New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-22
TIE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN,
The skirmEsh at Lees Willie.

g., Asys the enemy had thrown up an earthworK
-, oue mile above Lees Mills at an early hour
,h. morning Gen. BroOkss Brigade and Motifs
na,,.rv were advancedto the Warwick, between
boo and 300 yards from the new work. Motifs
pa,.rv Immediately engaged the enemy's position
,r;,b great spiri: and effect and was replied TO by
,r,o ,,on, in embrasures. In two hours the enemv
w.,s ,ilepeed; not however, before Capt. Mott had
host seven men--three killed and four wounded--all
Of one gun.
Abont tbis time, Gen. Mcclellan arrived on the
croupd, followed by Gen. Keyes, who made an ex-
animation Of the situation and held a protrscted
Interview with Gen. Smith, under whose immediate
eve. under Gen. Mcclellan, were the operations Of
the dsy. Gen. Mcclellan took occasion TO personally
thank the men and officers Of Motifs Battery for their
,oOhess aud efficiency manifested by the manner
In which they had Silenced the enemy'S work.
Skirmshers having been sent to the front on both
the right and left there considerable musketry.
Motifs Battery continued to fire occa ionally as the
enemy were seen in and sbout the work. 10 the rear
Of which great smoke arose, indicating that bar
rscks or other buildings had been set on fire.
The epemy's work in question is situated on the
Varwsk which is in front, and which st that point
hss been damned 40 as 10 increase its width and
denth materially. The dam is directly in front of the
york-s psrrow spit admitting of the passage only
of few men at time While above the water is
bread and deep, below it is almost equally difficult Of
passage over, owing TO the marshy state, the water
being from one to three feet deep. Beside their bat
tery, the enemy have extensive riHe-pits on both
6aDks skirng the stream and other devices to mask
their position.
In the afternoon, our artillery, consisting Of
Ayers's, Wbeelers, Motifs, and Kennedy's batteries
we're advanced TO an open field directly in front Of
tie enemy, distant between 500 and 1000 yards
Here, for an hour, terrific fire was poured into
tie battery and rAe-pits of the enemy, during which
hey mus, have suffered severely. Simultaneous
with this, tue Vermont 9th, Col. Lord, 18th, COL
Soughton, and 3d. Col. Hyde, approached through
be woods which flank both sides Of the enemy po-
Gtion TO the stream, TO make full reconnaissance
and examination with reference to future operations
During this movement, there was much very hard
sighting, in which our men suffered considerably
Companies A, ID, +, and / Of the Vermont Sd made
. gallant rush into the stream below the dam, and
we're about gaining the opposite side, when they
we're compelled to fall back under fire of Thousands
% their hundreds. The Vermont 9th entered the
woods The right, and during the heaviest firing by
our artillery crossed in front TO the left and dasbng
INTO the water waist deep, as had the 80 before
Ihem large numbers dsputiDg the ford in heroic
manner. Gaining the opposite eide, the rihe-pits
o>ened e murderous fire Oh them. In good order
they repassed the stream, fighting as CALAMITY as
when they advanced This was about o'clock.
As our men with cheers emerged from the wood
On the right and crossed to the left in the face Of
kace Of musketry, our artillery, with the view Of
covering them, opened a terrific fire from twenty
guBs A ceaseess shower of shells wss thrown into
TIE enemys position, who rs they rose from the
riScpits disclosed themselves To aim. II cannot
bsaherwiss than that the enemy sustained great
!o while this firing was going on. There was not
% ins,ants cessation while our men were 30 he
sicay pressing TO the charge.
The ith Vermont, as we'll as the Sd and 9Th, gal
knily made the perious endeavor TO cross over and
sFen enter the enemy's works; and though the sd
and oh suffered most, it would be difficult TO dis
criniDse Braver regiments never entered the
fed and though not successful against odds Of ten
10 sne they covered themselves with glory.
While these operations were going on, Gen. Cor
pxs brigade moved to the front about mile above,
srd rdOpened rapid fire of artillery on the enemy's
work. there, and during the day the firing continued
90 both Sides But few casualties occurred.
The position and works Of the enemy having been
thoroughly recopnoitered, and all that was desirable
10 know concerning them sscertained, our forces
were withdrawn, with the exception OF Kennedys
br.ery, which remained on the ground.
7larsday, Aprl 17.-Last night sunken batteries
were constructed on the right and left of our ad-
uncsd position yesterday in front Of the enemy, by
Leafs. Cusseron and Bowen, and this morning We
have eight guns in embrssure.
barring the day there many acts Of true hero
ha, Of which it is impossible TO make suitable
NGd. Among those who were seriously wounded
Early IN the day wss Leo Rheims, gunner at piece
uruber one Of Motifs battery. lie was taken from
be Geld, and rested for while in the edge Of the
vOOds. Borrowing pencil and paper, ne rapidly
psuDed in French the following note to comrade at
ag.n;
CD Top: Thank God am not d,Dgerously wounded III.
pee Of she'll did remsin in ny head After what the
Doa teLs svs tnst poor Lsmbsrs IL dead Wait for
Ne before you write 70 his wife. A. soon as can
III: S ny so16n, f S ssSs captain fHs s 70 {.
vendod m the Oood By. pray God that may
~ be hurt Your Old fnend l.. RHEIMS.
is believed that the gallant fellow though .eri-
ou,y is not fatally wounded.
Tie crossing by Col. Stoughton, Of the 4th Yer.
nOnters from the right to the Left directly in front Of
the Enemy was most gallant action, was the sub
tequent conduct Of himself ard men in the move
nents afierward below the dam.
Capt. Pegun of the Sd Vermont, was the fret to
1oss and was wounded while gallantly pushing for
wsrd.
Is CANT GEN KsTEs's Cogps.
Or rag PENINSULA, Va, April n, 1862.
caguaitee ~, thu .N.ir of veaterdav have bpfn