Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-08
THE FIGHT AT YORKTOWN,


Sanctioned by Major General John z Wool,
Commanding Department Of Virginia
correspondent Of the Philadelphia IrgHir.r
writes
FchfRKss MoERoE, April 6 Friday, the lth
inst was the day fired for the movement on to
Yorktown. Gen Mcclellan and staff arrived at
Fortress Monroe on Wednesday on board the
steamer Commodore. The troops were full of
enthusiasm, and longed for an advance move
ment. They, the soldiers, have great confidence
In Gen. Mcclellan.
On Friday morning, about daylight, the grand
army struck tents, and commenced the march
onward to Richmond" Gen. Heint1leman,s
corps de dr,sse moved up through Great Bethel
the direct route to Yorktown. After leaving the
struck across New Market Bridge, along most
beautiful and romantic road
As we stood At New Market bridge we sew a
full brigade Of Philadelphia troops pass, viz Sd
Pennsylvania Cavalry, Colonel Averell formerly
Youngs Kentucky CavalryG Colonel Owens BOth
PennsvlvaDiai Bakers Fire 2ouaves, and the
celebrated California regiment.
A company Of Berdan's Sharpshooters took the
advance, with the 4th Michigan and 18th " York.
and the Sd Pa. Cavalry In the extreme advance
The first place Of note along the road was
| mRosedown," beautiful and unique dwelling
| we saw the proprietor, Mr.: W. Russell, standing
at the gate, his slaves carrying water for the wea
ried soldiers. Mr.: r as usual among all we
| came to, expressed Union sentiments, and com.
planned that the rebels had burned down all hi,
III generally.
About one-h half mile beyond this Is a Mace
called the halfway house. This Is about twelve
miles from Yorktown. This 10 a hard.lookIuo
corner-dilapidated old buildings and negro
quarters, as usual. with the largest part OF the
house on the outside, in the shape Of chimneys.
After leaving this delectabls place, we heard
the booming Of a gun. The troops shouted-ths
horses pricked up their eafs-7all were ans ous to
| them. York river could be distinctly perceived
some distance on the right.
1t was now half-past one O'Clock. The men
Were wearied, yet anxious to proceed. The dis
The enemy seemed to respond briskly with
very heavy piece, as the sound of the discharpe
seemed sullen and heavy.
We soon perceived Aliens 5th Massachusetts
Battery Dinging away at very formidable earth.
work. A shert time previous to this, the Sd
pennsylvania Cavalry drove In the r ebeI pickets
Gf1mn's Battery was also unlimbered in range
me l4th New York, companies and A Of Ber-
dams Sharpshooters, were advancing towards the
batteries There being no further response from
the enemy, after firing some sixteen shells, the
column advanced along winding road made by
the Rebels around Howard's Mills
After getting to the top Of the bill, batteries
could he seen all around. Ii was a very formida.
BILE stronghold. The enemy retreated Major
Phillips had command Of the Rebel cavalry. He
left everything behind-meat on the fire ,okinp.
Ihey were somewhat surprised at the rapid sd-
vance Of the Union forces
The I'd and sth Mississippi occupied the above
foftihcafions, and called the place Camp Misery
General Heinttelmeu and General Porter sry;;v
lag. made house I'm the center of these fortifca
tions the headquarters Of this corps
The Union army bivouacked IN the rebel camp
misery" preparatory to an early start.
THE MARCH TO YORKTOWN
The army, under the immediate command ef
General Mcclellan, left camp at daylight, the
advance being as far az Cockeysvlle Soon after
starting, the heavens become black with LARGO
heavy clouds, giving evidence that we were to
haar boz 81
soon IL began to rain, flooding the roads-espe-
cfally those through the woods-so as to he almost
inpassable. The infantry pushed on, overcoming
al obstacles The cavalry and artillery dashed on
pell nell through, all anxious to get ahead Cen
eral Mcclellan and staff were but a short distance
behind the advance.
About l0 O'Clock, on the morning Of the 5tb The
booming Of the first gun was heard Itelectri6cd
the whole line. Overcoats, blankets, bsversarSs.
&c, were thrown away by the anxious soldiers
each giment vieing with the other TO be Hrst in
The roads became terrible for locomotion the
further we advanced; mud holes ruts sloupb,
road up tue
The line Of battle was formed about 10 ,cIock
Berdan's Sharpshooters In the advance. As the
various columns arrived on the ground thew M
once began to take their respective positions
Gen. POrter's Division had the center Gen Sedo
wick the extreme right, Gen. Hamilton and GEN
Smith the extreme left.
A heavy pine forest intercepted the troops ex-
cept occasional clearings, which gave a distinct
view Of the enemy's Entertainments These en-.
trenchments seemed to be Of the first class style,
and mounted with heavy guns supposs TO have
come from the Norfolk Navy Yard
Soon after the firing commenced, the enemy
recognised Gen. Porter and staff, and at once
opened upon him with shell, one Of which burst
within twenty feet sf the General
The fight was carried on almost entirely with
artillery, with the exception Of Berdan's Sbarp-
shooters Weeden's Battery opened hrst followed
6y Martins on the left. Soon Grifin's Third
Qhndo Iala enAE
position, and the battle commenced In earnest.
The discharges were rapid on the Union side
answered, at Intervals, by the enemy.
The FIRST man struck was J. Reynolds, Of the
Rhode Island Battery. Poor fellow, he was
struck with piece Of shell. Two Of Col Sam
Blacks men were next hit by round shot-a
thirty-two-tearing the knapsack OF one man
ONE was wounded slightly; while the other was
mortality wounded.
The heaviest firing commenced at half past
twelve; Morell's brigade, on the left, advanced
within three-quarters Of mile Of the entrenched
enemy.
The sharpshooters, with their telescopic riaes,
kept the enemy away from their guns Thew
crept within half a mile of the rebels. For one
hour they did not reply, our sharpshooters pop
ping them on az soon as they attempted to load
At one O'Clock Capt Martins bat cry had two
men killed, five wounded, and three horses dead
The two men killed were named Lewis and
Lord.
Three Of Berdan,s Sharpshooters were al tbi,
time wounded, and one Killed. man from New
Hampshire. He was shot through the forehead
by musket ball. Lieut.. Colonel Ripley killed
the man who shot Kim, thus avenging his death.
MIR. Way, Of company G, (Berdan's) was shot in
the arm, bad flesh wound; Corporal Pech, shot
by shell.
About seven O'Clock Aliens 5th Massachusetts
relieved the 4th Rhode Island, the Rebels all day
when opportunity offering, trying to shell out the
sharpshooten, without avail. Grifin's Battery
received no loss, although batteries at their side
lost several.
During the day the Rebels fred small piece Of
ordnance, OF one inch bore, rifed, at the Berdans
After GIifin's battery was brought Into action
IL shenced three guns Of the Rebels.
The artillefiss acted nobly during the whole
engagement, They took their position, and main
tanned 1t until ordered to move
ID. IL Phelps, Of Company H, Berdans Sharp
shooters, was brought in about dusk, wounded In
the shoulder by piece Of she'll.
Buttesheld's and Martindale's bripades acted
nobly during the day-both reclining on their
arms, within range Of the enemy's guns, through
out the day.
Heavy firing closed with the day; but during
the night the pickets occasionally could be heard
banging away, far In the advance.
Prof. Lowe at the close Of the day, sent his bal.
loon up, Tor the purpose Of a reconnaissance.