Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-26
Faom THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
CresIins Of the ,Chickehominy-ShelIl Of
the Rebels at New Bridge.
[Army Correspo ndence Of Associated Press ]

\ j.
the .Chickahominy yesterday, both at Bottoms
Bridge and at the Railroad Bridge, and now oc-
cupy posit on one mile and a half beyond. A
few OF the enemy's pickets only were seen. In
front OF The advance under Gen. Stoneman at
New Bridge, strong guard Of the enemy is still
visible on the opposite side Of the creek Their
presence will not interfere with the crossing Of
our troops when the proper time arrives
A large number Of men have been detailed for
on the creek '"
The balloon ascension made to-day by Profes.
sor Lowe gave no assurance Of the enemy being
in considerable force near at hand. From the
best Information that be ascertained, the ene-
my haye settled In a position between three and
Federal troops.
The advance Of the army now being within
miles OF Richmond ts further progress must nec-
essarly be slow, in order that the main body
shall come up to be prepared to meet any emergen-
cy that may occur In approaching Richmond.
Very little firing was heard to-day in the direc-
tion of the position held by our gunboats on the
James river.
The moral condition and the vigor OF the army
Of the Potomac is doubtless equal to that OF any
army In the word, and for these characteristics II
is In great measure indebted TO its energetic pro-
vOst marshal Gen. Andrew Porter. The condl-
ton Of the troops in passing through Virginia has
most probably presented a favorable contrast to
the rebel army on the minds Of the people, also
the course pursued by our military authorities
| generally.
HEADQUARTERS, May "a The only matter OF
Interest which occurred to-day was the Smelling
out OF the rebels the opposite side OF the river
| at New Bridge, which was done In most salts
factorily manner by the battery of Major Robert
| son and Capt. Tithall, of the Second Artillery.
The enemy made no response, but suddenly broke
| camp and left with their baggage trains.
The balloon made an eXcursi on near one Of the
batteries, and from its elevated position obssTva-
ton was made Of the effect OF The different shots,
| which was communicated to those in charge OF
| the battery
| Gen. Marcy and a portion Of Gen. McCleHan's
| staff were present and witnessed the precipitate
| retreat of the enemy.
There is nothing further worthy Of note from
| the direction OF Richmond to-day.
Three Skirmishss-The Louisiana Tigers
Used up by the Fourth Michigan.
dispatch to the War Department, from Gen
| Mcclellan, dated May 24ih, states as follows
"Three skirmishes to-day. We drove the re-
bels from Mechanicsville, seven miles from New
Bridge. The 4;h Michigan about finished the
Louisiana Tigers Fifty were taken prisoners
and fifty filed. Our loss was ten killed and
wounded.
Particulars sf the Skirmish with the Louis.
lana Tigers.
| fanny Correspondence OF the Associated Press. I
HEADQUARTERS GENERAL MCCLELLAN, May
| 81, p. m.--The driving OF the rebels from the
vicinity OF New Bridge by our artillery yesterday
was followed up today by movement wholly
unexpected TO our adversaries.
l A reconnaissance composed of the ith Michigan
Regiment, Captain w oOdbury, and a souad Of
| the I'd Cavalry, Captain GOrden, was made
which is worthy of special mention. Five CON-
| panies Of the 4th Michigan, under Lieut. BOnen,
of the Typographical Engineers and Lieut.
Custer, Of the 9TH Cavalry, acting with the topo-
graphical corps, went out on d scout.
detachment of this force, composed of thirty
men, crossed the Chic kahominy short d ista ace
| above New Bridge, and succeeded In getting be-
| tween four companies OF the 5th Louisiana regi-
ment who Were out on picket duty az the bridge,
| and a brigade Of the enemy, who Were supporting
them. In the meantime the balance OF the regi-
ment and a squadron of cavalry approached the
bridge from this side thus attracting the attent
OF the four companies The tirst knowledge the
rebels had OF the near presence CT an enemy was
| volleY from the thirty muskets at short pistol
range, making havoc in their ranks, and causing
serious panic The main body OF our troops
/ advanced In front and opened deadly fire. The
result was thirty Of the eneEny taken pTison-
e;s, fifteen wounded and between sixty and sew
1 entY left dead on the field Among the prisoners
taken was a lieutenant The loss our side was
ore killed, and one D1ortally and six slightly
wounded Lteut. Rowen had his horse shot un-
der him during the skirmSh.
The Iignt brigade under Gen StOneman, and
the brigade OF Gen. Davidson, of Smiths DIVISION
10 day advanced from New Bridge up the Chick
K ahominy TO Ellison Mills, Cn Bells creek Here
they encountered four regiments Of the enemy's
infantry, with nine pieces Of artillery and co;sl-
mand 0f cavalry. Or these forces two regiments
Of Infantry and three pieces OF artillery were ON
the opposite side OF the creek. The balance of
the infantry, which was composed Of the Slh and
9th Georgia regiments, under Gen. Howell Cobb,
were posted In favorable position TO resist our
| advance to Mechanlcsville.
Tiuay and RObeftson's batteries OF the ID attiI-
leTy, were quickly brought into Sction and after
I firing some $50 rounds the rebels Withdrew with
their guns to the village; not, however, until one
] OF them had been dismOunted. Here their retreat
l was covered by their infantry and cavalry. -Four
1 regiments Of General Davidson's brigade, with
| Wheelef's battery, were then sent around, but
night coming on they went into camp within GOO
SdC n 10 a i1hf haff
both sides opened, Wheeler's battery confning
their guns to the sheling Of the houses behind
which the enemy's infantry were concealed. The
fire provedt0o hot for the rebels and they left the
villages portion Tetreating across the Chicka-
hominY, the remainder falling back to the rail-
road.
The Sd New York were the frat to enter the
village. The houses showed unmistakeable evil
dences OF the accuracy of our artillery some OF
| them being riddled In dozen places The enemy
carried of all their killed and wounded, one man
excepted Our loss was two killed and four
wounded. Col Mason, OF the 7th Maine, was
slightly Injured by the explosion of a shell.
Gen Stoneman now sent two squadrons Of the
SIN Illinois, cavalry, under Major cIendenn, three
! hnles InLther up the river, and caused TO be de.
| stIoved the bridge OF the Richmond and Fred.
ericksburg railroad.
FIVE MILES FROM RICHMOND
Mechanicsville, which Is now occupied by our
troops, is five miles from Richmond General
McGieilan and stan visited the newly acquired
| section Of country.
Ths afternoon hack containing a lady, who
left Richmond at IL o'clock to- day, was captured
by our cavalry picket, and brought to Gen
stoneman's camp, The lady, who lived within
| our line, was sent home. Several contrabands
came In from Richmond to- day. They had
| nothing to communicate but what 10 already
| known .-rr. .-.
The Richmond papers up to the QIst have been
received In camp, but contain nothing new.
Gen. Negley,s Brigade Makes Another Sue.
l. cessfuI Advance.
| HRADouARrERs ARMY PoronAc, Sunday, MAY
s2.-Gen. Nsgley's brigade 10 now encamped five
miles beyond Bottom's bridge. To obtain this
position they Were forced TO engage the rebel
Gen. Stewards brigade, composed OF i've .regi-
menS OF infantry, one OF cavalry, and two bat
teries. Our loss was two killed and six wounded
Inc officers engaged suppose the rebel loss to be
netween fifty and sixty killed, as number Of
their dead were left on the field
There is nothing Of interest from the vicinity Of
hlenmond To-Day contrablnds who come In say
that the Inhabitants OF Richmond are leaving as
fast as thy can for Danville All those capable