Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-04-25
THE SEIGE OF YORKTOWN.

A party Of deserters report JEFF. Davis
rived in the rebel camp, and it is understood
that he is to take command in the coming
battle. They represent the enemy in great
force, and entertainments are rapidly pro-
crossing throughout the peninsula. Rein
forcements are constantly arriving from Nor
folk, Fredoricksburgh and North Carolina,
and the rebel generals declare they viii
make this the great battle of the war
The strongest conviction is expressed of a
triumph over the federals, and of driving
them from the peninsula. Constant skirmish-
ing is going on by the rldemen, and OCCASION
ally shot and shell are thrown with great ra-
pidity.
The rebels have been for several days build
ing large Notifications on the Gloucester side
of York river about two miles from Yorktown,
and within signt Of our gunboats but their
guns are Of too long range to allow the ap-
proach of our gunboats to shell them. About
1000 men are at work on the Notifications,
and mortars could not reach them.
The gunboat Sebago arrived here Tuesday
morning with l00-pound rifed Parrott gun.
She at once opened fire with shell so we'll
aimed that they could be seen falling in their
midst and exploding with fatal effect. The
rebels were distinctly seen carrying off the
wounded, and in two hours the work was en-
tirely suspended, the rebels retiring out Of
range
At every attempt to renew the work they
were driven back The rebel guns on the
Yorktown side Of the river are not less than
fifty Of one hundred-pound calibre. Some
rihed nd bearing directly upon the bar. Our
gunboats at present are about two miles be-
low the town.
There is said to be skirmishing along the
whole line before Yorktown, and Berdan's
Sharpshooters are spreading terror among the
rebel gunners by their unerring aim
BEFoRg YoRKrowN, April IL.
To Hon. Ed,oard H Stanton, Secretary of Var
Tuesday and Wednesday the gunboats a
mused themselves by shelling the woods be-
low Gloucester One of them approached
within two miles OF Yorktown yesterday NOR
ming, when the rebels opened from a new bat
terry concealed in the woods. The boat, hav-
ing obtained the location Of their guns, re-
turned to her position without receiving any
damage. The firing to-day was renewed at
long intervals.
There was quite heavy skirmish this
morning beyond Warwick Court House, on
James river The rebels attempted to turn
our leit flank, the attack being made with
very great force, but they were re-
pulsed after brisk artillery duel with hea-
Wy loss. Our loss is about dozen killed and
wounded.
The rebels yesterday morning, with 1000 men,
commenced to strengthen battery located
about three miles TO the left Of Yorktown,
when battery was brought to bear on them.
causing them to beat hasty retreat. The
rebels opened with their heavy guns, when
second battery was brought forward.
brisk fire was now kept up for about hours.
during which three Of the enemy's guns were
dismounted, when both ceased for while.
bat firing was resumed on our part late in the
afternoon. and continued till daylight this
morning, etiec,ually preventing the rebels
from repairing the damage they had sustain
ed. The loss Of the enemy must have been
considerable, as the firing OF our artillery was
very accurate. Our loss was two allied and
four horses killed.
Yesterday Richard Painter, of Berdau's
sharp shooters, was probably fatally shot
while ON picket duty. O'her engagements
took place yesterday, further to the left, and I
near James River. in which our troops show
ed very great gallantry. The results have
not been fully asceTtaned