Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-07
Night Dispatches.
From ucCIeIlan's Advanc


BALTIMORE, May 6.-The following is taken
from the Americans special Fortress Monroe
letter:
The French steamer Gassendi came down from
Yorktown, bringing the French Minister and
Capt Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
We learn that up to one o'clock the steamers
with Gen. Franklin's Division had not gone be-
yond Yorktown, waiting TO hear from above.
One of the gunboats which went up York
river on Sunday morning, has returned She re
ports she found the river unobstructed: that our
gunboats had reached West Point, and that a
force had been landed, and that bridge on the
road to Richmond was destroyed. Several rebel
transports overtaken going up the river
several of which were run ashore and burned.
those on board escaping while others We're cap
tured.
The latest advices state that Gen. Mcclellan
is with the advance and supposed TO be before
Williamsburg, in which direction there has been
brisk cannonadlng all day.
Yesterday morning a schooner came down
James river from Richmond, and when near
Newport News was run ashore on the south side
of the river. Her singular movements attracted
considerable attention. The men 10
take their boats and pull for Newport News
They said they had intentionally run her ashore
for the purpose of reaching our lines, and that
she contained sixty tons of coal for the Merri-
Several boats were Immediately manned and
started out with the purpose of endeavoring to
tow her off, but finding this to be impossible, they
set her on fire, and she burned to the waters
edge. The Merrmac was in sight at the time
but did not venture to save the vessel.
The crew were taken TO headquarters, and they
gave a deplorable account of affairs in Richmond.
The rebel troops regarded all further attempts to
sustain the rebellion sheer folly.
A mono the trportS at Yorktown is the chief of
Engineers of Gen. Johnston's staff, who states
that the whole rebel army ut Yorktown amount
ell to Is, 900 men, He gives most deplorable
account of the condition of the army, and SAYS
they will be unable to make any stand this side
of Richmond. Their retreat commenced before
daylight on Saturday morning, and he doubts not
that the advance twenty miles distant at the
time the last gun was fired from Yorktown.
On Saturday morning. Gen. Mcclellan signal
led five gunboats lying before Yorktown to pro-
coed up the river to West Point, and remove all
the distractions in their way. Quite fleet of
vessels and steamers were discovered and pur-
suit commenced, resulting in the capture of some
of them, whilst others run ashore and fired
by those on board, who escaped to the woods
1t is said that by three o'clock in the morning.
the gunboats had reached West Point. the head
of navigation nearly thirty miles above York
town, frequently Smelling parties of the eremy
who were flying along the shore, and thanking
that portion of the retreating army who were
moving towards West Point TO take the railroad
10 Richmond
Official dispatches received here indicate that
the enemy are in large force and strongly en-
trenched near Williamsburg, and that they intend
dispute at that point the further passage of our
army
There had been some brisk fighting, in which
Gen. Hancock had taken two redoubts aud re-
pulsed Early's rebel brigade by a brilliant bayo
net charge. In this engagement Gen. Hancock 5
forces said 10 have killed two rebel Colonies,
two Lieutenant Colonies, and captured one Colo
mel and $50 prisoners. Gen. Mcclellan highly
compliments Gen. Hancock's conduct.
At the time of the sending of the dispatches
our loss was not known, but it was supposed to
be considerable incorporation to the extent of the
engagement as the fight was very severe.
BIvoUAc FRONT OF WILLIANsBURG,l
Nav ), 10 T. NJ.
Hon. T.. NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War:
After arranging for movements up York river.
| was urgently sently sent for here. | find
General Jo johnson in front of me in strong
force, probably greater good deal than my own.
Gen. Hancock has taken two redouhts, and re
pulsed Earlys rebel brigade by real charge with
the bayonet, taking one Colonel and l5O prison
ers, and killing at least two Colonies and many
privates. His conduct was brilliant in the ex-
IRENE
/ do not know our exact loss, but fear tina,
Gen. Hooker has lost considerably on our left
] learn from the prisoners taken that the rebels
intend disputing every step TO Richmond.
shall run the risk of at least holding them in
check here while | resume the original plan. Ny
entire force is undoubtedly considerably inferior
to that of the rebels who will fight we'll. but
will do all can with the force at my disposal.
(Signed) GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding
Ths Associated Press agent gives some add.
tional particulars from the advance near Williams
burg, dated Monday evening, of the fight there
Our loss seventeen killed, and about fort,
wounded
Eighty rebels were left on the field dead and
forty wounded. We took nearly 300 prisoners
Their dead were buried by US on the field.
A stand of colors belonging to the rebel cav
airy were captured and now on their way to
Washington.
Mcclellan and staff arrived on the field at .
O'Clock He rode to the front and was greeted
with cheers by the troops. He Immediately as
sumed command.
The rain has been pouring down in torrents al
day.
jeff Davis was at Richmond at the last ac-
counts.
The enemy's works at Williamsburg are very
formidable, extending across the Peninsula.