New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-03

tbe one contrasting with the uesn enOshkmehh vi
the other Indicative Of energy of purpose, aud ln'
mensty Of resources.
We passed in iall view Of the Rebe fortifatons,
stretching long distance TO York River on the rgh'
on the LETT los in the low forest that shut on iur
ther observation, leaving the Imagination to supply
their extent. Large and handsome Rebel hsss
doated from bastion and paapet and nninoefiess
guns, some Of them of very heavy caliber, irowned
en- 5qgJefic along the long line. II did not take
second glance to convince OF the really formidable
character Of the Rebel works facing our OVID, that
guard the river, both at Yorktown and Gloucestr
and that stretch across the Peninsula. SO near did
we approach, tia. we could sec the Rebels On thei
rsmpaIts, and presume they saw us. Their works,
10 all appearance, have been constructed some une,
as The slores are sodded and green, and have PEI
u.auent appearance. Occasionally shell rs dropped
among our working parties; otherwise there ls re-
markayly peaceful deposition. Some think It exlrs
ordinary mat the Rebels should permit, without more
energetic remembrance, work on lines in sight ard
short ranno OF their Own. Ii IS among The TuInOrs
and leEels that the Rebels are constructing othef
works behind those we sGw; ~ that when we have
carried Tue inst second, and possibly ihrd sele,
ate Of the Rebel army ID to depend IN any consider
able degree on the works before which we have sci
ourselves down. the open country is snu behno
hem over which they may retreat al will So long
"a this renaius the fact the present siege Of York
town beaIs but small resemblance 10 that which
.yop,uated IN the surrender Of ComwaiDs. Hn
army was surrounded, and escape was impossible
According 10 the pIeseut plan, tie way oi escape TO
the Rebels is as shoIt az that by which they came
II they would agree to lay down their arms when
we carry their works then the sanguinsry business
we have on hand would be certain Of some practical
ana perhaps conClusiye, results. There are those
who do not wholly reject the suggestion
hat at tie moment we arc prepared to strike the
Rebel army viii wihdfaw-Topeat the Cen'reyile
dodge and turn up in another place The success Of
heir previous falling back certainly epds piausi-
btv 10 this suggestion. One can readily zee how,
instead Of Iiskiug everything on battle, OF permit
unl themselves to be trapped by a force coming III
heir rear they will withdraw sonthwsrd. While
with such & policy their works would have served q
valuable purpose in stopping our army for weeSs
ours would become useless expense. Thus the
oyal country would he exaspera'ed and Discouraged
5y repetition Of the Potomac disconiiiure. Ia any
view Of the oase, let not the country make up its
mind that the Rebellion Is going TO receive s death
blow bv besicging Yorktown on one side, no matter
bow formidable OK expensive our works or numerous
the army 1t may 10 10 part Of ones business, no'
even Brgdiore, 70 make suggestion; never
theless there are those Of the opinion that We mig
safely borrow All idea from the known and es-
pressed losgs OF tie itsbels concerning the polio!
OF moving a force upon their rear-a 1ank
movement, 6uob a. to common minds appears prac
ticaLle 10 make al tbe present moment. Gen. Nc
Clelian commands simply and only the army OF the
Potomac. II is 40 more than equal 10 the work Oh
bis hands. lie cannot divide. There is at least ar
equal force strongly in'reuchod opposed 10 him. IL
what better use can Gen. McDowel!s forces be put
than faukng the enemy from tie RaPpahanncck
Is The force Of Gen BauEs entirely necessary % the
po,itioD LIE oc1upicsl Cannot force from thote
Two or other sources, swoop down in the Of the
Rebel Army Of the Peninsula, aud end ts career
HES he not been practically deprived Of the coopera-
Ton OF the Navy, al important element contem.
mated at the oulsetl Still, the siege Oh Yorktown
goes on satisfactorily is, III. preparations ue in
as advanced stale as could be expected underhe cir
cuus;snces. fancy, however, that country has bat
little idea Of the busnoss. 1en most frequently be-
lieve without knowing. If they knew more, they
might believe lees. 40 doubt the country believes
tat gIeat batts II soon to cone Of on the Penin-
sula. Nothing il more probable. ! do not
doubt that the Amy Of the Potomac viii justify all
that is expected concerning It's gallsntry, discipline
and devotion. When ready, II VII 20 ahead. The
Rebels wll Gud il easier to take the back track than
stand. That they shall, and tlat to bravery and
saoiGres of Tie host that advances In front may not
sssail in yaD tie approach in their should be
made ii made, half the sacrifice that would other
wise attend tie spring forward, viii accomplish
many times more than eau be achieved without it.
Tie Rebels on our left having for some days car
RED Oh with some success The mufderous practice Of
shooting our pickets stationed in the open woods
while they sccroied themselves In close under
growth short distsnce ahead, Gen. Smith con-
Guided 10 put stop TO tho business With this view,
Gen. Hancock, with "a considerable force, swept
through The underground, aud enectually cleared tie
Rebels out Of tie hiding places. The trees were
soon cat down by party Of axmen who followed.
For time the Rebels, who were quite strong un-
dertook to make a stand, but our men went steadily
ahead, driving them before them. On a small buG
tie enemy had constructed broastwork Of logs,
where they took refuge, and from which they under
took 10 charge on Gen. Hqncocks forces. The word
to charge wes given, but the fire which our men
poured into them caused quite another sort Of move
ment. They are known TO have sustained consider
able ioss Our loss was as follows;
Corporal Wm. Waller, Company A, 40sh Pennfyvani,
shot through the bead dead.
David Race Company r. 43d He9.YoIb, shot through tie
head deed.
Charles A. bllllgan, Company c. 43l Eew.Yorl wounded
b shoulder; not -eyeIcly
james BGuy, Company Z, wounded in shoulder not
severely.