The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-04-11
OPERATIONS AGAINST YORKTOWN
FIGHTING COMMENCED.
ACCOUNT OF THE SAME.
W,snINnroN. Anril7.

WASHINGTON, April Z.
The following Is a summary OF the intelli-
reuee received by the War Department up to
10 o'clock tonight:
Yesterday the enemy's works were carefully
examii Ell by Gen. Mcclellan, and found to be
very strong, the approaches dllhealt' esheulS
in force, and water batteries at lOrk anu
Gloucester were said 20 be much increased.
There was sharp firing on the right, but no
harm done. Our forces were receiving supplies
from Shipping Point, repairing roads and get
ting up large trains. II seemed plan that nor
tars and siege trains must be used before as
saulting. -
Another dispatch received at 80 this morn
ing, states that yorktown will fall, but not
withoat siege Of two or three days SOme OF
the outer works had been taken.
A dispatch from Gen. Wool states that Ma
gruder has 30, 900 men at Yorktown.
Another dispatch to the Secretary OF War
states that a new rebel camp has been discoV-
erred nom the beaeh at the Hip Raps, which was
shelled out by Col. Holiday. Several rebel
infantry regiments were seen from the Rip laps
during the day. -
There were no signs Of the Merrimae. The
rebel tug Zen made n reconnaissance OF Sewall $
Point ON Saturday afternoon.
On the afternoon Of Sunday Ship Point had
been taken, and our gunboats had shelled out
the water batteries. There was considerable
delay caused in crossing Deep Greek, ut war
wick Court House, AMI resistance WAS nsde by
the rebels, during which several casualties oc-
CURED ON our side.
All the fortified places OF Importance before
Yorktown had been taken at every point. The
gcestest enthusiasm prevailed among our
troops
A full account OF the affair is contained in the
following dispatch:
BEToRg yorktown, Saturday evening.
HoS. l.. NJ. STANTON, SEc'Y or WAR:
That portion of the army recently cOncen-
tratei at OLD Point advanced yesterday MORN
ing in the direction OF Yorktown, ~ miles dis
tant
The right WAS assigned to Gen. Morrill, brig
ale Of Gen. POrter's division, two companies
of the 81 Penn. cavalry, and portion OF Ber-
dams sharpshoOters acting as skirmishers.-
Nothing Of interest took place until their arri-
val ut Big Bethel, ~ miles distant, where they
met the outer piekets OF the rebels.
The troops we're delayed here two hours IN
rcconstructing a bridge which had been de-
stroycd. The rebels retreated before the adj
vance Of our skirmishers TO Howard's Creek
where they had some abandoned earthWorks.-
-Four shots were fired here by the rebels from
two pieces, which were soon sileneed by the 9TH
Rhode Island battery, Nhen the rebels beat q
hasty retreat, taking their pieces with them. =
The main body OF the army here rested Tor the
night, while Gen. MOrril's brigade advanced
miles to Crickleyille, and miles from York
town.
by 7 O'Clock this Saturday morning the
column was again in motion, and at 10 O'Clock
was in front Of the enemy's works at Yorktown
The first shot fired was by the rebels, which
passed over the heads of Gen. Porter and stat
without exploding. The batteries Of Griffin, 81
and 9TH Il. I. and 5th Mass, were now placed
in position, replying 10 every shot sent by The
rebels. The cannOnsding continued with bat
slight iutermission until dark. AbOutiOO shots
were fired BY both parties during the day.
The loss ON our side was killed, wounded
The position Of the rebels is very strong
one from present Indications. Their fOrtihca
tons extend some two miles in length, and
mount heavy guns. The ground in front Of the
heavier guns is low and swampy, making IL ut
terly impossible.