The Armies at Yorktown

The Armies at Yorktown

Baltimore, April 9. – A letter to the New York Herald says the accounts of the progress of the affairs at Yorktown, which have reached this city through channels believed to be reliable, differ materially from the accounts furnished by the government.

It was known at Richmond when a portion of the Union Army, of the Potomac, moved from Manassas to Washington. It was known there when the Corps de Armie landed, and were assembled at Fort Monroe. It was known there when Gen. McClellan and staff arrived at the Fortress. It was known there when the march commenced, and the number of troops General McClellan had wherewith to make the attack.

These facts convinced the Confederate Government at Richmond that their hour was [sic] come, unless they took instant measure to arrest the march of Gen. McClellan. The fortifications of Yorktown were all that could be desired, both as to strength and armament. But Gen. Magruder had, as yet, only thirty five Thousand troops. The withdrawal of such a large number of our troops from Manassas, rendered it unnecessary to keep the main body of their army of the Rappahannock along that stream, and from that source Gen. Magruder has been largely reinforced. Troops have been arriving at Yorktown from Gordonville, every day, for the last week.

It is believed that General Johnson [sic] and Jeff Davis are both at Yorktown and that General Johnson [sic] is in command.

The number of Rebel Troops at Yorktown is thought to be not less than 100,000.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, April 12, 1862