The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-09
YORKTOWN EVACUATED,
The Enemy's Guns and Camp Equipage
Captured.
GEN MCCLELLAN IN FULL PURSUIT.

GEN MCCLELLAN IN FULL PURSUIT.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
May 4, a. INTO Hon E. NJ. Stanton, Sec
rotary of war We have the ramparts Of
Yorktown, the guns, ammunition, camp eq-
uipage, &C., of the enemy We hold the en-
tire line of his works, which the engineers
report as being very strong. l have thrown
all my cavalry and horse artillery in pursuit,
supported by infantry. l move Franklir's
division and as much more as can transport
by water up to West Point to-day. No time
shall be lost. The gunboats have gone up
York river. omitted to state that Glouces-
ter is also in our possession. | shall push
the enemy to the wall.
G. B. MCCLELLAN, Major General.
DETAILS OF THE EVACUATION AND OCCUPATION.
The army correspondent of the associated
press, writing from Yorktown Sunday morn
ing at 10 o'clock, says This morning at
) o'clock your correspondent entered the en-
emy's works, which the rear of their army
deserted four hours before. Everything was
found to be in utter confusion as though
tley left in great haste. Between 40
and so pieces of heavy artillery have been
left in their works, after being spiked, to-
gether with large amount of ammunition,
medical stores, camp equipage, tents and pri-
vate property of their officers. A negro who
was left in the town, states that the
rebels threw large amount of ordnance
stores into the river to prevent its falling in
to our hands. Several deserters have sue
ceeded in running into our lines. One Of
them, a very intelligent man originally from
New York, who has been connected with the
rebel ordnance department. ever since the
works at Yorktown have been constructed,
states that the rebels evacuated, owing to the
near approach of our parallels, covering the
immense siege works of our men. and that
they feared the success of the Union gun
boats in the York and James rivers, bv
means of which their communication with
| the outer world would be cut off, The
order was given to evacuate by General
Johnson, OH Thursday. to commence on the
following morning, which was accordingly
done. Gen Magruder is said to have most
strenuously opposed the measure, stating
that if they could not whip the federal forces
here, there was no other place in Virginia
where they could. He swore in the presence
of his men, who vociferously cheered him,
losing complete control of himself. Gen
Robert Lee, the rebel commander in chief,
arrived at Yorktown Wednesday, and imme-
/ diatey examined the works of Gen McClel-
Ian, when he is supposed to have recon-
menced the abandonment of the works,
deeming them untenable. The deserters all
agree in stating that their troops were very
much demoralzed and disheartened when
! the order to evacuate was made public, as
they all anticipated having an engagement
at that point. They also agree that the req
els had 100000 mea Oh the peninsula togeti-
er with 400 pieces of field artillery. From
the best information received they have fall
en- back to Chlckahominy Creek. beyond
Williamsburg, where it is expected they will
make a stand.
/ Immediately on the facts of the evacua-
| ton becoming known the troops were order
ed under aims, and are now in motion from
the right and left wings of the army A
large force under command of Gen Stone
man, consisting of cavalry, artillery and in
tantry. are in the advance, and will probably
come up with the rear Of the enemy before
nj ght If they remain near williamsburg
| The gunboats have passed above Yorktown
and are now Smelling the shores on the way
up. Following them is large steamer and
vessels loaded with troops who will effect q
landing. Magruder swore he was not afraid
of Mcclellan if Lee was, and that if he could
not successfully fight him here he could no
where. Only one man was left in Yorktown
and he was negro. Gen Jameson and Col
Samuel Black were the first to enter the en-
emys main works. The only casualty that
occurred was the killing of two men and
woundi e of three others by the explosion OF
a concealed shell within the enemys works
The following are their names-thev belong
ed to Co. A, 10th New York kil!ei |, George
Mcfarland, Michael McDermott wounded
sergeant James Smith Frederick Steick, ant
Lawrence Beirns. The works are very ex
tensive and show that they were designed by
scientific engineers.
An official report jus. made to head quar-
ters shows that the enemy left Il guns OF
the works. At Gloucester Point the gun.
and ordnance stores were also left. Anoth
er desertel has Just come in and reports tina
jeff Davis came with Lee on Wednesday last
and after consultation with the most prom
; inent officers, all agreed to the evacuation
except Magruder.
SECOND DISPATCH.
; 1t is certain that the rebels received rein
: forcements by steamers from Richmond, OF
Thursday last, but did not disembark them
Their sohliers are badly demoralized ant
evince symptoms Of muliny on account Of III,
retreat. Inside of the Notifications ant
along the Williamsburg road OF. which the,
, are retreating, they have buried torpedoe
and percussion shells which are occasional
ly exploding and injuriug persons. Gen 10
seph Johnson's baggage has just been cap
: tured. d. B. Lathrop, telegraph operator
has been MORALLY wounded by the explosion
of a torpedo. Another torpedo attached t
l3 inch shell has just been discovered il
the telegraph office.
Gen Mcclellan Overtakes the Enemy.