Friday, August 9, 2013

Williamsburg Evacuated

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., May 6.

The enemy evacuated this place and their works in front last night, their rear guard passing through about six o’clock.  At 9 o’clock Gen. McClellan and escort entered the town and took possession.  About 15 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.  They 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.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

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