The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-09-28

AIRY struggle. 1t claims The spe-
cial friendship and intimacy OF
kings and queens who, pear two
hundred years ago, laVished upon
it their favors while toe Puritan
Quaker, clustering about Ply
mouth Rock aud Philadelphia,
were just fairly establishing them
selves. Many persons have for
gotten that this 2ow obscure
town was onGe,the metropolis OF
Virginia, where the beauty,
wealth and fashion OF b agenuine
aristocracy, sought and found its
highest socia! pleasures. If we
may believe the ancient chronicles
the society of Williamsburg 10 its
palmy, Colonial days was close
ly modelled in it's etiquette,
the general habits of its citizens
and their style Of living after the
imnemorial custom of the English
gentry. There was a quiet, state
~ dignity, courtly formality and
exclusi7eness which marked at
once the true Cavalier.
All this has passed away. and
80 long ego that the oldest citizens
speak of it as e tradition banded
down through three or four gen.
erations. Williamsburg is now
one fthe most Insignificant towns
in the State. It seems content to
live on the glory of the past.
William and Mary College, so
Hong its chief distinction, has
practically, if not actually, sus-
pended operations and DOW the
first impression ofa visitor to the
place is that Of stald, settled con-
pleteness. Everything about the
! place indicates life whose ener-
eies are exhausted and which re-
.ioices in memory rather than
hope.
This :own was the scene Of one
of the early battles of the late
war, the opening skirmish to q
| series of fierce and bloody engagc'
ments, in many respects the most
| remarkable ofthe whole struggle.
For o brief period in the spring of
'62 the Peninsula became the seat
Of war. Gen. Mcclellan having
transferred his entire force to
Fortress Monroe, it became evi-
dent TO the Confederate authorities
that an attempt was to be made
upon Richmond by a new line OF
approach. The gallant Magruder
was at Yorktown, and with won.
derful skill and boldness held in
check for weeks q force vastly
larger than his own, until Gen. J.
| E. Johnston came to his aid With
reinforcements that were weary OF
their winter quarters and eager
for trial Of their strength with
the enemy. In this they were to
suffer Disappointment. Gen. John
ston was not long in reaching the
conclusion that be must withdraw
from his position or be fanked by
the enemy, who held possession
of York and James Rivers, on
either side Of his encampment.
THE RETREAT FROM YORKTOWN.
| The abandonment Of the forti'
fcstions was conducted with such
skill during the night Of the 4th
Of May that the enemy was not
aware Of the movement until
] hours after every soldier was out
Of the rids-pits, and the last one
Of Longstreet's rear guard was
we'll on bis way towards Williams
burg. About daylight on the 9th
q part of Longssreee division wae
placed in position near Williams
burg, occupying some detached
works which Gen. Magruder bac
constructed about the town the
most important aud strongest o.
these being Fort Magruder. Gen
Mcclellan had pursued Us closely
and it became manifest that 6
stand must be made ieGen. John
ston's retreat we've to be covered
and successfully accomplished
There was some scattering firing
sll the morning, bu; the troops
were not we'll engaged until abou'
noon. The battle lasted until latt
in the evening with no decided
advantage on either side. Tb'
enemy claimed a victory. but th'
fact is We held our ground during
the entire day, and until all th
time desired for Gen. Johnston