The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-05-15
T E1EGR APHIC.
The Siege Of Yorkfown-Its Evaeuatiou-The Spiri
'of the Southern Troops,

The Siege of Yorkfown-Its Evacuahon-The Spirit
'of the Southern Troops
Fort MONROE, May 2.
The rebels at Yorktown opened this morn
ing with their rifled columbiads, 6S-pound.
ers, placed on the nights of Yorktown
Our No. l battery Of PARROTS was then
brought to bear upon the only gun which
has given US any trouble. Our shots were
falling over and around with every prospect
Of its being very soon dismouu,ed, when on
its 2Sd discharge the enemy's gun burst,
tearing up the parapet, and making havoc
with crowd who were collected around it
at the time. No less than 10 persons were
standing on the parapet, within feet of it.,
besides those who were hid from view bv
works. Loss of life must have been con.
siderable. This is the only gun which the
rebels have shown capable doing number l
battery any harm.
All firing on their side ceased, ours con.
tinued with renewed vigor. About 100
shots were fred from our guns I'D to two
o'clock, when firing ceased.
A rebel steamer came down the river and
attempted 10 land, and was driven back by
our 100 FOUNDERS. The rebels kept up a
continuous fire all last night on our men
trench. The only casualties were wound.
ing three.
Dispatches from before Yorktown yester-
day say, "two deserters came into our lines.
They bring little information. Gems. Johns
ton and Magruder made speeches last week
to the troops calling on them to use every
exertion to defeat the Northern invaders:
that if they were defeated at Yorktown the
cause of the Confederacy was gone up a
stump, as they we're determined to rest their
cause on this, their last battle"
The following report has just been re-.
coived at Fort Monroe: Yorktown was
evacuated last night. We now occupy the
enemy's works. They left large amount
of camp equipage aud guns which they
could not destroy for fear of being seen.
HEADQUARTERS, PoroMAc ARMY, J
May 4, 1862.
To Hon. E. NJ. STANTON:
We have the rampant guns, ammunition,
equipage, &c. We hold the entire rebel
works, which our engineers report very
strong.
| have thrown all my cavalry and horse
artillery in pursuit supported BY infantry.
[ move Gen. Franklin's division and as
many more as l can support by water to
West Point TO- day. No time shall be lost.
The gun-boats have gone up York river
Gloucester is also in our possession. shall
push the enemy to the wall.
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN.
WASHINGTON, May a.
From army correspondents we have the
following: we entered the cnemy's works
at o'clock, which their rear deserted four
hours before. Everything was found in
utter confusion. About so pieces of artil.
lery were left spiked. A large amount of
medical stores, camp equipage, ammunition,
tents, provate property of officers was left.
Several deserters came into our lines; one
states that the rebels evacuated owing to
the near approach of our parallels: that
they feared the success of our gunboats in
York and James rivers.
Gen. Johnston gave the order to evacu-
ate on Thursday. hIagruder is said to have
strenucusly opposed evacuation, saying if
they couldn't whip the Federals here they
couldn't anywhere in Virginia.
Deserters agree that their troops were
much demoralized and disheartened when
the order to evacuate was given, as all an
ticipatcd fight. The rebels had 100, 900
men on the peninsula; also four hundred
pieces field artillery. 1t is believed they
have fallen back beyond Williamsburg.
where it is expected they will make stand.
Gen. Stoneman commands large force of
cavalry and artillery pursuing the enemy,
and will probably come up with their rear
before night if they remain near Williams
burg.
Gunboats have passed Yorktown and are
now shelling the shores. Following these
are number of vessels loaded with troops
to effect landing. The official report Just
received says the enemy left II guns in the
works at Gloucester Point; ordinance stores
were also found.
There is all manner of speculation as to
the probable cause of the evacuation of
Yorktown. The general opinion seems to
be that it is for temporary defense of
Kichnoud. and speedy abandonment of
Virginia by the rebel Government, should |
its army be SO fortunate as to elude Nc
Clellan, which is now a matter of extreme
doubt.
Others intimate sudden offensive policy
and dash on Washington. This is regard.
ed as absurd.
A refugee from Norfolk says Com. Tat
nall is in command of the Merrimac, and
received orders on Monday and sailed, but
IN opening them at Elizabeth, found he was
ordered to run the blockade and proceed to
Ork River He theyennon retnrned IN |