The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-04-18

Gen. McClellan's head quarters, was three
hours in achieving three miles. Our men
were working cheefiully and with will.
The main work 30 far has been done BY one
or two batteries Of light artillery and Ber-
dams sharpshoo,ers. The latter are doing
wonders. When they first camo within
rnnoe. the rebels were In the habit Of inso.
leutly dancing upon the top Of their intrench.
ments. with ieers and uncouth antics, but 1t
Vas soon found out that every man 90 amus.
inc himself received rifle bullet from an
unseen marksman. The gunners also soon
discovered that II was unwise 70 expose them.
selves, and now every gun Is protected. But
30 of our men have been killed since the
commencement Of the siege. The loss OF the
enemy 10 of course unknown.
There Is no Disgusting the fact that the
enemy's position is, both by nature and art,
very strong. The York river Is damned 30 o.
TO overflow what was already marsh. ~.
cry reconnaissance DEVELOPS new batteries,
and residents with rebel tendencies say that
an army which could carry the first line
would have to deal with second, still more
formidable, beyond. An inference as to the
strength of the works held can DO drawn
from that Of those abandoned. .l.
Tho fertilization ut Ship Point, whittier
our supplies are now brought, mounts but .
guns, but is constructed with admirable en-
cheering skill, and in many respects Is more
complete In its appointments than any works
about Washington. The log huts In which
the men were lodged, and which were LETT
untouched, rs though the rebels expected TO
re.occupy them, are better habitations than
those on many Western farm. They ore
te.washed, and have doors and glass win.
dows. The other works and intrenchcd
camps which the rebels occupied arc charac.
terized as Of similar excellence. And 1t 10
believed that the works which they occupy
are even moro formidable.
The regular dispatches to the associated
press give the following:
CAMP BEFORE YORKTOWN, April IL.
On Friday, while the 18th N. Y. Volun-
teers, In command OF Major Baruum, was on
duty in front OF the enemy's works near
York river, regiment Of rebels came out
from under cover and advanced in line OF
battle. The Major rallied ABOUT 300 OF bis
men to receive them at musket range, who
poured in deadly FIRE Of mimic balls, when
the rebels retired, leaving their dead and
wounded, which they afterwards removed in
ambulances.
Later In tho day the rebels advanced in
considerable force from another point, driv.
ing In our entire pickets, and burning q
dwelling used by the federal troops. During
both these skirmishes We had throo mcn
slightly wounded. ........ ......
The 59th and 63d Penn. regiments had o
brisk skirmish with the enemy on Friday, in
which We had two men killed and wound
ed.
A balloon was sent up from the rebel lines
this morning for the 6rst time.
The weather still continues pleasant, much
improving the roads.
Tho sttrn.wheol steamboat Wissatuckon, oi
Philadelphia, while entering u creek yester-
day, was fred at by the rebels water battery
ono shot passing very close to her cabin.
There was no firing Of artillery yesterday,
by either army. ....
The army Is busily occupied In pushing
forward necessary preparations for an cd.
vance.
There are no suffers here. The Quarter
master and Subsistence departments are rap
idly perfecting their arrangements to keep tho
army supplied with everything needed for the
comfort Of the troops.
The rebel army has been reinforced by
large numbers Of troops from Richmond,
Norfolk and the line Of tho Rappahannock,
increasing their numbers. II In said to nearly
or quito loo 900 men, We have tho auth
GRITTY Of san intelligent negro" for the state
ment that all the enemy's forces have left
fredericksburg, for Richmond and York
town.
before YORKTOWN, April Is.
Yesterday morning, about 2 O'Clock, q
section OF artillery was posted within half u
mile Of tho rebel works near the river, sup
ported by sufficient infantry to prevent their
being captured. Fifteen shots were fred in
to the rebel earthworks before they were able
to bring their guns to bear, when our men
withdrew without suffering any damage.
A fine view was yesterday obtained OF the
position Of the rebels both ut Yorktown and
Gloucester, from Fairchild's house, at the
mouth OF Wormleth's creek. Twenty.four
guns were seen in the water battery at York.
town and nine at Gloucester. Everyone ap-
peared to DO as busy rs though tho coming
struggle depended upon his individual e1er-
lions.
The aotilla was yesterday afternoon en-
gagged In Smelling out body Of rebels who
were occupied in constructing shore bat
terry about four miles below Gloucester. Tho