The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-07
THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
-~c>~>ss,y~~>~o-~->c~~
Mr.. +. g. Wilson's Despatch.
CUxBgRLASD, Nd, May 9. 1854
All quiet here and In this neighborho cd to-day.
MOVEMENTS ON THE PENINSULA

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Our Yorktown Correspondence.
YORKTOWN, Va, May 4. 1854.
An expedition moved up the James river on Monday
last but the rebels VIII not be able TO learn much from
this movement. They may fancy they understand the
object Of this advance but they win find when too late
that blow will be struck which will asonsh them.
REccNSossAxcE on THE PENINSULA.
4 number e reports baving reached Williamsburg
within last lew days q the concentration OF large
rebel tho south side Of the Chckahominy
Bottoms Bridge Colonel B. F. Onderdonk. OF the Fret
New York Mounted Rifles, ordered to make q
nossance In that direction with detachment OF his reg
ment accompanied by the howtzer battery The party
left Williamsburg at oaybreak yesterday morning
ing along the old Richmond stage road meeting with
no obstruction until they had passed RarhamsvIIe
raEsS5 iiaf5Sd ms knisfArs
The appearance OF the force created the greatest
ctcment among tho few natives still remaining the
debatabe gsolnd between the chickahominy and vii.
liamsoufg. They were satisfied that the great I'D.
Vance had commenced, and that General Grant
ic person was 10 command So impued were they with
this notion that the and gueras neglected
to Ore upop the party from tho woods and fastened for
couriers to herald advance. Almost every
body begged guards for their houses to protect them
from the expected negro infantry whose advent they
looked forward to with the utmost terror
A REBEL
On arriving al Barhamsviile the party divided,
Captain Hill and his troop, commanded by Major
wheeIan, taking the York river road, whe the main
body pushed towards Statewide. The object OF this
division OF force TO capture large rebel picket
stationed at Kent Court House As the main body
approached Statewide the column was fred into by
guerias and after hard Of Hume's scouts was
captured The exchange OF shots at this point probably
gave rebels notice of approach and further con-
cealment dispensed with.
1Ew KENT COURT HoueE.
Rebel ou.poets we're one after the other down and
captured the moment after the appearance OF the
head the whole rebel force stationed at this
point which drawn up in the road TO receive u.s.
turned their horses aud fed The whole advance under
Major Hamilton pursued them distance, aud would
undoubtedly have captured secured the entire party
had orders for halt been given. This step
dered necessary the necessity OF saving the horses for
further exertions.
TIE RRset roRcs Al BOTTOMS BRIDGE
was found TO have been greatly overestiated, being
composed only Of Hocomes South Carolina Legion. Their
horscs for want OF proper and feed have become
almost worthless. This force however, has been recruit
ing up and large numbers Of fresh horses are daily ex
pected with which, according to Of the prisoners II
ia proposed shortly to make raid through lines at
Williamsburg.
THE rRisoSKRs
nre All men OF intelligence superior 10 the class
generally met with. Tho idea that the expedition was
tho advance OF the main army have entirely
possessed thcm One was captured who had witnessed
our approach and so reported us to the officer In
mand OF the party cd the same Intelligent
10 Richmond There Is doubt that the panic existing
IN the rebel capital considerably increased by tho
intelligence.
rHE RETURN.
The object OF the expedition having bccn completely
accomplished tho party set their return stopping
20 rest for few hours Barhamsvie. We left tbs
position after dark and six miles further on while pas
ing through dense wood, quite Unexpectedly upon
new adaptation OF the favorie rebcl war engine.
| roRrf cons IN rHR
The column had paced through the greater part OF tho
woods and were about entering the open country, when
the advance upon wires lying the road
Five ak loud explosions followed In rapid succession
and number OF horses and several OF the bt
| one horse and hs r,tet incd several feet from
tho ground, and, strsnge 70 say, neither was hurt.
Although was very dark, and sbh kind of attack
entirely unexpected there the slightest sirr
/ Of panic among The Orders wore rapidly passec
along the column, and tbs Gre which burst from
largo body Of suerlas, concealed among the trees
/ returned with such cGeCt 70 entirely silence tb'
assaiiants. Tho column tnen moved on, and reachet
Williamsburg, without further mocsts,ion shortly after
midnight The srangcs part Of this sair is tho fact
that nobody was killed. The and horses struck
bat sshy wounded The sorpsdoes believed 10 hav
been twelve and thirty pound shells and their OK
plosIon dhsDcty heard Al Fort Msgruder eighteen
| or twenty miles, dhtnnL 0Fua H44.f IT.
i ms rRtpscAR rnor WORKS
Tbs rebel authorities ars bus,ly cucassd M removing