Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-09-04

vening authorities mig htthnk proper
such steps should be deemed necessary to- meet serious
advance of the enemy il the Peninsula felt compelled to
dispose feeble forces in such manner as to accomplish
these objects with the least risk possible under the circan
stances of great hazard which SURROUNDED the little army
had prepared as my real line Defence positions in
advance, at Horwood's and Youngs Mills
Both TANKS of this line defended by Doggy and diff
fcut streams and swamps in addition. the left flank
defended by elaborate Notifications at Ship Point
ed by broken line of redoubs crossing the heads Of the
various ravine emptyDg into York river and Womleys
Creek and terminating Fort Grafton, nearly
The right flank deferded by the Notifications at the
mouth Of Warwick river and at Mulberry Island Point and
the redoubs extending from the Warwick to James river
Int veDing between the Two Mills wooded coun
| try about two miles in extent.
This wooded line forming the CENTRE needed the defence
of infantry sufficient force prevent any attempt
the part of the enemy to break through it,
my opin this advanced line, with IFS flank defences
might have been held by twenty thousand troops.
With twenty five thousand, don't believe cOud have
been broken by any force the enemy could nave brought
It's two TANKS protected by the Virginia and the
works on on3 sde and the Qualifications at Yorktown and
Gloucester Point on the other.
hiding my forces too weak to attempt defence of
this line was compelled to prepare to receive the enemy
MY second line, on Warwick river.
This line incomplete its preparations owing to the
fact thousand negro abOrers that had employed in
toriDg taken from and discharged by superior
orders December las and delay OF nine weeks oonse
quenty occurred before could 1e-Organize the a6UreTs
Keeping then only small bodies of troops at Harwoods
and Ytungs Mills and Ship Point, distributed my
naming forces along the Warwick line embracing front
Yorktown minors farm of twelve miles, and from
the latter place to Mulberry Island Point Of and half
miles. p.
Burberry Island fixed garrisons amounting to six thou
sand men-my whole force being eleven thousand III 000)
so that it will be seen balance embracing
length Of thirteen miles, defended by about five thou
After two reconnossances in great force from Fortress
Monroe and Newport News the enemy the Sd of apri
advanced and took possession of Harwoods Mills
He advanced in two heavy columns-one along the old
York road and the other along Warwick road and,
the 9TH april appeared spontaneously along the whole
front of our line, fIom Minors farm to Yorktown.
| o
of his force butt from various of nfor
nation was satisfied that had before the enemy's
Army Of the Potomac under the command OF General Nc
Clean, with the exception OF the two Corps dArmee OF
number OF certainly not less than hundred thousand
men.
On every portion of my lines, where the enemy approach
ed attacked with furious cannonadng and musket
ry which responded to with effect by batteries and
troops of the line.
His skrmehers were we'll thrown forward this
and the succeeding day, and energetcay felt our whole
line but everywhere repulsed by the steadness OF
Thus With five thousand men exclusive of the garrisons
stopped and held in check hundred thousand
LOT the enemy.
attack by the enemyhe men slept in the trenches and
arms but to my utter SURPRISE he permitted day Of
ter day elapse without assault:
In few days the object Of his delay apparent
In every direction il front of nes through the inter
venng woods and along the open fields earhWorks began
Though the energetic action of the Government rein
orcemens began pour and each hour the army of the
Peninsula grew stronger and stronger, until ali anxiety
passed from mind as to the result of an attack upon
Yorktown, Brig. Gen. Early ordered sore to be made
the reoubts for the purpose OF dslodgng him from
PAlmeDtarys peach orchard. 49,. ),
Florida Col Ward and the Mississippi Battalion, Lieut.
Il Col. aylor all under the command Of Col. Ward.
The quick and reckless charge of men, by throwing
the enemy hasty flight, enabled effect without
supported artillery when the least wayerng heaita
l. ton part would have been attended with great
The Warwick iue upon which rested may be briefly
described follows: Warwick River rises very
lilo oT1c half tn tho RIGHT of Nnr
Yorktown and Redoubta Nos and s. united by long cur
and thanked by life pits, foEm the left OF the line, un
til, the commencement OF the military road, 1t reaches
Warwick River here, sluggish and DOGGY stream TWEEN
thirty yards wide, and running throuSha dense WOOD
cannot design e all the mary gallant officers and pri
Yates who distinguished themselves ard respectfully cal
the attention CT the Commanding General to the accom-
II not specially mention particular instances.
- Brigader General Howell Cobb exhibited, Throughout
the day, The greatest courage and Skill and when
de critical moment troops, his line of battle
ed he, himself in person. rallied the troops under terri
BILE fire. and by his voice and example entirely
IS, Brigader Toombs had the morning, by
order detached his division Colonel AndersOns bri
gade to support Brig adler General Cobb and late IN III
evening ordered forward by promptly and
getcay led the remainder OF his command under hre az
irving just the ceased the vgor of his attack
at and in time to share its dangers
in Brigader-General ?. j. Semmee commanded ~oomos
Nj brgade-the being command OF the dvisionan
- showed his usual promptness and courage. -.
on Colonel Levy, the I'd Louisiana Regiment tn
Colonel commanding Dam No l, and eVinced Judgment
and high sodeTy qualities in MS conduct and al
raDgements which desire TO specially 10 commend
u Captain Stanley in command of two pieces of ari
rs erv including the six FOUNDER effectively served
At Both he and Lieut. Pope conducted themselves with ski
and courage.
Can't Jordan's piece in very exposed place, al
ic disabled after few rounds and was proper
withdrawn. Both he and his exhibited great steadnes
.ys under the terrible ire which swept over them.
The enemys loss, OF course, cannot De accurately est
mated the greater part of occurred over ON their sid
the stream but think it could have scarcely been les
les than six hundred killed and wounded -,
ing Cur loss comparatively trivial owing TO th
earthwoks which covered men, and did not eXcee
ft seventy five killed and wounded
All the relnorcements which were on the way 10 me Ia
yet Joined me, that unable to follow up II
en- action of the 10th April by any decisive step
e5 The reinoTCements accompanied by Officers WI
en- ranked me, and ceased to command
vas cenrot too highly commend the conduct OF the ohce
the and men OF whole command who eheeruy submtte
raj The greatest hadshp and deprvaons From the At
zen of April to the Sd of May this army SUed almost cb0
relief the trenches. Many companies of artillery
never relieved during this long period.
ted raned almost necessarily the trenches file
tho with water; the weather exceedingly cold; fire
played upon almost continuously day and night
The army had neither coffee hard bread but
sisted on flour and salt meat and that in reduced quaint
try ties: and yet no murmurs were heard.
and Their gallant comrades of the OF the Potomac
has the Department of Norfolk though not long
posed to these sueBgs shared these hardFhps and
the gers with equal irmness and cheerfuiness.
% have seen, and do not believe that there eV
has existed army the combined army of the Potea
Peninsula and which has shown ITSELF Tor SO io
q time, SO superior to all hardships and dangers.
The best drilled regulars the word has ever seen won
rye have munied under continuous service IN the trench
for twenty days. exposed every moment to mUsket