The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-05-06


The evacuation of Yorktown by the reb-
els without any effort in its defense is one of
the most mysterious movements of the war.
The cause of this unexpected espacade is
not yet apparent. While it is true that
Gen. Mcdowell was threatening the flank
of the rebel position, he has not, as yet,
succeeded in getting into the interior far
enough to endanger the rebel retreat nor
could he have interfercd with their march
into North Carolina even had he succeeded
in taking possession of Richmond. The
Notifications in the vicinity of Yorktown,
are declared by our engineers to be rough,
but exceedingly strong. Guns of the
largest calibre were mounted on the earth
works, ammunition was plenty, and the
rebel soldiers-if the statements of rebel
newspapers are to be credited-were willing
and anxious to stake the fate of their con-
federacy on the result of the struggle at
Yorktown. Yet, all at once, without any
apparent cause, the whole rebel host spike
their guns, destroy their ammunition, and
abandoning their tents and equipage, take
up their line of march for the rebel Cap
ital.
1t seems to US but one or two reasons
can be satisfactorily assigned for this sud-
den and unexpected movement of the reb-
els. They either design attacking ,auks
or Mcdowell with their entire force before
re-enforcements reach these officers from
Mcclellan, or they intend abandoning Vir-
GINA, the Mother of States and Presi-
dents" to the tender mercies of the Yam
KEGS. Either Of these designs will prove
failures. Banks and Mcdowell will not
permit themselves to be surprised, and with
Mcclellan pressing hard after them, the
rebels will hardly dare venture any further
north for fear of being cut off altogether
On the other hand, we trust General Burn
side, before this, has taken possession of
Raleigh, n. c., aud cut off the rebel retreat
south. Then may we anticipate some rich
scenes, as the rebel President and his scat
tered Cabinet go sneaking through the pine
forests OF the Carolinas, anxious for moth
ing save their escape from the government
they have attempted to overthrow, and the
country they have done their best to ruin.
Our cavalry have done but little so far to
earn their feed, and they may be probably
employed in hunting up and chasing down
the tugitives. In case jeff and his COM
panions take to the swamps, we have seen
numerous advertisements in Southern Sc.
of oh
which, we doubt not, might be hired of
their owners for consideration, who would
quickly ferret out the hiding places of the
lurking traitors.
The evacuation of Yorktown indicates
Z desire on the part of the rebels to prolong
the war by shifting their positions, in hopes
that the epidemics which usually prevail
along the Southern coast will accomplish
for them what they have failed to do them
selves. We doubt if decided stand is
made at Corinth. We question very much
if stand in force is made anywhere We
might not be surprised to hear that Beaure-
gard had crossed the Mississippi and was in
full retreat for Texas, placing his hopes of
ultimate success upon the yellow fever and
other contagious diseases. But we feel con-
fdent Gen. Halleck viii promptly "move
upon the enemy's works " ard spoil all
such calculations and Intentions. The
month of June ought not to close before
the public property is once more in posses
sion of the Government. If necessary, the
negroes can be trained to hold the fortifca-
tions on the Southern coast, against all
their Southern assailants. Our gunboats
"lil keep the Western rivers clear, and if
the rebels do not desire to participate in the
dement's OF the Government they may at
least realize in its fullest extent its power