
searching baggage by the efficient Provost Mar
shal and his assistant, Andrew Duva ESQ., the follow
ing contraband articles wore found
MEMORANDUM AUrrcI FOUND IN pAGGAcB BKioSGiSo
107 spools Of silk 81 rolls of tape &c white shirts;
% pairs Of boots shoes and rubbers nearly all $50
envelopes OF paper 81 rais socs gross steel
pens; 10 penhodcrs; ii silk vest patterns silk dress
patterns; dozen handke chiefs; six handkerchief;
2gross buttons so papers pins 100 papers needless so
spoos thread; pieces gray wooien cloth piece hrty
yards) white cotton cloth piece white flannel 10 pouncs
soee about 90 pairs Of pants part slightly new beaten
skns.
ing and an will be by the following general order,
was appointed OF the aids Of General Wool, and do
sa!led ss Provost Marshal Of Newport News
oRDER--No. l.
HEspouAtrrns DEPARTMENT vRcrNr.
FORTRESS MONROE Va, Jan. l, 1862.
Captain Christian Christensen appointed Ad.de.ram
on tho staf OF MAJOR General John H. Wool and will te
respected and obeycd accordingly.
Captain Christensen will continue 10 discharge the
du,iee Of Provost Marshal at Camp Butler until further
IL STEVENS, Assistant Adjutant General
The following letters containing money for prisoners
q war; we're forwarded by flag OF truce the "a and 4n