The New York herald., 1862-04-12

SKETCH OF YORKTOWN AND VICINITY.

Yorktown the scene OF the present operations Of the
opposing military forces is port OF entry on the York
river is the capital Of York county, in Virginia, and
Is situated the right bank Of the river eleven miles
from its mouth. 1t is distant from Richmond about
seventy miles south eascry direction. II
settled in 1T05 and very fourishing village
but shortly before the rebellion there only about
forty houses in the place. The shipping OF the district TO
June So 1854, amounted to aggregate OF nearly six
thousand tons, enrolled and licensed and all employed in
the coast trade During that year vessels built
thero, Of two hundred and forty-sx tons burthen This
locality was the theatre OF Of the most important
events American history FOR the 10th of October,
1881 Lord CORVALLIS surrendered the place 10 the sale
keeping Of General George Washington.
York county situated in the sou;heasters part Of the
State the entrance OF the York river Chea peae
Bay, which together form it's northeastern boundary
The OF the county is about seventy square miles,
and the surface a the country nearly level and undu
atng much Of the soil being very fertile Large quanti
ties Of oysters have been taken York river and pro-
vous to the rebellion the oyster fisheries the
source Of immense trade with the Northern states.
fbe last return gave the population Of the county at
600 Of whom neasly hhlfwere slaves
The York river, 50 often alluded 10 in the foregoing
remarks, formed by the union Of the PamupkY and
Mstapony rivers Is, tho southeastern extremity Of King
william county, Virginia. After flowing in southeast
sry tho river falls into Chesapeake Bsy nearly
opposite Cape Charles. The river Is broad through
its whole course present rather the appearance
bay than that OF river rs whole length from the
junction mouth is about forty miles, and at the
latter point d, is probably not less than three miles
width. The river divides the counties Of New Kent,
James City and York The right from those Of King aud
Queen and Gloucester the left The channel Of the
river varies from twenty 10 eighty feet in depth aud
downward from Green Point Hos Island the soundnrs
are sixty, hty four eighty hfy seyentyfve aud dfy
ak feet respectively, the extreme depth being oppos.
Yorktown itself.
Gloucester, which is mmsdiately opposite Yorktown,
On tue left bank Of tho York river s small and unu.
portant village Of Gloucester cornty, virginia and
situated or the bend Of York river near he evt ro
Chesapeake Iay. Tho county s located in the south.
eastern Part the state aud contains two hundred and
slightly s1usro mss. Tho Paukatans river form,
Hs orthen boundary, and tie York river
chat on ts southwestern side The waters
Ground this county contain an abundance
Of nsh and oysters which nshcrss previous TO the re-
bellou, furnished employment and Subsistence 10 a
rreat number Of inhabitants Large quantities OF oystes
sad wood wero exported to New York and Philadelphia
The county formed in 1912, and las for Its cepal
IN. little village Of Gloucester Court House, which is
,ou. Zen miles nearly due north from Yorktown, and
ar the arm Of the Chesapeake which indents the land
weeu the Piankatank and the York rivers The
aLion Of the county at last returns 10 L27, Of
rom less than i've thousand we're free, and the re.
laing 6vs Thousand Eve hundred and over were
es
iliamsburg Is city Of Virginia, and is the capital Of
county OF James City. I is situated al about sixty
ani from Richmond, in eastsrly direction, and
scout sixtyeigbt miles northwest Of Norfolk on level
asis between the james aud York rivers and at
rusl listarce Of six miles from each II ia the Oldest
r rated town In the State, and was aud tt 10 in
Jaws ag n s historic assocations II tho seat o.
Qs.toya government previous 10 The Revolution an
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