Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-09


largo amounts Of tents, ammunition, &c,
An along the lines their works prove to have
been most formidable, and am now fully sa-
tisfed Of the correctness of the course
have pursued.
The success is brilliant, and you may rest
assured its effect will be OF the greatest i'm
portance There shall be no delay in follow
ing up the enemy.
The rebels have been guilty Of the most
murderous and barberous conduct, in placing
torpedoes within the abandoned works, near
wells, springs, flag stats, magazines. telegraph
offices, in carpet bags, barrels of -four, &c.
Fortunately we have not lost many men in
this manner. Some four or five have been
killed, and a dozen wounded
| shall make the prisoners remove them at
their own peril.
An inspection Just made shows that the
rebels abandoned in their works at Yorktown
two 3inch rifed cannon, two 4 l2-inch ri-
fed cannon, l6 32-pounders, 6 42-pounders,
10 5-inch columbiads, 9-inch Dahlgreen,
l6-inch Columbiad, l0-inch mortar, and
! S-inohseige howetzer, with carriages and
implements complete, each piece supplied
with &c rounds Of ammunition.
On the ramparts there also magazines
which have not yet been examined. This
does not include the guns left at Gloucester
Point, and their other works to our left
(Signcd) g. b. MCCLELLAN. Maj. Gen.
Under date of May 9Th, 10 ?. NJ, Gen.
Mcclellan telegraphs from 4" bvouac in front
OF Williamsburgh." as follows:
To + ". Stanton After arranging for movements
up York River, was urgently sent for here. find Gen.
Joe johnson in font Of me in strong force, probably
greater good deal than my Gen. Hancock has
taken two edoubs and repused Earys rebel brigade by
real bayonct charge, capturing colonel and 100
prisoners, and killing at least two coloDes and many
pfiyates His conduct was brilliant 10 the extreme.
has lost considerable on our lef.
learn from prisoners taken, that the rebels intend
dputiug every step to Richmond. shall the risk
Of at least holding them in check here while resume the
original plan My entire force is undoubtedly consider
ably inferior to tina; Of the enemy.
Major Gen. Commanding.
The Army Correspondence Of the Associated Press
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAo,
May 40 A. NJ.
This morning, at 5 o'clock, your correspon-
dent entered the enemy's works, which the
rear of their army deserted hours before
Everything was found to be in utter confu-
sion, as though they left in great haste
Between 40 and SO pieces Of heavy artillery
have been left on their works after being
spiked, together with large amount Of med
ical stores, camp equipage and private prop
orty of their officers.
A negro who was left in town states that the
rvJvis thruwa large amount OF ordnance stores
into the river, to prevent its falling into our
hands. Several deserters have succeeded in
running into our lines. One of them, very
intelligent man, formerly from New York,
who has been connected with the rebel ord
nance 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 i'm
mcnse siege works of our men, that they
feared the success of the Union gunboats in
the York and James River, by means of which
their communication with the outer world
would be cut Off
The order to ovacuate was given by Gen.
Johnson, on Thursday, to commence the fol-
lowing morning, which was accordingly DONE
Gen. Magruder said to have most strenu-
ously opposed the order, saying that if " they
couldn't whip the federals here, there was no
other place in Virginia where they could; that
he swore, in the presence Of his men, who
vocierously cheered him, losing complete
control of himself. General Robert e.
Lee, the rebel Commander-in chief, arrived
at Yorktown on Wednesday, and examined
the works of Gen. Mcclellan, when he is
supposed to have recommended the abandon
ment of the rebel works, deeming them un-
tenable. The deserters also agree in stating
that their troops we're very much demoraliz-
ed and disheartened, when the order to evac-
uate was made public, as they all anticipated
having hand-to-hand engagement at that
point. They also agree that the rebels had
100000 men on the peninsula, together with
400 pieces of field artillery From the best
information received they have fallen back to
Chickahominy Creek, beyond WILLIAMSBURG
where il is expected they will make a stand.
Immediately on the fact of the evacuation
becoming known, the troops were ordered
under arms, and are now in motion from
the right and left wings of the army
A large force, under command of General
Stoneman, consisting of cavalry, artillery and
infantry are in the advance, and will proba-
bly, come up with the enemy before night, il
they remain near Williamsburgh.
The gunboats have passed above York
town, and are now shellng the shore on the
way up. Following them is a large steamer
and OF her vessels, loaded with troops, who
will effect landing.
The 73d n. Y regiment, Col. Brewster,
Of Gen. Hooker's division, claims the honor
VI hAoN IlaHAius iut hldtb anu STRIPES IN DIX
town. Over 20 deserters have come within
our lines.
II is certain that the rebels received rein
forcoments by steamers from Richmond on
Thursday last but did not disembark them
Their soldiers are badly demoralzed and
there are evident symptoms Of mutny on &C
count Of the retreat Inside the Notifications
and along the Williamsburgh road on which
they are retreating they have buried torpedoe+
and percussion shells which are occasionally
exploding and injuring persons
j. b. Lathrop, telegraph operator, has
been mortally wounded by the explosion OF
torpedoos. Another attached to a l3-inch
she'll has just been discovered in the telegraph
Office.
Another deserter has just come in and re
ports that JEFF Davis came with Lee on Wed
nesdsy last, aud after a consultation witt
the most prominent officers. all agreed to h,
evacuation except Magruder.
Magruder swore he was not afraid oil
Mcclellan if Lee was, that If he could moi
successfully fight him here be could nowhere