The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-06
NEW YORK HERALD TUESDAY, NAY g. lse2-rRIPLE SHEET.

tsnts 70 Be moved TO tb~ r.-n.
ue' sDa ~ 'n' .ents were taken from the troops
' -. 49, 80 Lizard Hill. The eminence derived
- .eason Of the large numbers Of lizards
Able there. In consequence Of this mistake
rebel army lay out one night in the rain, with
seant. 4 covering.
from several sources Of information have become
convinced that the larger part or the rebel army was
completely demorahzed. The three Of which
have already spoken, who inside lines early
this morning, said that all but three companies Of the
First Virginia regiment, whose term Of enlistment
had expired. had thrown down their arms and
positively refused 70 re-snlist The Portsmouth
Grays also refused 70 continue any longer in
the rebel ssrvice and for their rssa they put
the guard house It is said that i've thousand OF General
Aagruder's men threatened 70 lay down their arms
Three rebel eutsnants, two sergcants twenty
were captured the other side OF Yorktown and brough
in Since the Sd large number OF desertsrs have come
In and they report their army thoroughly dishearen
Cd and demoralzed. Those who ind themselves in the
rebel ranks utterly disguised with the rebellion
An officer Of Northern birth and sympathy, who was un-
willingly in the Department in the rebel
service at Yorktown told that he knew Of numbers
who induced to join the robe army from the force
Of public opinion at their homes. Every man among
thsm who did want to fight against the Union OF onr
fathers sneered At and called an aboltionist The
Conscrpton act passed by the Confederate CONGRESS- in
April has been the means Of creating universal dssat
faction among the men. BY its terms which are 80
much in conflict with the spirit OF freedom soldiers who
there eleven Of the Dahgren guns which wore taken
from OF the Merrimac when she was scuttlod bv the
rebels At the Norfolk Navy Yard. Besides those they
have two rined which carry an
eightyhve pound shell. Some Of the carriages which
were partly burned, have been used in mosntng the
guns.
When we occupied Yorktown the whole place present.
cd the most pitiable appearance. few contrabands
the sole inhabitants OF the town. Some OF the most
interesting houses had been torn down. The marble
outside, where the British forces under Lord
CORVALLIS surrendered had been knocked TO pieces and
carried away by individual rebel soldiers Several OF the
houses had been used as hospitals but the sick and
wounded had all been removed before we entered Bnt
baggage belonging to officers and preserved stores be-
longing to the Medical Department. have been captured
enlisted for twelve months and whose term OF service
has just expired compelled reenlst The fan Of
New Orleans produced uncomfortable desire on the
part OF tho louisiana troops return TO their homes
Ever since the Crescent City has fallen into Union hands
the troops from Louisiana have been stealing away and
going home. The spirit OF dissatisfaction and disgust
had infused itself into the whole rebel army.
The fortcations opposite Gloucester consisted O,
earthworks to command the river Whom we invested
Yorktown all the soldiers which had been encamped
there, except few hundred artlerists werc brough
over to Yorktown. Gloucester Point could have been
easily taken then by few thousand men. Subsequently
they sent some Of the soldiers back.
The ancient Nelson house. taken once from Cornvalps
and now from the rebels by Forces is still standing
1t is extensive brick structure, and was used as
hospital. From our camps, before the evacuation VIC
could distinctly see the yellow flag floating from
this house. The old church had been set
apart as Quartermasters depot. The alarm
bell stationed house which was
known as General Kan's headquarters. Close by tho
church the prison. and the prison doors were OPEN
There are number OF interesting spots which have
not time TO describe. Several mines had been pre
pared for troops by placing percussion shells under
ground, in the roadways and entrance to the fort.
Torpedoes shells with fuse fastened to small wires
had been also placed in redoubs. The Fifth New York
regiment (Drryee's Zouaves) had i've men killed and
several wounded by the explosion Of torpedo The
Thrtyeighth New York Volunteers, Colonel Hobart
Ward, had two killed and four wounded nv tho
bursting Of prepared shell. The Fortieh New York
Volunteers lost killed and two wounded Tqs
Seventeen regiment New York Volunteers lost two men
killed other casualties have occurred but canno,
send you particulars at present.
The retreat Of the rebels appears 10 have bean pre
cpitate. They commenced carrying all but their guns
back to Williamsburg four days ago. Wagons have
been engaged in transporting their ammunition uro
visions and camp equpage for nearly a week past
Their sick and wounded, numbering two thousand
five hundred, were sent to Richmond ten DAYS ago
The rebel council Of was held in Mrs. Nelson's
hnuse at yorktown, on Tuesday and Wednesday last
JEFF. Davis and two members Of his Cabinet Generals
Leo, Magruder and nine other generals were present.
The debates were warm and exciting but finally 1t was
resolved evacuate The generals entrusted with the
..rrar laps
officers and men.
On night Of the 3D. Of the rebel magazines had
burst and the fire scattered where large number of
boxes filed with cartridges were piled mp As each box
caught the fire the report was similar a regiment dis
charging voey Nineteen rebels said to have been
killed, and sixty wounded.
GThe rebel soldiers and negroes wcpo at work on their
ntrenchlnens until O'Clock in the morning when
their guard ordered the work 10 cease ard the
march FOR Williamsburg 10 be taken up. the house OF
MRS Nelson where General Maguder had slept tic night
before evacuation found several open letters living
unloldcd on table Two addressed to General
Nice ean one the first Yankee who comes ore 10 Ab,
Lincoln One or those General Mcclellan reads as fol.
lows
GENERA McCIgiIAN-You will be surprissd 10 baar ,f
departure at this stage Of the game leaving you ia
have other engagements attend ID and
We I wait any longer Our boys are getting sick az
this damned place, and me hospital ltkewse goodby
Tor little while. Adlatant TERRY, c. S. A. NJ
Posted tho gate o. the fort was piece Of paper.
with tile following the most miserable handwriting
Tr.s = 10 YOU Ylsss--
Ihis and opptunity n which have taken TO pfarm
yol the opinion of the press theayes Of the OF the land
we lave little more land fir you to plumber aud rteel
from tbs good people Of this ccnry. You call ms aeb.
bells What for. Because quit ron truly because /
you would not give us our wrights We have
quit you and VIII come again. You brsg Of your /
superiety. IL 10 true you have fleet. We have none
You have better guns here have thro or fore times
as mt,ny The General here whipped you with All
these aniages and will do IL again the worst Of ALI
you ri make forrsn nations beave that you whip eyry
time. did you do IL ~ corwinth with TO mon 10 oney
al Bull run--at manassus-at Bsthui-yct when we l
see your accounts Of the battle YOU did |
big things. were tort to hate you rroin
my child hood and will continue 10 do soc we |
know ask you TO let alone, for IL you do moi many
aoan win bit the dust, and sease to DO AMI more You
published lie since you hore about the skirmeh
hat taken place the other day you you're dead and
wounded was hailed Of In amberlsnce. | will tell YOU