The Express.
London, England, 1862-05-17 00:00:00

AMERICA.

,
(airra's rzcsasAits.)
EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN BY THE

CONFEDERATES.
NEW YORK, MaT 6, /domino.
Jefferson Davis and other Confederate loaders
are reported to have arrived at Yorktown on the
30th tilt., and after a consultation with the leading
generals, all acquiesced that Yorktown would prove
untenable, and should be evacuated. General
Magruder alone was of opinion that it was not ad-
visable to evacuate the position. General Johnston
issued the order for the evacuation on the let

instant.
The evacuation commenced on the 2nd, and was
completed on the night of the 3rd.
The Confederates left a large amount of guns

and camp equipage, which they could not remow

for fear of being seen.

(Per Penis, via Queenstown.)
NEW YORK, Met 6, Moslem.
As soon as the evacuation of Yorktown was
known the troope under the command of General
M'Clellan were put in motion to pursue the Con-

federates.
On the 4th, two miles from Williamsburg, they
came up with the Confederate rear-guard, which

was found to be strong.
The Federals, being in want of infantry, and
night coming on, the pursuit was postponed till
the morning of the sth.
Later telegrams will give further details of the
pursuit.
The Federal gunboats proceeded up York river
simultaneously with the land forces. Deserters
elate that the Confederates at Yorktown numbered
100,000 men. General 51‘Clellan officially reports
that all along the lines the rebel works proved to
have been most formidable, and says, " I am
now fully satisfied of the correctness of the course I
have pursued. The success is brilliant. You may
rest assured its effect will be of the greatest
importance."
General Halle& has telegraphed to the War
Department that important movements would
take place at Pittsburg Landing immediately.
Refugees from Memphis report that the Federals
occupied Baton Rouge without opposition, and that
General Butler had landed his forces at New Or-
leans, where large quantities of cotton had been
secured.
The Union citizens of New Orleans have held a
meeting, at which enthusiastic demonstrations have
taken place.
Some refugees state that there would be little
opposition to the passage of Federal gunboats up
the Mississippi.
The steamers 121 a Warley, Bermuda, and Flores,
have been captured while endeavouring to run the
blockade.
Mr. Seward has officially notified to the foreign
ministers that Federal mails, under military sur-
veillance, will now be allowed to pass to New Orleans
and other ports lately occupied by the Confederates.
He also announced that a collector had been
appointed to New Orleans, and that the necessary
preparations were making to modify the blockade
so far as to permit limited shipments to be made to
or from New Orleans and one or more other ports
which are now closed by blockade. The time and
conditions-will be notified by proclamation.
The Confederate general commanding at Savan-
nah has announced his determination to defend that
city to the last extremity.
It is reported that the steamer Nashville ran the
Wilmington blockade with a cargo of gunpowder
and army stores. She passed through the fleet of
seven vessels, all of which threw shells at her with-
out inflicting any damage.
Southern accounts generally represent that no
foreign flags will be allowed to prevent the destroo-
tion of property, where there is any chance of its
falling into the hands of the Federal&
The French Minister, M. Mercier, arrived at
Yorktown on the 4th. No solution has yet been
obtained of the reason of his movement*.
A Memphis despatch says that the stores in New
Orleans were being emptied of molasses and sugars,
which were being thrown into the river and streets.
The Harmonia has arrived out.
NEW YORK, Kir 6, EVlNtito.
General M'Clellan officially reports from the
Federal bivouac in front of Williamsburg on the
sth inst. :
"I find Johnstone in front of me in strong force,
probably much greater than my own. General
Hancock has taken two redoubts, brilliantly re-
pulsing the rebels. Ido not know our exact loss,
but fear General Hooker has lost considerably on
our left. I learn from prisoners that the rebels in-
tend disputing every step to Richmond. I shall
run the risk of at least holding them in check
while I resume my original plan. My entire force
is undoubtedly considerably inferior to that of the
rebels, but I will do all with the force at my oom-

mead."
A despatch from Yorktown, dated sth instant,
reports that the first indication of the Confederate
rear guard having been reinforced was the fact of
their pressing the Federal lines in front of Williams-
burg early on the morning of the sth inst.
The Confederates then opened on the Federal
I left, composed of Hooker's and Hentzelman's
[dons, The firing was very heavy for about two
hours, with considerable loss on both sides.
The Federal General Hancock was ordered to the
right to endeavour to turn the left wing of tit*
Confederates. Hancock was met by the Confede-
rate General Early's brigade, which he is reported
to have thoroughly repalaed, and achieved a bril-
liant victory. The Federal loos was 17 killed ; the