From Yorktown

NEW YORK, April 19.

A letter from Col. Barnes, of the Mass. 18th, received in Boston, states that the force of the enemy is not so large as has been represented, and does not exceed 40,000 or 5,000 men. Neither are their guns of so formidable a character as has been represented. Col. Barnes further says: “Our siege guns have come, and before long, they will be at work upon the rebel breastworks. Gen. McClellan, I hear is about ready to attack the place, and when he commences the rebels will not hold out very long.” Col. Barnes is considered one of the ablest officers in the service, many of the Generals under whom he is serving having graduated at West Point under his instruction.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 21, 1862, p. 1