Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-05-07
The Enemy 100 600 Strong Aban-
don Their Publications.
FEDERALs IN P POSSESSION
LATEST PARTICULARS.
WASHINGTON. Nav 4.

J :
They left large amount Of camp equip
ngc and guns, which they could not de-
stroy for being seen. .smH
Headquarters ARMY OF THE
PoToMAc, May 4. 1862.
To Il. al. Stanton, Secretary Of Var:
We have captured guns, ammunition,
camp equipagc, etc. We hold the entire
rebel works, which our engineer reports
very strong. | have thrown my cavalry
and horse artillery in pursuit. supported
by infantry. | shall move Frnnkln's
division and as much more as L can
transport by water to West Point today.
No time snail be lost Gunboats have
gone mp York river. Gloucester is also
in our possession. l shall push the en-
envy to the wall. sH .
(Signed,) GEO. B. MCCLELLAN.
Headquarters ARMY OF THE
oi'NaCs h"l r. L. VI.
To E.. ". Saaton Secretary of Var:
Our cavalry and horse artillery came
up with tho enemy's rear guaad in their
entertainments, about two miles this
side of Williamsburg. A brisk fight en-
sued. Just as my aid left, Smiths di-
vision of infantry arrived on the ground,
and presume carried his works through.
| have not heard that the enemv's rear
is strong, but | have force enough up
there to ensure all purposes. All along
the lines their works prore to have been
most formidable, and | am now fully sat
ished of the correctness of the course |
have pursued. The success is brilliant,
and YOU NAV rest assured 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
tho most murderous and barbarous con-
duct, in placing torpedocs within the
abandoned works, near wells and springs,
and near fiagstatfs, magazines, telegraph
offices, in carpet bags, barrels of flour,
etc. Fortunately we have not lost many
men in this manncr-somo four or five
killed end perhaps dozen wounded.
shall make the prisoners remove them
at their own peril.
(Signcd.) Geo. 3. MCCLELLAN,
Major General.
The following is prepared from the ar
my corr espondenee Of the Associated
Press ut Yorktown.
We entered the enemy's works at five
o'clock this afternoon. Their rear desert
ed fonr hours before.
Everything was found in utter confu-
sion. About fifty ieccs OF heavy artil-
lcry were left spiked, We found large
amount Of medical stores, ammunition,
camp equippagc, tents and private prop
erty of the officers. =
Negroes who were found there say
that the relels threw large amount Of
ordnance stores into the river.
Gen. Johnston gave orders to eyacuate
on Thursday, and to commence on the
following day. which was done. Ma
grnder is said to have strenuously oppos
ed the evacuation. saying if they could
not whip the federals here, they could not
at any place in Virginia.
The deserters agree their troops were
much demoralized and disheartencd when
the order to evacuate was given, as ali
anticipated fight there. IS
The rebels had 100000 men on the
Peninsula. and 400 peices of field artil-
lery.
Gen. Stoncman commands large force
ofartillery and cavalry, ana is pursuing
the emery.
Our gnnboats have passed Yorktown
and are now Smelling the shores on their
way up the river.
The honor of first entering the enemys
works belongs to the 73d New York.
No great battle is expected at Williams
burg. as the rebel troops, particularly
those under Magruder, have nmtined on
several occasions within two weeks
5 900 of his men threatened to lay down
their arms unless they received food and
clothing.
Three rebel Lieu.enants. two Ser
geants, and twenty men were captured
the other side of Yorktown and brought
in. SINGS the Sd, over seventy deserters
have come In, and they report that their
army is thoroughly disheartened and de-
moralized. =
1t is said that jeff Davis held con.
sultation on Wednesday with bis promi-
nent officers. aud all agreed to Tho osacu
alton, except Gen. Magrudcr.
ef $50 1 .ft Hso a.S