Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-05-07
YORKTOWN


WEDNESDAY, MAY :, 1862.
Yorktown Evacuated.
The boundaries of secessia are contract
ing with a steady, sure, irresistible fore,
that must strike terror and despair to thu
hearts Of the rebel leaders. Uncertain
what TO do, they fly in shattered and scat
tered masses from pillar to post" brief
ly postpOning the period of THEN fna
doom, but rendering it none the les:
certain or overwhelming. The quiet Of the
Potomac has been disturbed at last by ths
most ~uproarious jubilations of our ricto
rious troops under the gallant Mcclellan
Yorktown is ours; a bloodless and grear
victory has been woni That STRATEGY,
skill which has compelled the bloodles
evacuation of the two strongest rebe
points on the Potomac, Manassas and
Yorktown, will carry VI standard forward
to glorious triumph. We feel Ike shout
ing over this glorious victory. Its gladti
dings comes mingled with no sadness and
mourning to bereaved friends. 1t comes
not purchased with the sacrifice of thons.
ands of brave men, like the hard fought
battles at Donelson and Shiloh, neyerthe-
less it is more important than either Of
those. The capture of yorktown, taken
in connection with the capture of New
Orleans, viii make the most stolid rebel
open his eyes with establishment at the
progress of Yankee pluck and proWess.-
We look forward now with confidence to
the abandonment of their hopeless cause
on the part of the more discerning portion
of the rebels. They cannot always evac-
uate-fght they must, or be driven into
the Gulf.
Read the following good news and then
swing your hat:
WAsnINcTOS. May 4. u N.
The following report has just been re-
ceiyed from Fortress Monroe, announcing
the evacuation of Yorktown last night
We now occupy the enemy'sworks. They
left a large mount of camp equipage and
guns, which they could not destroy for
fear of being seen:
H~EADoUARrERs ARMY OF POToxAc,
May, 4, 1852.
To E. II. Stanton, Secretary Of Var;
SIR-We have ramparts, guns, ammu-
milton, camp equipage, DC. We hold the
entire rebel work, which our engineers
report very strong. l have thrown out
all my cavalry and horse artillery in pur-
suit, supported by infantry. ] move
Franklin's division, and as much more as
can be transported by water, to West
Point to-day. No time shall be lost
Gunboats have gone up York River
Gloucester is also in our possession. /
shall push the enemy to the wall.
tSigned) GEO. B. MCCLELLAN.
From the army correspondent Associ
ated Press at Yorktown:
We entered the enemy's works at five
this morning, which their rear deserted
four hours before. Everything was found
in utter confusion. About fifty pieces
heavy artillery were left spiked. We
found q large amount of medical stores,
ammunition, camp ednipage, tents and
private property of officers.
Negroes from there say the rebels threw
a large amount of ordnance stores into
the river.
Several desertcrs have come into u
lines. One states that the rebels evacuat-
cd owing to the near approach of our par
alells and that they feared the success of
our gunboats in York and James rivers,
which would cut off their communication.
Gen. johnson gave order to evacuate
Thursday, to commence the following
-1---~ --1,,6 NO.. lo1o
Magruder Is said TO haze streDnously
opposed evacuation, saying that if they
could not whip the Yankees here they
could not anywhere in Virginia.
Gen. Lee, the rebel comander-in-chief.
arrived at yorktown on "Wednesday, and
examined McCleIlan's works infinitely,
after which it is supposed he recommend
ed evacuation, deeming his works Umten-
able.
Deserters agree that their troops were
much demoralized and ~disheartened when
the order to evacuate was given, as all an
~ticipated a fight there.
The rebels had 100000 men on the Pc
ninsula; also 400 pieces OF field artillery.
1t is believed the rebels have fallen back
to Chickahominy Creek, beyond Williams
burg. where it is expected they will make
o STAND.
Gen. Stoneman commands a large force
of cavalry and artillery, and is pursuing
the enemy. He viii probably come up
with their rear before night if they remain
near williamsburg.
The ganboats have passed Yorktown
and are now Smelling the shores on their
way up the river. Following them are
numbers of vessels loaded with troops to
effect a landing.
An official report just received says the
enemy left Il guns Ia their works at Glou-
cester Point. Guns and ordnance stores
were also left.
Another deserter just come in reports
JEFF. Davis came with Lee on Wednesday
and after a consultation with prominent
officers all agreed to ~eTacuate except Ma
gruder.