The Evacuation of Yorktown

PHILADELPHIA, May 5.

The Inquirer has a special dispatch from Fort Monroe, giving the following particulars in regard to the evacuation of Yorktown:

ONE MILE BEYOND YORKTOWN,

Sunday, May 4 – 10 A. M.

All day yesterday the rebels kept up a hot fire on Gen. Porter’s division.  No one was hurt.  Our Parrott gun at Farnholt Court House occasionally answered them last evening, and up to midnight heavy firing was kept up.  About that time there fire slackened considerably, and at 2 o’clock stopped altogether.  We fired one or two more batteries at them, but got no answer.

About 3 o’clock this morning a building at Yorktown was fired, and Prof. Lowe and Gen. Heintzleman went up in a balloon and found it was the storehouse at Yorktown wharf.  At daylight they reported the forts empty.  At 7 o’clock we occupied Yorktown without a gun being fired.

Of the guns of the enemy, nearly all remaining were spiked and dismounted.  By the side of the river battery were large piles of ammunition, powder, balls, shells, &c.  Eighty guns were in Yorktown, which is surrounded by a semi-circle.  The earthworks were all constructed to cover one another in every position, but they must have eventually yielded could he have got around them.

The gun we dismounted the other day killed and wounded four rebels.

The fort had been occupied by the 1st battalion New Orleans artillery, the 8th and 30th Alabama regiments, the 10th and 18th Louisiana, and 13th and 15th Georgia regiments.  These troops were ordered to report at Howard’s Grove, and left the fort at midnight.  A rear guard was left who waited for the appearance of day, and then retired in greatest haste.

Two deserters who left their regiment in Williamsburg at Daylight, say the whole rebel army was in a panic.  Prof. Lowe’s balloon reconnoissance discovered their rear guard at 9 a. m., to be four miles out.  Gen. McClellan immediately ordered out the artillery and cavalry and is pushing after them at full speed.

All our gunboats came up at 9 o’clock and landed some marines at Gloucester, who raised the United States flag amid the cheering that could be heard across the river.  The boats all then left and are now running up York river, shelling the banks on both sides.

A number of mines had been prepared for our troops by placing Prussian shells under ground in the roadways and entrances to the fort.

No whites were to be found, and only a few negro women and babies.  The town was squalid and filthy.  A few days of warm weather would have brought on a pestilence.  An abundance of bread, flour and a large quantity of meat, salt and fish was left.  All the tents were left, but no horses or wagons.

Reports concur that the rebels consist of a mob of about 100,000 men, ill fed, dirty and disheartened.

The road from Yorktown to Hampton, on which we encamped, was guarded by Fort Magruder, mounting a large number of guns, part of which were taken away and part spiked.  Some of their works were well built and well laid out, while others were wretched contrivances.  The work upon them was finished on Friday night, and the slaves sent to the rear under guard.  The rebels have nothing behind in which they can make a stand.  Last night their camp fires all along were the same as usual.  The dense woods along the peninsula enable them to leave without being seen by the balloon.

The large guns of the rebels were mostly Columbiads, taken from the Norfolk navy yard.  Some of them have been recently mounted.

The fortifications, although of the roughest character, where very formidable, being surrounded by deep gorges almost impossible to pass.

Times’ Dispatch

The retreat of the rebels appears to have been precipitate.  The commenced dismounting and carrying their guns back to Williamsburg four days ago.  Wagons have been engaged in transporting their ammunition, provisions, and camp equipage for over a week.  Their sick and wounded, numbering over 2,500, were sent to Richmond ten days ago.

The rebel soldiers and negroes were at work on their entrenchments until 2 o’clk. this morning, when their rear guard ordered the work to cease and take up the march to Williamsburg.

Ten thousand of the rebels were sent from Winne’s Mill to reinforce an army sent from Richmond to oppose McDowell’s advance last Thursday week.

A great battle is expected at Williamsburg, as the rebel troops particularly those under Magruder, have mutinied on several occasions within two weeks.  6,000 of his men threatened to lay down their arms unless they received food and clothing.

Three rebel lieutenants, 2 sergeants, and 20 men were captured on the other side of Yorktown, and brought in.  Since the 3d, over 70 deserters have come in, who report their army as thoroughly disheartened and demoralized.

The honor of first entering the enemy’s works belongs to the 73d regiment, of N. Y.  The Texas Rangers left as our forces were advancing.  A large force of the enemy are reported captured four miles behind Yorktown.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

May 4 – 7 P. M.

Hon. E. M. STANTON:

Our cavalry and horse artillery came up with the enemy’s rear guard in their entrenchment about two miles this side of Williamsburg.  A brisk fight ensued, just as my aid left Smith’s division of infantry arrived on the ground, and it is presumed carried his works, though I have not yet heard.  The enemy’s rear is strong, but I have force enough up there to ensure all purposes.  All along the lines their works prove to have been most formidable, and I am now fully satisfied of the correctness of the course I have pursued.  The success is brilliant, and you may rest assured that its effects will be of the greatest importance.  There shall be no delay in following up the rebels.  The rebels have been guilty of the most murderous and barbarous conduct in placing torpedoes within the abandoned works near wells and springs, and near flog staffs, magazines, telegraph offices, in carpet bags, barrels of flour, &c.  Fortunately we have not lost many men in this manner – some four or five killed and perhaps a dozen wounded.  I shall make the prisoners remove them at their own peril.

(Signed,)

GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Maj. Gen.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 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

Major General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, February, 1863

HEADQUARTERS, I5TH ARMY CORPS,

CAMP BEFORE VICKSBURG, Feb. , 1863.²

Dear Brother:

I now know the secret of this last tirade against me personally.

Of course newspaper correspondents regard me as the enemy of their class. I announced that all such accompanying the expedition were and should be treated as spies. They are spies because their publications reach the enemy, give them direct and minute information of the composition of our forces, and while invariably they puff up their patrons, they pull down all others. Thus this man Knox, dating his paper upon the Steamer Continental, the headquarters of Generals Steele and Blair, gives to these general officers and their division undue praise, and libels and abuses all others. This not only plays into the hands of our enemies by sowing dissensions among us, but it encourages discontent among the officers who find themselves abused by men seemingly under the influence of officers high in command. I caused Knox’s communication to be read to him, paragraph by paragraph, and then showed him my instructions, by my orders made at the time, and the official reports of others, and how wide he was of the truth. And now I have asked his arrest and trial by General Grant, on charges as a spy and informer. The 57th Article of war, which is a Law of Congress, is as follows: “Who shall be convicted of holding correspondence with, or giving intelligence to the enemy, either directly or indirectly, shall suffer death, &c.”  I will endeavor to bring in all the facts, by means of the evidence of officers who took part in all these events. My purpose is not to bring Knox to death or other severe punishment, but I do want to establish the principle that citizens shall not, against the orders of the competent military superior, attend a military expedition, report its proceedings, and comment on its officers. . . .

Affectionately your Brother,

W. T. SHERMAN.

In the above letter to John Sherman, General Sherman enclosed the following copy of General Orders No. 67, in regard to the giving of intelligence to the enemy, together with his own comments upon them.

. . . Now, to every army and almost every general a newspaper reporter goes along, filling up our transports, swelling our trains, reporting our progress, guessing at places, picking up dropped expressions, inciting jealousy and discontent, and doing infinite mischief. We are commanded absolutely to proceed against them under the 57th article of war. Shall the laws of Congress be obeyed? Shall the orders of the War Department be respected? Or shall the press go on sweeping everything before it. ...

The press has now killed McClellan, Buell, Fitz-John Porter, Sumner, Franklin, and Burnside. Add my name and I am not ashamed of the association. If the press can govern the country, let them fight the battles.

__________

² Date uncertain.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 187-9

Senator John Sherman to Major General William T. Sherman, January 27, 1863

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 27, 1863.

Dear Brother:

The pressure of official duties here prevented my writing sooner, but I have kept a watchful eye on all your movements recently.

I have not the slightest hesitation in justifying every movement you have made. The newspapers are generally down on you and will command the public attention to your prejudice, but intelligent persons do not fail to notice that not a specific allegation is made against you. The authorities sustain your actions throughout. This is especially so as to the Secretary of War. I read your official report, and was very anxious to have it published. It would correct many errors and would be a complete justification and explanation of many things not understood.

I asked Gen. Halleck to allow me to publish it. He declined, unless the Secretary of War consented, and said he would submit my application to the Secretary. Afterwards I saw the Secretary, and he told me he had directed a copy of the report to be furnished for publication. I again called at Halleck's, and saw Gen. Cullum, who objected to the publication of the report on various grounds.

After a full conversation with Cullum, I supposed I had satisfied him that it ought to be published, and he agreed to submit my reasons to Halleck and ask a reconsideration. This morning I received a note from Halleck stating that, as further operations would occur before Vicksburg, he did not deem it advisable to publish the report at present. Thus the matter ends. Cullum stated to me that there was no officer of the army who did not entirely justify your attack on Vicksburg under the circumstances as you supposed them to be. In the end you will be justified in public opinion.

Military affairs look dark here in the army of the Potomac. Burnside is relieved and Hooker is in command. The entire army seems demoralized. Perhaps when it is ready to move it may be all right. A certain amount of dissatisfaction always will exist in an army. I was very glad to notice that you were popular with and had the confidence of your men. This is the case with but few officers. I deeply pity Porter.¹ . . .

If we recover from the folly of legislators and the quarrels of our generals, it will be evidence of vitality, remarkable in the history of any nation. I believe we shall survive all these dangers, and I agree with you that no course is left for us but to fight it out. I cannot respect some of the constituted authorities, yet I will cordially support and aid them while they are authorized to administer the government. Pray write me as often as you can.

Affectionately yours,

JOHN SHERMAN.

__________

¹Fitz-John Porter

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman letters: correspondence between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 186-7

Specials to the New York Papers

(Times Dispatch.)

WASHINGTON, May 27 – A movement made to-day by Gen. Fitz John Porter’s division of McClellan’s army, is reported to have been attended with complete success.  It resulted in cutting off railroad connection with Richmond, at a new and important point, and will undoubtedly tend to the discomfiture of the rebels.

Maj. Gens. McDowell and Ord spent the day in the city, and after a protracted interview with the President and Secretary of War, returned to Fredericksburg.

Some of the above item about Gen. Porter doubtless refers to the capture of Hanover Court House.

(Special to Post.)

A new treaty with Mexico has just been received here.  Its terms do not meet the views of the Government and it will undoubtedly be rejected by the Senate when it is submitted.

Washington is perfectly quiet to-day.

It is understood that the Government has satisfactory advices from several important points where our forces are operating.  It is certain that everything thus far goes well.

The Government entertains expectations that in pursuance of the plans laid out before the retreat of Gen. Banks, and which are now being carried out, the rebel forces who ventured up the valley of the Shenandoah will be captured.

It is considered certain here by the friends of the measure and those who have taken most pains to inform themselves of the opinion of members that the Bankrupt bill will pass.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 3

McClellan’s Advance – Erroneous Reports – A Grand Review

White House Cor. (14^th) N. Y. World.

There is grave reason to complain of some of the statements of the Associated Press, which cause incorrect and prejudicial opinions to be formed in regard to the doings and advance of the army.  For instance, the dispatch published on the 12^th, dated New Kent Court House, May 10, leads the public to believe that our army was then within twenty-two miles of Richmond, whereas, even now, the 14^th, the advance guard is still twenty-seven miles distant form that city, and the main body five or six miles farther – New Kent Court House is likewise thirty miles from Richmond, instead of twenty-seven; and the reconnaissance alluded to as having taken place on Saturday by the Eighth Illinois cavalry did not occur until Sunday afternoon, and was in a direction Southeast, toward the Chickahominy, distant at that point eight miles, and resulted in finding Jones’ Bridge destroyed, and the enemy on the opposite side in considerable force.  Stoneman pushes the advance with great vigor, but the Associated Press, in reporting progress more rapidly than is actually the case, does great injury; for people set it down that the army was then and there at such a time, and wonder and grumble at what they conceive to be a delay, when the army is actually performing the work they have been informed was long ago accomplished.

Correspondence same, Cumberland 15^th.

A ride down here (to Cumberland Landing) through the rain yesterday afternoon, brought me in just at the close of a grand review of the “Reserve,” under command of Gen. Fitz John Porter, in presence of Secretary Seward and Gen. McClellan.  The honorable Secretary rode with Gen. Porter along the solid and unwavering columns, and was greeted with terrific cheers.  He expressed his admiration of the high discipline and excellent spirits of the men, and paid a marked compliment to this corps, which holds the issue of the coming contest in its hands. – They and their commander are worthy of their trust.

This place is now made a depot of supplies, and will probably be the main point on the Pamunky [sic] for this purpose.  There is a good landing and plenty of room in the channel, with ample water.  The river bears fourteen feet of water at White House, but the channel is narrow and crooked.  The Quartermaster’s depot will be established here, the express office arrived to-night, and the Old Point boats leave daily at seven A.M., Stopping at West Point and Yorktown.  Ship Point and Cheeseman’s are once more sunk in their original obscurity.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 2

Evacuation of Yorktown

FURTHER PARTICULARS

PHILADELPHIA, May 5. – the Enquirer has a special dispatch from Fortress Monroe giving the following particulars in regard to the evacuation of Yorktown.

One mile beyond Yorktown,

Sunday 10 o’clock A. M.

All day yesterday the rebels kept up a fire on Gen. Porter’s division.  No one was hurt.  Our Parrott guns at Farnhal Court House occasionally answered them.  All last evening and up to midnight lively firing – was kept up, about that time the fire slackened considerably, at 2 o’clock stopped altogether.  We fired one or two more batteries at them by got no answer.  About 3 o’clock this morning a building at Yorktown was fired and Prof. Lowe and Gen. Heintzelman went up in a balloon and found it was their store house at Yorktown wharf at daylight they reported the forts empty, at 7 o’clock we occupied Yorktown without being again fired at.

Of the guns of the enemy nearly all remaining were spiked and dismounted.  By the side of the river batteries were large piles of ammunition, powder, balls and shells.  Eighty guns were in Yorktown which is surrounded by a semicircle, the earthworks were all constructed to cover one another in every position but they must have eventually yielded could we have got around them.

The gun we dismounted the other day killed and wounded four rebels.

The fort had been occupied by the First battalion New Orleans Artillery, the 8^th and 30^th Alabama regiments, the 10^th and 14^th Louisiana and 13^th & 45^th Georgia regiments.  These troops were ordered to report at Howard’s Grove four miles from Richmond and left the fort at midnight.  A rear guard was left who waited for appearances and then retired in the greatest haste.

Two deserters who left their regiment in Williamsburgh at daylight, says the whole rebel army was in a panic.

Prof. Lowe’s balloon reconnaissance discovered their rearguard at 9 A. M. to be four miles out.  Gen. McClellan immediately ordered out the artillery and cavalry and is pushing after them at full speed.

All our gunboats came up at 9 o’clock and landed some marines at Gloucester who raised the U. S. flag amid cheering that could be heard across the river.  The boats all then left and are now running up the York river shelling the banks on both sides.

A number of mines had been prepared for our troops by placing Prussian shells under ground on the roadways and entrances to the forts.  No whites were to be found and only a few negro women and babies.  The town was squalid and dirty.  A few days of rain would have been a specific.  A large quantity of meat, salt and fish was left.  All the tents were left but no horses or wagons.

Reports concur that the rebels consist of a mob of about 100,000 men ill fed, dirty and disheartened.  The road from Yorktown to Hampton on which they were encamped was guarded by Fort Magruder mounting a large number of guns part of which are taken away and part spiked and some of their works were well laid out, others were wretched contrivances.  The work upon them was finished on Friday night and the slaves sent to the rear under guard.  The rebels have nothing behind on which they can make a stand.  Last night their camp fires all along were the same as usual – the dense wood along the peninsula enabled them to leave without being seen by the balloon.

The large guns of the rebels are mostly columbiads taken from the Norfolk Navy Yard – Some of them have been recently mounted – The _____ although of the roughest character were very formidable being surrounded by deep gorges almost impassable.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 4

The Army Before Yorktown

THE FORTIFICATIONS AND FORCE OF THE ENEMY.

(Correspondence of the N. Y. Evening Post.)

IN CAMP NEAR YORKTOWN, VA
April 22, 1862.

A visit to the extreme left of our lines on the shores of the James river yesterday put me in possession of some facts concerning the fortifications of the enemy. Commencing upon the shore of the York river, opposite Gloucester Point, the rebel earthworks extend down the river for a distance of nearly half a mile; then, turning at right angles, extend another half mile and connect with a new line of works in the rear. – Another line, nearly straight, extends in a southwesternly direction across the peninsula to James river. After leaving the principal work at Yorktown, which is mounted with nearly one hundred heavy guns, the rebel line is principally composed of simple breastworks, which have been thrown up to a height of four of five feet, and armed with pieces of small caliber.

For the first half mile, there are several heavy pieces, and for the next half mile not at all, the works being protected by rifle pits and bodies of infantry, with low, swampy land outside, which will prevent approach. Afterwards the works, guns, and rifle pits occur at intervals. – When within three miles of James River, the works are dug along the bank of a creek, across which the rebels have constructed dams, raising ponds of various depths and widths, with earthworks at the dams and rifle pits between. At the mouth of the creek the works are somewhat stronger, and extend up the river a short distance.


THE REBEL FORCE.

Of course our force occupies the entire line, and meets the enemy face to face in frequent skirmishes. The rebels are in force at all points near their guns, or at least have the power to concentrate a considerable number of troops at any time on short notice. They also have a supply of moveable artillery, which they transfer rapidly from one point to another, as occasion requires. Their principal force of men and guns occupies a point just outside of their heaviest works, and, from the increase in the number of tents and the camp fires, it is judged that heavy reinforcements must have been received during the past week. I do not, however, share in the belief that there is anything like a hundred thousand men in the vicinity. I doubt even whether they have half that number.

In artillery the enemy must be deficient, for their guns are scarcely half as many as ours. At the batteries we have thus far engaged, or where a skirmish has occurred, this supposed deficiency in artillery and the superiority of our numbers, as well as the courage of our men, give us a decided advantage. Our sharpshooters follow the retreating foe up to the very edge of the works and maintain the position, picking off their gunners at every attempt to load or fire their pieces. In this way the slaughter of the rebels has been terrible, for there is no disputing the fact when men are plainly seen to tumble over at their posts. The aim of our riflemen has been unerring. The rebels are probably deficient in sharpshooters, as our gunners continue their work unmolested; not one of them having been killed by a rifle ball as yet, although their daring conduct has exposed them to the severest fire.


FLAGS OF TRUCE – WHAT THE REBELS SAY.

Flags of truce from the enemy have been received within our lines, and during the intercourse of our men with the rebels various matters were talked of. One of the rebels, and Irishman, inquired if there were any Irishmen in our ranks, and said he wanted to get over to us, but could get no chance to do so. Several expressed their hatred of the war, and said they wished it was over. While such remarks were made in a cautions manner, others expressed a malignant hatred of the Union cause and of the Union troops. The greater part – three hundred at least – seen near their works were negroes. The rebels had some fifty dead bodies to take care of, many of whom were also negroes.

The flag of truce over, our guns and sharpshooters again opened, and not a rebel head was afterwards visible. At this time a novel kind of weapon was brought into service. It consists of a large sized rifle with a hopper and machinery at the breach, which loads and fires by turning a crank, one hundred and seventy times in a few seconds. In fact, it is one continuous discharge. The balls flew thick and fast, and the Yankee invention must have astonished the other side. There are some half dozen of these guns in the division on trial, and, if we may believe our eyes while watching the effect they are entitled to consideration.


NIGHT ATTACKS.

During the night, and under cover of a heavy rain which had set in, the rebels began a slight skirmish, which resulted in nothing but a waste of ammunition on their side. The first indication was a signal resembling the hoot of an owl from a whistle in the hands of their pickets, followed by a rocket and a simultaneous discharge as if from a force of several regiments, and continuing some minutes.

In returning from the visit to our left we took the road which leads from Yorktown to Warwick and follows in a close proximity to the rebel works, in many instances quite near, and in full view across the open field. But for the greater part of the way the road crosses through a dense forest. In fact, two-thirds of the country in the center of the Peninsula is a forest, broken here and there by a small plantation, now deserted. At intervals along the road our batteries were in active play upon the rebels, receiving, however but a feeble response, as if they were waiting for our nearer approach or were shot of ammunition. They evidently hold us in supreme contempt, although they may have a different impression by and by.


PROSPECTS.

It is a matter of considerable speculation why they should suffer works to have been thrown up right under their eyes, and why they maintain such a prolonged silence. At a few points they replied sharply for a few minutes, and then abandoned it. At no point have we allowed them to construct a new fortification, and have even grown saucy and overbearing in our treatment of the rascals. We have crowded them up until they cannot work their guns, and taunted them in every possible manner.

While we can give no indications of what our preparations are, it is sufficient to say that those of us here on the grounds, and in close daily observation of the works, are surprised both at the developments of Gen. McClellan’s and Gen. F. J. Porter’s ingenuity and skill in taking advantage of natural positions, and the rapidity with which the work advances. Have patience; the men in command and their means are equal to the occasion, and whether the rebels make a stubborn resistance and fight a bloody fight, or evacuate after a few rounds, the army of the Potomac is ready.


PROGRESS OF THE SIEGE.

There is no change to report in the progress of the siege. Two contrabands passed the enemy’s guard in a boat during the darkness and rain of last evening and came to our lines. – One of them is a boy of sixteen, and unusually keen. The other is about thirty five years old, and shrewd. These negroes state that General Magruder is at Lee’s Mill, about four miles in front of the James river, and twelve miles from Williamsburgh. The rebels have a good road along the line of their fortifications from Yorktown to Lee’s Mill. There are no fortifications in the rear of the first rebel line, but guns are moved from point to point is circumstances require.

The contrabands also stat the Gen. Joseph Johnston commands at Yorktown; that Jeff Davis is at Richmond, and in the language of the contrabands, “a heap o’ sacred,” as are all the rebels at Yorktown; and that many negroes are at work on earthworks and working the guns in the forts.

The contrabands were quite positive that the rebels had about sixty thousand men, but little confidence can be placed in their ideas of numbers. Thet came through a portion of our camp where they could see the tents, artillery, &c., of ten thousand men, and in reply to the question if they had as many men as we had, replied: “Oh, jist ‘bout half of what we see hereabouts.” So you will see that there is no idea of numbers.

Yorktown is something over a mile back from the fortifications, and separated by “the Pines,” a piece of pine woods. A large number of houses have been torn down to keep us from getting into them. All the information I can gather leads to the conclusion that the rebels will fight hard while they can do so with artillery, but they have no [confidence] in themselves.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 1

A Thrilling Adventure

A letter from Fortress Monroe says:

We learn from Gen. Wool that there was an accident of a most thrilling nature at General McClellan’s headquarters yesterday. Gen. Fitz John Porter ascended in a balloon, for the purpose of making a reconnoisance. When high up, the rope broke, and off floated the balloon, directly over the enemy’s entrenchments. The officer was considered to be inevitably lost. The hearts that were wrung with the hardness and strangeness of his fate, were suddenly cheered as well as amazed with the spectacle of the return of the balloon over our own camps. It had ascended to a counter current of air, and was wafted with all its precious freight, back to safety. Once again over his own troops, the soldier aeronaut pulled the valve and discharged the gas from the balloon, and came down to the earth “by the run,” entirely unharmed. What he saw is for military use, and not for publication.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 24, 1862, p. 2

Gen. Fitz-John Porter

This officer, whose trial by Court Martial closed a few days ago has been found guilty on all the charges and specifications, and dismissed from the service. These Charges were in brief, as follows:

1. “Disobeying, on the 28th of Aug. an order of Gen. Pope, thin his superior officer, directing him to bring his corps to help Hooker and others in what is now known as the second battle of Bull Run.

2. Disobeying another order of Gen. Pope on the day following, directing him to make certain movements.

3. Totally disobeying very important orders as to the movements of his corps while the battle was in progress on the said 29th day of August.

4. Disregarding a peremptory order from Gen. Pope to bring his command into action and to report in person on the field.

5. Permitting certain of his brigades, in defiance of positive orders, to march back to Centerville, thus greatly delaying the arrival of Pratt’s Brigade on the field of battle of the 30th August.

6. When peremptorily ordered into battle he “did there shamefully disobey, and did retreat from the advancing forces of the enemy, without any attempt to engage them, or aid the troops who were already fighting greatly superior numbers, and were relying on the flank attack he was thus ordered to make to secure a decisive victory, and to capture the enemy’s army, as a result which must have followed from said flank attack, had it been made by said Gen. Porter in compliance with the said order which he so shamefully disobeyed.”

7. In that, “being with his army corps on Friday, the 29th of August, between Manassas Station and the field of battle then pending, and within the sound of the guns, and in presence of the enemy, and knowing that a severe action of great consequence was being fought, and that the aid of his corps was greatly needed, did fail in that day to bring it on the field, and did shamefully fall back and retreat from the advance of the enemy, without any attempt to give them battle, and without knowing the forces from which he shamefully retreated.”

8. That “being in the belief that the troops of Gen. Pope were sustaining defeat and retiring from the field, did shamefully retreat, and fall back with his army to the Manassas Junction, and leave to the disaster of a presumed defeat the said army, and did fail by any attempt to attack the enemy to aid in averting the misfortunes of a disaster that would have endangered the safety of the capital of the country.”

These charges were submitted to a Court Martial composed of Maj. Gen. Hunter, President; Maj. Gen. Hitchcock; Brig. Gens. Rufus King, Prentiss, Ricketts, Casey, Garfield, Buford, and Morris, the Hon. Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate General, acting as Judge Advocate. Gen. Porter was defended by the Hon. Reverdy Johnson and Charles Eames, Esq., with such eminent ability as to make the defenses especially notable, and it led to the opinion that he would be acquitted. The hearing was long and patient, and the largest latitude was allowed to the accused consistent with the rules of war. The record of the trial, made up by Judge Holt, was laid before the President, was by him approved, and the sentence ordered to be forthwith executed. The findings of the Court were that Gen. Porter was guilty of every one of the charges, and the sentence was “Dismissed from the service.” {Dubuque Times.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, January 18, 1863