From the Army of the Potomac

From the Correspondent of the Associated Press.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

May 2 – 2 P. M.

The rebels opened this morning with their rifled Columbiads, 68-pounders, placed on the heights of Yorktown.  Our No. 1 battery of 100 and 200-pounder Parrotts, was then brought to bear upon the only gun that has given us any trouble.  Our shots were falling over and around it with every prospect of its being very soon dismounted, when, on its twenty-third discharge, the enemy’s gun burst into a thousand pieces, tearing up the parapet and making havoc with the crowd who collected around it at the time.  No less than ten persons were standing on the parapet within six feet of it, besides those who were hid from view by the works.  The destruction of life must have been considerable.  This was the only gun which the rebels have shown capable of doing our No. 1 battery any harm.

All firing on their side ceased, while our guns were manned with renewed vigor, directing their shells into the town.  About one hundred shots were fired by our guns up to 2 o’clock this P. M., when all firing ceased.

A rebel steamboat came down the river and attempted to land at Yorktown, but was prevented by a few shots from our 100-pounder Parrott.  The rebels kept up a continuous fire all last night on our men in the trenches.  The only casualties were the wounding of two.

The weather is again pleasant.  If it should continue, you can look out for startling news from this quarter.  The work laid out is approaching completion.

Jos. Docker, Co. G., Berdan’s Sharpshooters, was wounded last night and taken prisoner.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 5, 1862, p. 1

From Gen. McClellan’s Army

WASHINGTON, April 8. – The following is a summary of intelligence received by the War Department up to 10 o’clock Monday night, of the operations at Yorktown and Fortress Monroe:

“Yesterday the enemy’s works were carefully examined by Gen. McClellan and found to be very strong and the approaches difficult.  The enemy was in force, and the water batteries at Yorktown and Gloucester were said to be much increased.

“There was sharp firing on the right, but no harm done.  Our forces were receiving supplies from Ship Point, repairing roads, and getting up long trains.  It seemed plain that mortars and siege guns must be used for assaulting.”

Another dispatch, received at 10:30 this morning, states that Yorktown will fall, but not without a siege of two or three days.  Some of the outer works have been taken.

A dispatch from Gen. Wool states that Magruder had 30,000 men at Yorktown.

On the afternoon of Sunday, Ship Point had been taken and our gunboats had shelled out the batteries.

There was considerable delay caused in crossing Deep Creek, at Warwick Court House, and resistance was made by the rebels, during which time several casualties occurred on our side.

All the fortified places of importance before Yorktown had been taken at every point.

A further account is contained in the following dispatch:

“Before YORKTOWN, Saturday evening.

“Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Sec’y of War:

“That portion of the army of the Potomac recently concentrated at Old Point advanced yesterday morning in the direction of Yorktown, fourteen miles distant.  The right was assigned to Gen. Morrill’s Brigade of Gen. Porter’s Division, two companies of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry and a portion of Berdan’s Sharpshooters acting as skirmishers.

“Nothing of interest took place until their arrival at Big Bethel, twelve miles distant, where they met the outer pickets of the rebels.  The troops were delayed here two hours, constructing a bridge which had been destroyed.

The rebels retreated before the advance of our skirmishers to Howard’s Creek, where they had some abandoned earth-works.  Shots were fired here by the rebels from two field pieces which were soon silenced by the 4th Rhode Island Battery, when the rebels beat a hasty retreat, taking their pieces with them.  The main body of the army rested here for the night, while Morrill’s Brigade advanced three miles to Cuckleville, six miles from Yorktown.  By 7 o’clock this (Saturday) morning, the column was again in motion, and by 10 o’clock was in front of the enemy’s works at Yorktown.

The first shot fired was by the rebels, the shell passing over the heads of Gen. Porter and Staff without exploding.  The batteries of Griffin and the Third and Fourth Rhode Island and 5th Massachusetts were placed in position, replying at every spot from which shot were sent by the rebels.

The position of the rebels is a strong one. – From present indications extend some two miles in length, and mount very heavy guns.  The ground in front of their guns is low and swampy.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3

From Fort Monroe

BALTIMORE, April 11.

The Old Point boat has arrived.  The following are the main points of a letter dated Fort Monroe, April 10^th:

The storm is over at last.  Nothing has been seen or heard of the Merrimac to-day, and in view of the reverses of the rebels, it is doubtful whether they will attempt offensive operations, even with their iron-plated monster.  Their desperate strait may induce attempts at something in this way.  If she ever does come, she will probably come to-morrow.

Parties who came in from the army report no special change in affairs.  Continual skirmishing is going on.  A brilliant affair occurred on Monday, in which Griffin’s battery participated with marked effect, killing and wounding 27 rebels.

The rebel position extends across the peninsula from Yorktown to Warwick near the James river, a short distance above Mulberry Point.  The conformation of the land and the taking in of a creek from the James river, shortens their line of defense and enables them to command with their fortifications all the roads up the peninsula.

Generals Lee and Johnston are both reported to be with the rebels, one commanding at Yorktown and the other at Warwick.  Magruder, holding subordinate command, is with the reserve at Williamsburg.

According to deserters, the rebel force numbers fifty thousand, of whom thirty thousand are reinforcements recently drawn from the line of the Rappahannock and about Norfolk.

Despite the weather and bad roads our generals are pushing forward preparations for the assault upon the enemy’s works, and not many days will elapse before Yorktown will be ours and Richmond threatened.  The glorious news from the West is acting as an excellent stimulant for our army, and greatly encourages the troops.

Birdan’s [sic] sharpshooters gave good accounts of themselves.  They hold an advanced position under the rebel batteries, from which they constantly harass the enemy.  A head above the parapet becomes an instant mark for half a dozen rifles, which at one thousand yards distance, rarely fail to hit their mark.  One sharpshooter belonging to the California regiment has almost wholly prevented the rebels from using a large gun, and hardy an attempt has been made for two days to fire it, without the rebels losing one or two men from his deadly aim.

It is stated one of our divisions has secured an important position, the holding of which will lead to the eventual forcing of the rebel line of defence.

Much important preliminary work has been performed by our troops, and with the return of good weather, active operations will not be postponed many days.  The task before McClellan in reducing fortified entrenchments is one for which he is held specially qualified.  The result is not doubted.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 1862, p. 1

From The Lower Potomac

McClellan’s Army Before Yorktown.

The Fight in Progress on Sunday last.

WASHINGTON, April 8.

The following is a summary of intelligence received by the War Department up to ten o’clock Monday night, of the operations at Yorktown and Fortress Monroe.

Yesterday the enemy’s works were carefully examined by Gen. McClellan, and found to be very strong and the approaches difficult. – The enemy was in force, and the water batteries at Yorktown and Gloucester were said to be much increased.

There was sharp firing on the right, but no harm done.  Our forces were receiving supplies from Ship Point, repairing roads and getting up long trains.  It seemed plain that mortars and siege guns must be used for assaulting.

Another dispatch, received at 10:30 this a. m., states that Yorktown will fall, but not without a siege of two or three days.  Some of the outer works have been taken.

A dispatch from Gen. Wool states that Magruder had 30,000 men at Yorktown.

On the afternoon of Sunday, ship Point had been taken and our gunboats had shelled out the batteries.

There was considerable delay cause in crossing the duck creek, at Warwick Court House, and resistance was made by the rebels during which time several casualties occurred on our side.

All the fortified places of importance before Yorktown had been taken at every point.

A fuller account is contained in the following dispatch:

“BEFORE YORKTOWN, Saturday Evening.

“Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Sec’y of War:

“That portion of the army of the Potomac recently concentrated at Old Point, advanced yesterday morning in the direction of Yorktown.  The right was assigned to Gen. Morrill’s brigade, of Gen. Porter’s Division, two companies of the 3d Penn. Cavalry, and a portion of Berdan’s sharpshooters acting as skirmishers.

“Nothing of interest took place until their arrival at Big Bethel, twelve miles distant, where they met the outer pickets of the rebels.  The troops were delayed here two hours constructing a bridge which had been destroyed.

“The Rebels retreated before the advance of our skirmishers to Howard’s Creek, where they had some abandoned earthworks.  Shots were fired here by the rebels from two field pieces, which were soon silenced by the 4^th Rhode Island Battery, when the rebels beat a hasty retreat, taking their pieces with them.  The main body of the army rested here for the night, while Morrill’s brigade advanced three miles to Cuckleville, six miles from Yorktown.  By seven o’clock this (Saturday) morning the column was again in motion, and by 10 o’clock was in front of the enemy’s works at Yorktown.

“The first shot fired was by the rebels, the shell passing over the heads of Gen. Potter and staff without exploding.  The batteries of Griffin, and the 3d and 4^th Rhode Island and 5^th Massachusetts were placed in position, replying to every spot from which shot were sent by the rebels.

“The cannonading continued with slight intermission until dark.  About four hundred shots were fired by both parties during the day.  The loss on our side was three killed, and some five wounded.

The position of the rebels is a strong one.  From present indications their fortifications extend some two miles in length and mount heavy guns.  The ground in front of their guns is low and swampy.”

WASHINGTON, April 8.

The Secretary of War has received a letter this afternoon from Gen. Wool, stating at 2. P. M. yesterday nothing was doing at Yorktown, except preparations for an attack.  The enemy’s force is reported at about thirty thousand.  At 2 P. M. yesterday, the Merrimac, Yorktown, Jamestown and four tugs were lying at Craney Island.

The cheering news concerning Island No. 10 fell on the public unexpectedly.

Wm. H. Polk of Tennessee, who has just arrived here, earnestly favors the passage of a confiscation bill by the Congress.  He expresses the opinion that such a measure would do more to make the rebel States loyal than any other than could be adopted.

FORTRESS MONROE, April 8.

Nothing has been done to-day in front of Yorktown except on the reconnaissance in that direction and some cannonading.  A telegraph wire is built to our headquarters near Yorktown.

The steamer Spaulding came in this morning from Ship Point.  The rebel works abandoned there are quite formidable.  The rebels took off their guns.  Ship Point is about eight miles from Yorktown, affording a fine base of operations.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 10, 1862, p. 1

From The Army At Yorktown

How our men Worked in the Trenches – The tale of a Rebel Negro Sharpshooter.

HOW THE MEN WORK IN TRENCHES

It may be a puzzle to many to conceive how our men can throw up fortifications right in the face and in plain sight of the enemy without being seriously disturbed by them. A brief description my be interesting, in as much as it can not be contraband, because the work is done right under the noses of the rebels.

A working party is detailed for night duty with muskets slung on their backs and shovels and picks on their shoulder; they proceed to the selected ground. The white tape marks the line of excavation. The dark lanterns are “faced to the rear,” the muskets are carefully laid aside, the shovels are in hand and each man silently commences to dig. Not a word is spoken, not one spade clicks against another, each man first digs a whole large enough to cover himself, he then turns and digs to his right-hand neighbor, then the ditch deepens and widens and the parapet rises. Yet all is silent, the relief comes and the weary ones retire, the words and jests of the enemy are often plainly heard, while no noise from our men disturbs the stillness save the rattle of the earth as each spadeful is thrown to the top, at daylight a long line of earthworks, affording complete protections to our men greets the astonished eyes of the enemy, while the sharp-shooters’ bullets greet their ears. Frequently this work is done in open daylight the sharp shooters and pickets keeping the enemy from annoying our men.


ONE OF SUMNER’S FRIENDS GONE UNDER

The best work of the morning of the 23th ult. was reducing to a state of permanent inutility in this mundane sphere a negro rifleman who, through his skill as a marksman, has done more injury to our men than a dozen of his white compeers in the attempted labor of reducing the complement of our sharpshooters. Our men have known him for a long time, have kept an eye on him, have lain in wait for him. His habit has been to perch himself in a big tree and keeping himself behind the body annoy our men by firing upon them. He climbed the tree this morning in advance of the others coming out, smuggled himself in his position, and was anticipating his usual day of quietude. Our men might have killed him as he came out, but avoided shooting so as not to alarm the others. His tree was about twenty rods from one of our pits. When hour men fired on the advancing rebel pickets he of course saw the fix he was in – that he was decidedly up a tree.

‘I say, big nigger,’ called out one of our men, ‘you better dome down from there.’

‘What for?’ responded the nigger.

‘I want you as a prisoner.’

‘Not as this chile knows of,’ replied the concealed Etheope.

‘Just as you say,’ replied our sharpshooter.

In about an hour the darkey peered his head out. Our man was on the look out for him, he had his rifle on the head line ready – pulled the trigger – whiz went the bullet, and down came the negro. He was shot through the head.


BERDAN’S SHARPSHOOTERS

These enterprising marksmen furnish the romance of the siege, if it may be so termed and many and marvelous are the stories told of the feats of daring and skill they execute, and the hairbreadth escapes they experience. Their duties are certainly of the most arduous and hazardous character. They are generally stationed in pairs in rifle pits or in some other protected position furnished by the nature of the ground. Generally within from five to eight hundred yards of the enemy’s pickets and almost always in front of their intrenched works for there it is that the accurate marksmen can be of the most service, every movement they make, every shot they make, is at the hazard of a life for the enemy is by no means without good marksmen, some of whom have a skill that rivals ‘Old California Joe’ and would try the skill of Colonel Berdan himself. One of these was a stalwart negro whose accurate firing made him the dread as the admiration of our own crack marksmen. It used to be the boast of the old English archers that each man carried the lives of twelve men at his belt, but this blackamoor carried an innumerable number of lives in the bore of his musket. At any practicable range, with the least sight on one of our men he seemed to know no such thing as failing to hit. Happily he is no more. Two days ago after watching and waiting with the patience and perseverance which none but the practical rifle picket can exercise, he exposed himself at a moment and was tumbled over with a ball through is head. The sad part of the story is that the man who shot him had scarcely withdrawn his rifle exclaiming “I got the range that time” when a ball entered his brain and stretched him lifeless. He was buried yesterday by his comrades. He was a German by birth, but I did not learn his name. The Berdan riflemen are the least soldierly looking men about here, but there can be no question as to their great service. They wear all sorts of uniforms and use every description of rifle each man having that kind with which he is most proficient.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 1

Operations At Yorktown

YORKTOWN SHELLED BY THE TOBAGO.

About noon on the 21st the gunboat Tobago ran up to within three miles of Yorktown and opened fire on the town with one of her 100 pound 8 inch Parrott guns. We were sitting upon the river bank, about a mile and a half this side of Yorktown, and could see every shot fired by her, and the replies. The first fell short and exploded in the air; the next two fell in the water near Yorktown; the fourth exploded right over the flag staff in Yorktown, and was a splendid shot, considering there was a hazy mist all around, making it very difficult for them to see such a distance; the next went over their fort and exploded in their barracks. Immediately there was a hurrying to and fro, their long gun was [run] out, a flash was seen, a pillar of spoke arose, and whiz went a shell within half a mile of the Tobago. It was a good line shot. There was a pause here for a few minutes, when both fired at once. Secesh again made a miss of it, and our shell exploded right over their water battery.

The gunboat now ran down to the mouth of the York River, and turning round came up and running half a mile nearer than before fired again. Her first shell exploded with a loud noise in front of their land battery; and the next two fell short; the next fell within fifty feet of the water battery; the next two exploded on shore near their fort; two then exploded over their water battery, which is bomb proof. All the [illegible] rebels were now lying in their rat holes and disdained to reply, and the fog growing so thick that Yorktown was rapidly being enveloped and the tide running out rapidly, the gunboat ran back to the mouth of the river.


CAPTURING A GUN.
There is an old chap in the Berdan Sharpshooters known as “Old Seth.” He is quite a character, and a crack shot – one of the best in the regiment. His “instrument” as he terms it, is one of the heaviest telescopic rifles. The other night, at roll call, “Old Seth” was non ex. This was somewhat unusual, as the old chap was always up to time. A sergeant went out to hunt him up, he being somewhat fearful that the old man had been hit. After perambulating around in the advance of the picket line he heard a low “hallo.” “Who’s there?” inquired the Sergeant. “It’s me,” responded Seth; “and I’ve captured a secesh gun.” “Bring it in,” said the Sergeant. “Can’t do it” exclaimed Seth.

It soon became apparent to the sergeant that “Old Seth” had the exact range of one of the enemy’s heaviest guns, and they could not load it for being picked off by him. Again the old man shouted – “Fetch me a couple of haversacks full of grub, as this is my gun, and the cussed varmints shan’t fire it again while the scrimmage lasts. This was done, and the old patriot has kept a good watch over that gun. In fact it is a “captured gun.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday , May 3, 1862, p. 2

From Yorktown

BEFORE YORKTOWN, April 15.

Yesterday morning a section of artillery was planted within half a mile of the rebel works. Fifteen shots were fired into their earthworks before they could bring their guns to bear, when we withdrew.

A fine view was had yesterday of the rebel works at Yorktown and Gloucester, from a house at the mouth of Wanlith’s Creek. Twenty-four guns were seen in the water battery at Yorktown and nine at Gloucester. At the latter place new works were being erected. The wharves were covered with commissary stores and the river dotted with sails.

On Saturday Corpl. Bean, Co. B, Berdan’s sharpshooters, was shot while on picket duty.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 2

From Yorktown

YORKTOWN, April 12. – McClellan has written a letter complimenting the Maine and Berdan sharp shooters, the latter now doing picket duty in from of the enemy’s works.

Capt. Spaulding of the 11th Michigan cavalry, was wounded on Thursday, being shot in the shoulder.

YORKTOWN, April 13. – On Friday about 300 of the 12th N.Y. volunteers on picket duty were attacked by a rebel regiment, but after a volley from the 12th the rebels retreated, having several killed and wounded.

Later in the day the rebels advanced in considerable numbers from another point, driving in our entire pickets, and burning a dwelling that has been used by our troops.

During both skirmishes we had three men slightly wounded.

The 57th and [63rd] Pennsylvania regiments had a skirmish with the enemy on Friday, in which they had two killed and four wounded.

A balloon was sent up from the rebel lines this morning.

For the first time weather and roads are improving.

No artillery firing on either side yesterday.

The Army is engaged in preparations for advancing.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Saturday, April 19, 1862

Operations At Yorktown

Rebel News, &c.

FORTRESS MONROE, April 16. Calm weather at present here. It has been most propitious for the reappearance of the Merrimac, but as she does not come, it is concluded she was most likely injured by getting aground when last out.

A flag of truce was sent this morning to deliver letters and dispatches, but no news transpired. It was impossible to obtain even a glimpse of the papers received at headquarters.

Copies of the Richmond Dispatch and Norfolk Day Book were received here last evening.

The Dispatch contains a telegram from Beauregard dated Corinth 9th inst., stating that he was strongly entrenched and prepared to defy the Federals in whatever numbers they might attack him. He claims the battle of Pittsburgh Landing as a most important rebel victory. He says we captured six thousand Federal prisoners, and thirty-six cannon.

The Dispatch, commenting on the above, thinks that the total rout of Generals Buel [sic] and Grant is certain. No mention is made of Beauregard’s being wounded.

The Dispatch says in reference to affairs in the Peninsula that no anxiety should be felt as to the result of the coming battle. The Yankees are to be driven to the Fort and thoroughly vanquished by the forces under Generals Lee, Johnson and Magruder.

The Richmond Dispatch has some more comments on the Merrimac, which it says spent two days in Hampton Roads, bantering the Monitor and Yankee fleet to come up from the security of the batteries.

The rebels claim the Merrimac as the master of Hampton Roads.

The exploit of the Jamestown in sinking three of the federal vessels, is regarded as showing the terror with which the Yankees view the Merrimac.

The Dispatch says, considering it not worth while to waste any more coal to entice the Monitor into a conflict, the Merrimac returned to her anchorage.

The belief is very general here that the Merrimac received some injury during her recent raid, which compelled her to go back to Norfolk. She was undoubtedly aground all the second day, and may be the heavy weight of her armament caused her to spring a leak. She is, however, back at Norfolk Navy Yard, and there was little doubt she was taken back for repairs of some kind. When moving about on the Upper Roads on Friday last, and exchanging shots with the Naugatuck she was very close to the English steamer Roden. At one time she was close alongside in conversation with one of the English sailors.

Yesterday an experienced gunner assured me that the last gun the Merrimac fired the shell exploded before it left the muzzle, he was close enough to see the great commotion on board and the escape of smoke out her port holes. – the rebels have for several days been building large fortifications on the Gloucester side of the York River about two miles from Yorktown and within sight of our gunboats, but their guns were of too long range to allow of the approach of the gunboats to shell the works. About one thousand men were at work on the fortifications, and the mortars were not sufficient to check the operations.

Yesterday morning, however, the gunboat Seebago arrived having a hundred pounder rifled Parrot gun, and at once opened upon them with shell, which were so well aimed that they could bee seen falling in their midst and exploding with fatal effect. The rebels could be distinctly seen carrying off their killed and wounded, and in the course of two hours the work was entirely suspended, the men retiring out of range. At every attempt to renew the work they were driven back. Up to night the guns mounted by the enemy on the Yorktown side of the river number not less than fifty 100-pounder, some of them rifled, bearing directly on the Bar. Our gunboats are at rest about two miles below the town.

There is said to be skirmishing along the line before Yorktown, and the Berdan sharp-shooters are spreading terror among the gunners of the enemy by their unerring aims. The enemy have made several sorties with infantry to dislodge or capture our riflemen, but have been driven back with heavy loss.

As to the arrangements for the final siege we need only say, the work goes bravely on.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly-Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

From Yorktown

Yorktown, April 12. – McClellan has written a letter complimenting the Maine and Berdan sharp shooters, the latter now doing picket duty in front of the enemy’s works.

Capt. Spaulding of the 4th Michigan cavalry was wounded on Thursday, being shot in the shoulder.

Yorktown, April 13. – On Friday about 300 of the 12th N. Y. volunteers on picket duty were attacked by a rebel regiment, but after a volley from the 12th the rebels retreated, hiving several killed and wounded.

Later in the day the rebels advanced in considerable numbers from another point, driving in our entire pickets, and burning a dwelling that had been used by our troops.

During both skirmishes we had three men slightly wounded.

The 57th & 63d Pennsylvania regiments had a skirmish with the enemy on Friday, in which they had two killed and four wounded.

A balloon was sent up from the rebel lines this morning.

For the first time weather and roads are improving.

No artillery firing on either side yesterday.

The army is engaged in preparations for advancing.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Tuesday, April 15, 1862

Latest from Fortress Monroe

Baltimore, April 11. – The Old Point boat has arrived. The following are the main part of a letter from the American’s correspondent.

Fortress Monroe, April 10. – The Storm is at last over. Nothing has been heard or seen of the Merrimac to-day, and in view of the recent reverses of the rebels it is doubtful whether they will attempt offensive operations even with their iron-plated monster. Their desperate strait my induce an attempt at something in this way. If she ever does come she will probably come to-morrow.

Parties who have come in from the army report no special change in affairs. A continual skirmishing is going on and a brilliant affair occurred on Monday in which Griffin’s battery participated with marked effect, killing and wounding 27 rebels.

The rebel position extends across the peninsula from Yorktown to Warrenton near the James river a short distance above Mulberry Point. The conformation of the land and the making in of the creek from James river shortens their line of defense and enables them to command with their fortifications all the roads up the Peninsula.

Gens. Lee and Johnson [sic] are both reported to be with the rebel force here, one commanding at Yorktown and the other at Warrington, Magruder holding a subordinate command is with the reserve at Wallenberg.

According to reports of deserters, the rebel force numbers about fifty thousand, of whom thirty thousand are reinforcements received by or drawn from the line of the Rappahannock and about Norfolk.

Despite the weather and bad roads our Generals are pushing forward preparations for the assault upon the enemy’s works, and not many days will elapse before Yorktown will be ours, and Richmond threatened.

The glorious news from the West is acting as an example for our army, and greatly encourages the troops.

Berden’s [sic] sharp shooters give good accounts of themselves. They hold an advanced position under the rebel batteries, from which they constantly practice on the enemy, and a head above the parapet becomes an instant mark for half a dozen rifles, which at the length of a thousand yards distance rarely fail to hit their mark. One sharp shooter belonging to the California regiment has almost wholly prevented the rebs from using a large gun in an important position – from a well selected rifle pit he keeps a constant aim upon the gun, and hardly an attempt has been made for two days to fire it without the rebels losing one or two men from his deadly aim.

It is said one of our divisions has secured an important position, the holding of which will lead the eventual forcing of the rebel line of defense.

Much important preliminary work has been perfected by our troops, and with the return of good weather active operations will not be postponed many days.

The task before McClellan in reducing fortified entrenchments is one for which he is held specially qualified, and the result is not doubted.

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