The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-05-10
WAR NEWS.
Capture OF Yorktown!
REBEL STAMPEDE!

On Saturday night last, the rebel army
pulled up stakes and vacated their " impreg.
nable y works at Yorktown, retreating
toward Richmond. The enemy were pur-
sued in hot haste by General Mcclellan $
army and the following is condensed
account of the pursuit of those heroes who
seem to be intent only on discovering that
last ditch (not to die in it.
Ever true to their iiendth instincts, the
army of murdcrers who follow the rebel
standard concealed torpedos and pcrcus-
sion shells about the flag poles. telegraph
officers, and other public places not that
such cowardly Observation-Disclosures could
advantage their cause, but in order to CRAFTY
that tiendish maignity which characteristics
all who are in anyway connected with-as
Parson Brownlow very aptly styles 1.-THE
s. hcll-born and hcll-bound conspiracy
Several persons were killed and wounded
by the explosion of these concealed shells.
General Mcclellan has threatened to make
the prisoners remove them in future -
Large quantities. Of ordnance and military
stores were left by the rebels, and fell into
our hands.
The rear guard Of the enemy was over
taken this side of Williamsburg by our
cavalry and horse artillery ON Sunday after
noon, and a fight cnsucd, which is thus
described by the correspondent of the asso.
ciatcd press.
On emerging Ctom a corner Of the woods.
we came in view Of Williamsburg and the
enemys carthworks. AT the same time,
no guns We're visible on the enemy's works,
but a regiment of cavalry could be seen
approaching, about one mile off, in line of
battle.
Captain Gibson 5 reserve battery was then
ordered front, to open on the enemy
approaching cavalry, while portion of the
Sixth United States Cavalry were dcployed
as skirmishers to the right and left The
fire from the battery was very effective on
the enemy cavalry, but they never changed
their course. About two hundred yards to
the right of Gibson's battery was an earth
work which had all the appearance of being
deserted, when all Of a sudden our troops
were opened upon by deadly fire from
artillery posted behind the works.
At the same time the rebel cavalry con
tinued advancing until they were checked
by a charge made by II portion of the First
and Sixth Cavalry, which was performed in
Il most admirable manner. In more instan-
ces than one it was a handto.hand cncoun-
ter with the cnemy's cavalry, but strange to
relate, none of our men were taken prison
ers, while we captured about twenty five of
the enemy, among whom is Captain Frank
Lee. of the Third Florida infantry.
Captain Gibson's battery had fourteen
horses killed.
Lieut.. DeWolf was MORALLY wounded.
One of our guns was lost by sticking fast
in the mud.
The rebel cavalry was forced by our men
to abandon their position, hut the want Of
infantry prevented our men from advancing
on the enemys works. 1t being evident
that it was useless to attempt further oper-
atoms, the troops fell back about two
hundred yards to await the arrival of
infantry
On Monday General IIancock's division
had "A fight with the rebels, during which
our troops took two rcdoubts at the point of
the bayonet, killing two colonies and many
privatcs, and capturing one colonel and one
hundred and fifty prisoners The fight was
Il most brilliant one. and General Mcclellan
highly complimented General Hancock
conduct.
Gen. Mcclellan writes to the Secretary of
War the result of Monday battle announc-
the occupation of Williamsburg by the
Federal troops. He says:
The effect of General Hancock brilliant
engagement, on Monday afternoon, was to
turn the left of the enemy line of works. -
He was strongly reinforced and the enemy
abandoned the entire position during the
night, leaving all his sick and wounded i'll
our hands. His loss on Monday was very
severe. We have some three HUNDRED
unirjmred prisoners, and more than 1000
wounded. Their loss in killed is heavy.
The following is the best account we have
of the battle of Williamsburg on Monday:
General Sickles' Excelsior Brigade, of
General Hooker's division. bore the great
brunt of the battle, and fought most valor-
ously, although greatly overpowered by num-
bers and the superior position and earth
works of the enemy. The approaches to
their works were Il series Of ravines and
swamps, whilst the rain fell in torrents
througd,lt the day. The men had also been
lying on their arms all the previous night
in the woods, soaked with rain and chilled
with cold.
The battle ragged from early in the morning
antif 3 O'Clock in the afternoon, when
General Mcclellan arrived with fresh
troops, AVID relieved the division of General
Hooker, who were nearly Frustrated with
fatigue and exposure, whilst the Third
Excelsior regiment of the brigade had its
ranks terribly thinned by the balls of the
enemy. They are represented as having
fought with such impetuous bravery that
not less than two hundred of them were
killed and wounded. After the arrival of
General Mcclellan, the rebels were Gcrcely
charged upon by Hancoek''s brigade, and
driven within their works before nightfall
with heavy loss. Nearly seven hundred