An Entertaining statement.
--The New York Herald, of the 17th instant, has a long letter from
Fortress Monroe, giving an account of the escape, from
York county, of the wife and children of one
Harvey Robins, a Yankee settler from the apprehended vengeance of the terrible
Virginias.
The writer goes on as follows:
‘
Mrs. Robins reports that there are about thirty thousand men between
Yorktown and Big Bethel; that several companies had come down from
Richmond to assist the rebels in base of another attack upon Big bethel.
Her statement about the number of the troops between
Yorktown and Big Bethel is also corroborated by the flag of truce which was sent out by
Col. Duryea yesterday to look after the dead and wounded which were left behind, if any, (and some there were,) at the time of the retreat.
This flag of truce was passed through Big Bethel blindfolded, of course, and escorted to
Yorktown, where
Col. Magruder treated them very kindly, but said, ‘"Gentlemen, you cannot be permitted to see either your wounded or prisoners"’ At this refusal, they returned last night and reported here this morning that the country from Big Bethel was bristling with bayonets.
On the day of the retreat every effort was made to care for and bring off the wounded, but the rebels raised the black flag and fired a terrific volley upon the flag of truce.
There is not a doubt entertained here but that the rebels murdered the wounded on the spot, and the prisoners also, if any were taken, which is probable, as some men are missing.
If the facts which have come to light with the terrible disaster of this defeat do not stir up the
Northern States and the
Government to better equip their troops and to send on more men at once, what in the name of reason can?
Such trifling with the lives of brave men is murder.
I can call it by no softer term.
’
