Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-05
YORKTOWN EVACUATED!

The epemy's Entire Line Of Defenses, with
Large Number of Guns, much Amnu-
milton and Camp EqaipaGe i'm the Fed
cral observation-disclosures also Dec upied
by Union Traops-Gen. Mcclellan with q ID
his Cavalry nd ARTILLERY in Pursuit-The
Federal Gunboats Move up York River.
The following dispatches were received at the
War Department Yesterday:
FORTRESS MONROE, May 4.-Yorktown was
evacuated last night. Our troops now occupy the
enemy's works. The enemy left large amour,
of camp equipage and guns, which they could
not destroy, for fear Of being seen.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or THE POTOMAC
May ith. . 3. IN.
Hon. f.. NJ. Stanton, Secretary Of War: We
have the ramparts Of the enemy. We have his
guns, ammunition, camp equipage, &c, and hold
the entire line ofhis works, which the engineers
report as being very strong.
i have thrown all my cavalry aud horse artil.
lery In pursuit, supported By Infantry.
lmove franklin, and ss much more as can
transport by water, up to West Point to-day. No
time shall be lost
The gunboats have gone up York river.
omitted 10 state that Gloucester Is also In our
possession.
shall push the 4nemy to the wall
u. h. MCCLELLAN, Ma jOr General.
Especial Telegram to The Star
CAMP BEToRE YoRkrowT, Maya The enemy
have abandoned Yorktown in such haste ss to
leave cfieers' baggage, mesa furniture, ammu-
milton. and a large number Of guns, tents, &c
&c. Our flag at sunrise ioated over Yorktown.
The army is On the heel of the enemy, who,
deseIters say, were over one bundled thousand
strong.
consider this Almost important success In is
result: upon the country and army.
Army Cores pondencs Of the Asfo ciated Press. !
HEADQuARrERs Army OF The PoToMAc, NAV
4, 10 o'clock, A. M.-This morning at 5 O'Clock =,
your correspondent had the pleasure of enter NO
the enemy's works at Yorktown, which the rear
Of their army deserted four hours before
Everything was found To be IN rather confusion
as Trough they left In great haste. Between forty
aud nifty pieces OF heavy artillery have been left
Ia their works, after being spiked together with
q large amour, Of ammunition, medical stores.
camp equpage, tents and private property Of their
A negro who was left in the town state. that
the rebels threw a large amount Of ordnance
stores into the river to prevent its falling into our
hands
Several deserters have succeeded In running
into our lines. One Of them, very intelligent
man, from New York, who had been connected
with the ordnance department ever since the
works at Yorktown were constructed, states that
the rebels evacuated the place owing TO the near
approach Of our PARALLELS covering The immense
seige works Of our men. That they feared the
success OF the Union gunboats the York river
ana James river, by means OF which their COM
munication with the outer world would be cut off
The order was given to evacuate by Gen John.
son on Thursday, to commence the following
morning, which was accordingly done.
Gen. Magruder 10 said to have most s,r.nuously
opposed the measure, stating that IL they could
not whip the Federals here, there was no other
place IN Virginia where they could. He swore
10 the presence Of his men that this was so, and
they vociferously cheered him. He became much
excited and completely lost control OF himself
Gen. Robert T.. Lee. commander in-chief, ar
rived az Yorktown on Wednesday, and INFINITELY
examined the works Of Mcclellan, when he Il
supposed 10 have recommended the abando Ca
uent OF th- works. dsenainy tbeua untena0le
The desert=fs all agfHe Ia stating that theif
troops were very 10 1ch demoralizsi and Dec srar
dlshsaFteBsi when the order 10 retreat was made
a. they oil anticipated having an engagement at
this point. The dssrrieis also agree In saying
that the rebels bad force Of 10000 men on the