THE ENEMY ROUTED WITH GREAT LOSS.
The following is a despatch [sic] from Gen. McClellan to Secretary Stanton:
WILLIAMSBURGH, May 6.
I have the pleasure to announce the occupation of this place as the result of a hard fought action. Yesterday Hancock’s Brigade engagement had the effect to turn the left of the enemy’s line of works. The enemy abandoned their entire line during the night, leaving all his sick and wounded in our hands. Their loss yesterday was very severe. We have some three hundred men killed and more than one thousand wounded and prisoners. Their loss is heavy. Our victory complete. I have sent cavalry in pursuit. The conduct of our men was excellent, with scarcely an exception. The enemy’s works were extensive and exceedingly strong. Our loss in Hooker’s Division is heavy, but very little in other portions of the field. Hancock’s success, was gained with the loss of not over twenty killed and wounded. We have other battles to fight before reaching Richmond. The rebels are flying from Williamsburgh to Richmond.
McClellan telegraphs from Johnston’s headquarters as follows:
The weather is good to-day but there is great difficulty in getting up food on account of the roads. Very few wagons have yet come up. – Am I authorized to follow the examples of other Generals and direct the names of battles to be placed on the colors of regiments?
( Signed: )
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General Comd’g.
{To Associated Press.}
WILLIAMSBURGH, May 6. – The enemy evacuated this place and their works in front last night. Their rear guard passed through about 6 o’clock, and at 9 o’clock Gen. McClellan and escort entered the town and took possession.
About 150 of the enemy’s wounded were left behind without any rations, medicines or surgeons. They also left a number of their dead unburied.
All of our wounded in yesterday’s engagement, who fell into their hands, were left behind. Col. Dwight of the Excelsior Brigade, who was severely wounded and taken prisoner, was also left.
In the engagement yesterday, the enemy suffered terribly. Gen. Rickets was killed.
The enemy had a force here yesterday of 50,000 men, and only decided to evacuate after the brilliant bayonet charge of Gen. Hancock.
A majority of the white inhabitants remain. The number of the enemy now in our hands will reach about 1,000, including the wounded.
WASHINGTON, May 7 – The Fortress Monroe boat, which left at 8 o’clock this morning, has arrived at Cherry Stone, bringing the following:
WILLIAMSBURG, May 7.
To Hon. E. M. Stanton,
Every hour proves our victory more complete. The enemy’s loss is great, especially in officers. I have just heard of five more of their guns being captured. Prisoners are constantly arriving.
( Signed: )
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3
The following is a despatch [sic] from Gen. McClellan to Secretary Stanton:
WILLIAMSBURGH, May 6.
I have the pleasure to announce the occupation of this place as the result of a hard fought action. Yesterday Hancock’s Brigade engagement had the effect to turn the left of the enemy’s line of works. The enemy abandoned their entire line during the night, leaving all his sick and wounded in our hands. Their loss yesterday was very severe. We have some three hundred men killed and more than one thousand wounded and prisoners. Their loss is heavy. Our victory complete. I have sent cavalry in pursuit. The conduct of our men was excellent, with scarcely an exception. The enemy’s works were extensive and exceedingly strong. Our loss in Hooker’s Division is heavy, but very little in other portions of the field. Hancock’s success, was gained with the loss of not over twenty killed and wounded. We have other battles to fight before reaching Richmond. The rebels are flying from Williamsburgh to Richmond.
McClellan telegraphs from Johnston’s headquarters as follows:
The weather is good to-day but there is great difficulty in getting up food on account of the roads. Very few wagons have yet come up. – Am I authorized to follow the examples of other Generals and direct the names of battles to be placed on the colors of regiments?
( Signed: )
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General Comd’g.
{To Associated Press.}
WILLIAMSBURGH, May 6. – The enemy evacuated this place and their works in front last night. Their rear guard passed through about 6 o’clock, and at 9 o’clock Gen. McClellan and escort entered the town and took possession.
About 150 of the enemy’s wounded were left behind without any rations, medicines or surgeons. They also left a number of their dead unburied.
All of our wounded in yesterday’s engagement, who fell into their hands, were left behind. Col. Dwight of the Excelsior Brigade, who was severely wounded and taken prisoner, was also left.
In the engagement yesterday, the enemy suffered terribly. Gen. Rickets was killed.
The enemy had a force here yesterday of 50,000 men, and only decided to evacuate after the brilliant bayonet charge of Gen. Hancock.
A majority of the white inhabitants remain. The number of the enemy now in our hands will reach about 1,000, including the wounded.
WASHINGTON, May 7 – The Fortress Monroe boat, which left at 8 o’clock this morning, has arrived at Cherry Stone, bringing the following:
WILLIAMSBURG, May 7.
To Hon. E. M. Stanton,
Every hour proves our victory more complete. The enemy’s loss is great, especially in officers. I have just heard of five more of their guns being captured. Prisoners are constantly arriving.
( Signed: )
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3
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