The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-18
The Siege of Yorktown.
PARTICULARS OF THE ADVANCE
| AND THE FIGHT.
A BATTLE OF ARTILLERY,

A BATTLE OF ARTILLERY
The correspondent of the Philadelphia
Inquirer gives the following narrative Of
McClellans advance upon Yorktown, and
the first days fight at that place:
THE ADVANCE.
On Friday morning about dalight the
grand army struck tents and commenced
the march "onward to Richmond" Gen.
Heintzelman's corps d'armee moved up
through Great Bethel, the direct route to
Yorktown. After leaving the camp, some
miles beyond Hampton, the advance struck
across New Market bridge, along most
beautiful and romantic road, the birds sing,
ing sweetly through the woods. 1t seemed
as through the grand army was grand
pageant, celebrating some gala day.
As we stood at New Market bridge we
saw full brigade of Philadelphia troops
pass, viz: Third Pennsylvania cavalry,
Colonel Averill formerly Young Mems
Kentucky cavalry Colonel Owens Sixty
ninth Pennsylvania Bakers Fire Z5uaves,
and the celebrated California regiment.
The houses along the road toward Great
Bethel were old frame and log rookeries,
with one or two exceptions. Some of them
had been destroyed by the rebels. In ma.
ny places the fences were destroyed, espec
tally where the rebels wsre encamped.
A company of Berdan's Sharpshooters
took the advance, with the Fourth Mlchi.
gan and the Fourteenth New York, and
the Third Pennsylvania cavalry in the ex.
treme advance.
SCENE ALONG THE ROUTE.
The first place of note along the road
was Rosedown," beautiful and unique
dwelling. 1t was white frame, three sto.
ries high, with large chimneys on the OUT
side. There were numerous small buildings
around it: In fact, it was southern man.
sion of the largest dimensions. We saw
the proprietor Mr.. w. Russell, standing at
the gate, his slaves carrying water for the
wearied soldiers. Mr.. Russell, as usual
among all we came to, expressed Union
sentiments, and complained that the rebels
had burned down all bis fences and disturb.
ed him generally. Some of his slaves were
almost white.
About one.half mile beyond this, is a
place called the haif way house. This is
about twelve miles from Yorktown. This
is hard looking corner-dilapidated old
dwellings and negro quarters, as usual, with
the largest part of the house on the outside
in the shape of chimneys. One old build
ing had its windows secured with iron bars.
This was the old store. This village bad
not been Inhabited for twelve years.
After leaving this delectabIe place, we
heard the booming of gun. The troops
shouted-th horses pricked up their ears
all were anxious to push on at double
quick. The officers checked them. York
river could be distinctly perceived some
distance on the right.
1t was now haif past one o'clock. The
men were wearied, yet anxious to proceed.
The discharge OF heavy rided pieces became
numerous. The enemy seemed to respond
briskly with very heavy piece, as the
sound of the discharge seemed sullen and
heavy.
THE ENEMY RETREAT.
We soon perceived Aliens Fifth Massa~
chusetts battery banging away at every for
midable ear hwOrk. A short time previous
to this, the Third Pennsylvania cavalry
drove 10 the rebel pickets. Griffins battery
was also unlimbered in range. The Four
teenth New York, companies B and A of
Berdan's Sharpshooters, were advancing
towards the batteries. There being no fur.
ther response from the enemy, alter firing
some sixteen shells, the column advanced
along winding road made by the rebels
around Howards Mills.
After getting to the top of the bill bat.
teries could be seen all around. 1t was a
very formidable stronghold. The enemy
retreated. Major Phillips had command OF
the rebel cavalry. He left everything be
hind-meat on the fire cooking. They
were somewhat surprised at the rapid ad-
vance of the Union forces. The rebel huts
were superior to anything of the kind we
had ever witnessed-log houses, Aoored and
lighted, as comfortable as any city house
with windows.
THE FORTIFICATIONS-CAMP MISERY.
The Second and Eighth Mississippi oc.
cupied the above Notifications, and called
the place Camp Misery.
Most OF the residents that remained had
their houses filled with children. They
claimed them as their. own, but it was evi.
dent that they belonged to secessionists who
had gone of to fight iu the rebel cause.
Gen. Heintzelman and Gen. Porter ar.
irving, made house in the centre of these
tortihcations the headquarters of this corps.
The family who occupied the house bear
the name OF Buchanan. During the even
irg several families came out Of the woods
with white flags flying, wanting to get to
their residences, which they had escaped