The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-06

weather was dull and cloudy, rain falling portion of
the time. II exceedingly difficult to observe any OF
the cnemy's movements, by Of the hazy condi
ton OF tho atmosphere Success in any undertaking do
ponds, to some extent, upon timely Improvement OF
adventtous circumstances. Such has always been
Of the secrets OF the enemys success. In several in
stances since tho Of the rebellion he has
displayed the power TO seize upon and improve
able opportunities. And he took advantage OF
tho dull, dark dreary weather Of the past
few days for the evacuation OF his position,
which was universally believed, from what had
been said concerning IL, to DO all but abso
lutey mpregnablc On Wednesday last there was
firing from different directions going all day. Tho
enemy threw number OF his largest shot and shell
from the immense fortihcatlon which overlooks the
river Although those missiles flew all around US,
falling in the camps aud passing over then there
wero only Jew slight casualties among mon. After
tho rain had commenced TO fall in tho afternoon the firing
was Increased. Up to this time IL principally
fined 10 tho right of line from which battery OF
five hundred FOUNDER Parrot guns one two hun
drcdpounder, situated tho river had returned
tho brisk fro of tho enemy Thus there had boon quite
a cannonade. Finding that guns were Prov
ing SO effective several OF thoso tremendous
shells having burst the Notifications, and
others have perceived this morning. has ing knocked
heaviest guns the enemy concluded to his efforts
that direction and his attention 10 another quar-
ter. Then, ator in the afternoon, between three and
four O'Clock, heard cannonading to left, and It
evident that II tho intention OF the enemy IL
possible divert attention for the time being from
his formidable post to the right.
On Thursday, the LIST OF May the enemy sent forward
small detachment Of infantry, tho Mississippi Rifles,
keep up appearances and create impression that he
intended ght while subsequent have shown
that he afraid 10 fight and had determined to sent
Iy evacuate Everything was remarkably quiet during
the mornings but both sides resumed thor artillery
practice In the afternoon. Several OF the shells from
Yorktown burst in some Of our oncampmcnts A pro-
mise Of nc weather bghtsd later in tho day. when
the sky clcuded over deeper than There was an
occasional shot fred during the night.
The morning Of Friday, May q was duh and drcary,
several OF the previous mornings had been. Soon how
ever gentle breeze the sombre covering Of clouds
parted like curtains drawn aside, revealing . clear,
beautiful SKY. Front carly In tho morning for several
hours the enemy kept up rather regular and constant
Are from his heavy guns, as before. Many shots
sent from the left Of the foricatons surrounding tho
town itself. and busly engaged ia run
ming tho parallel extreme right the river
was supposed that no had brought . number
Of field pieces 70 . favorable position outside
his works. and was cndssvorng TO enGlade our parallel
Our Dig battery number one the bank Of the river
returned the nre and made some splendid Shots mum.
Der Of the shells having been 70 burst over tho
enemys intrsnchments. Still he kept up the cannonade
with vgor which seemed TO say that when tho siege
should be opened he was fully determined to make a
desperate resistance For hours tho air resoundcd with
the tremendous reports OF heavy guns. Sometimes the
report OF and Of tho bursting shell from an.
other would be heard simultaneously. About noon the
cannonadng louder and more rapid than any day
since the arrival Of army before the town. The un.
usually loud reports from the rebel guns created
the impression among some that the enemy had
recently been mounting Of larger cabre than
no had mounted there heretofore Some OF the shells
went clear ovor General McCIellan's headquarters.
This was the frat time that any rebel missiles had
como so great distance. Quite number Of tho fuse
shells burst very high in the air and large wreahs Of
smoke created by the bursting, assembled towards the
SKY II was manifest that, instead Of having heavier
guns ,hs rebels were putting into those which they had
enormous charges q powder, One q their largest
guns burst with tremendous noise. This sharp engage
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