Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-05-17
Army Correspondence
CAMP NEAR YORKTOWN,
9Th Penn. Cavalry, May 10, 1862.

ana tound 10 our surprise lt was the Uen-
eral, that is to strike tents and get ready
for march, At II o'clock, NJ, we were
drawn up in line, our gallant Col. d. NJ.
Gregg, made his voice sound through the
air, "Break by fours, from the right,
march, right turn ~ and we found our
selves on the Hampton and Yorktown
road, marching towards the great rebel
fortified town. About 6 o'clock, we were
within one mile of Yorktown, where we
now are encamped. On Sunday night, at
10 o'clock, it commenced to rain, and
having no tents up, in the morning we
looked like drowned rats. We had not a
stitch of clothes on us that was dry. 1t
continued to rain all day on Monday and
no dry clothes to put on We were in a
horrible condition all that day. At eight
o'clock that night the bu- lo sounded
boots and saddle-and in about fifteen
minutes we were once more on our horses
and in line, and it pouring down one tor
rent of rain. We were in line for one
half hour, when the order was to dismount
and stand by our horses. We did So
AT daylight we were still at our horses.
Then we were ordered to unsaddle our
horses, and we are now on the same ground,
To-day it is clear and warm, VIC are on
the same ground that Gen. Mcclellan was
encamped on, and within fifty yards of
the old intr enchments that were thrown
up in time of the Revoluti tionary war.
Yesterday we visited the spot where
WASHINGTON has his Headquarters in his
time at Yorktown. 1t has got beautiful
fence around it, and poplar tree, which
have no doubt was planted while his
Headquarters was there. Within quar-
ter of mile of the town is large stone
as token of the spot where CORVALLIS
surrendered to the great and glorious
WASHINGTON. then visited one of the
rebel forts. In this fort are three large
siege guns and one mortar In this fort
is the large gun that bursted while shelling
our men when at work. The traitors be
fore leaving the place, planted torpedoes.
While saw there, was private of the
lO6th Penn'a. Regiment, stepping on one
of those iaf,rnal machines, and he was
blown to pieces. The prisoners that were
captured at Yorktown, are set to work to
take them out They do not like the job.
1t is good for the bloody traitors,
The houses composing Yorktown are
nineteen, and look as if they had been
built in the year l. As Twas going along
the bank of the river, saw man lying
there and soldier sitting by his side. ]
stopped and inquired if the man lying
there was dead, he said he was, that he
had been killed on Sunday, near Williams
burg. He had been shot through the
T head. 1 inquired his name, and was told
that it was Capt Willard, of Company B,
9TH n. Y. Volunteers.
The man told NE they were on the ad
vance of the army and the rebels in full
retreat, the artillery of the enemy turned
and fired, and the regiment this Captain
belonged to, laid down and was kept there
full fifteen minutes under the heavy firing
of the enemy. Our men then got up and
made charge on them, and in that charge
Capt. Willard was shot through the head
Our army took their battery near Viii
liamsburg consisting of seventy one guns
and they left ninety.one guns loaded anG
spiked at Yorktown, making at the two
places l62 guns less than they had few
days ago. While our gallant General wa
here, he was not asleep, for he has put W
fourteen batteries and dug intrenchment
for seven miles, and has one hundred
heavy guns mounted.
1t is the opinion here that sesesh is abou
played out, and that this war will com
to close by the first of July, if not soon
5 er. Some OF the prisoners say that rebe
5 General McGruder does not draw a sobe
! breath, and that at Yorktown he ha,
! "the-man-w with-the-poker" after him.
, They report that the rebel army is dis
heartened and will not fight, if they ca
. get out of it. They said that one Brigad
threw down their arms and would nc
fight, and McGruder had the artillcr
brought to bear on them and told thel
that they had to fight or he would bio
= them to hell. do not think to-morro
}, will find US here, for we will be on ou
i way towards Richmond, and by the tin
you hear from me again, McGruder an
> his whole army captured, and Rebellio
= crushed out of existence.
OVENSHINE.