The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-15

oDA1, MA1 10, 1907.
spritcd skirmish Friday with cavalry regiment of
the snemy under Colonel Stewart. They out
OF army scouting. and had approached within
nve miles Of New Kent Court House. whom ths encounter
took place. squadron Of our men charged upon
whole regiment Of the enemy, capturing two, killing
some twelve or fourteen and wounding large number.
Our loss is five in killed and missing and nine wounded
list OF whom enclose. Our Sixth regiment s OF
the finest in tho service and has been duty constantly
siroe wo have boon in this part Of Virginia. Is
msnded by Major Williams Of the regular army. The
wounded all doing well at the house OF Mr. Morris,
near where the engagement took place. which ID being
usod hospital for those men and under the nme
date care of DR. Poooy, OF the regular Before
the engagement ended CAPT. Gibson arrived upon
the ground with his battery. quickly dsrersed what
remained OF the enemy Our men subsequently, found
tho body Of Charles oIara, of Columbus, Ohio,
in tbe woods. The rebels had cut or his little finger 10
got possession OF gold ring.
They also reported to have taken prisoner cap
tured from the Sixth cavalry into tho woods, tied
hin TO tree and shot him through tho head. II this
last report should prove true, and become generally
known to our soldiers 10 viii have tendency 70 make
perfect savages thcm, they havc hitherto been
very KIND 70 tho rebel wounded and isoners and
ducted the according 10 the rules usages Of civil
izod warfare; but If the enemy chooses TO make
to I'm DEATH they VIII and that our soldiers can play at
the game
private IN The sacond Rhode Island regiment, Com
pany a, woundo very singular man during
the engagement He had gone into deserted house 10
the reghborkood and investigating the contents Of
-four barrc whom he was shot through the leg by
gun, which had been placed there purpcsey trap.
His name Owen Martin 3D. s win probably bo caro-
frl in future how he enters rebel houses.
Tho following is list at killed, wounded and missing
OF the sixth regular cavalry:--
oharles oHara, Co f, Columbus, Ohio.
- Cline, -.
MrseryG
A. rish taken prisoner and reported shct By the enemy
f. +. French, Adrian, Michigan
Robert Craig, Tecumseh, Michigan.
Corporal Morris, CO. +. shot through the wrist.
- Neii Co; =, sho, through both legs.
- Astal. Go. =, slightly In foot
- Kennedy Go. Il. In chest
Corporal Campbell Go. f, in the back.
- Palmer, Co. e, In the ankle
- Curthers, Co. X, dangerously, iD tho chest.
- Mcdowell, Co y, shoulder, slightly.
Owen Martin, "a regiment r l. Volunteers, slightly.
HEADQUARTERS, NrAR NRw KENT CorRr Houss,l
May 49, 1862.
f1e Advance Upon R.ctn,oad-Anohe Neg Line Of De-
fencs 1lkea Up BY the Rebels-The Rebel Army Demo
Yalised and in State Of A4ny--A Negro Muraere,
Pu,isted-A Stirmish, DC.
We have advanced "thus far into the bowels Of tbs
landn without particular incident, except the coming
into lines OF numerous deserters from tho enemy
and negroes from the surrounding delectabe country.
Tho brought by these individuals Is interesting,
and true Is important. Tbs dsserters represent the
enemy ntrsuchng in front OF Richmond, and between
that city AMI the swamps that lie between IL and
advance. The nsrenchmcnts, however, arc repre-
sened to be Of quite recent construction and 10 be far
Inferior both actual strength aid position to those
at Yorktown and Williamsburg Bnt IL is the unanimous
opinion Of officers that It makes no difference a
all whether these nrenchmcnts extensive and for
midable the contrary Whether strong weak they
cannot stand before troops. Indeed, my expo
rence With tie army, both battle the march and
in encampment, has led 10 the deliberate conviction
that there obstacles whether formed OF armies Of
mon or tho most formidable intrsnchments, that
can Withstand thsr progress. with Genes al
Mcclellan at its head, the Army Of the Potomac
could rch vicorously from end Of the contin
the other These deserers likewise say that the Oon
fsderate army completely demoral'zed that there s
heart left in il that the Soldiers long tired OF he
war, utterly sick OF their leaders, and are
watching for opportunity 70 desert the nnwot thy
the ct..ers are sti Wiling to Ssht aud tns. soue OF
them bold and defiant in their language ~
but that there Is not in three Of the rank and
file who viii willingly pull trigger again. They siy
tha, the Of tho army generally almost in stare
OF mutiny account Of tho Of tho pay which
rs s withheld, and because Of the scarcity and Insult
food dolcd out 10 them They further that the
defences OF Richmond are very poorly supplied With
CANNON and that many OF those which they have are
suspected by artillery ccers II being mads or such in
feror mate that will be unsafe 10 Ere them, and
that their supply Of ganpowder for the cannon sxceed
l irgly emall-so much 20 that none can be
used fer experimental firing. The negroes gay that
the talk among the civil officers OF the Confederate
i
Tending that city with the forces which they have TO-
that purpose ard that would be wiser abandon It,
They ray that is there that on the approach
Of the Union army hs city nd It's dofences will be
atsd, ami the former burned and blown up. They also
say that the Confederate troops IN their retreat from
this point towards Richmond. are burning thing,
and making desert of the whole country NJ far rs they
Even n this be true it makes no difference 10 our
army. All our stores with us, and
communication by two rivers is perfect we shall want
for nothing Besides the battle Of Williamsburg was
fought and by who had III eli hard crackers
stvft had haon TINA iba
rain and mad hen who can 80 through that are IN
vncble.
Point Friday for the cold blooded murder Of two
Massachusetts soldiers. Ho caught them asleep alone
the next day and was made 10 lump or the limb al
tree with rope around lis nscx. This murder, and
other instances Of atrocty cruelty deceit and ngratds
the ~ negroes camp have mplstey cured The
soldiers OF that negro worshp,ng mania
Of which they have hitherto been possessed They
repeatedly declared, IN my hearing that they wished
that TIE could be conducted in fIch manner
would have the status o slavery just II before the
war; for the slaves have proved themselves utterly
unworthy Of freedom and utterly unit to be free. Ano
such too has been my experience In regard 10 them.
ionited to state above that our advanced troops up
that stream, With plenty cf lumber sawed aud large
quantity o. sawlogs all ready for the saw
have just learned OF brisk little skirmish which
took place at saters MIL two miles from here, friday
as, between the sixth regiment cavalry, tho second
regiment and Major Robnsons battery Of Elk pieces
SIDE regiments OF infantry two regiments Of
cavalry and three hatteresof artillery the part OF the
rebels Our force engaged at that time ten miles In
advance or any supports Jet IL gasntly attacked and
utterly routed the enemy.
The Killed and Wounded in the Battle
OF Williamsburg.
WILLIAMSBURG, May il, ,1ss2
The reports Of the KILLED and wounded in the battle of
Williamsburg very incorrect. have the authority
Of Lieut.. Col welos, the Provost Marshal Of
ibis city, for saying that the report Of casualties in
his regiment First Massachusstts) Is Inaccurate and