Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-06
The Guns, &C., taken at Yorktown.

WASHINGTON, May 5.-The following was
received at the war department this noon:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY PoroMAc, May 4,
M.-Our cavalry and horse artillery came
up with the enemys rear guard, in their en-.
trenchments, about two miles this side of Will
iamsburg. A brisk fight ensued just as my
aid left Gen. Smiths division. The infantry
arrived on the ground, and presume has car
ried his works, although have not yet heard.
The enemy'S rear is strong, but have force
enough up there to answer all purposes. We
have thus far captured seventy-one heavy
guns, large amounts of tents, ammunition,
&c. All along the lines their works prove TO
have been most formidable, and am now full.
ly satisfied of the correctness of the course |
have pursued. The success is brilliant, and
you may rest assured that its effects " i'll be of
the greatest Importance. There shall be no
delay in following up the enemy. The rebels
have been guilty of most murderous and bar
barous conduct, in placing torpedoes within
the abandoned works, near wells and springs
near the flag staffs magazines, telegraph off
ces, in carpet bags, b,rrels OF flour, &c. For.
tunately we have not lost many men in this
manner--sOme four or five killed, and perhaps
dozen wounded. l shall make the prisoners
remove them at their own peril.
(Signed) G. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General.
HEADQUARTERS Army OF THE POrOMAC,
May 4-ll.30 A. M.-Hon. Edoin NJ Stanton,
S,c1eary Of War:-An inspection just made
shows that the rebels abandoned in their works
al Yorktown two three.inch rihed cannon,
two four and a hslfinch rihed cannon, sixteen
thirty two Founders, six forty-twO Founders,
nineteen eight-inch columhiads, four nue-inch
DihlgrenS, one ten-inch colum bad, one ten
lncd mortar. an / one elght.inch sic .e hOMilzer
with carriages and implements complete, and
anu each piece supplied with seventy six
rounds OF ammunition. On the ramparts there
are also four magazines, W licn have not yet
been examined This does not include the
guns left at Gloucester Point and their other
works to our left.
(Signeil G. B., McCLELLAN,
Major General.
HEADQUARTERS NEAR WILLIAMSBURG,
May 4, p. M.-rhe advance of the forces un.
der command of Gen. StOneman, with view
OF aScerlainng the position of the enemy,
reached this place, two and hall miles from
Williamsburg, about two O'Clock this after
noon. On the road from Yorktown, the coun,
ry in most instances was laid desolate and
but few Of the houses are occupied
On emerging from cover of wood, we
came in view of Williamsburg and the enc
my's earthworks there AT the time no guns
were visible on the enemy'S works, but reg
iment of cavalry could be seen approaching,
about one mile of, in line OF battle. Captain
Gibbons reserve battery was then ordered to
the front to open on the enemys approaching
cavalry, while II portion OF The sixth cavalry
were depoyed rs skirmishers to the right and
left. The fire from the battery was very
effective on the enemy's cavalry, but they
never changed their course.
About two hu2dred yards to the right of
Gibbons battery was an earthwork which had
all the appearance OF being deserted. All OF
sudden our troops were opened upon 10y
deadly fire from artillery posted behind this
work, and at the same time the rebel cavalry
continued advancing until they were checked
by charge made by portion Of the first
and sixth cavaly which was performed in
most admirable manner. In more instances
than one it was hand to hand encounter
with the enemy but, strange to relate, none
of our men were made prisoners while we
captured about twenty five of the enemy,
among whom is Capt Frank Lee of the third
Florida infantry.
Capt. Gibbons had IA horses killed. Lieut..
DeWof was MORALLY wounded, and one gun
was lost by sticking fast in the mud. Lieut.
Benton OF the first cavalry, and ten men OF
the same regiment were wounded. Lieut..
Mcclellan of the 9th cavalry was slightly
wounded, as were also twelve others. Lieut.
Col. Kess OF the LIST cavalry had his horse
shot under him while engaged in a hand to
hand encounter with two of the enemy He
escaped with Il few slight bruises. Private
Noble Urish) of Major Barker's Mcclellan
dragons had had his horse killed, and was
severely wouAded in the leg, by the explosion
OF torpedo while passing through yorktown.
The rebel cavalry was forced by our men to
abandon their position but the want OF infant
~ prevented our men from advancing on the
enemys works.
1t being evident that it useless 10 at
tempt further operations, the troops tell back
about 300 yards TO await the arrival OF inian-
try. Gen. HaacOcks brigade soon alter ar
rived, but it was deemed advisable 10 deter
further operations until 10 morrow. We have
information that the enemy are still on the re
treat beyond Williamsburg. The rear guard
OF the enemy is very strong, as was shown
to day.
LArER-MoNDAY MoRNING, May 5.-lt
commenced raining about 2 O'Clock this morn
ing, and has cont nurd heavily up 10 this lime.
There is no news from Williamsburg, as it is
yet too early in the morning u hear. We will
occupy Wll2mSburg early this morning.
FROM there our course will depend upon that
taken by the enemy.