The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-05-08
The Rebel Retreat from York
town.

A large amount of camp equipage
and guns, which they could not destroy
for fear Of beng seen, were left behind.
Stanton, dated May 4, 8 o'clock, A NJ,
says: "We have the enemy's ramparts,
their guns, ammunition, camp equipage,
etc, and hold the entire line of his works.
which the engineers report as being very
strong. I have thrown all my cavalry
and horse artillery In pursuit, supported
| by infantry. | move Gen. Franklin's di-
vision and as much more as | can by wa
ter up to West Point to-day. No time
shall be lost. Our sunboats have gone
up York river. Gloucester is also in our
possession. l shall pursue the enemy to
the wall"
On Monday, May 4th, the correspon-
dent of the Associated Press entered the
enemy's works, which they had deserted
four hours before, and furnishes the fol-
lowing particulars
Everything was found to be in utter
confusion. Between folty and fifty pieces
Of heavy artillery were found in their
works, after being spiked, together with
an immense amount OF ammunition, med
succeeded in running into our lines, who
state that the rebels evacuated the place
owing to the near approach o. our paral
lels, covering the immense siege works of
our men That they feared the success
Of the Union gunboats, in the York and
James rivers, by meaus OF which their
communication with the outer world
would be cut off The order to evacuate
was given by Gen. Johnston, on Thurs
day, to commence the following morning,
which was accordingly done. Gen. Ma
gruder is said to have most streBuousiy
opposed the measure, stating that if they
could not whip the Federals here, there
was no other place in Virginia where they
could, and that he swore in the presence
of his men, who yociferously cheered him,
losing complete control Of himself.
Gen. Robert +. Lee, the Commander
in Chief, arrived IN York town on Wednes-
day, and minutely examined the works of
Mcclellan, when he is supposed to have
recommended the abandonment of the
works, dccming them untenable. The
deserters all agree in stating that their
troops were very much demoralized and
dissatisfied when the order was made pub
lie, as they all anticipated having an en-
gagement at that point. They also agree
in the statement that the rebels had 100,-
900 men on the Peninsula, with 400 pie
ces of field artillery. A large force, un-
der Gen. Stoneman, consisting OF cavalry,
artillery and infantry, are on the advance,
and will probably come up with the rear
of the enemy before night, if they remain
near Williamsburg The gunboats have
passed above Yorktown, and are now shell
ling the shore on their way up. Follow
ing them is a large steamer and vessels
loaded with troops, who will effect lam
ding. Only one man was left IN York
town, and he was negro. Gen. Jane
son aud Col. Samuel Black were the first
to enter the enemy's works. The only
casualty that occurred was the killing of
two men and wounding of three by the
explosion of concealed shell within the
enemy's works. The works are very ex-
tensive, and show that they were design
ed by scientific engineers.
An official report, just made to head
quarters, shows that the enemy left sew
enty guns in the works at Gloucester
Point Inside the Notifications, and all
along the Williamsburg road, on which
they are retreating, they have buried tor
pedoes and percussion she'll, which are
constantly exploding and inj juring PERSONS.
The baggage of General Joseph +. John
ston has been captured.
LATEsT.-The War Department has
received the following dispatch from Gen.
Mcclellan: "Our cavalry and horse ar
tillery came up with the enemy's rear
guard in their entrenchnents about two
miles this side of Williamsburg. a brisk
fight ensued Just as my aid left, Gen
Smiths division of infantry arrived on
the ground, and | presume he carried his
work through. [ have not yet heard
The enemy's rear is strong, but | have
force enough up there to answer all pur-
poses We have thus far seventy-one
heavy guns, large amounts of tents, etc.
All along, the works prove to have been
most formidable, and L am now fully
satisfied of the correctness Of the course
have pursued. The success is brilliant,
and you may rest assured that its effects
will be OF the greatest Importance. There
shall be no delay in following up the re-
bels. They have been guilty of the most
murdero1s and barbarous conduct. in pla- |
cing torpedoes within the abandoned
works, near wells, near springs, near flag
stats, magazines, telegraph Offices, in
carpet bags, barrels of -four, &c. Fortu-
nately we have not lost many men in this
manner, some four or FIVE killed, and |
perhaps dozen wounded. | shall make ]
the prisoners remove them at their own |!