Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-08
Evacuation of Yorktown.

Yorktown was evacuated by the
rebels on Saturday night. General
McClellan's forces now occupy the
enemy's works. The rebels left q
large amount Of camp equipage and
guns which they could not destroy
without being detected. The follow
ing is Gen. McClellan's despatch:
Headquarters Army of the Potomac, !
May 4, 1862.
To Hon. e. N. Stanton, Sec'y Of War:
Strive have ramparts, guns, am
munition, camp equipage, &c. We
hold the entire rebel works which our
engineers report very strong. / have
thrown all my cavalry and horse artil.
lery in pursuit. Supported by infant
ry move Franklin's division and as
much more as can be transported by
water to West Point today. No time
shall be lost. Gunboats have gone
up York river. Gloucester is also in
our possession. shall push the enc
my to the wall.
Geo. Is. McCLELf.AN.
The steamer Mercidea on the 9th
ult., near Holc-in.Wall, captured the
steamer Bermuda, having $4,000 lbs.
of powder, I field carriages, lumber,
cannon, swords, pistols, shells, fuses,
cartridges, salt pctre, saddles, tin, &c.
It was taken to Philadelphia for ad-
judication. ... ....
From the army correspondent OF
the associated Press before Yorktown
We entered the enemy's works at s
O'Clock this morning, which their rear
deserted four hours before. Every.
thing was found in confusion. About
so heavy pieces of artillery were left
spiked. We found a large amount Of
medical stores, ammunition, camp equip
age, tents and private property of off
GERS. Negroes found there say the
rebels threw large amount of ord
nance stores into the river.
Several deserters who came into
our camp. report rebels evacuated
owing to the near approach of oul
parallels that they feared the success
of our gunboats in York and Jane.
Rivers, which would cut off their com
mnnications. ...... ...
Magruder is said to be strenuousl,
opposed to evacuation, saying if the,
could not whip the Fedcrals here the,
could not anywhere in Virginia
Gen. Lee, rebel Commander-in-Chief
arrived at Yorktown on Wcdncsda,
and examined McClellan's works mi
nutcly, after which it is supposed h,
recommended evacuation, deemin.
his works untenable. ..
Deserters agree that their troops
were much demoralized when the OF
der to evacuate was given, as all an
ticipated a fight there. The rebel.
had loo, 900 men on the Peninsula, al
so 400 pieces of artillery. 1t is be
lieved the rebels have fallen back I,
Chickahomong Creek, beyond Will
iamsburg, where it is expected the,
will make a stand.
Gen. Stoneman commands a larg,
force of cavalry and artillery, and i
pursuing the enemy. He will proba
bly, come up with their rear befor,
night if they remain near Williams
burg. Gunboats have passed York
town and are now Smelling the shores
on the way up the river. Following
them are a number of vessels loadet
with troops to effect landing.
An official report just received say,
the enemy left II guns in the work.
at Gloucester Point. Ordnance stores
were also left.
Other dcserters just come in repor,
that JEFF Davis came with Lee or
Wednesday, and after a consultation
with prominent officers, all agreed &c
the evacuation except Magruder.