Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-04-08

ties and endangered in the beginning,
the safety of that city destined to be.
Gene the stronghold OF the Gonfeder.
acy and famous in the military an,
nails of the world.
Excitement prevailed on all sides
when on the evening of the 23rd of
May, election day), news reached
the men that regiment OF United
states troops was approaching. sup.
ported by battery of six field pieces.
The citizens rushed forward in
masses. armed with any weapon they
could find to repel the invaders; but
Muj. Cany promptly directed his
small body of men to assemble at
CHE courthouse and to fall back be.
You'd New Bridge" (Which crossed o
fork of Black River about one and IL
half miles from Hampton. on the
road 10 Bethel, and await orders
There.
lie called 10 his assistance Lieut..
Cntshaw, OF the regular army of the
Confederate States, afterwards col.
nncl of arlillerymen under Stone.
wall ,Iackscn) ami causing the bridge
10 be SET Oh fire-lhey proceeded
across it to ascertain the meaning OF
this incursion.
Seeing the rising flames, the enc.
my advanced al o. rapid pace, and
Lieut. utshaw was directed 10 ride
Forward and inquire with what intent
he came.
The response was that he had or
ders 10 march into Hampton.
Major Cany then met Col. Phelps
and demonstrated with him upon this
invasion as all act OF war moi justi
fled by The existing state of affairs,
stating that rhe town was filled with
helpless women and chldren. whose
security would be endangered by this
step.
Col. Phelps insisted thai he had 10
obey orders. and attempted to arrest
the fire by destroying The timbers OF
the bridge. Al length the matter was
compromised by mutual pledges that
either side and Maj. Cany having or
dered the flames 10 be extinguished,
The Federal troops marched into towr
with Col. Phelps and himself al the
head of the regiment.
On the 27th of May the enemy
landed troops at Newport News.
which made Hampton untenable, and
made il nescessary 10 ewacnate the
town before all chance OF retreat
was cut off. So Maj. Cany ordered
his battalion 10 fall back 10 Bethel,
(when Two weeks later occurred the
first engagement OF the war), notify
Ing the citizens that New Bridge"
would be burnt that afternoon. The
exodus was universal. Every avail
able means OF transportation was
seized upon TO convey the women and
children 10 the neighboring towns of
York and williamsburg. They did not
stop 10 save their most precious rel
les, even The old family portraits were
left hanging on their walls. (after-
wards to be hacked by ruthless
sw0rdS).
On the 7th of August, Gen. McGin-
der. tthen encamped near New Mar
keD. ordered Mi Jeff Phillips of the
Third Virginia Cavalry. (which regi-
meni contained the Old Dominion
Dragons from Hampton and vicni
~. Ia report 10 him at Il house about
two miles from town where he was
with his staff and several gentlemen.
lie said 10 him: II have determined
10 burn Hampton. An article APP.
peared a few days ago in Northern
paper stating that the United States
troops would make Hampton their
headquarters during the coming win
ter. would rather see il burned,
and so had these gentlemen tpointing
10 those around him who owned
property in the town.. than see il
shelter the enemy"
SO as soon as dark, -four companies,
Two of infantry and two of cavalry,
under the command of Col Holders.
of Portsmouth twhom to he guided.
by Mai. Phillips advice on account of
his familiarity with the place. en-
tered the town 10 burn it.
Major Phillips detailed 90 men to
picket" Hampton Bridge the infan-
try were stationed at the old
Church. in the western portion of
the town, while Maj. Phillips with his
dragons (dsmounted) wenr forward
to fulfill the hard duty assigned
them. We divided the men into four