Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-04-30
INTERESTING WAR NEWS.
The siege Of Yorktown.


OF mile distant from that of the euemy, the
intervening territory being occupied at times
by the skirmishers of both sides, but practi-
Gully in possession of the enemy in force more
or less numerous, thrown out In front OF their
entrenched works. On the morning of the
10th, our force of infantry, supporting that OF
artillery, was thrown boldly forward, clearing
this disputed territory of the enemy, who were
driven back to their entrenched position
across the stream, the further bank of
which it is situated. This bold aud vigorous
movement followed in the morning by
planting our artillery directly in the face Of
those works, at distance of 200 yards,
which after fierce cannonading on both sides
for two hours, were practically siienced. AT
the same time small body of infantry was
thrown forward to feel and reconnoiter the in
tervening space. This was done with bold
ness, skill and success worthy of older SOL
diers, better there could not be than the sterl-
ing Vermonters, to whom this hazardous duty
was confded. Later in the day, these impor-
tant advantages were improved by advancing
our artillery still further, and within 400 yards
OF the enemy's work, to position command
ing them, at the same time covering our in
frantry. These rapid and vigorous move
ments pushed the enemy to the wall, and rem
dered their works almost untenable. We had
nearly exchanged positions our own having
teen securely and firmly taken. We have
since maintained it, and We can hold it at will.
Meanwhile our Infantry pushed the reconnois-
sance to within pistol-shot of the enemy's
works, the principal feature in the strength OF
which was the stream fronting them, flooded
by dams, and cogged by brush and felled
trees. To obtain a complete knowledge Of
these distinctions, and, if possible, a nearer
view OF the enemy's works, and especially
knowledge OF the extent of the rife pits that
stretched along the banks of the stream, above
and below the en.renched position of the enc
my, was ut once important and hazardous
important, nay, absolutely necessary to the
prosecution of future operations, and hazard
| Gus because in the very face of thousands OF
the rebel infantry lying in wait at shert range
| In their pits and entertainments. To make
this reconnaissance to take this near view, to
make this examination, was all that was con-
templated by the orders covering the opera
tlons, unless, In prosecuting them, it should
appear that, by the flight or weakness of the
enemy, it was practicable to occupy their
works. Such an insane idea as that of assault
Ing the strong position of the enemy with the
| small force advanced, mere accommodating
party, was at no time contemplated. The OBJ
jects in view were accomplished with eminent
success, and the result now is not only
command the rebel works both by our artillery
| and infantry, but all that is necessary to per-
| feet knowledge of the snemy's works, and the
various appliances relied on for the prosecu-
tion of their defensive operations, has been
| aScertained.
| One feature of the operations on the 10th is
worthy of more particular mention than has
been made of it. l refer 10 the mastery man.
| ner in which the dash of Col. Stoughton and
his men was covered be the artillery, under
the direction OF Capt Ayres. Col Slough
ton, with one or two hundred men, had been
| sent into the woods right, with the
view of crossing over to our Aeft Immediately
| In front of the enemy's works, close down to
| q of m ak I'M q
animation of the dam and the front of the reb-
ell defences. AT a given m oment they emerg-
ed from the woods on the right, with cheer,
and rushed down the hill in the face of the
| pits, single volley from which would SEEM
| ingly cut down every man. The same instant
| Capt. Ayres directed the artillery to open on
| the rebels pits and works. The order
| obeyed with terrible energy, twenty guns
| launching an unceasing shower OF shells, every
| one exploding, with unerring precision. The
long line of rebel works blazed with a sheet
| OF flame. Thousands OF rifles rose above the
| ramparts, but instead of being discharged with
| deltberation at our men in front, they we're
| generally elevated to fire into the air.
The practice of our artillery perfect.
The energy of the firing was indescribable.
The roar was unceasIng. cloud of smoke
and dust rose from the crest of the rebel work,
where, With not as much as an instant's cessa-
tion, the shells exploded. No troops could
| face such a storm, and the endeayor of the
| enemy to plant single volley into Colonel
| ) Stoughton's men must have cost them many
| lives. To our men it was terrific ordeal, as
well as their safety. The shells of our artil-
| lery wern aimed directly over them, and the
| track of the fiery shower could not have ex-
ceeded ten feet, and probably was less than
| that distance above their heads. Never had
artillery more delicate or important mission
| to perform-a double and diverse duty or so
| hring as to avoid one and hit the other-both
being almost in the same range. Our men
passed and repassed with but slight loss, hav-
ing but two or three killed aud some half
dozen wounded, Col. Stoughton bringing off
/ one on his back.
| AS the result of the affair of the 10th, we
have emphatically the enemy's works in
| 'stight place." They can neither man what
guns they have, nor mount more. There is
sharpshooter for every head. Our artillery
men are constantly on the watch, night and
| day and now and then shell is planted at
will, as reminder that any movement, offen-
sive or defensive, will be followed by deadly
shower. What might, and probably would
| have cost days and weeks to accomplish by
less energetic measure and bold measure, has
| been accomplished in few short hours, and,
what is more important still, at the cost of
! fewer lives by far. We hug the enemy, and
it is impossible for them o deal the blows
for which they were preparing-giving to us
an advantage of tho greatest value.
About two O'Clock to-day, a white flag was
raised on the rebel Notifications, and shortly
after Col. VIM. M. Levy, bearing message
| from Brig.-Gen. Semmes, made his appear
ance at the dam, where he was met by Major
| Currie, of Gen. Smiths staff. The message
was addressed, "To the Commander of the
Brigade in 'front.'" and its purport was that
there were several of our dead lying unburied
on that side of the stream, to bury whom
cessation of hostilities for two hours was ask
| 0d. Tha replv nf Knit xvae hat bo