The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-05-17
Brick HOUSE POINT, NEAR

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paper
Brick House POINT, NEAR
WEST POINT, Va, May 7, 1862.
The first of this division of the grand
Army of the Potomac arrived here yes
terday afternoon, under command of
Gen. Franklin, and by dark most of the
troops were landed on the beautiful
plain, which is surrounded on three sides
by dcEse woods and on the fourth by
the river, on the south side of the
Pamunkcy river, and about half a mile
southwark from West Point. The
reason why we landed here is obvious.
Had we landed on the other side of the
rlver-West Point-wherc it was at
first intended VIC should land, we should
then have had considerable stream of
wa er be wcen us and the rebels, and
would have had considerable trouble to
reach them, as all the bridges have been
destroyed. Our gunboats have taken
undisputed possession of the point, the
rebels having disappeared at the appear
ancc of our forces, and The American flag
Of our Union now floats from one of the
most prominent buildings in the village.
l have yet to see white man among the
original inhabitants Of this place.
Immediately on the landing of our
forces from the transports pickcts were
thrown out to the edge of The surround
ing wood, and our tents were pitched on
the banks Of the river, and up to that
time not one of the chivalric sons of the
sunny South had made his appearance,
and our men became anxious to know
why they had been brought to country
where there was no foe. About dusk u
part of the division of Gen. Scdgwick,
under the command of Gen. Dana,
arrived in transports from York own and
remained IN the centre Of the river, while
some of our light draught gunboats took
trip up the rivers Panunkey and
Mataponey to capture a portion of the
robe mosquito feet, which were brought
into use for carrying our men from the
transports to the shore, as the river
here is to shallow for vessels drawing
over six feet of water.
During the night some of the rebel
plckets made sortie OH one of our
advanced videttes, and shot him through
the heart. The news soon spread
through the camp, and by daylight this
morning, the plan, which takes in about
thousand acres of ground, running
southwest from the York river, presented
scene such as have never before wit
messed. Long lines of men extended
from left to right across the centre of
the field, and squads of skirmishcrs stood
marking, in dim outline, their forms
against the heavy woods and underbrush,
which presents an unbroken front to US
on every side, except that bounded by
the river. Here the men stood for some
time, ready to march at moments
notice; but no foe appeared, and the men
were permitted to return to their camps
for the purpose OF getting their brerk-
fast, and perhaps, some sleep. a strong
picket, composed. of the New York
Thirty second, Ninety-ffth and Ninety.
sixth Pennsylvania troops, were left at
the edges of the woods to keep a sharp
lookout for the enemy, who were now
believed to DC IN close proximity to our
lines
About this time one Of our gunboats dis
covered regiment or two of the enemy on
the west side Of the river, who dispersed in
great confusion after having received some
half dozen of our heavy shells in their
midst This was communicated to General
Il IL,
efforts to get the brigade of General Danna
on shore, that we might be able to give the
enemy warm reception should he make
his appearance. General Danna was indie
fatigable in his labors to get the troops off
the transports, and through his exertions
most Of the mch aid horses were off the
boats by nine O'Clock, and preparations
were being made to breakfast the men of
this brigade, when the order was given
for the Sixteenth, Thirty first and Thirty.
second New York, and the Ninety fifth and
Nincty-sixth Pennsylvania regiments to
advance into the woods and drive off some
of the rebel scouts who were firing occa
4 IL. III. 1