Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-05
tFrOrn the Army Correspondent Associated pre.,,
HEADQUARTERS Army PoToMAC,
Ala al,

HEADQUARTERS Army POToMAC,)
May 4th, 10 A. NJ.
This morning, at o'clock, your cores
pondent entered the enemy's works, which
tue rear of their army deserted four hours
before. Everything was found to be in ut
ter confusion, as though they left in great
haste. Retween forty and fifty pieces of
heavy artillery have been left in their
works, after being spiked, together with a
large amount Of ammunition. medical
stores, camp equipnge, tents and private
property of their officers. A negro who
was left in the town, states that the rebels
threw large amount of ordnance stores
into tine river to prevent them falling into
our hands.
Several deserters have succeeded in run.
ming into our lines. OIe of them, n very
intelligent man, from New York, who had
been connected with the ordnance depart
ment ever since the works at Yorktown
had been constructed, states that the reb-
els evacuated owing to the near approach
OF our parallels covering the immense
siege works of our men; that they feared
the success of the Union gunboats in the
York and James Rivers, by means of which
their communication with the outer world
would be cut off.
The order was given to eVacuate by
Gen. johnson, on Thursday, to commences
the following morning, which was accord
ingly doue. Gen. Magruder is said to have
strenuously opposed the measure, stating
that If they could not whip the Federals
here, there was no other place in Virginia
where they could; that he swore in the
presence OF his men, who vociferously
cheered him, losing complete control Of
himself
General Robert E. Lee, Commander. in
Chief, arrived at Yorktown on Wednesday,
aud Immediately examined the works Of
| Gen, Mcclellan, when he is supposed to
have recommended the abandonment of
the works, deeming them untenable,
| The deserters all agree that their troops
were very much demOralized aud dissatis-
fed when the order was made public. as
they all anticipated having an engagement
at that point.
The deserters also agreed that the rebels
hau 10000 men on the Peninsula, togeth-
er with 400 pieces of field artillery.
From the best information received saws
they have fallen back to Ohickacomi6p
Greek, beyond Williamsburg, where il was
expected they would make a stand.
Immediately on the facts becoming
known, the troops were ordered under
arms, and are now in motion from, the
right aud left wings of the army.
A large force under command of Gen
Stoneman, consisting of cavalry, artillery
and infantry, are in advance and will
probably come up with the rear guard of
the enemy before night if they remain near
Williamsburg.
The gunoOats have passed above York
town aud are Smelling the shore ON the
way up.
Following them is large steamer and
Vessels loaded with troops, who will effect
a landing.
Magruder swore he was not afraid of
Mcclellan if Lee was, aud that if he could
not successfully fight him here he could no
where else.
Only one man was lef. in yorktown, and
Gen. Jameson and Col. Samuel Black
envy. - '-'' gu
The only casualty that occurred was
the killing oftwe men and the woundiug
Of three by the explosion OF concealed
shell within the works. The following are
their names:
! Killed-GeO. McCoal and Geo. McFar-
wounded-Micsael McDermot, serp't j
] Smith, Fred Steich aud Lawrence Burns
They all belonged to Co. A, 4th n. 7.