The Nevada Democrat., 1862-05-08
Eastern News-YOrIxtOvvn Evacuated.

On Saturday last the rebel army, estimated
at one hundred thousand strong, evacuated
Yorktown. aud their line of defenses exten-
ding from York to James rivers, and their
works were Immediately occupied by Gen.
McClellan's army. The following dispatch.
dated May 4th, was received by the War
Department:
To f. NJ SrANTox:-We have taken transports,
guns ammunition and camp equipage; We hold the
entire rebel works. which our engineers report as
very strong. have thrown all my cavalry and hOrse
artillery in pursuit. supported by infantry. have
sent Frank Inns division and as much more as can
be transported by water TO West Point to-day. Gun
boats have gone up York River. Gloucester Is also
in our ssession. ! shall push the enemy TO the
wall. [signed MCCLELLAN.
The Federas entered the enemy's works
at five O'Clock Sunday morning, which their
rear had deserted four hours before, leaving
a large number of guns spiked. They re-
treated to Williamsburg, where they are
making another stand. All manner of spec
ulations were a6oat as to the cause Of the
excavations; the general opinion is, that
there is to be temporary defense of Rich
mond, and a speedy abandonment of Vir-
ginia by the rebel Government, should its
army be so fortunate as to elude Mcclellan.
A Washington dispatch of the 9Th, says the
enemy are in large. force and strongly en-
trenched at Williamsburg, where there had
been some brisk fighting, in. which General
Hancock had driven the enemy back in a
brilliant bayonet charge. In dispatch da.
ted at camp in front of Williamsburg, at 10
O'Clock, p. NJ. May 5th, Mcclellan says:
While arranging for movements up York river,
was urgently sent for here. find General Joe John
son in front OF me with a strong force probably
greater, by good DEAL than my own. learn the
rebels intend dsputng every step Of the road to
Richmond. ! shall run the risk Of at least holding
them in check here while resume my original plan.
My force is undoubtedly considerably inferior to that
of the rebels who will fight well; but will do al
can with the force at my disposal.
The force here referred to is that portion
of the army sent in pursuit of the retreatng
rebels; another division had proceeded up
York river in gunboats and Transports as
far as West Point, from whence there is di-
rect railroad communication with Rich.
mond. The railroad bridge, however, bad
teen destroyed by the rebels. The rebel
forces are represented by deseIters as greatly
demoralized aud mutinOus.
There bad been considerable skirmisbing
in the vicinity Of Corintb, but DO general
engagement. A pretty serious fight took
place last Saturday, near Pennington, be-
tween POpe's division and large body of
rebels. The fight lasted three or four hours
was sharply contested, and threatened
general engagement but the rebels finally
broke and fed. Gen. Pope took from 900
TO 5000 prisoners, four pieces of artillery,
and several handred muskets.
The city councils of Savannah have re.
solved to surrender that city. Quite q
number of prizes engaged in the contra
band trade have been captured; amoug them
are the steamers Burmuda and Ella Warley
which were loaded with arms aud ammuni-
tion. The Pacific Railroad bill has passed
the House by thirty-iive majority. A dis
patch to the New York Times says there
are rumors that the conservative members
Of Congress are seriously considering the
prOptiety of Withdrawing in body from
The Senate and House, in consequence of
the determination of the radicals to force
the passage Of the confscation bill. The
State Department has issued circular, ad-
dressed to foreign ministers, announcing
the opening Of mail communication With
New Orleans and preparations are being
made to modify the blockade, so as TO open
that place and one or two other ports to
commerce.
An extra issued by the Journal this NOR
ming gives some later Intelligence from
Eastern Virginia. The rebels, it seems.
have abOned Williamsburg, which was inn
mediately occupied by the Federals. Nc
Clellan telegraphed to the War Department
as follows:
WILLIANsRURG, Va, May 6th.-I have the
pleasure to announce the occupation Of this
place, after hard fought battle, Yesterday.
hancock's Brigade, during the fight, turned the
left of the enemy's line of works, The enemy
abandoned the entire works during the night,
leaving all their sick and wounded Their loss
yesterday was very severe. We have some 300
wounded and more than 900 prisoners, inclu-
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