Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-19
STAR.
TnE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN

The Rebels have keen for several days building
large fort on the Gloucester side Of York river,
shout two miles from Yorktown, within sight OF
our gunooats, but their guns were OF too long
range 20 allow OF the approach Of the boats TO
check the work. At least coo men were at work
on the fortifcstlon, and our mortars were not Of
Sufficient range to check their operations. Yes
t@rdaY morning, however, the gunboat salago ar.
Sived, having leo FOUNDER rihed Parrot gun on
board, ana at once opened upon them with shell,
which were so well aimed that they could be seen
ialling In their mids. and exploding with fatal
ea.ct. The Rebels could be distinctly seen car
Tying of their killed and wounded, and in the
course Of two hours the work was entirely sus-
pended, the men falling back out Of range Of the
deadly IRE opened upon them. At every attempt
20 renew the work they were driven back, up TO
night, when II was presumed they would renew
The work.
learn from an cGicer who has Just arrived from
York river that the Notifications Of the enemy
commanding the approach to Yorktown are very
siron9. Not less than hfty guns Of one hundred
pound calibre, most Of them rifed, bear directly
on the bar, and II Is doubtful whether any ordi-
nary wooden vessels, unless provided with guns
80 longer range. will be able TO attack them. On
The hrst approach Of our vessels to the bar they
commenced throwing shells, which were not
answered, ana all of them fell short. They con-
1lnued 20 approach and IRE until one Of their
shells struck the shore, when TIE battery OF the
enemy was immediately opened and q shot from
q hundred pound rhed gun went flying over
their masts. 1t WIS thus ascertained that the
guns 81 the enemy were Of the longest range,
=
AtShlp Point learn that the battery and camp
sGand0ned nv the enemy IL OF the most complete
character. The fertilization extends nearly a
quarter OF mile, with three bastions, one In the
center and one at each end. There Is also q COW
cred way for the protection OF the men from els
which extends the whole length CT the ear,hworh,
giving the gunners the facility OF moving from
one end Of iAe earthwork 10 the other. The guns
fore the approach Il our troops Hnd the gunboats.
and the whole work was abandoned without any
attsmp: being made {" destroy 1t. The banscks
!asde a the fort S5e we'll built aud comfortable,
Hnd sOnie iGei Of their extent mo be judged from
TIE fact that three fun regiments quaTtefed 81
them. The walls are even rlastered Inside, and
ShOW that the rebels VINO have spent the winter
here We're at least not exposed TO the weather.
Our gunb6ats are llying about two miles from
Yorktown, which, Ii may be we'll TO remark IL
no larger than TOwsOntOwn, composed principally
Uf frame houses. scattered around through the
country. Ii is not a. large or half as important a
town - Hampton was, which was ruthlessly
destroyed by Gen Magruder. fhe FORT fcations
are immediately In front Of the town, and when
The 6ght commences in earnest the destruction OF
lite town Is Inevitable. There Is said 10 he skrm-
lsbing going On along the whole line before York
Town, the Befdan Sharpshooters spreading terror
among the gurneTs by their unerring aim at a
range far beyond the reach of the enemy's Tifes
III enemy have made several sOrlies with IN
fintIy In the endeavor to capture the rriemen,
nut have been driven back with heavy loss As
10 tie arrangements making for the finale of the
siege, need only add that the ''work goes brave
IL on y
There has been az extensive smoke arising all
day to-day from the camp at Newport News.
leading 10 the belief that preparations are making
20 evacuatc H. There IL no doubt Of the fact that
the MerriIGac can esme there add shell the camp
out whenever she Is inclined Ia do 30 Whether
u IL better To evdcuate il than leave Il to be de-
strOyed and p.HGGer-d BY the enemy IL question
easily decided By tie military authorities It has
never ceased to oe position Of importance to u.s.
and 0pn Mensttd is not the man to leave the
enemy 10 do what he can do FOR them. The warm
weather renders hnts and barracks erected there
az but little present Importance, as the men all
now prefer the use Of their tents.-C0Y Baltimore
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