Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-05-08
THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN!
THE CAPTURE OF FORT MACON.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToAAc,
Nav 4 lS62--1 p. n
3. NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Nav A, lS62--7 P. M.
To Hon. E. NJ. Stanton Secretary OF War:
S,e.-Our cavalry and horse artillery came
up with the enemyS rear guard I'D the'r lh-
trencbmeuts about two miles this side OF WI
Iiamsburg. A brisk fight ensued. just as my
Aid left Smiths Division OF infantry arrived
on the ground and presume carried bis works.
though | have not yet heard. Inc enemyS
rear is strong, bu: | have force enough up
there to answer all purposes.
We have thus far II heavy guns, aud large
amounts of tents ammunition, &C. All along
the lines their works prove TO have been most
formidable, aud | am now fully satisfied of the
correctness of the course, | have pursued
The success is brilliant, aud you may rest as
sured that its effects will be OF the greatest
importance.
There shall be no delay in following up the
rebels The rebels have been guilty OF the
most murderous and barbarors conduct, IN
placinC torpedoes within the abandoned works,
near wells and sprSgs, and near ag-s.attS,
magazines, telegraph Offices, in carpet bags,
barrels of -four, &c. Fortunately, we have not
lost many men ia this manner-Some four or
five killed, and perhaps a dozen wounded. j
shall make the prisoners remove them at their
own peril
G.B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General
HEADQUARTERS, NEAR wILLIAsBURG, May 4,-P.M.
The advance of the forces under command
of Gen Stoneman, with the view of ascertain
ing the position of the enemy, reached this
place, two and half miles from Williamsburg,
about two o'clock this afternoon on the road
from Yorktown The country 10 most inotan-
ces was laid des0late, and but few OF the hous-
eS are occupied.
On emerging from a cover Of woods we came
in view Of Williamsburg and the enemy's earth
works AT the time no guns were VISra6le
on the enemyS works, but regiment OF cav.
airy could be seen approaching about one mile
of, III line of battle.
Capt Gibbou's reserve battery was then or
dered TO the trout to open on the enemy'S ap,
preaching cavalry while portion OF the 9Th
Cavalry were deployed as skirmishers 10 the
right and left.
The fire from the battery was very effective
on The euemy's cavalry, but never changed
their course. About 200 yards 10 the right
O: Gibbons battery was an earthwOrk, which
had all the appearance OF being deserted when
all Of a sudden our troops were opened upon
by deadly fire rom artillery posted behind
the works At the same ii &c The rebel caVaI.
ry continued advancing, until they were check
e by charge made hy portion OF The Isl
and 9th Cavalry, which was performed IN
most admirable manner.
In more instances than one 1t was band 10
band encounter with the euemy, but, strange
to relate, none Of our men were made prisoners
while we captured about % Of the euemy,
among whom is Capt Frahk Lee o. the 81
Florida Infantry. Capt. Gibbons had four.
teen horses killed. L!eut. DeWolf was NOR
tally wounded. One nan was lost by sticking
in the mud Lieut.. Benton OF the l>t CaVas
ry, aud ten men of the same regiment, were
wounded.
LIEUT.. Mcclellan of the Cavalry was
slightly wounded, as were also II Others
Lieot. .Coouel krssS of the lSt Cavalry had
bis horse shot under him while engaged in
hand to hand encounter with two Of the enc
my. He escaped with few slight bruises -
Private Noble (Irish) of Major BarkerS Nc,
Celan Dragoous had his horse killed, aud
was severely wounded in the leg by the eX,
ploSion of tarpedo while passing through
Yorktown.
The rebel cavalry was forced by cur men to
abaudou their position, but the want OF infant
ememy'S Orks Ii being evident that it vas
useless TO attempt further operatioDs,' The troops
fcll back about 200 yards to await the arrival
Of infantry.
Gen. Handcock's brigade soon after arrived
but il was deemed advisable TO defer further
operations until to morrow. We have lufor-
nation that the enemy are still on the retreat
beyond Williamsburg. The rearguard CT the
euemy is very strong, as was shown TO day.
PIrrsDURG LANDING, May 3, 1852.
The following dispatch, dated near Farm
ington, has been received at headquarters
A reconnaissance sent toward Pennington
found the enemy 4,5OO strong, with four pieces
of artillery aud some cavalry. occupying
strong position near the town. Our forces ad-
yanced at once TO the assault, aud after a sharp
skirmish carried the position in fine style. The
enemy left thirty dead on the field, with their
tents and baggage, our cavalry pursuing them.
The whole affair was very handsome, our regl.
ments charging the battery aud their line of
infantry at the double quick. The enemy fed