Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-04-16
NEWS FROM YORKTOWN.
LATEST FROM McCLELLAN's ARM
GUNBOAT OPERATIONS.

WASHINGTON, April 15-The steamer
Yankee, Capt. Eastman, arrived at the navy
yard to day, having left York river at O clock
yesterday morning. The Yankee went about
eight miles up the York river on Sunday
night; and anchored off Gloucester Point,
where the steamers Penobscot, Marble Heart
and Wachuset were already lying. The rebel
batteries at the point, which are said to be
very extensive, mounting mostly 100.pound
rltted guns, tried the range of their guns on
the steamers, about o'clock yesterday alter
noon. The shot fell very little short of the
Marble Heart.
The vessels then dropped down the river,
and about three miles below the point, and
discovered party OF rebels building battery
on the north bank, on whom the Yankee
opened fire at the distance of three-fourths of
a mile. The rebels seemed 10th to abandon
their works, and although the shells of the
Yankee fell in their midst, they did not leave
the vicinity, but took refuge in the woods and
behind some neghboring log houses. The
Yankee, after firing some sixty or seventy
shot and shell, during an hour aud a half, lett
the scene, The other boats having come up to
do their share. As the Yankee was leaving,
the boats OF the Marble Heart were on the
way to the shore to burn the houses behind
which the rebels had taken refuge.
river fired some eight or ten shot, but they
fell far short of them, The guns in the bat
teries at Gloucester Point are said to be only
in a position to reach vessels below them in
the middle OF the river, and light draught yes.
sells can approach within a short distance of
the point with safety by hugging the shore.
BEFORE YORKTOWN, April 15.-Sunday
morning about two o'clock a section of artiI-
lery was posted within halt mile of the rebel
works near the river, supported by sufficient
Infantry to prevent their being captured Eff.
teen shots were fired into the rebel earthworks
before they were able to bring their guns to
bear, when our men withdrew without dam.
age.
A fine view was yesterday obtained of the
position of the rebels, both at Yorktown and
Gloucester, from Fairchild's house, at the
mouth of Wormliths creek. Twenty four
guns were seen in the water battery at York
town, and nine at Gloucester. At the latter
place large number of workmen were en-
gagged in erecting new works. AT Yorktown
the old works used during the siege OF 1880
were still visible, and were readily dstin.
guished from those of recent construction.
Heavy guns were mounted on their walls, and
the rebel flag was flying from It's battlenents
The principal wharf was covered with com.
mssary stores, while the river was dotted with
sails. Every one appeared to be busy, as
though the coming struggle depended upon
his individual exertions.
Late in the afternoon schooner anchored
short distance above the wharf, and was burnt.
The fotia was yesterday afternoon engaged
in Smelling out body of rebels, who were en-
gagged in constructing shore battery about
four miles below Gloucester. The result of
the firing was not known
On Saturday, corporal Walter H. Bean, of
company E Berdan's sharpshooters, was shot
thro Ugh the neck and back, while on picket
last night. Things were remarkably quiet.
A slight shower occurred this morning, but
the sun soon made its appearance.