Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-05-02

2. 1863. 4s.aQ zajoa ;sa.p a.-
..-l.n-EL =. laa I . m J
sanlt, closely pursued, intercepted by fresh
troops, that army would have been in very
critical situation, and the Federals would
have gained what they 20 greatly needed a
brilliant military success. .u;, ~ la sigafla
They did not need It simply to avoid the
serious risks with which they wers menaced
by prolongation Of the campaign. Political
interest was perhaps still more pressing than
military interest. A victory, decisive vic.
tory. alone could bring about restoration Of
the Union, AZ ebjsct % ardsntlY, ppmpad hx,
al patriotic Americans, who ct he prosper
ity and greatness Of their country above the
passions Of parties and Of sects. Bull Run,
by humiliating one Of the two adversaries,
had for time closed tho door upon every
chance of reconciliation. As soon as the law
full Government Of the country should reassert
itself and show it's strength. it would again
become possible to negotiate. and to re-estab.
lish by common consent the fraternal bond oof
the Union. Therefore, it was necessary to
make haste. The minds of men on both sides
were becoming more and more embittered !;
interest, individual ambition, foreign intrigue,
were more activity interposing between the
two camps, and the work Of reconciliation
was becoming every day more difficult. A
great success Of the Federal army before
Yorktown was therefore Of vital Importance
to the Government at Washington. Unfor-
tunately, the confederate leaders and generals
also felt this, and, with equal skill aud resolu.
tion, they took the best means of preventing
it.
In the night between the Sd and 4th of
May, Yorktown and the lines Of Warwick
river werc evacuated. This evacuation must
have begun several days before, but it had
been conducted with great secrecy and ad-
dress. On the Sd the fire Of tho encmy's 8
batteries redoubled in intensity. Shells dis.
charged from riAed cannon flew in all direc-
tions, with length of range unsupported be-
fore. The accuracy of their fre* made it
necessary to abandon all the signal posts es.
tablished in the tops of high trees. Even
the balloon, when it rose in tho air to make
its usual reconnaissance, was greeted with a
storm of projectiles, which, however were
harmless The object "f all this was to mask
the retreat, and it succeeded perfectly.
Onthe 4ih, at daybreak, the mtn in the rife
pits at the advance posts saw nothing before
them. Some Of them cautiously advanced to
the enemy's lines. All was az silent as death.
Suspicion soon became certain information,
brought ut the same time to the headquarters
by all the telegraph lines connecting them
with the different corps. The confderates
had disappeared, and with them had vanish.
ed all chances of brilliant success. The i'm.
possibility Of the cooperation of the Navy,
and the fatal removal of McDowell's corps
from the army of the Potomac, had combined
with the firinness Of the enemy in preventing
tho capture Of Yorktown by assault. A
month had then been lost in gigantic works,
which had now become useless, and after all
tho confederates had fallen back, satisfied
with having gained time to prepare for tho
defense of Richmond. and hencrforth count
ing on the hot season, and the diseases which
it would produce, to assist them against the
Union army amid the marshes of the penin-
sula. The Federals. more and more reduced
in numbers, saw before them tho prospect Of
more and more laborious campaign, and a
proportionate diminution Of the chances Of an
amicable settlement. Here. was the matter
for serious and even sad reflection; but in
war mcments are precious. end It is weakness
to lose them in regrets. 1t wac probable that
the hostile army was not far of and, BY q
rapid pursuit. it might at least he possibls to
come up with it's rear guard. throw into dis
order, and take solne prisoners. "f p
A few hours after the news Of tho evacua-
tion. the whole Federal army was Ia motion.
Stoneman's cavalry first entered the intrench.
ments. As they CROSSED them. several infer
nal machines, cowardly Instruments Of de-
struction. hurst under their. horses gfest and
killed several men. We only had time to
glance at the formidable works thrown up by
the enemy, and OH which they had LIFT sev.
enty.two piecss Of cannon then, passing rap.
idly through the deserted camps and hamnisg
magazines, amid which explosions. were still
heard. we took the road to williamsburg. a
small town situated at = point where tho ps-
ninsula, inclosed between two creeks or arms
Of tho SRA. offered very strong defensive po-
sitior. We expected to encounter on this
inthmus the rear guard Of the saemy. Stone
man therefore rapidly marchsil 4on w iliams-
burg with all the cavalry and four, batteries
Of flying artillery. The infantry followed as
fast as the few narrow roads permitted. It
may bs said that there were but two Of these.
one direct from Yorktown, the other from the
left of tho Fedsral liness The latter cy1ssed
Warwick creek at Les's NIL. on aslbridg
which took three hours to rebuild. When
Smiths division, which frat crossed, had ad-
vanced short distance, It met . part Of the
confederate army. which fell back before ii.
Smith informed Gen. MeCisllan, who. think.
ing that Stcncman byia rapid march might
come up with this column 4 ths enemy and
Il - AAu Enrl x,e III. roala 'h.,Eo.A