New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-23
THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN.
Object Of the Attack Of the 18th.
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE ACTION.
A FL q OF TRUCE

1t not unfrequently happens that the value OF q
movement or ac,on cannot be estimated or its re-
suits fully comprehended before the lapse of several
days. Such is The case concerning the affair, on our
front, of the 18th. Up to that day, our extreme
from, was upward Of milo distant from that of the
enemy, the intervening territory being occupied
s times by the skirmishers Of both SIDES but prac-
ticaly in possession of che enemy, in force or
less numerous, thrown out in front Of their in
trenched works. On the morning Of the 10th our
force OF infantry, supporting that Of artillery, was
thrown boldly forward, clearing this disputed
territory of the enemy, who were driven back
TO thor inirenched position across the stream,
on the further bank of which it is situated.
This bod snd vigorous movement was followed
in the morning by planting r;illery directly in
The face Of those works at distance Of 200 yards,
which, after fierce cannonadng on both aides for
two hours, were practically silenced. AT the same
time small body OF infantry was thrown forward
to feel and reconnoiter the intervening space. This
was done with bodness, skill, ard success worthy
Of older soldiers better there could not well be than
the sterling Vermonters 10 whom Il Is hazardous duty
was conGded. Later in the day, these import
ant advantages wero improved by advancing our
artillery still further, and within 400 yards OF
The enemy's work, 10 position completely
commanding them, at the same time covering
our infantry. These rapid and vigorous move
ments pusbed the enemy TO the wall and
rendered their works almost untenable. We
lad nearly exchanged positions, our own hay-
ing been securely and firmly taken. We have since
maintained il, and We eau hold 1t at will.
IL s..f., II H. pntoa
10 within p.lo-sho. Of the enemys works, the prn'
cips feature in the strength Of which tie stream
fronting lhem flooded by DANE, and ciogeed by brush
and felled trees. To obtain complete knowledge of
lhese obstrucloDs, and if possible, nearer
view Of the enemys works, and especially knowi-
edge Of the extent Of the rifle pits that stretched
along the banks Of the stream above and below the
intronched position of the euemy, was at once i'm
poriant and hazardous; important nay, absolutely
necessary to the prosecution Of future operations,
and hazardous because in the very face Of Thousands
of the Rebel infantry lying in ait ut short range in
their pits and intrenchments. To make this recon-
noi..anee, to take this nesr view TO make this exam
nation war all that contemplated by the orders
covering the operations, unless in prosecuting them
i, should appear that by the flight or weakness Of
the enemy it was practicable to occupy their works.
Such an irsane idea az that Of asssung TIC strong
position Of The enemy with tie snail force advanced
a iv,v..'y,~'''D l"''y, ~. .;-aa oon,A,r
plated The objects in view we're accomplished with
eminent succesa and the result is, we now not only
command the Rebel works both by our artillery and
infantry but all tha, is necessary TO perfect knowl-
edge OF tho enemy's works, and the various appli-
snces relied on for the prosecution of their defensive
traI Ia nfru ha1l
seen too many instances Of important operations un-
deraken without previous arcertanment Of the posi-
ton Of the enemy, and the character Of their de-
Censss. repetition Of tue bunder here was not TO
he mart OF the history Of this campaign. Tie prin
rple ia good one that many times the cost Of thor
onob reconnaissance Of strong position will be
ed in edDg operations The present case is
not AN exception. We know our ground We know
that Of the enemys. We practically command their
nosition. We have chosen our own. We can now
set nnderstandDgly. The reverse was the fact
rreviogs TO The operations of the l6tb.
One feature Of the operations on the 10th is
worthy of more particular mention than haa been
made Of il. refer 10 the mastery manner in which
~. Assb Of Col Stougb'on nnd his men was covered
Inv the artillery, under the direction Of Capt Ayres
Col. soughton, with one or two hundred men, had
b.en sent into the woods right, with the view
az crossing over 70 our left imrneds'eiy in front Of
,be enemys works, cose down 10 the water, for the
,rroose Of mixing an examination Of the dam and
the froat Of the enemy's defenses. AT a given mo-
reut they emerged from the woods on the right.
NTH a cheer, and rushed down the bill in the face
or the pi,s, single volley from which would SEEM
ipgly have cut down every man. Tie same instant,
Can't. Ayres directed tie artillery TO open on Tie
a,er,s vts and works. The order was obeyed
with terrible energy twenty guns launching an un'
ce,sng shower of shells every one exploding, with
uneung precision.
The long line OF Rebel works blazed with sheet
If dsme. Thousands Of rifles rose above Tie ram
rars but instead of being discharged with deibera
ton al our men in front, they were generally ele
v.ted 30 az TO fire into the air. The practice OF the
artillery was perfect. The energy Of the hrins
ves indescrible. Tie roar was unceasng.
eond Of smoke and dust rose from The ere 81 oi the
Rebel works, where, with not so much hs al IN
staut's cessation, the shells exploded. No troops
coud face such storm and the edceyor OF the enemy
10 plaut sugle yolley inie Col. Sioushton's men
mn.t have cost them many liyeg To our men It whs
terrific ordeal, es well rs their safety. The
,hels Of our artillery were aimed directly cverthem
End the track Of the fiery shower could not have eX-
ceeded ten feet ard probably was eSa than that dis
enee above their heads. Never had artillery more
de.ieate or imporan mission TO perfornl--a double
and diverse duty of so firing as 10 avoid one and
lii the otier-bolh being almos, in the same range
Our men parsed aul repafsed with but slight lofs,
bayi ing but two three killed and some bali dozen
wounded, Col. stouSLton bringing of one on bis