The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-05
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,

C, !
YORKTOWN, May 4th, 9 A. NJ. {
To Hon. E. ~ Stanton, Secretary Of War
We have the eneiuy's ramparts. Have guns,
ammunition, camp equipage, &c. We hold the
entire line of his works, which the engineers
report as being very strong.
have thrown all my cavalry and horse az
tllery in pursuit, supported by infantry.
move Franklin'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 Gloucester is also IN our possession. |
shall push the enemy to the wall.
q. B. MCCLELLAN, Maj Gen.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAc, }
May 4, 10 A. M.
The Army Correspondent of The associated Press
This morning at clock your correspondent
entered the enemys works which the rear of
their army deserted four hours before. Every
thing was found to be in utter confusion, as
though they left in great haste
Between forty and fifty pieces of heavy ar
tlery have been left on their works after being
spiked, together with a large amount Of medical
stores, camp eQuipage, and private property OF
their officers.
4 negro who was left in the town states that
the rebels threw 3 large amount of ordnance
stores into the river to prevent lis falling into
our hands. Several deserters have succeeded in
runnin. into our lines One of them, a very
intelligent man formerly from New York, who
has been connected with the rebel ordnance de-
partment ever since the worksat Yorktown have
Oeeu constructed, states that the rebels evacuated
OWING to the near approach of our four parallels
rtn hmm aflS, rrG nF ann
that they feared the success of the Union gum
boots in the York ard James rivers, by means
Of which their communication with the outer
world would be cut off.
The order to evacuate was given by General
Johnston on Thursday to commence the follow
ING morning, which was accordingly done. Gen
Nagruder was said to have most strenuously
oglose4 the order, saying that Ii they could
hi whip the Federals here there was no other
lace il Virginia where they could. That he
sToge IN the presence OF his men who vociler-
euSly cheeIed Ann, losing complete control OF
Himself Gen Robert L. Lee, the rebel Com
44nder-In-chiei. arrived ut Yorktown on
i rdnesGay and immediate y examined the works
OF Ten. McCleiIan, when he is supposed to have
recommended the abandonment of the rebe |
works: deemng them untenable.
The deserters all agree IN stating that their
troops were very much demorallzed and dlsheart-
ened, when the order to retreat was made pull bile,
sstney anticipated having hand to hand en-
sagement at that point.
They also agreed that the rebels had 100 900
uen on the Peninsula, together with 400 pieces
Vi held artillery From the best information
received they had fallen back to Chickaholniny
creek beyond Williamsburgh, where 1t is ex-
lecled that they will make a stand.
Immediately on the fact of the evacuation
beng known the hoops we're ordered under arms,
anu are now in motion from the right and lett
wings Of the army.
large force under the command of Gen.
Sioneman consisting of cavalry, artillery and
N'antry, are in the advance and will probably
come up with the rear of the army before night
.tlLey remain near Williamsburgh.
4ns gunboats have passed above Yorktown,
aA' they are now Smelling the shore on the way
~ Following them is Il large steamer and
V'Def Vessels loaded with troops who will effect
ta.!ndng. Magruder swore he was not afIaid
"NcClean il Lee was, and il he couldn' t sue
"''Aully lght,hi here he could no where. Only
we man was left.
Inc Merrlmac is out again, and the Monitor
prepared to meet her.
IA