Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-25
THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN,
Object Of the Attack Of The 16th-Furiher
Particulars OF the Action.
Correspondence New York Tribune.l

On The PENINSULA, Va, April 1o-It not un-
frequently happens that the value OF a movement
action cannot be estimated, or It's results fully
comprehended before the lapse Of several days.
Such 10 the case concerning the affair, on our
front, Of the 16sh. Up TO that dav, our extreme
front was upward Of mile distant from that Of
the enemy, the Intervening territory being oc-
cupied ct times FY the skirmishers OF roth sides,
but prect cally In possession Of the enemy. In
force more or lEss numerous, thrown ont in front
of their inlrenC he'd works On the morning Of
the 16th, fgrce ofiBflntry, supporting that OF
artillery, was thrown boldly forward, clearing
this disputed territory Of the enemy, who were
driven back to their entrencsed position across
the stream, on the further bank OF which 1t is
situated . .-..sI
This bold ard vigorous movement was followed
in the morning By planting our artillery directly
IN the face Of those works, st distance Of 900
yards, which, after a fierce cannonading both
sides for two hours, were practically silenced
At the same time email body Of Infantry was
thrown forward to feel and recoanoiter the inter-
vening space. This was done with boldnt IS,
skin and success worthy Of older soldiers, better
there could not well be than the sterling Vermont
ers TO whom this hazardous duty was confded
Later In the day, these important advantages Were
improved by advancing our artillery still further
and within 4GO Tards Of the enemy's works to a
point completely commanding them, at the sane
tine covering our infantry. These rapid and
vigorous movements pushed the enemy TO the
wall and rendered their works almost untenable
We had nearly exchanged positions, our own hav-
ing been securely and firmly taken. I've have
sincemainizfned IL and we hold 1t at will
sance to within pissol-shot Of the enemy's works
the principal feature in the strength of which
was e." stream fronting them, flooded by dams,
and eloggtd by brush ard felled trees.
To obtain a complete knowledge of these OBJ
strCctions, and II possible, nearer view Of tbs
eneny's works, and especisllY knowledge Of
the extent OF the rlHe pits that stretched along
the banks OF the stream above and below the IN
trenched position Of the enemy. was at once i'm
portant and hazardous; important. nay, absolute
ly necessary to the prosecution of future opera.
nd hal ha--u irs slor 60 -
Thousands OF the Rebel Infantry lying in wait at
short range IN their pits aad intrenchnents To
make this reconnaissance, TO take this near view,
10 make this examination, was all that was con-
templated by the orders covering the operations,
unless IN prosecuting them it should az pear that
by the flight or weskaess of the enemy Ii was
practicable to occupy fbeIr works. Such an In.
sane idea as that OF aSssuling the stronY position
Of the enemy with ID small force advanced, a
mere accommodating party, was at no time con-
templated.
The tj-cts n view were accomplished with
eminent success, and the result Is, no not only
command Jle Rebel works both by our artillery
and infaatfy but al that IL necessary TO perfect
knowledge OF the enemy works, and the various
appliances relied on for the prosecution Of their
defensive operations his been ascertained The
country had seen too many inStances of important
operations undertaksn without previous ascer-
tainment Of tee position OF the enemy, and the
character OF their defenses. 4 repetition Of the
blunder here was not TO be Part OF the history Of
this campaign. The priacipIe Is a good one that
many times the coat of thorough recon noissance
Of a strong position will be saved In succeeding
operations. This present case Is not excep-
tlOn. We know ouI ground. We know that OF
the enemv's. We practically command their Do.
stIon. We have chosen our oND. We can now
act undeTs,andingly. The reverse was the fact
prev Gus to the operations of the 10Th
One feature OF the operations on the 18th Is
worthy Of more particular mention than has been
made OF IT, / refer 10 The mastery manner In
which the dash of Colonel Stoughton and his
men covered by the artillery, under the direc-
tIOa OF CeptAia Ayrts. Colonel S,ouohion, with
o.le or two bundled men, had been seat into the
woods Ca our T'Ght with the view OF crossing
owe! - lsi!, Immediately IN frout az the enc
my's works, clcse down t. the w es, for the
purpcsa Of ruasi0g an examination OF the dam
and the fTGE, 4 tat easmy's isfenseS- At a given
moment they emerged from the woods the
rirht with a cheer. and rushed Cia-n .ae I'LL in
the face OF tie pits, d single yoIleY rom which
would seemingly have cut down every man. The
same instant Captain Ayres directed the artillery
to open On the eneny's pits and works. The
order was Obeyed with terrible energy twenty
guns launching unceesing shower Of shells,
every one exploding with unerTing precision:
The long nae Of Rebel works bIazed with
sheet Of hanIe. Thousands of riGes rose above
the ramparts, but instead Of Being discharged
with delibeTatiOn at our men In front, they were
generally elevated 30 as to fire Into the air The
pEsct ee OF the artillery perfect. The energy
ef the 6! ing was indesc bic. The roar was un-
ceasIng. cloud of smoke and dust rose from
the crest Of the Rebel works, where with not SO
muck az an instant's Cessation, the shells ex-
pIoded. No troops could face 4ohi orm, and
Inc endeavOr OF the enemy 70 plant ass1Ele volley
into Col. S.Oughtoa'S men nl1st have cost them
MANY lives To our men q was a tsTIfe ordeal,
as well their safety The shells Of our artillery
were aimed directly over them, and the attack Of
the hery shower could not have exceeded ten
feet, and probably was less thaa that distance
above their heads. Never had artillery more
delicate or imPOftant mission to perform-a
douo,e snd diverse duty; Of 50 firing as to avoid
one anu hit the Otber-Oo'h being in the same
range On: men passed and Tepassed with but
slight loss la Ting but tIo three killed and
some half 4 zen wDE1ded, Col. Stoughton bring
ing of one on his back r.E
As the resll. OF The afsIir cf the 18th, We have
emphatcslly the eneIy's works In a flight
place" TEey can neither man what guns they
have, no- noun: more. There is Il sharpshoOter
for every head. Our tIlerYmen are continually
on the watch, ME ht and day; and now and thea
shell Is planted at will, IS a reminder that any
movement, offensive or defensive will be followed
by deadly slower What might, and probably
would, have cost days aud weeks TO accomplish
by a less energetic and bold measure, has been
accomp pllshei In a few hours and, what is more
important still, at the cost Cf fewer hives by far
We hug the enemy, and il is iTnposs Ole FOR them
70 deSl the blows for which they were preparing;
gisiAg 10 US an advantage OF The greatest value.
Aboat two o'clock to-day, white hag was
raised on the rsbel f1rtfeations and shortly after
Gel. VIZ Il. Levy, bearing message from Brig
Gen Paul J. semmes, n.ede his appearance az the
dam, where he wes met by Major CuTTie OF Gen
smith . stsf The message was addressed $40
the Commander Of the Brigade ia from, % and its
puYpoFt was that there were several of our dead
lElEL uloQfieu Sue OF tLc stream, TO bury
whom 4 cessation OF hOSallties Tor tIzo hours Uas
asked. The reply Of Gen. Smith was that ne
would prefer TO receive the dead =. the dam that
they might be buried by their comrades The
messenger returned with this answer, and sub
sequenlY rsappeared with the assent Of Gea
Semmss 10 the proposition.
Daring the Interview some conversation took
place concerning the action OF the l6,h Col :.
Levy paid a high compliment to the 81 Vermont.
ers: who he said, were upon them before they
were aware OF IL, and actually reached the first
rtne Dit and engaged the occupants Dy clubbing
their guns. fhe G:h Regiment, be said, wss
handled with great skill ana Augment by Col
Lord, and behaved with exceeding bravery. At
a ct Col Levy said thai toe number of on. dead
was u, but 10 turned out TO be 20 Tie increase
sfO<e from the fact that so tight (so to speak)
have we since held the eneInY's position in our
grasp, they have not been able 10 move about
even enough 20 ascertain the rsai number rescas
even the wounded they know TO be within short
distance.
Afier the flag Of truce passed, the number was
svelled 10 20, and vouaded, who have been
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