Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-04-12
From Baltimore.


From Baltimore.
- BALTIMORE, April II.
The Old Point boat has arrived.
1he following are the main points of lette,
from the Anericans special correspondent:
foRr Moxaos, April 10.
Tho storm is at last over
nothing has been seen or heard oil the Merri-
mac to-day, and in view Of the recent reverses to
the rcoels, 1t is doubtful whether they will at
tempt offensive operations even with their iron
platet monster. Yheir desperate strait may in-
duce attempts ut something in this way. II she
ever does como she will probably come to-mor-
row.
Psrtie: who came in from the army report no
special change in affairs.
Continual skirmsking 10 going on, and a bril-
liant affair occurred on Monday. IN which Grtins
battery participated with marked effect, killing
and wounding u rebels.
The rebel position extends across the pcninsu-
IA from Yorktown to Warwick, near ths Jancs
rlver, above Mulberry Point, and the taking in Of
the creek from james river shortens their line of
defense, and enables them to command with their
Notifications all the roads up the peninsula.
Gon'ls Lee and johnson are both'reported to be
with tho rebel force, one commanding At York
town and the other at Warwick. Bagruder, hold
ing subordinate command, is with the reserves
At Williamsburg.
According to reports of deserters tho rebel force
numbers about $4,000, Of whom $4,000 rein
f"rcements recently drawn from the limo Of the
Rappahannock aud about Norfolk.
Despite the weather and bad roa Is our Generals
are pushing forward preparations tor the assault
upon the enemy's works, and not many d .ys will
elspse before Yorktown will be cure and Richmond
threatened.
The glorious news from the West is acting - an
excellent stimuant for our army and greatly en-
courage the troops.
Berdan's Sharpshooters gave good accounts Of
themselves. They hold an advanced position un-
der the rebel batteries, from which they constant
ly harrass the enemy. A head above the parapet
becomes in an instant . mark for half dozen ri
hes, which At one thousand yards distance rarely
fail to hit their mark. One sharp.hooter belong
ing to tho California regiment, has almost wholly
prevented the rebels from using = large gun in an
important position. From we'll selected rife pit
he keeps constant ain upon the gun, and hard
ly an attempt has beer made Tor two days to fire
it without the rebels losing ono or two men from
his deadly aim.
1t 10 stated that ono Of our divisions has secur-
ed an important position, the holding Of which
will lead to tho eventual forcing Of the rebel line
Of defence.
Much important preliminary work has been per-
formed by our troops, and vii the return Of good
weather active operations will not be postponed
many days.
The task before Mcclellan in reducing fortified
entertainments IS one for which he is held spec
islly qualified. Tho result is not doubted.
DAbAAAON6, APA
A letter to the New York Herald says the ac-
counts Of the progress of affairs at Yorktown,
which have reached this city through channels
believed to be reliable, differ materially from tho
accounts furnished by tho government. 1t was
known at Richmond when portion Of the Union
army of the Potomac moved from Manassas to
Washington. 1t was known there when corps de
Grn,ee landed and assembled at Fort Monroe. II
was know there when Gen. Mcclellan and staff ar-
rived At tho fort. and it was known there when
the march ON Yorktown commenced and the num-
Der Of troops General Mcclellan had wherewith to
make the attack. These facts convinced tho Cen
federate government 1t kicamond that their hour
had come unless they took instant measures to ar
rest the march Of General Mcclellan. The forti6-
cations at yorktown we're al that could be desired
both as to strength and armament, but General
Magruder had a. yet only 1000 troops. The with
drawal Of such . large number Of Union troops
from Manassas rendered 1t necessary to keep the
main body Of the army Of the Rappshannock
along that stream, and from tha. arm accordingly
General Magruder has been largely reinforced and
troops have been arriving ct Yorktown from Rich
mond and Gordonsville every day for the last
week.
1t is believed that General johnson and JET
Davis are both at Yorktown, and that General
johnson is in command. The number Of rebel
troops there cannot be less than lO0, 900.