Northern:
[Army Correspondence Associated Press]
Headquarters General McClellan
Ten Miles From Richmond, May 23
Our troops crossed the Chickahominy yesterday, both at Bottom's Bridge and at the railroad bridge, and now occupy a position one and a half miles beyond. A few of the enemy's pickets only were seen. In front of the advance under General Stoneman at New Bridge, a strong advance guard of the enemy is still visible on the opposite side of the creek. Their presence will not interfere with the crossing of our troops when the proper time comes.
A large number of men have been detailed for the building of a number of bridges at different points on the creek. The balloon ascension made to day by Professor Lowe gave no assurance of
the enemy being in considerable force near at hand. From the best information that can be ascertained the enemy have settled in a position between three and four miles this side of Richmond to meet the Federal troops.
The advance of the army now being within seven miles of Richmond, the further progress must necessarily be slow in order that the main body shall come up to be prepared to meet any emergency that may occur in approaching the Capitol of Rebeldom.
Very little firing was heard to-day in the direction of the position held by our gunboats on the James river.
The moral condition and the vigor of the Army of the Potomac is doubtless equal to any army in the world and for these characteristics is, in great measure, indebted to its energetic Provost Marshal, brigadier General Andrew Porter. The condition of the troops on passing through
Virginia has most probably presented a favorable contrast to the Rebel army in the minds of the people, as also the course pursued by our military generally.
LATER
Headquarters General McClellan
May 24
The only matter of interest which occurred to day was the shelling out of the Rebels on the opposite side of the river at New Bridge, which was done in a most satisfactory manner by the battery of Major Robertson and Captain Titball, of the Second Artillery. The enemy made no response, but suddenly broke camp and left with their baggage train.
The balloon made an excursion near one of our batteries and from its elevation observation was made of the effect of the different shots, which was communicated to those in charge of the battery.
Army Correspondence of the Associated Press
Headquarters, Gen. McClellan
May 24 - P.M.
The light brigade, under Gen. Stoneman, and the brigade of General Davidson of Smith's division, to-day advanced from New Bridge up the Chickahominy to Ellison's Mills on Bell Creek. Here they encountered four regiments of the enemy's infantry, with some pieces of artillery, and a command of cavalry. Of their forces, two regiments of infantry and three pieces of artillery were on the opposite side of the creek. The balance of the infantry, which was composed of the Eight and Ninth Georgia regiments, under General Howell Cobb, were posted in a favorable position to resist our advance to Mechanicsville. Titler's and Robertson's batteries of the second artillery were quickly brought into action, and after firing some one hundred and fifty rounds, the rebels withdrew with their guns to the village - not, however, until one of them
had been dismounted. Here their retreat was covered by their infantry and cavalry.
Four regiments of General Davidson's Brigade, with Wheeler's Battery, was then sent around, but night coming on they went into camp within six hundred yards of the enemy. At daylight the batteries on both sides opened, Wheeler's battery confining their guns to the shelling of the houses behind which the enemy infantry were concealed. The fire proved too hot for the Rebels and they left the village, a portion retreating across the Chickahominy, the remainder falling back to the railroad. The Thirty-Third New York were the first to enter the village. The houses
showed unmistable evidences of the accuracy of our artillery, some of them being riddled in a dozen places. The enemy carried off all their killed and wounded, one man captured. Our loss was two killed and four wounded. Colonel Mason of the Seventh Maine was slightly injured by the explosion of a shell.
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Camp Fifteen Miles from Richmond May 19, 1862
Colonel Russell of [the 7th] Massachusetts yesterday reconnoitered towards the railroad bridge on the Chickahominy with one company, and established satisfactorily that one hundred feet of that structure had been burned, and that the reminder - between five and six hundred feet of that structure -- was in good condition. He was fired upon by the enemy's skirmishers and had one man wounded. At daylight this morning Major Harlow and Captain Holman, of the same regiment, went to Bottom's Bridge and found it blown up.
NY Herald
May 24, 1862
p. 7 col. 2
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Baltimore Cross Roads May 21, 1862
One of our generals went out with a reconoitering party yesterday to the Long Bridge over the Chickahominy. The cavalry in the advance came up with the rear guard of the enemy, and a little skirmish ensued in which no one was hurt on our side.
NY Herald
May 24, 1862
p. 7 col. 3
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White House May 22, 1862
I rode out yesterday [May 21] to the Union pickets at New Bridge - or rather the site of the New Bridge, for the Rebels burned it at daylight on Tuesday - and witnessed some brisk skirmishing between the Sixth Regiment Dragoons (Regulars) and a force of rebel infantry that fought from their ambush in a swamp. Having reconnoitered through the whole country on this side of the Chickahominy, General Stoneman determined to push to New Bridge and determine the character of its defenses, if any, and the force of the enemy in the vicinity.
The first brush occurred at an old mill, two miles from the creek, when a dragoon was wounded and his horse shot dead. At ten o'clock on Tuesday a force of infantry was sent to reconnoitre, and they penetrated the woods to the verge of the swamp. Six mounted men here were selected to advance through the swamp to the New Bridge road and discover the whereabouts of the opposing skirmishers. They galloped forward in gallant style, conscious that a moment would seal the fate of some of them. Directly, midway of the reeds and slime, from behind a clump of cedars, a squad of rebels rose up and fired into their faces. Corporal John Venner, of the Sixth Cavalry Regulars, Company A, fell dead; James Brennan, Company A,
was pierced through the back by a musket ball that glanced into his chin, struck out his teeth, and cut his lip open; Wm. Dixon of the same company was badly wounded, and the horses of two dragoons killed. The wounded men and the survivors retreated, but the infantry pressed on, drove out the enemy, and recovered the body.
NY Herald
May 24, 1862
p. 7 col. 3
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Ten o'Clock Thursday Evening, May 22, 1862
The party of reconnoisance have just returned. About noon the cavalry videttes were fired upon from ambush by the rebels, and two of the eight in advance were shot and the others fell back upon the same body. On reaching the spot where the volley was fired Sergeant Thomas Cummings was found lying by the side of his dead horse. Three balls has passed through his chest near his heart. His equipments and those of his horse were stripped off and carried away, and the infernal scoundrels had also cut off his left ear, evidently with a sharp knife, and carried it off as a trophy. Sergeant Cummings belonged to a company of the First New York
(Lincoln) Cavalry and was greatly esteemed by his regiment, who swear vengeance upon those who so barbarously mutilated his body.
Corporal John Anderson of the same company was also shot. His horse was found with a broken leg and blood upon the ground showed that he had fallen but whether he was wounded and taken prisoner or whether he had crawled into the bushes, was not ascertained. Lieutenant Bailey crept up close to a body of rebels in search of the corporal, but did not find him. Anderson was only twenty one years old when he enlisted.
Soon after, our troops under command of Colonel Bartlett, and supported by two howitzers and two Parrot guns, followed the rebel force - consisting of two regiments of cavalry, a regiment of infantry deployed as skirmishers, and three pieces of artillery - about four miles when they retreated across the Chickahominy at New Bridge. About twenty guns, of large caliber, were seen mounted on the Richmond side near the bridge.
New York Herald
May 27, 1862
p. 4 col. 2
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Boar Swamp, West of the Chickahominy
May 23, 1862
Another rubicon is passed. Geneal Keye's two divisions to-day crossed the Chickahominy river on the bridges built yesterday, and encamped three miles nearer to the capital of the sacred soil, which we supposed must be called the sacred city. Thus we are still in the advance and our gallant leader is, we believe, the first general to pass with an army this now historic stream.
Before the march of the army, Colonel Russell, of the Massachusetts Seventh; Colonel Neille, with the Pennsylvania Twenty-Third; and Colonel Gregg, with the Eight Pennsylvania Cavalry, made a thorough and admirable reconnoisance about four miles out on the Richmond road. Two miles from camp they found the enemy's pickets, who fired with more intention than effect, and then sought another place nearer to the heart of rebeldom. Still our men pushed on close to their heels and a few miles further on came upon a body of the enemy's infantry, about five hundred strong, with cavalry, the rear of Longstreet's division. This body of the enemy was equally disposed to show a close acquaintance, and, as all we desired to know was now known, the party returned. Colonels Gregg, Russell, and Neille, who have reconnoitered this road now three successive days, have done it with the greatest caution, skill and success, and almost without loss. This is no light praise, as the rebels have very evidently expected that we would stumble upon them at every step, by some one's blunder, and retire suddenly with a loss of fifty or more men, as we have already done too often.
On the hither or Richmond side of the Chickahominy we still find the country very pleasant, but without the finer features in landscape &c that we noted between that river and the Pamunkey.
Five miles beyond our present position is the place known as the Seven Pines, where there is an open plain of considerable extent, on which, if we trust what many say, the enemy may meet us. It is seven miles thence to Richmond.
New York Herald
May 28, 1862
p. p. 5 col. 4
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NOTE: This reporter mistakenly claims the Feds crossed the Chickahominy. In fact, they only crossed a creek below Ellison's Mill.
Across Chickahominy River In Sight of
Richmond, Friday Evening, May 23
This afternoon Robinson's and Tidball's Batteries, which are attached to Gen. Stoneman's advance force, were taken to an eminence overlooking the Chickahominy River, and the woods for some distance beyond. Fire was opened upon the swamps in the immediate vicinity of New Bridge; also the woods upon each side were thoroughly shelled, but not a single response
could be elicited from the enemy. . .
At 3 o'clock p.m. Gen. Stoneman's command, also Davidson's Brigade, and the First New York and Fifth Unitd States Cavalry, advanced toward the river. Nothing of importance occurred until Robinson's Battery, which led the column, had crossed the bridge, which the rebels opened a cross fire upon it from guns placed in position at the edge of the woods, about
100 yards from the opposite side of the river. The first intimation our men had of the presence of the rebel battery was when a shower of missiles came rattling over their heads. For a few minutes the rebels worked their guns quite lively, but their range was out of all reason, on
consequence of which but one man on our side was wounded. As near as could be ascertained, the enemy had three guns on the right and one on the left of the bridge. They fired principally solid shot. We let them have their own way until we could get four pieces of Robinson's and six
pieces of Tidball's batteries into position on a rising ground a short distance from the bridge on the Richmond side, when we gave them grape and canister in such profuse quantities, that they could hardly work their pieces, and were finally compelled to retire into the woods, drawing their guns after them. During the engagement with the batteries, four squadrons of the rebel cavalry and one regiment of their infantry issued from the woods and made a movement as if to flank us on the right.
Companies B and H, of the Sixth United States Cavalry, and A and C, of the Second Rhode Island Regiment, advanced to meet them, but before they could get within rifle shot of the rebels the latter suddenly wheeled, and returned to the woods. Our forces then crossed the bridge and took a position near the batteries, ready to oppose the rebels, should they attempt a second attack. Up to a late hour this evening the firing had not reopened, although we are inclined to think that the enemy has not retired far from his original position. Our men lay on their arms, and everything is in readiness to act either on the offensive or defensive.
Chickahominy River at the point where we crossed (column 2 ends) (New Bridge) is but eighteen feet wide. can be easily forded by infantry. The bridge has been recently built by the rebels and was not burnt as was reported to have been by our skirmishers a day or two ago. Before reaching the bridge from the eastern side we crossed a small stream which branches off from the main creek (for it must noble be supposed that the Chickahominy at that point has anything like the dimensions of a river) and flows into a hollow, where it is dammed for the purpose of driving the wheel of a saw-mill, which is situated a few yards below. On approaching the stream the road is winding and is flanked on either side by woods. At the time of the firing this portion of the road was filled with our troops , but the shots fell beyond them and struck in the woods.
Upon the hill where our guns are stationed, and just in their rear, there is a house surrounded by several negro huts. We hear that the inmates of the house fled into Secesh when they heard of our approach. It is supposed that they took the negroes with them, as none are to be seen about the premises. Articles of urniture, bedding, cookery, clothing, &c. still remain in the house, the inmates undoubtedly not having time to remove them.
Standing upon an eminence a short distance from the house we were enabled to see the dome of the capital and the church spires at Richmond. The intervening roads and hills prevented us from viewing the open country this side of the city.
It is possible we may have an engagement here in the morning.
Whit
NY Times
May 28, 1862
p. 1 col. 2-3
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Mechanicsville, Within Five Miles of Richmond
Saturday Evening, May 24
I closed my letter of yesterday by stating that our advance force, which had crossed the Chickahominy at New Bricge in the afternoon, were reposing on their arms, and that an engagement might be expected this morning. Our batteries, supported by four companies of infantry, occupied a position on a hill about a hundred yards from the bridge, while the main portion of our cavalry, together with a reserve force of artillery and infantry, were bivouacked on the eastern side of the river, prepared to cross at a moment's notice, and take part in any action that might take place.
As anticipated, the rebels opened fire this morning at about daylight upon our troops stationed on the hill. The enemy had placed his pieces, four in number, in position near a grove at Mechanicsville, which place is about a mile distant from the hill, and as the intervening space is mostly an open country, an excellent opportunity was presented for artillery practice.
The firing continued for about twenty minutes without any visible effect on either side, when Wheeler's Battery, of four pieces, supported by the Thirty-third and Forty-Ninth New York and the Seventh Maine Regiments, preceded by the Seventy-seventh New York, Col. James B. McKeon, who acted as skirmishers, advanced on the main road leading toward Mechanicsville,
for the purpose of making a charge upon the enemy. When half the distance had been traversed, Wheeler's Battery opened with shot upon the rebels, who were drawn up in line near the edge of the grove. The enemy's force amounted to five pieces of artillery, four squadrons of cavalry and two regiments of infantry. The batteries on both sides fired with much vigor, but our own seemed to (column 3 ends) do the most execution, as was evident from the rebels taking their wounded to the rear. The enemy fired mostly canister and solid shot from 12-pound pieces, and used sparingly of shell, while we gave them a magnanimous supply of shell from the same calibre of guns.
Under cover of the artillery, the Seventy-seventh New York, supported by the Thirty-third New York, and flanked by the Forty-Ninth New York and the Seventh Maine, proceeded cautiously forward to make the attack on the enemy. While this movement was going on, our troops, especially the Seventy-seventh and Thirty-Third New york, sustained a heavy volley from the rebel guns, which only served to inspire them with double enthusiasm, and with a deafening yell which seemed to completely dispossess the rebels, the Seventy Seventh led and encouraged by Col. McKeon, passed on with fixed bayonets to the opposing column. The rebels were not disposed to stand against this force, and before our men had approached to the point where they could be most effective, the rebel cavalry ran off with the utmost speed in a direction toward Richmond, while the infantry made their escape through the grove and woods at the rear. our infantry then came up and occupied the ground, which was found strewn with about one
hundred knapsacks, and various small articles, such as miniatures, pin cushions, needle cases &c, which are usually carried by the soldier. The most important article which the rebels left, however, was a guidon, which is supposed to have belonged to one of their cavalry regiments. It
was made of bunting and bore the inscription, "Victory or death." Col. McKeon has the guidon in his possession, and intends to place it beneath his battle-flag on the next engagement with the circle of thirteen stars down. A Sergeant Major's baton was also picked up from the field.
A private attached to the Eighth Georgia Regiment who lay in the grove wounded, was taken prisoner.
The enemy's loss is supposed to have been heavy, but as he succeeded in getting his killed and wounded off the ground, except in the case above mentioned, it is impossible to give the figures.
Our loss was two killed and nine wounded. The following is the list:
Killed
C. Weston, Company I, Seventy-seventh New York
Daniel Murphy, Company K, Thirty-third New York
Wounded
Lieut. Seth W. Dyce, Co. D, 77th New York - in face, slightly;
William W. Valie, Co. F, 77th New York - in head, slightly.
James Provost, Co. I, 77th New York - in face, slightly
Haslin Abbott, Co. K, 77th New York - in leg, seriously
Ambrose Milliman, Co. D, 77th New York - in face, slightly
John Culkin, Co. K, 33d New York - slightly
Timothy Desmond, Co. G, 33d New York - slightly
James McCrau, Co. K, 33d New York - slightly.
Col. E.C. Mason of the Seventh Maine Regiment received a slight flesh wound in the face, by falling from his horse, which took fright at the explosion of a shell within a few feet from his head. He will probably be able to join his regiment again in a day or two. The wounded men were conveyed to a church, used as a hospital, and situated two miles in the rear, where their injuries were properly attended to.
At about noon, Companies C, E, G and K of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, under command of Maj. Glendanin, proceeded on the road leading to Ashland, a distance of three miles from Mechanicsville, for the purpose of destroying the culvert and bridges on the Fredericksburg Railroad, thereby cutting off com {column 4 ends) munication between the rebel forces near Fredericksburg and Richmond. They succeeded in destroying the culvert, but the bridge having been protected by a strong force of artillery, was allowed to remain, for the time being, and the main force returned to camp. A strong guard has been placed at the culvert, and it is believed that by holding this place, the object sought will be partially, if not wholly, accomplished. Before leaving our men cut the rebel telegraph wires leading from Richmond to their camps.
Throughout the day our various batteries have been distributed to localities liable to be attacked by the enemy, and several shots have been exchanged. At the left on the road leading to Richmond, and at a point about one mile from Mechanicsville, the rebels seem to have gathered in force. We threw a few shot among them this afternoon, but as a general thing they struck short. Measures will doubtless soon be taken to root the rebels from that locality.
Among numerous letters picked up among the deserted knapsacks, we send the following. We omit the original orthography which is decidedly "funny".
Camp Chickahominy, Va. 23, 1862
Dear Wife and Children: I avail this opportunity of dropping you a few lines, which leaves me as fat as a bear. I am in the best health I ever was, I believe. Hope this letter may reach in due time and find you all well; I have but little new to write at present. We are expecting a battle any moment. We was thrown in the line of battle yesterday morning and was kept in the line till 12 o'clock, then advanced towards the road, taking up camp within three miles of the enemy where we are this morning.
The long roll may beat before I get this wrote. I am pretty certain that there will be the biggest battle ever fought within three days that you heard of. The Yankee cavalry has given the citizens of this settlement notice to get away, and they are leaving. We are within six miles of Richmond. The Yankees are going to put their grit out here soon. I feel satisfied that we will whip the Yankees, though it may be that we will lose a great many lives. We are on one side of the Chickahominy and the Yankees on the other. I think the fight will come off at the bridge. If
it does, we are on our battle ground now. I will not write no more to day. If I should be spared till to-morrow will finish the letter. May be I will even have some news to write then, of the expected battle.
Yours &c.
The town of Mechanicsville is situated five miles from Richmond. it contains seven or eight dwellings, only one of which, formerly occupied by Dr. Lampkin, has the least show to a respectable appearance. Most of the houses are surrounded by negro huts, which do not improve the general outline. There are three blacksmith's and one wheelwright shop in the place, all owned by Dr. Lampkin, who for the past few months has been very busy making wagons and gun carriages for the rebels. Nearly all the inhabitants, not excepting the negroes, have fled. The houses are vacant, not any furniture of any value remaining in them. A wheelwright named Basket took refuge with his wife in the woods at the time of the firing yesterday, which was a wise move on his part, for upon returning he found his house thoroughly perforated and shattered by our shells. This was the case with all the buildings, and if any rebel had secreted himself within a house for the purpose of picking off our men, he undoubtedly absconded in the most hasty manner. One house had been struck by no less than six shot.
At mechanicsville, five roads, leading to various points, meet. This makes the place an important one to hold. To-day a detail from the Seventh Maine have been guarding the buildings.
At the time of closing this letter (9 p.m.) all is quiet.
Whit
NY Times
May 28, 1862
p. 1 col. 3-5
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Confederate Newspapers:
The village of Mechanicsville is situated at the terminus of the Mechanicsville turnpike, about one mile beyond the Chickahominy river and six from Richmond. On Friday afternoon, pursuant to orders, Capt. Rosser, of the 2d Co., Washington Artillery, detailed fifteen men, with a rifled gun, to that position to sustain our pickets, who had been driven in the previous day. He accompanied them, and re-established the pickets, driving off the enemy by a few well placed shots. At night he removed his piece from the crest of the hill which he occupied, to the village - a short distance. The Troup Artillery, with three pieces, also were on the ground, withdrew during the night, leaving only Captain Rosser's one gun and a howitzer, from the Wise Artillery, to defend the position. The infantry support consisted of the 8th and 9th Georgia regiments - Colonels Lamar and Turnipseed. There was considerable picket firing at intervals during the night - About daybreak Saturday, Captain Rosser discovered a body of the enemy advancing through a wheat field west of the hill which he occupied Friday afternoon. He promptly opened
fire upon them, and they as promptly withdrew behind the hill. The enemy's battery of six guns, stationed near the old mill, returned Capt. Rosser's fire, and for several hours a cannonade was continued without damage to our side. The howitzer was placed at the intersection of the
Meadow Bridge road, and fired occasional shots. About 10 o'clock it was discovered that the enemy had received an accession of three guns, which were advancing and firing by half battery, on the north side of the road leading to New Bridge. In the meantime, reinforcements had been sent for, but as they failed to arrive, Colonel Robertson, of the cavalry, who commanded the post, deemed it inadvisable to attempt to maintain the position longer against such heavy odds. Captain Rosser then rode over to the howitzer and directed its removal to the rear of the village.
Whilst thus engaged, a shell exploded in the midst of the party, wounding Capt. R and three members of the Wise Artillery. The piece was successfully removed, with the rifle gun, in the direction of Meadow Bridge. Soon after the withdrawal of these guns, the Yankees entered
Mechanicsville, and cheered lustily at their success, which they will probably magnify into a great victory, and the occupation of a town.
Mechanicsville consisted of about five houses.
Captain Rosser was wounded in the right arm above the elbow, the fragment of the projectile lacerating the flesh. He remained at his post until the guns were removed, and then came to the city, and had his arm dressed by Dr. C.B. Gibson, at whose residence he remains as a guest. He hopes to be able to resume his duties in the field in a day or two. The shell which wounded him killed the valuable horse on which he was mounted.
We were unable to ascertain the casualties to the infantry or the names of the gunners who were wounded. One of the latter had his right arm shot off.
Richmond Whig and Public Advertiser
May 24, 1862
p. 1 col. 1-2
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Manuscripts
Anderson's Brigade:
the first Brigade was sent over to a little town Mechanicsville four companies from the 8 & 9 were in command of Col Lamar H & K of both Regts we advanced deployed and fired on them but they would not follow (page 64 ends) we then were ordered to retreat back in good order as we heard our reserve on the turn pike Col Turnipseede ordered the reserve to fire on us we Boys herd the order we were ready to return the fire it was all the Capts in the Regt could do to get them to holde the fire Col sais don't you see they are Yankies By G men fire why donte you fire - So we retreated back to Genl Johnsons lines and then down to the
Dr Garnet farme M.O. Young, History of the First brigade pp. 64-65