Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-05-08
THE WlR FOR THE UNION.
EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN!
THE CAPTURE OF FORT MACON.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,
Nav 4, lS62--7 P. NJ.
NJ. Stanton. Secretary Of War

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,
May 4, lS62--7 P. NJ
To Hon. E. NJ. Stanton, Secretary OF War:
SIR Our cavalry and horse artillery came
up with the enemy's rear guard in Their III
trenchmeuts about two miles this side OF VIII
Iiamsburg. A brisk fight ensued. just as my
Aid lett. Smiths Division of infantry arrived
on the ground, and presume carried bis works,
though | have not yet heard. The enemyS
| rear is strong, bu: | have force enough mp
there TO answer all purposes.
We have thus far IL heavy guns, and large
amounts of tents, ammunition. &c. All along
the lines their works prove 10 have been most
formidable, and / am now fully satisfied OF the
correctness of the course, | have pursued
The success is brilliant, aud you may rest as
sured that its effects will be OF the greatest
importanc
There shall be no delay in following up the
rebels The rebels have been guilty OF the
uost murderouS and barbarors conduct, 10
placing torpedoes within the abandoned WORKS
near wells and sprsgs, aud nea' Hag-Ssa1S,
magazines, telegraph offices, in pet bags,
barrels of -four, &c. Fortunately, we have not
lost many men in this manner-Sofne four or
five killed, aud perhaps dozen wounded.
shall make the prisoners remove them al theT
own peril.
G.B. MCCLELLAN, Major-Gene
HEADQUARTERS, NEAR WILLIAsBURG, May 4,-P NJ
The advance of the forces under command
Of Gen. Stoneman, with the view of ascertain
ing the position of the enemy, reached this
pIace. two and a half miles from Williamsburg,
about two o'clock this afternoon on the road
from Yorktown Tie country 10 most natan-
IL; Il 4 nd lint fa M ia hons
es are occupied.
On emerging from q cover OF woods we came
in view of Williamsburg and the enemyS earth,
works At the time no guns were VISrabie
on the enemys works, but regiment ct cav
airy could be seen approaching about one nile
off. in line of battle.
Capt. Gibbons reserve battery was then or
dered TO the front to open on the enemy'o ap
preaching cavalry while u portion of the 9th
Cavalry were deployed as skirmishers TO the
right aud left.
The fire from the battery was very effective
on The euemy'S cavalry, but never changed
their course. About 200 yards TO the right
ot Gibbons battery was an earihwork, which
had all the appearance of being deserted, when
all OF a sudden our troops were opened upon
by deadly fire rom artillery posted behind
the works. At the same Il &c The rebel caVaI'
ry continued advancing, uulll they were cheek
e ! by charge made 10y u portion OF the Isl
and 9th Cavalry, which was performed IN
most admirable manner.
la more Instances than one il was hand 10
band encounter with the euemy, but, strange
T. relate, none OF our men were made PRISONERS
while We captured about % Of the euemy,
among whom is Capt Frank Lee of the 81
Florida Infantry. Capt Gibbons had -four
teen horses killed. Lieut.. DeWolf was NOR
tally wounded. One man was lost by sticking
in the mud. Lieut.. Benton OF the l>t CagaI
ry aud ten men of the same regiment, were
wounded
Lieut.. Mcclellan of the 6 Cavalry was
slightly wounded, as were also Il Others
LjeOt. Colonel krssS of the LIST Cavalry had
bis horse shot under him while engaged in
hand 10 hand encounter with two Of the enc
my II escaped with few slight bruises
Private Noble (Irish) of Major Barker's Nc
Clean Dragoous had his horse killed, aud
was severely wounded in the leg 10y the eX
plosion of tarpedo while passing through
Yorktown.
The rebel cavalry was forced by cur men to
abandon their position, but the want OF infant
ry prevented oug men from advancing on the
euemy's orks Ii being evident that it vas
useless TO attempt further operations 'he troops
fch back about 200 yards to await the arrival
of infantry.
Gen Handcock's brigade soon after arrived
but il was deemed advisable to defer further
operations until to morrow. We have mfor-
nation that the enemy are still on the retreat
beyond Williamsburg. The rear guard Cf the
enemy is very strong, as was shown TO day.
PIrrsDURG LANDING May g. 1862.