The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-04-11

were receiving supplies from Shipping Point,
repairing roads and getting up large trains.
1t seemed plain that mortar and siege trains
must be used before assaulting. Another
dispatch received Monday morning. states
that Yorktown will fall, but not without
siege of or days. Some Of the outer
works were taken. A despatch from Gen
Wool states, that Magruder had 10000 men
at Yorktown. Another dispatch to the sec
rotary of war, states that new rebel camp
had been discovered from the beach at Rip
Raps, and was shelled out by Col Holiday.
Several rebel infantry regiments were seen
from the Rip Raps during the day. No
signs of the Merrimac have appeared. A
rebel tug was seen making a reconnaissance
off Sewalrs Point Sunday afternoon. On
the afternoon of Sunday, Shipping Point had
been taken, and our gunboats had shelled
out the water batteries. There was consid-
cradle delay caused in crossing the deep
creek at Warwick Court House, and resist
ance was made by the rebels, during which
several casualties occurred on our side. All
the fortified places of importance before York
town had been taken, and at every point the
greatest enthusiasm prevailed among our
troops.
THE OFFICIAL REPORT.
A fuller account is contained in the follow
ing Dispatch
BEFORE YORKTOWN, Saturday evening.
Hon Edwin NJ. Stanton, secretary OF war
That portion of the army of the Potomac
recently concentrated at Old Point. advanc-
ed yesterday in the direction of Yorktown.
twenty-four miles distant. The right was as
signed to General Morrill's brigade of Cen
eral Porter's division, two companies of the
Sd Pennsylvania cavalry, and portion OF
Berdan's sharp shooters, acting as skirmish-
ers. Nothing of interest took place until
their arrival at Big Bethel, II miles distant,
where they met tie outer pickets of the reb-
els. The troops were delayed here two
hours in reconstructing bridge which had
been destroyed. The rebels retreated before
the advance of our skirmishers to Howard's
creek, where they had some abandoned earth
works. -Four shots were fired here by the
rebels from two field pieces, which were soon
silenced by the 4th Rhode Island battery,
when the rebels beat hasty retreat, taking
their piece with them. The main body of
the army here rested for the night, while
General Morrill's brigade advanced 3 miles
to Cuckleyille, and miles from Yorktown
and there encamped. BY o'clock this Sat.
urday morning, the column was again in mo-
ton and at ten o'clock was in front of the
enemy's works at Yorktown. The first sho,
fired was by the rebels, the shell passing ov.
err the heads of Gen Porter and staff, without
exploding. The batteries of Griffin. Sd ana
4th Rhode Island, and 9TH Massachuseit:
were now placed in position, replying to ev
cry shot sent by the rebels. The cannonad
ing continued with but slight intermissior
until dark. About 400 shots were fired b!
both parties during the day. The loss OF
our side was 3 killed and wounded.
THE DAMAGE TO THE MERRIMAC.
The following has been received at the ma
w department in regard to the Merrimac -
When she ran for Norfolk on SUNDAY, tn,
9th of March, in the evening, she had sever
feet Of water in her hold. One shot from
the Cumberland riddled her, and one sho
from the Monitor dismounted two guns
The Monitor put ball through the boiler o