The New York herald., 1862-04-08
Accidental Explosion Of Gum
powder and Shells.
IMPORTANT FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA.
Advance Of the Union Troops and Retreat Of
'- 20 asa the Rebel Forces,
As., &e.s &es
IMPORTANT FROM FORTRESS MONROE.


Capture OF Shipping Point and Other
Places-Attack OF the Union Troops ON
the Enemy's Works at Yorktown
Skirmishing With the Enemy-Name
Of killed and Wounded, &c.
WASHINGTON, April 7, 1862.
Shipping Point had taken by troops and other
places the route formerly occupied BY the rebels
Tho following is summary Of the intelligence received
BY the War Department up to ten O'Clock tonight
First operations at Yorktown and Fortress Monroe
Yesterday the enemy's works were carefully ex.
amined by General Mcclellan, and were found to be
very strong and the approaches difficult The enemy was
in force the batteries at Yorktown and Glou
essser said TO be much increased There sharp r-
ing on the right but harm was done. our forces
were receiving supplies from Ship Point, repairing
roads and getting up large trains.
seemed plain that mortars and siege trains must
,sed before assauting.
Another despatch received At ten O'Clock NJ
states that Yorktown will fall but not without siege Of
three days Some Of the outer works taken
A despatch from General Wool states that General
Magruder had 30 900 mon at Yorktown.
that new rebel camp was discernsd the beach at
the Rip Raps, and shelsd out by Colonel Holiday
Several regiments Of the enemys infantry were seen
from the Rip Raps during the day.
There were no signs Of the Merrimac. rebel tug
seen making reconnaissance of sewalls Point the
afternoon Of Sunday.
On the afternoon Of Sunday Ship Point had been taken
and our gunboats had shelled out the water batteries
There was considerable delay caused in crossing Deep
creek Warwick Court House, and resistance made
by the rebels during which several casualties occurred
side.
All the fortified places Of Importance before Yorktown
had been taken every point The greatest enthusiasm
prevailed among our troops.
fuller account is contained in the following des-
patch
BEFORE YORKTOWN, April 5-Evening.
Hon. EDwnM. STANTON, Secretary Of War
That portion Of the army Of the Potomac recently
conraed at Old Point advanced yesterday morning the
direction Of Yorktown twenty -four miles distant The
right assigned TO General Morrills brigade Of Gen
erai Porers DIVISION two companies the Third Penn
sylvania cavalry and portion Of Berdans sharpshoot
srs acting skirmishers. Nothing Of interest took
place until their arrival at Big Bethel, twelve miles dis
sant who're they mot the outer pckets Of the rebels
Tho troops delayed here two hours in reconstruct
ing bridge. which had been destroyed.
The rebels retrsated before the advance Of skir
mishers 10 Howards creek, where they had aban
doned earthworks. Four shots fred here by the
rebels field pieces which slsnced by
tho Fourth Rhode island battery when the rebels beat
hasty retreot, taking their pieces with them.
The main body Of the army here rested for the night,
while General Morrs brigade advanced threo miles to
Cuckovio and six miles from Yorktown, and there
cncamped
BY seven o'clock this Saturday. morning tho column
was again in notion and ten O'Clock was in front of
the ensmy's works at Yorktown.
The FIRST shot nrod by the rebels the shell passing
over the heads OF General Porter and sta without OK
plodng The batteries Of Griffin, Third and Fourth
Rhode Island and Fifth Massachusetts, were now plac.d
10 position, replying 70 every shot sent by the rebels
The eansoasdins cop,hsod With bus sshs nisrmssioD