Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-05-08

Head Quarters eff the Army of the Potomac,
May 4, 10 A. M.
From the army correspondent of the asso-
ciated press:
This morning at five o'clock, your corre-
spondent entered the enemies works which
the rear of their army deserted four hours
before. Everything was found to be in utter
confusion, as though they left in great haste.
Between forty and fifty pieces of heavy artil-
lery have been left IN their works, after being
spiked, together with large amoant of jam
muntion, medical stores, camp equipage,
tents and private property of their officers.
A negro who was left in the town, states that
the rebels threw large amount'of ordinance
stores into the river to prevent its falling into
our hands.
Several deserters have succeeded in run
ming into our lines. One of them, very in
teligent mar, originally from New York, who
has been connected with the rebel ordinance
department ever since the works at Yorktown
have been constructed, He says the rebels
evacuated owing to the near approach of our
parallel covering the immense siege works Of
our men that they feared the success of the
Uniel gunboats iu the York and Jamer riv-
ers, by means of which their connection with
the outer world would be cutoff. The order
was given to evacuate by Gen. Johnston on
| Thursday, to commence the following morn
ing, which was accordingly done, Gen Ma
gruder is said to have most strenuously OPP
posed the measure, stating if they could not
whip the Federals here there was no other
place in Virginia where they they could could that he
swore in the presence of bis men, who vocif-
erousi5 cheered him, losing complete control
of himself
Gen. Robert E. Lee, rebel Commander-in-
Chief arrived at Yorktown on Wednesday,
and minutely examined the works of Gen.
Mcclellan, when he is supposed to have rec
commended the abandonment of the works,
deeming them untenable.
The deserters all agree in stating that their
troops were very much demoralized and dis
| heartened when the order to e~ee-~.~ --~a
made public, as they all anticipated having
an engagement at that point
They also agree that the rebels had one
hundred thousand men on the peninsula, to-
gether with four hundred pieces Of field ar
tilery.
From the best information received they
have fallen back to Chickahominy Creek,
beyond Williamsburg, where it Is expected
that they will make stand.
Immediately on the facts of the evacuation
becoming known the troops were ordered I'M
der arms and are now in motion from the
right and left wings OF the army.
A large force under the command of Gen
Stoneham, consisting of cavalry, artillery
anc infantry, are in the advance, and will
probably come up with the rear of the enc
my before, If they remain near Williams
burg. ........ ...........
The gun boats have passed above York
town and are now Smelling the shore on the
way up. Following them is large steamer
and vessels loaded with troops who will effect
landing.
Gen. Magruder swore he was not afraid Of
Mcclellan if Lee was, and that if he could
not successfully fight him here he could No
where.
Only one man was left in Yorktown, and
be was negro, Gen. Jameson and Col
Samuel Black were the first to enter the
enemy's main works
The only casualty that occurred was the
killing of two men and wounding of three by
the explosion of concealed she'll within the
enemy's works, and the following are theil
names. They belonged to Co. A, 4oth New
York.
Killed-Geo. Mcfarland, Michael Nc
Dermott. Wounded-Sergeant Jas. Smith
Fre'k Steick and Lawrence Burn0.
The works are very extensive, and show
that they were designed by scientific engin
GERS.