Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-04-18

Every thing we hear from Yorktown indi-
Gates that Gen. Mcclellan is completing ar.
rangements to make thorough work with the
rebels at that place. Not much is told con-
corning the nature of his preparations, or Of
the methods he has devised for carrying the
Notifications; but he is an accomplished en-
gineer, and understands nothing better than
the business of dealing with strong fortifca-
tions. lie is at work at Yorktown, and we
may be sure that his work will not be without
result. The Boston Traveller prints part of q
letter from member of the eighteenth Mas.
sachusetts regiment, Col. Barnes, dated near
Yorktown, April 18th. The writer says
I'VE were out picketing night before last,
close to The rebel Notifications. Al daybreak
we could hear their bands play, and the beat.
ing of their drums. AT one time we were
near enough TO ask them what they had for
breakfast, and they replied, fish
"Our siege guns have come, and before long
they will be at work upon the rebel breast
works. General Mcclellan, l hear, is about
ready to attack the place, and when he COM
mences the rebels will not hold out very
long He will also make other combinations
which will ensure a clean sweep of all the
rebels in this region. The force OF the enc.
does not now exceed forty or fifty thousand
men. Neither are their guns OF so formula
bic character as has been generally re-
ported. The eleventh Massachusetts rpgi-
ment, Col Blaisdell, are at Shipping Point,
six mi es below, but will probably be up here
in day or two.
"The Berdan sharpshooters are picking off
the rebels in fine style, SO that they are afraid
now to serve their cannon, for fear of being
all hQra is nj bod tI,,,
corps who has already picked off about thirty
rebels He is called the California Sharp.
shooter and never misses a man. He goes
out alone, close up TO the rebel batteries gets
into hole, or behind fence, and every rebel
he sees in the forts or around the rebel breast
works he is sure to shoot, being able to kill
man mile off. He carries stick with him,
and notches one for every rebel picked off
In a few days you will hear Of the capture
OF Yorktown"
In the letters sent from our camps near York.
town, various incidents of the siege are re.
lated, which indicate much activity on both
sides. We make few extracts:
"NEAR WARWICK COURT House,
April IL.
During the skirmish few days since shell
from tile enemys twO-gun battery on our1ront
fell into an ammunition chest and exploded
AL Tue gun cartridges &C., III u. Inc general
and his staff were at the moment within tif.
teen feet Of the chest. Vociferous cheers went
up from the rebels upon the perception of
their lucky hit. But circumstance occurred
almost Immediately which, il they saw and
understood it, must have dashed their inclina.
ton to cheer. When the shell and general am-
munition exploded there were a number of our
shells in the chest. In the blaze the fuses of
these shells became fred, and there was dam
49, y.lA -.
men-Martin Roberts and David L. Smith, of
Capt Wheelers battery-rushed up and threw
bucket at water into the chest, which exlin-
guished every fuse"
"LEE's MILL, April 10.
"Three prisoners from the tenth Georgia
regiment were brought in yesterday, from
whom General Keyes gathered some informa-
ton. Their names are Alex. L. Foster, born
in Albany, N. Y; John McKeon, born in
New York city, and John w. Antignac, born
III augusta, Ga. They were all prvates, and
neuoers 0t Tue tenth Georgia, Colonel Cum.
hlnBs' ihey say that about two thousand
negroes have been at work bero "a =,
AOrkto"h lor Two months. They intend #
beaten, TO fall back on Williamsbv,g Ti', =
camp is on tue rear OF the tort. 'fhov .a..
when they left there we're about twelve 49,.
m0unteu-one Far OFT, and the rest mo,,l,
from six to eight pounders-mostlv iron 10y
Il was rumored in camp when they left thst
General Johnston had gone to KentncIv
taking aome of the Manassas troops. Tie
Georgian was an intelligent young man. but
refused TO answer any questions"
"YoRKTowN, April IAN imperative
scene occurred this afternoon in New York
regiment. After evening drill parade. pri.
vale John Carroll, who was convicted some
time since Of lighting fire on guard in disc.
q 4 4
on his post, was brought before the regiment.
The order was read adjudging him to be shot.
A deaihlike stiffness p rYaded the entire line.
The order dwelt upon the cnormity Of the of.
fence and necessity Of promptly melting out
the prescribed punishment OF death. A sec.
ond order was now read of pardon. The re.
vulsion of feeling alike on the part Of the pris.
oaeF aud the regiment may be imagined.