The New York herald., 1862-04-11

moderate engagements.
The Coming Great Battle at Yorktown
Preparations for a Decisive Engage
ment.
From all the preparations going on around
Yorktown, both on the part Of our own army
and Of the rebel chiefs, it is manifest that the
greatest battle of the campaign is about to be
fought there, and that the hour is close at hand
when a conflict upon which the fate of treason
and rebellion hangs shall be decided That
that of Corinth, which has broken down the
hopes of the rebels in the Southwest, no one
can doubt who reads the intelligence which we
publish to-day. In point Of numbers engaged,
as well as the issues involved upon the coming
contest in Virginia, under the command of
General Mcclellan, it is destined to exceed in
Importance the glorious victory of Halleck,
Grant and Buell. in the West.
At the battle Of Pittsburg Landing there
were hundred and forty thousand men en-
gagged. At Yorktown a quarter of million will
be in the field. The rebels seem resolved to
make the Yorktown Of 1862 resemble the
Yorktown Of the Revolution, for they are not
only concentrating an immense forcs at that
point, which is being sent rapidly down from
Richmond and Gordonsville by steamers, trans
ports and railroads, but it is said that jeff Davis
himself and General Joe Johnston are both
there, to conduct the struggle in person. The
rebel force there is now said to be fully q
hundred thousand. The defences Of the city
extend entirely across the peninsula, fanked
on one side by the James river, and
on the other by the York river.
Upon these defences there are mount
ed, probably; not less than FIVE hundred
guns, many of them of the largest calbre.
With such line of defence, and such an army
behind it, marshalled by the leading spirit of
rails in the service, the rebels have undoubtedly
set ''the hazard of the die" upon this coming
battle at Yorktown. Besides, according TO re-
liable information, the formidable monster
Merrimac, with her companions, the steamers
Yorktown and jamestown, and the fotilla
of tugs around them at Craney Island
are if possible. to form part Of the rebel
force in the coming action. They are
only watching a chance to creep out in the
darkness of night. and take part in the grand
fight at Yorktown. II is TO be presumed, how
ever. that the authorities at Fortress Monroe
are prepared for such an event and will pre-.
vent the Merrimac from getting out under any
circumstances.
The condition Of the weather has considcra.
bly retarded the operations of General McClel
lan's army for some days past. The roads have
been impossible. even for empty wagons, SO
that the transport of heavy trains OF military
stores, artillery, ana caissons was impossible
The creeks were swollen and the low lands all
laid under water. But, with the return oil
favorable weather. active operations can be
resumed and we may expect at any time, to
hear that the Waterloo Of the rebellion has
been fought under the personal command OF
that sagacious mind whose plans for the conduct
Of the war have been carried out with success
in every other part Of the country where our
armies have come into conflict with the enemy
General Mcclellan will have the opportunity
now TO lead the army he has created into the
field, and the country need entertain no fears
for the result.
THE REASONS WHY GENERAL Jo JOHNSTON
ABANDONED MASAssAs.--One Of the rebel jour