Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-07
PARTICULARS OF The EVACUATION
OF YORKTOWN

Especial Cores pondence of the Bait American ,
FOkIKEss MoNROy, May 5.-A gentleman
direct from Yorktown informs me that at FIVE
O'Clock last evening large portion Of Gen. Me-
CIeliaH's eImY advanced and were closely follow
ing Up the enemy. In Yorktown a number II
dead bodies were found, including several off
cefs, who were kiued during the cannOEad!nl,
On saturday mig and Sunday morning, a bris <
fire being kept up the whols night. The Rebels
keUt their guns manned throughout the night,
erd the rtar guard abandoned them at daylight
possession, the cavalry and artillery following
rapidly pfter them.
As to the motive for the evacuation the prisoners
taken represent IL TO have been a necessity on the
part CT their Generals from which they could not
escape. The news from New Orleans and tine
evacuation Of Ccrilth bv Bcauregard, together
rith the scarcity Of provisions, had created SO
much dissatisfaction that many Of the Rebel regi-
mems were almost II open revolt. The difficulty
"f transportation and the scarcity OF beef espe-
ally 1.-THE gunbOats should advance above York
town, gave promise Of actual starvation, and sue
Nyas the state OF Decentralization that collision
could only have resulted In total destruction
On sunday morning Gen. Mcclellan signaled
TIE hve guEboets lying below Yorktown the fact
of the evacuation, with instructions 70 proceed
up TIE river to West Point, and remove all oh
stTuctions In their way. Quite a feet Of steam
and vessels loaded with troops were digcov-
cred IN the distance aud a pursuit commenced
resulting In the capture Of some Of them, whilst
Others were run ashore and fred by those on
board, who escaped TO the woods. IL is said by
three O'Clock in the afternoon tie gunboats had
reached West Point, at the head OF navigation
nearly thirty miles above Yorktown, rtquept'y
Smelling peFties of the enemy discovered fiying
along the shore, and faBking that portion OF the
FetrGsting army that were moving towards West
Point to take the railroad for Richmond.
Immediately In the wake Of the gunboats fol-
lowed long lire Of river steamers, loaded with
troops, carrying Gen. Frahklin's Division, with
from fifteen TO twenty thousand men. Among
these boats was the Louisiana, the Colun bus,
SrrNon A,.s
more boats, which had been laying in Cheese
mans creek waiting the orders of Gen. McClel-
lEB. These troops reached Yorktown during
the afternoon, and wers stopped there to walk
intelligence from the gunboats They had no.
left a. one O'Clock to-day. IL Is proposed to land
them ct Vest Point, il the report Of the gunboats
is favorable to such movement.
The railroad from West Point to Richmond IL
10 which the feet Of vessels 90 long lying at Can
ton, loaded with ears and locomotives Is destined
and you may look for their immediate departure
Tor Ricbmsnd, via York river There are fou.
locomotives and about sixty cars here, which
with such as may have been captured, will form
quite respectable rolling stock for this new rOute
to the South.
Yesterday afternoon q schooner cane down tbs
James river from Richmond, and when neal
Newport News she was run ashore on the south
side OF the river. Her singular movements at.
tfactsd considerable attention, and the crew Were
ctSeTytd 10 Immediately take to their boats and
pull fcT Newport News. On arriving thew an.
ncuLced tina, they had Intentionally run her
ashore for the purpose Of reaching our lines, and
that she contained sixty tons Of coal for the Mer
t'u.ac. Several boats were Immediately manned
ala started oct for tie purpose Of endeavorinC e
tow her OF, but finding this to be impossible
tn|y set her on IRE, and she burned TO the waters
edge. The herrimac was in ght at the time
hut did not venture up 70 save the vessel. The
CIV Were taken 70 headquarters and gave a de-
TloTahie account Of affairs In Richmond, and
among the troops, who regarded all further at
fem - IN nat fhsar hall soIt,,
The Mcnitor ssh maintains her position hal
way between Sewells Point and the Fortress
wharf. She keeps her steam constantly up, and
is ready 10 give a hospitable welcome TO the Mer
yimac at any moment she venture out. Abou
three hundred yards distant lies the Galena,
dark low blsck looking craft, hoped over at lei
huiwaTks, and putting away with an air Of read
lEess Ter all corners. She has on board a picked
crew who are ebatng with impotence to get
work la ;Ae service Of their country.
OLD POIs., Hondsy, 5 p. m.-The French
steamer GasseDdi has just arrived from York
town, having gone up for the French Minister
NJ. Merclsr, Capt. Fox, Assistant Secretary Of Ia,
Navy, and Postmaster General Blair, who wen
There On Sunday, IN a small steamer from w ash
in2ton.
I Learn frOra a gentleman who accompanied
the party that up to one O'Clock to-day the steam
ers having Gen. Franklin's division on board had
not proceeded beyond Yorktown, where the,
were waiting orders 10 proceed.
On" Of the gunboats which went up the rive
on Sunday morning had returned, and report
that they had oil proceeded 70 West Point, anC
found the river unrestricted. A force had beer
Landed and destroyed railroad bridge leadin.
70 Richmond.