The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-05

New York. Monday. May s, 1899.
THE SITUATION.
Yorktown is ours, with all its defsnces, seventy
one heavy gums and camp equpage. The enemy
completed the evacuation Of the place on Saturday
night. and our troops entered tho place four hours
after the rear Of the rebel army marched out. It
ID said by deserers that the order for evacuation
was decided upon on Wednesday by Gen. Robert
Lee ana JEFF Davis, who, after q close examina-
ton of Gen. McClellan's splendid works, came to
the conclusion that their own defences were
untenable, and that the army must fall back
on . now position. The immediate necessity of
the retreat arose from the near approach of
General McClellan's parallels, and the damaging
efect Of bis siege guns upon the enemy's works
The rebels have fallen back to a point on the
Chickahominy creek, beyond Williamsburg, on
the direct line to Richmond; but, as will be seen
BY General McClellans dispatches, his entire force
Of cavalry and light artillery are in close pursuit
Of them. General Franklin's division has also
been despatched by boats up the river to West
Poiut, where they must have arrived yesterday,
and they will, therefore, be probably soon in the
rear of the enemy. Some of our gunboats went
up immediately, and kept constant fire of shells
upon the retreating army. Our troops are also in
possession of Gloucester.
The selection Of the Chickahominy as new line
Of defence was evidently contemplated by the
rebels some time ago. and was chosen from the
fact that it is out Of reach Of our gunboats which
have dlled them with terror. An article from the
Richmond Examiner, which we published on the
lst Of May. and which we lay before our readers
again to-day. significantly announced that battle
would be fought at this point before the conflict on
thspeninsula took place. Our map to-day and tho
full descriptions. Official and semi official, which &C
company it. will put the public in possession of the
glorious story Of the fall Of Yorktown, and viii,
illustrate the forthcoming operations of both ar
mics in the vicinity Of Williamsburg and Rich
mo0d. The resume. which we give in another
column. of the triumphs Of the past week, both in
the West and on the peninsula of Yorktown, and
in other quarters, presents most satisfactory re-
cord Of our progress.
Conformity with the news from Yorktown come.
the intelligence of brilliant skirmish between
General Pope's army and force of 1900 rebels of
General Besuregard's army at Pennington, Miss,
on which Pope's troops made dashing assault on
M t1,a,r IN.
disorder. The whole camp was captured. and our
cavalry pursued the flying enemy in the direction
Of Corinth. We pushed on q reconnaissance as far as
Glendale, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad,
and destroyed two trestle bridges. 1t is said
that few days ago one Tennessee and one Missis-
sippi regiment Of twelve months men stacked
their arms, their time having expired, and refused
t. serve longer. though required to do 80 by the
0onscript law. Beauregard put two regiments to
guard them.
The latest news from General Halleck, dated at
Cairo yesterday, states that his advance is within
two mfes Of the enemy, and is rapidly pressing for
ward. skirmishes are constantly occurring, but
the enemy show but little fight. Four hundred
Germans deserted from the rebels on Thursday and
Joined our troops. General Loveli's army IL said
to be terrifying ths town Of Grenada, Mississippi
and II il again reported that Beaurepard ia receiv
ing large endorsements from the Gulf States The
coalition Of oil the towns on the river 10 deplor.
able. Business IL suspended, and the inhabitau,,
are flying into the interior.
In . few days We may prepare to see an impor.
tsnt commercial result from these successive victo
ries-4he capture Of New Orleans the evacuation OF
Yorktown and the disastrous plight to which the
rebel army in the West Is reduced. 1t 10 announced
sby Secretary Seward that Mr.. Lincoln will very
soon issue proclamation declaring all the lead.
Ing ports Of the South open to the trade Of the
world, upon which event the restoration Of the
commerce Of the country ss 10 existed ante beuwn
nay be expected, and the most mischievous efforts
OF the rebellion be At an end. The circulars il.
sued By Mr.. Seward to the foreign ministers and
published in our columns to-day, opening the mail
communication with the Southern ports are but
The prelimnaries Of the Presidents proclamation
1sslaring the reconstruction Of commercial rela.
nsas with the South.
Osasrai Candy has had decisive engagement
% The rebels a. Povo'lo, on the Rio Grsuds.
ana completely routed thsm. The capture Of the
entire force wss imminent, y thsy we're entirely
SsrssadsA.