Affairs on the Peninsula.
A friend, writing from
New Kent county, Va., on the 16th, gives us an account of the
battle of Williamsburg, which has been published.
The letter, however, contains the following items of interest:
The traitor,
L. J. Bowden, was in his house when we entered the city, but escaped, not taking time even to slip on his trows loons.
It was truly affecting to see the citizens, and particularly the ladies, (God bless their souls,) kindly welcoming the
Southern soldiers, and offering refreshments to their true friends.
The killed on our side were three
Virginians and two Georgians.
For want of transportation, we had to destroy all of the tents, stores, &c., and about one thousand bushels of corn.
The enemy have only been above
Williamsburg but once since the battle, and then but a short distance from their lair.
There is no one suffered to leave
Williamsburg, and the ladies of the county above the city are paroled before they are suffered to leave.
Our forces at this place are all in good health and spirits, and are ready and willing at any time to again engage the enemy.
I will write again soon, and give you any additional news.
A free negro spy, who was arrested by our pickets at The
Forge, was brought to this city yesterday by
Mr. O. F. Taylor.
The negro states that a force of about 2,000 Federal infantry, with artillery and cavalry, was encamped four miles this side of
Williamsburg.
Our scouts, on Wednesday, saw two Federal soldiers up as high as
Barhamsville, 18 miles this side of
Williamsburg.
The
Yankees ran off.
Mr. Taylor, on his way up, saw 14
Virginians who had escaped from the Eastern Shore.
They describe the
Yankee rule there as very oppressive, though the force there is not very large.
In noticing the
battle of Williamsburg, it should have been stated that the charge made by our troopers on the
Yankees at their last stand was led by
Col. Shingler in person.
A lady, who recently passed through the lines from
Williamsburg, says that the
Yankees acknowledge a loss of 200 in killed and wounded at the fight there.
