Wednesday, May 9, 2012

150-Years-Ago -- BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA

Pvt. John White, Virginia drummer boy.
(Library of Congress)


The Richmond Daily  Dispatch
May 9, 1862.

          Early yesterday morning the most extravagant rumors were in circulation with regard to an engagement which was represented to have taken place near Barhamsville, in New Kent county, on Wednesday. One report stated that our arms had been crowned with a most signal and glorious success, and as a consequence of their impertinence and temerity, six thousand of the enemy had fallen into the hands of our victorious forces, together with an almost incalculable number of non and small arms.
          These rumors were general and extensive, that they obtained almost universal credence, and great was the gratification manifested on all aides at the supposed victory. About midday, however, these flattering reports received an official contradiction, and the following paragraph found posted upon the bulletin boards of the different journals of the city:
          "An official letter from General Johnston, ed at Barhamsville, 11 A. M.yesterday,  is that the enemy were landing under the of their gunboats, near West Point. Notion is made of the imminency of an engagement; but, on the contrary, the tenor of the letter indicates that Gen. J. did not expect a conflict with the enemy.
         He states that the repulse of the enemy at Williamsburg seems to have stopped their advance in that direction altogether. The prisoners on Monday were principally of Heintzleman's division, and part of Sumner's.--Nothing said of the extent of casualties on either side."
        Thus it will be seen that all the information heretofore published with reference to the fight at Barhamsville, is entirely without foundation. How it obtained existence, or received public credence, we need not inquire.
       We have some further particulars of the fight of Monday near Williamsburg, which, from the accounts we have, was a most brilliant and successful affair. A large number of the prisoners captured reached this city yesterday afternoon, under a cavalry escort, commanded by Capt. Robert A. Caskie, of the Wise Cavalry. The gallantry displayed by this corps is highly commended, and is said to have struck terror to the enemy.
       Our loss in this fight was very heavy, and we have to mourn the loss of some noble and gallant spirits, and the severe wounding of many others. We published yesterday a list of names which we had received as killed and wounded, and this morning we add a number of others in the 11th and 24th regiments:
      Eleventh Regiment.--Col. Garland, slightly wounded in the hand. Home Guards, Lynchburg — E. A. Akers, wounded twice, not seriously; James Franklin, John Waller, Martin Laskie, Wiley Campbell, Littleton Moor ,S. Noralin, Adam Nowlin, Van Taliaferro, and John Sumpter. Rifle Grays — Killed, J. R. Raize, S. Stewart, J. Slagle, H Elam, and Wm. Florence. Wounded, John Sooley, Thomas Rector, Lieut. Peter Akers, Thomas Chestham, J. O. Thurman, and G. Wightman, Lynchburg Rifles--Wounded, Lieut. Walter Abbott, and — Keaton. Jeff. Davis Guards--Killed, J. Reynolds and-- urks. Wounded — John Bolling and--Larley.
      Twenty-fourth Virginia Regiment.--Col. Terry, of Bedford, shot through the mouth; Lieut. Col. Harriston, shot through the groin; Capt. nings, of Carroll, killed; Capt. Bentley, of Pulaski, wounded; Captain Sybrook, of Patrick, wounded; Captain Headen, of Giles, wounded; Lieut. Mansfield, of Franklin, killed; Lieut. Shockley, of Carroll, wounded; Lieut. Wm. Radford, of Pulaski, certainly killed; John Staples, member of House of Delegates from Patrick, wounded in shoulder. All of dead and badly wounded fell into the hands of the enemy — about 250 in number.
      List of killed and wounded in the first Virginia Regiment.
The following list of the killed and wounded in the First Virginia Regiment, in the engagement near Williamsburg, on Monday, was handed to us by Capt. Tysinger, who received a wound in the hand:
Col. Lewis B. Williams, severely wounded is the left breast.
Major Wm H Palmer, slightly wounded in right arm.
Company B--Carried into Action 24 Men and three Commissioned officers.
Corporal C B Beale, killed
Private Pleasant Jordan, killed.
Private PeterMonrs, killed.
Private M P. Buchanan, wounded slightly in chin.
Private Adam Smith, wounded slightly in left arm.
Private Joseph T Shiffett, severely in the shoulder.
Company C--S Commissioned Officers and 15 Men in action.
Killed.
Private P Keating.
Wounded.
Lieut. Jas Hallinan, severely in left and slightly in right arm.
Private James Dooley, severely in right arm.
Private M Consadine, right arm.
Peter McCawley.
Missing.
Private D Costello.
Company D--4 Officers, 31 Men in action.
1st Lieut. E. P. Reeve, severely wounded in right shoulder.
Corporal L. M. Blanton, in forehead.
Private T H Haley, mortally, in arm and breast.
Private Geo Logan, mortally, in abdomen.
Private E Priddy, in leg.
Private J M Finn, in arm.
Private D S Edwards, in leg, slightly.
Missing.
W. H. Stewart.
Company G--S Commissioned Officer, 76 Men in action.
Killed.
Private O O Folkes.
Wounded.
Private A S Susad, in arm.
Private H B Gary, in throat.
Private E Gary, slightly, in right arm.
Private W T Hord, slightly, in right shoulder.
Company H--4 Commissioned Officers and 30 Men in action.
Capt. W E Tysinger, in hand.
Serg't T S Riddick, in thigh.
Private Edwin Gliman, mortally, in side.
Private R D Swords, mortally, in hip.
Private Geo Rae, severely, in breast.
Private O P Hansford, severely, in right shoulder.
Private A O Clayton, slightly, in foot.
Company I--4 Officers, 23 Men of 1 and 10 of Company K,
Capt J W Tabb, piece of shell, slightly in hip.
Lieut W A Caho, right hand.
1st Sergeant R M Jonas, shot through the head.
Private J G Grammer, killed.
Private J T Devoux, killed.
Corp'l O L Parker, wounded in left side.
Private Thos Senior, wounded in side of the head.
Missing.
J T Ayies, B I Morse.
None of the ten men of Company K hurt.
Twenty-five Commissioned officers, 150; men in action.
Seven commissioned officers wounded.
Eleven men killed or mortally wounded.
Twenty-three men wounded.
Five missing, supposed to be wounded or prisoners--43.
       All wounded or killed by musketry. Went into action at 10½ o'clock; withdrew at 6½.
Sent 65 prisoners to the rear, 2 colors, and a battery of 7 pieces.
       The 1st Regiment was in the hottest of the fight and Col. Williams, the officer in command, acquitted himself most gallantly.

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