The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-10

citizens Of Williamsburg ii from two TO three thousand,
whllo loss in killed and wounded will probably not
exceed ten twelve hundred. Our troops fought with
great bravery, charging repeatedly with the bayone
driving he enemy IN confusion at every charge While
these Transporting upon the left Con- Han
cock WI his splendid brigade, was making havoc with
the elemy upon tho right They were deployed |
under he immediate supervision Of General Keyes upon
which led to the extrcmo right of the enemy,
where they came in sight Of The outer works.
Two q these taken without opposition. As The
brigade filed TO tho left Of tho first Of these forts ihcy
opan field, when General Hancock brought |
them into luc Of battle in Incredibly short space Of
time, and in the most splendid style Before then at
tho distance OF nearly mile. was tho second work, de-
rigned 10 protect the eft OF Fort Page.
This. upon investigation, also found deserted and
the Stars and Stripes waving from its ram
pa,B.
FIRING UPON FORT FACE
In front Of this deserted fort General Hancock formed
his troops while Captains Kennedy and Wheeler opened
their batteries upon Fort Page. Tho firing was vs.y
spirited for some minutes, when the batteries were
ordered advance and take position about half way
between the deserted fort and Fort Page distance Of
only Eve hundred six hundred yards from the enemy
where they poured in terrible IRE ON the fort
Our own position a very precarous one, being
open fe'd with open space in extending back
distance Of two miles, and surrounded on all sides by
woods. General Hancock at once that It would
afford splendid opportunity for tho enemy 70
got IN his rear, and sent back for reinforcemens.
Through some mismanagement, our generals had
failed TO have up sufficient force within supporting dis
tance before they could be brought upon the field
hequick sight Of the rebel general had weak
mess and sent force Of four thousand infantry and
raoinn M of cavalry In Alta no in tba VAR
cHARGx OF GEN. HAScocKs BRIGADE.
Al they appeared in sight Gen. Hancock ordered
the artillery TO retreat and prepared give them
proper reception.
Waiting till the enemy had approached within two
hundred yards he placed himself at the head Of his
column, and, taking of his cap turned 10 his and
said them, only General Hancock can say It, "Gen
temen chargcp' and with yell they rushed upon the
enemy, scattering them in every direction.
This probably the most brilliant charge made
during the day. great number Of tho enemy left
dead and wounded upon the field, while our very
small.
Our regiments all did nobiy, but mono of Thorn more 10
than the Fifth Wisconsin and Forty third New York
Colonel Cobb and Major Larabee Of the Fifth Wisconsin,
and Colones FeDton and Pearson, Of the Forty third
New York deserving Of especial praise. The charge
made by General Hancock saved the day yesterday
in all probability. BY the time reinroVcemon,s had
arrived General Hancock had driven tho enemy the
Geld.
They held the position they occupied during the night
expecting 10 storm tho works this morning. but the
rebels considering prudence the better part Of valcr
fed during tho night, saving thcm the trouble.
NOBLE CONDUCT UNION TROOPS.
The most fire OF tho enemy directed upon
left and greatest losses In tho brigades On
gagged ihcre. Tho division OF Gen. Hooker and the
brigade under Con. Palmer ara reported badly cut
up The only officers killed wounded, that have
hoard Of, Capt Williams aad Lie,t Barnard,
cf Gen. Kearney's stan, killed, aud Colonies Tor
ry and Beach, Of the Fifth Michigan, wounded. COL
Beach has lost leg.
A, daylight this morning IL was discovered that The
enemy had loft during night taken all their guns
and baggage, and our forces in pursuit Of
them. As we approached " illiamsburg met by
dsputaton Of citizens, requesting protection which
was granted.
OCCUPYING THE xxxxy's STRONGHOLD
Our forces entered Williamsburg about one O'Clock.
The town 10 deserted by most Of tho male population
but many Of them left their families behind. II 10
beautiful town, Il about fifteen hundred Inhabitants
and should Judge delightful residence before the war
The streets now badly gut up and led with broken
wagons and rubbish, thrown away BY the retrsating
rebels. learn Of only family IN town who have
remained loyal through all the difficulty, and that the
family Of Mr. B. They have uniformly stood out and re-
NAMED faithful 10 the old nag but consequence have
suffered every ndignity which rebel ingenuity could in
nict upon thsm.
The rest OF tho people appear 10 have become heartily
sick Of The rebel army they have appropriated shs
property and houses without mercy, and paid for IT,
when at all. with worthless paper.
WHAT THE REBxrs suWnD.
The rebels left hundred OF their wounded here for
US TO take Of, and they being brought
and cared for BY troops. Every OF them that
have talked with tell the old story Of having
forced the army and that they glad that they
were Of their power. The rebel General Early was
wounded IN two places at the charge made by General
Hancock aud Colonel Mott OF the Ninsteentn MISSISSIPPI
pi and Colonel Ward OF the Fourth Asbsma regiment
we're killed. aso the Colonel Of the Ninth Alabama regi
ment
A squadron Of cavalry have just come in, bringing
about eighty rebel Prisoners and they also report the
capture Of several heavy guns and an immense number
Of small arms, which the rebels have thrown away In
their Tight also asrge quantity Of commissary
The rebels retrsatng 10 the Chckabominy ten or
twelve miles from here, where they extensive
tiHcatiors Az soon wc get forward our stores
and ammunition we shall again attack them. Our men
and horses have made long march and fought hard
battle the rain and mud and completely used up.
.As coon thoy have sufficiently recruited they win BE-
I pushed on.
me scySg At erSmAL x'uniArs HEADQUARTERS.
Headquarters had been established In whtttakers
house high square white and virginia like eiGce
an IL yorktown -oak about khree nailse sssa of Wn