Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1862-05-14
The Pursuit offhe Rebels

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Hand 10 hand encounter Nth tie Enemy
Washington, May 5.-The following des>
patch has been received at the War Depart.
ment:-
Head Quarters. army of the Potomac.
May 4th, O'Clock p u.
10 the Hon. e. NJ. Stanton, Sec'ry of War.
Our cavalry and horse artillery came ID
with tue eneny's rear guard in their en-
trenchments, abou. two miles this side Of
Williamsburg.
A brisk fight ensuei. Just as my aid left,
General Smiths division Of infantry arrived
on the ground, and, presume, carried the
enemy's works. though have not heard.
The cnemy's rear is strong, but | have
force enough up there TO answer all purposes:
We have thus far seventy one heavy guns
anc large amounts of tents and ammunition.
All along the lines their works prove to
lave been most formidable, and l am now
fully satisfied of the correctness Of the course
| have pursued.
The success is brilliant, and you may rest
assured that its effects will be Of the greatest
Importance.
There shall b. no delay i'll following up
the Rebels.
The Rebels have been guilty Of the most
murderous and barbarous conduct in placing
torPe,lUes within the abandoned works. near
wells. near springs, near flag stsfs, maga>
zines and telegraph Offices, In carpet bags.
barrels Of -four. etc.
Fortunately, We have not lost many men
in this manner. Some four or FIVE have
been killed, and perhaps dozen wounded
shall make the prisoners remove them at
their own peril.
kSigned) g. D. MCCLELLAN,
Major General.
Head Quarters near HTViamSburg, Nav
4, Z. M.-The advance of the forces under
command Of General Stoneman, with the
view Of ascertaiuing the position of the enc
my, reached this place, which is two and
half miles from Williamsburg, about two
O'Clock this Afternoon, OF the read from
Yorktown.
The country in most instances was laid
desolate, and but few of the houses along the
road were occupied.
On emerging from corner Of the WOODS
Se came in view Of Williamsburg and the
enemy's earthwOrks. At the same time no
guns were visible ou tie oaemy's works. but
a regiment Of cavalry could be seen ap
preaching about ore mile IF, in line Of battle.
Capt. Gib<ou's Reserve Battery was then
uTdered front tn open un the euemy's ap-
Iroaching cava!iy. while a portion Of tire
Sixth United States Cavalry were deployed
as skiTmishers to the right aud left The
fire from the battery was very effective On
the encmy's cavalry, but they never changed
their course. About two hundred yards t.
the right of Gibson's Battery was an earth
work which had all the appearances of bainS
deserted, when all of sudden our troops
were opened upon by deadly fire from ar
tillsry posted behind the works.
At the same time the rebel cavalry con-
timed advancing. until they were checked
by charge made by a portion OF the First
and Sixth cavalry, which was perforIne in
ces than one it was a hand 10 hand encoun,
Ter with the enemy's cavalry. but strange to
relate, none of our men were taken prisou-
ers, while we captured about twenty five of
the enemy, among whom is Capt. Frank
Lee, Of the Third Florida Infantry.
Capt. GiDson's battery had fourteen hor-
scs killed.
Lieut.. De Wolf was mortaliy wounded.
One of our guns was lost by sticking fast
in the mud.
Lieut.. Benton, Of the First Cavalry, and
ten men Of the same regiment were wounded
Lieutenant Mcclellan, Of the Sixth Cav
airy, was slightly wounded, as were also
twelve others Of the same regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel Krees. Of the First
Cavalry, had his herse shot under him while
engaged in a hand-to-hacd encounter with
two of the enemy. lie oscarei with few
sight bruises.
Private Noble Irish, of Major Barker's
! Mcclellan Dragons, had his horse killed.
| and was severely wounded in the leg by the
explosion OF torpedo. while passing through
| Yorktown.
The Rebel Cavalry was forced by our meE
/ to abandon their position. but the want OF
Infantry prevented our men from advancing
OF the eneny's works. 1t being evident