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

THURSDAY MORNING, MAY s.
TaE EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN,

THE EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN
The news Of the evacuation of Yorktown
by the rebels, who are reported to have had
an army of one hundred thousand strong
concentrated upon that narrow neck of land,
behind formidable and scientifically construc-
ted entertainments, and defended by the
most formidable batteries, probably took most
of our readers by surprise. 1t has been gen.
orally supposed that great battle would iol.
low the seige operations of Gen. Mcclellan.
But il seems that his scientific knowledge,
aided by practical observation in the Crimea
in 1855, was too much for the rebel comman-
ders. When they looked upon his formida-
bic works, constructed as if by some magic
power, and perfectly impregnable against
any assault, they saw that the only alterna-
tive to defeat was hasty and ignominious
withdrawal from their boasted ST. onghold.-
That the evacuation of yorktown by the
rebels was forced upon them by such refec-
tons is most evident They have spent
months in constructing batteries at that point,
They evacuated Manassas, and retired there
only because they thought they could make
a more formidable resistance at that place.
They had the advantage OF position and of
elaborate preparation and yet the genus
of Mcclellan has compelled them to flee
without striking blow. Where can the
rebels make stand that offers so many adj
vantages for resistance 1t is evident that
they have abandoned their stronghold. They
do not mean to risk another battle. Hence
forth the war is to be carried on upon the
guerrilla system. The Governor of Virginia
has already issued proclamation recommen-
ding it. The confederate armies will be kept
on foot as long as possible, but they will al
lure our forces onward by continual retreat
and withdrawal into the interior of the cot
ton States, in the hope of exhausting our
energies and our resources in vain endeav-
ors to capture them. But this Is the last
game of the chequer player, who has lost all
his effective men and retires to the i L.aa
row" only to be surrounded and defeated
The most important immediate result of
the evacuation of Yorktown will be the cap
ture Of Norfolk. That place, cut off from
all support, must inevitably fall into our
hands, and that without much OPPOSITION
The capture of Norfolk will dispose of the
Merrimac. The iron clad monster will be
compelled to become wandersr upon the
ocean, with no friendly har;oor to which she
na> 80 I..-ssyrEss .. Eos .apNars-
Another result Of the evacuation of York
Town will be the speedy withdrawal OF the
confederate government from Richmond, and
the occupation of that city by the Federal
troops. Mcclellan has said that he shall
"drive the enemy to the wall" and so he
will and we shall not wait many days to see
Virginia disenthralled and redeemed from
dlSunIOn rule. l. He emu VI TCnellIOD draw
eth near. Let as De hopeful and courageous
Later dispatches, received since the above
was written, show that Gen. Mcclellan i.
following up the enemy with effect he II
capturing his heavy guns and his stores
We have no doubt that the energy of Nc
Clellan and his brave army will prove equa
to the emergency, and that the enemy will b
pursued and demoralized, before an effectiv
stand can be made. 1t makes our hear
bound to know that the Vermont troops forr
the advanced guard of the invading Uniol
column. They will do their duty, and pei
form all that is required of them. We ava
further news, (Which we may receive befor
we go to press) with the utmost confdenc
in the triumph Of our arms. 5