Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-05-09
Occupation OF Yorktown.
WA shinntnn AInr 4

Washington, May 4, u, NJ.
The following report has just been re.
ceived from Fortress Monroe Yorktown
was evacuated last night. We now occu-
Ply the cnemy's works. They left large
amount of camp equipage and guns, which
they could not destroy for being seen,
HEADQUARTERS ARMY PoToMAc.1
May 4th, 1862.
stanton, Secretary Of Um We have
captured guns, ammunition, camp equip
age, &c. We hold the entire rebel works,
which our engineers report very strong
| nave thrown my cavalry and horse ar;il-
lery in pursuit, supported by infantry.
shall move Franklin's Division and as
much more as | can transport by water to
West Point to-day. No time shall be lost.
Gunboats have gone up York river. Glou-
cester is also in our possession, l shall
push the enemy to the wall.
(Signed) GEO.B. MCCLELLAN.
Prepared from the A,my Correspondent
of tie Associated Press at Yorktoun We
entered the eneiHy's works at 5 o'clock
this afternoon, which their rear deserted
four hours before. Everything was found
IN utter confusion. About fifty pieces of
heavy artillery were left spiked We found
large amount of medical stores. ammuni-
ton, camp equipage, tents and private
property of the officers Negroes who
were found there say that the rebels threw
large amount Of ordnance stores into the
river
Several deserters have come into
into oGr lines. One states that the reb-
els evacuated owing to the near approach
OF our parallels; that they learned the
success Of our gunboats in the York and
james rivers, which would cut off their
communications. Gen. johnson gave or
ders to evacuate on Thursday to commence
the following morning, which was DONE
Magruder is said to have strenuously op-
posed the evacuation, saying if they could
not whip the Federals here they could not
anywhere in Virginia
Gen. Lee, the rebel commander-in-cbief
arrived at Yorktown on Wednesday, and
examined McClellan's works infinitely, af-
ter which 1t is supposed he recommended
the evacuation, deemirg his works untena-
bic. The deserters say their troops were
much demoralized and disheartened when
the order came to evacuate was given, as
all had anticipated fight there. The reb
els had 100, goo men on the peninsula.
and 400 pieces of field artillery. It is be-
lieved, the rebels had fallen back to Chick
ahominy creek beyond Williansburgh.
where 1t is expected they will make stand.
Gen. otoneman commands large force
of cavalry and artillery, and is pursuing
the enemy. He probably will come u0
with their rear before night, if they remain
near Willlamsburgh. Our gunboats have
passed Yorktown, and are now Smelling the
shores on tae way up the river Following
them are a number Of vessels loaded with
troops to effect landing.
An official report just received, saws the
enemy left seventy-one guns in their works
at Gloucester Point. Guns and ordnance
stores were also left.
Another deserter, just GENE in, reports
JEFF Davis with Lee Wed esday, aud af
ter consultation with prominent officers, all
agreed 30 the evacuation except Magruder.
1t is certain the rebels received rein
forcements on Thursday by steamers frcm
Richmond, but didn't disembark. Gen.
Johnston's baggage has just been eaptur-
cd. D. B, Lathrop, telegraph operator,
was mortally wounded by tie explosion of
4 torpedo.
Fortress Monroe, May 4.
The Merrlmac made ber appearance be-
yond Sewalls Point at ] o'clock TODAY
She stopped off the Point, and up to 4 o.
cl> OK has not changed her location. She