Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 11, 1862

CAMP BELOW FREDERICKSBURG, June 11, 1862.

Day before yesterday, General McCall received orders for his division to join General McClellan, to go by water down the Rappahannock and up the York River to the White House. Soon after the arrival of the transports at a point on the river some six miles below Fredericksburg was announced to him, and he immediately sent Reynolds and myself, with our commands, down here to embark. Reynolds has gone with all his command, and nearly all of mine has gone. I should myself have been off, but just as I was preparing to leave, General McCall made his appearance with his staff, and took up all the room that was left, and compelled me to remain here with my staff, separated from my command, to await either additional transportation or the return of those that had gone. I cannot tell now when I shall get away. All the vessels that were sent at first are gone; if others are being sent, I shall be off on the first that comes. But if it is not intended to send any more, and I have to await the return of those gone, it will be several days, perhaps a week, before I can rejoin my command. In the meantime, McClellan's pressure for troops may require him to send my brigade to the front, under the command of the next in rank. It is impossible for me to tell you how much I have been worried by this. Perhaps a vessel may come up some time to-day, and matters turn out better than I expect.

I think now it will not be long before our division will be in the presence of the enemy; being fresh troops, we will of course be sent to the front to relieve those who have been so long exposed. I understand very large reinforcements have been ordered to McClellan at last, in response to his urgent and repeated calls for them. It is rumored that the whole of McDowell's corps, except Shields (who remains with Banks), has been ordered, and some of the captains of the steamers recently here said that our twenty thousand men had reached him before they left, showing the Administration have at last come to their senses, brought thereto, doubtless, by a fear that a large part of Beauregard's army is coming from Corinth to Richmond.

I suppose you have noted in the papers that Colonel Kane has been made a prisoner, also Captain Taylor, of the same regiment, who is a very clever gentleman. I expected Kane, who has been thirsting for fame, would get himself in some such scrape, and therefore am not greatly surprised at its occurrence.

P. S. — June 11, 5 P. M.

I am glad to say several fine transports have arrived, and I expect to be off early to-morrow morning. As this has relieved me greatly, I have opened my letter to announce it.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 272-3

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, May 5, 1862

CAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, May 5, 1862.

I am very glad you saw Mrs. McClellan and were pleased with her. Although I don't think General McClellan thought much of me after I was appointed, yet I am quite sure my appointment was due to him, and almost entirely to him. At that time his will was omnipotent and he had only to ask and it was given. He told me himself that he had simply presented my name to the President, to which I replied that I considered that the same as appointing me; which I do, and for which I am not only grateful but proud, being prouder of such an appointment than if all the politicians in the country had backed me.

Since writing you, great events have taken place. Fort Macon fallen, New Orleans taken, and now we hear Yorktown and the Peninsula are evacuated.

I believe our movement to this place has been magnified, and they saw the danger to their rear and got away before it was too late. I think I wrote you, when in Alexandria, that this was the place for us to come to, and never could understand what we were sent to Manassas for, except because the enemy had been there before us. Great efforts are being made to repair the railroad, so as to bring up supplies, and I think we will be pushed on as fast as the road is completed.

McClellan will push on from West Point, at the head of York River, from whence there is also a railroad. He has a shorter distance, only forty miles, and we have sixty, but he will have one hundred thousand men to move and we only forty thousand, so that we will progress about evenly. We don't know whether they intend to abandon Virginia entirely, or whether they have only withdrawn from the Peninsula, between the York and James Rivers, and have taken up a position nearer Richmond.

Day before yesterday General McDowell invited me to meet at his quarters the Secretaries of State, Treasury and War, all of whom had come on a trip from Washington, and whom he very judiciously put into a wagon and drove them over the fifteen miles of road from Acquia Creek to this place, during which ride they were almost jolted to death and their lives endangered, owing to the dreadful condition of the road. He said to them: “Gentlemen, you can see for yourselves the character of the roads we have to draw our artillery and supplies over, and I assure you they are infinitely better now than they have been at any previous period of our operations since the frost began to leave the ground.” I was introduced to all of them and they were quite civil. I did not recall to Mr. Chase's¹ recollection that I was a ci-devant pupil of his, not knowing how such reminiscences might be taken. After lunch we all crossed the river on a boat-bridge we have built, and took a turn through Fredericksburg. The place seemed deserted by all who could get away, there being but few white people, and they mostly old women and children. There are some very pretty residences in the town, though we only saw the outside of them. The papers will have informed you that Ord has been made a major general. They also state he is to have this division, but I think that is a mistake. The idea that McCall will voluntarily retire is absurd, and I don't see how with any show of justice they can put him aside.

__________

¹ Secretary of the treasury.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 263-5

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, April 25, 1862

CAMP AT CATLETT'S STATION, Friday, April 25, 1862.

Since I wrote, the whole of King’s division has gone down to Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, and to-day orders were given for Reynolds to move down there with his brigade. I suppose I shall follow in a day or two, and that McDowell has at last got them in Washington to consent to let him concentrate his column at Fredericksburg, and either threaten Richmond from that point, or what would be better, interpose between Richmond and Yorktown, cutting off the communications of the army at the latter place. What I have been fearing, was that Banks would allow himself to be decoyed so far up the valley of the Shenandoah, that when they threw a superior force on him, we would be rushed across to his assistance. I see by the papers received to-day, that he has got as far as Harrisonburg, about twelve miles from Staunton; the latter being the point that Fremont is aiming at. If Banks and Fremont unite, they will be strong enough.

The papers say the Merrimac is ready to come out again; which I think is the best thing that can happen, as until the question of her supremacy is settled, we will be hampered at Yorktown. Let her be captured or sunk; when our gunboats will be free to operate on the James and York Rivers, taking the enemy's works in flank and rear, which now we cannot do for fear of the Merrimac.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 262

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, April 13, 1862

CAMP AT MANASSAS, Sunday, April 13.

My last letter was written to you from Alexandria, on the evening of the 10th instant. The next morning we started on our march to this place, which we reached yesterday afternoon, passing through Centreville. On our arrival here we found Franklin's Division had been ordered back to McClellan. As this was a checkmate to McDowell, he has started off to Washington, and we now do not know what is going to be done with us. The withdrawal of Franklin reduces his army corps to two divisions of only twenty thousand men — hardly enough to attempt to threaten Richmond from this direction. I suppose he will try to get another division with which to cross the Rappahannock and advance on Richmond. If he does not succeed in this, I presume we will be kept here till the affair at Yorktown is decided, and if it should be in our favor, I think they will fall back from Richmond and probably abandon Virginia altogether. We cannot tell till McDowell gets back what our movements will be. This morning I rode over the whole of the Bull Run battle-field. A more beautiful ground for a battle never existed; country open, with rolling ground of gentle slopes, offering equal advantages to the attacking and attacked. I am now more satisfied than ever that we lost the day from gross mismanagement — a combination of bad generalship and bad behavior on the part of raw troops. This, however, is erdre rums. Their works at Centreville and at this place are quite strong, and it would have given us a good deal of trouble to have driven them out, and it was a very good thing they evacuated them. I hope we shall be successful in driving them from Yorktown; though the last accounts would seem to indicate that they are pretty well prepared for us there, and that we have yet our hands full to drive them out. As I understand, the difficulty is that, owing to the fear of the Merrimac, the gunboats cannot leave Fortress Monroe to ascend the York River and take their batteries in the rear. It is said, however, the Navy have a plan, by which they are confident they will sink the Merrimac, if she gives them a fair chance, in which I trust they may succeed.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 258-9

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, April 8, 1862

CAMP NEAR ALEXANDRIA, Tuesday, April 8, 1862.

At length our orders have come; this division is to go to-morrow to Manassas by railroad. From thence our movements are uncertain, but I presume dependent on the success met in the attack McClellan is making by the York and James Rivers. The report to-day is that they are hard at work fighting near Yorktown; that McClellan is in the advance in the thickest of it. God grant he may be victorious and preserved, that he may outlive and put down his enemies!

We have had all day a terrible storm of snow and rain, one of the worst we have had this spring. Our men, however, have been getting tents from the abandoned camps in our vicinity, so that they are comparatively comfortable.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 257

Washington, May 8 [1862].

The Star says, the Secretary of War has the following, taken from the special correspondence of the Baltimore American:  The divisions of Franklin and Sedgewick [sic], numbering about 20,000 men, have been landed at West Point, 20 miles above Williamsburg, and the head of York river; and the division of Gen. Porter is now embarking on steamers for the same destination, together with the Rhode Island and other batteries; and the river, from Yorktown up, is lined with stores and transports.  No doubt is entertained but that they will intercept and cut off the rebels, unless they escape across the James river.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 10, 1862, p. 2

From Yorktown

WASHINGTON, Sunday, May 4 – Noon.

The following report just received from Fort Monroe, says Yorktown was evacuated last night.  We now occupy the enemy’s works.  They left a large amount of camp equipage and guns which they could not destroy for fear of being seen.

HEAD QUARTERS’ ARMY POTOMAC,

May 3rd.

Hon. E. W. [sic] Stanton, Secretary of War, Washington:

We have ramparts, guns, ammunition, camp equipage, &c.  We hold entire control of the works, which our engineers report very strong.  I have thrown all my cavalry and horse artillery in pursuit, supported by infantry.  I move Franklin’s division and as much more as can be transported by water to West Point to-day.  No time shall be lost.  Gunboats have gone up York River.  Gloucester is in our possession.  I shall push the enemy to the wall.

(Signed,)

G. B. McLELLAN

We entered the enemy’s works at 5 this A. M., which their rear deserted 41 hours before.  Found everything in utter confusion.  About 50 pieces of heavy artillery were left spiked.  Found medical stores, ammunition, camp equipage, tents and private property.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 2

Yorktown Evacuated!

So say our telegraph dispatches.  If this be true, where will the rebels rally?  Richmond and Norfolk cannot long withstand an attack of the Federal forces.  There has been no fight at Corinth, and it is possible there may be none.  The fact of it is, the Southern Confederacy is not fighting at this juncture for vitality, but its leaders are contending simply that they themselves may escape.  The rebellion is virtually dead, the rebels scattered; they can never again concentrate in sufficient force to contend with any show against the Federal troops.  Yorktown evacuated, Gloucester is ours, gunboats going up York river, McClellan pushing the enemy to the wall, soon Richmond, the capital of the rebel league, will be hours and the stars and stripes again wave over the ancient dominion.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 2

From Yorktown

NEAR YORKTOWN, April 9, 1.20 P. M. – The weather still continues unfavorable for military operations.  It has been raining for nearly two days; the creeks are very much swollen, and the low grounds covered with water, making the roads almost impassible for empty wagons.

Information received shows that the rebels have a force of 60,000, which is being rapidly added to by troops from the neighborhood of Richmond, which is one day from Yorktown by railroad and river – they having four steamers and sixteen transports in use, and by the time the roads are in condition for the Union army to move, the rebels may be able to meet them with one hundred thousand – the flower of their army, with the best arms in a strong entrenched position opposed to our troops, occupying their present position.  The military authorities have no means of ascertaining the extent of the rebel works.

Information obtained through deserters, contrabands and other sources show that the enemy have nearly 500 guns, some of them of the largest caliber.

The rebel Gen. Johnson [sic] with some of his forces has arrived; he takes command in person.  The intend making a desperate resistance to our advance.  Their forces extend from the James to the York rivers, entirely across the Peninsula.

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

From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 2.

Special to Tribune.

It is stated that the Senate military committee dissents from the rule that volunteer officers must seek from promotion in their own branch of service only.  They think vacancies in the regular army should be filled by experienced men from the volunteer regiments, in preference to civilians.

Mr. Ames of Chicopee manufactory, has presented flag officer Foote with a sword and Lieut. Worden with a cutlass.

Times’ Dispatch

Prisoners taken in the recent reconnoisance to the Rappahannock, state that the rebel force in that vicinity consists of eight regiments of infantry, two of cavalry and six pieces of artillery.  Gen. E. Wells, of Drainsville notoriety, was in command on the return of our forces to Warrenton junction.

The rebels hover around the outskirts of our army, and frequently succeed in picking up small parties of our men, who contrary to commands, go out on foolhardy foraging expeditions.

Information has just been received from the Times’ correspondent on the lower Potomac, that contrabands from Fredericksburg report that town now occupied by thirty regiments of the enemy, the main part of which have arrived there within the last three days.  They report the steamer St. Nicholas and another boat which formerly plied to different points on the Rappahannock, as being held in readiness to transport rebel troops down the Rappahannock to some point.

Other rebel troops are reported as having gone down the York river to reinforce the enemy’s position at the mouth, where the rebels have batteries.  Small detachments of rebel cavalry still occupy Aquia Creek and as far up as Dumfries.

Another magazine has been found at Shipping Point, containing large quantities of shells.

Herald’s Dispatch.

About one and a half millions of six per cent. certificates were issued to-day, chiefly of the denomination of $100.  The checks and warrants now in amount to about ten millions.

Yesterday the Jacob Bell and Stepping Stone visited Evansport.  A boat’s crew from each vessel was sent to shore.  They visited nearly all the batteries in that vicinity, including one on a high hill about half a mile back of Evansport, where was mounted the gun that Capt. Eastman had attempted unsuccessfully to burst.  It is a 32-pounder.  This battery, aided by field pieces, was intended to cover the retreat of the rebels through the woods in the rear, in the event of their being driven from the lower battery.  It was defended by rifle pits.

Several men went a considerable distance into the country, but there were no signs of rebel troops nor inhabitants.  Both parties of seamen subsequently returned on shore in command of Lieut. Commanding McCrea, of the Jacob Bell, and proceeded inland, where they found five rebel store houses containing hay, cutting machines, platform scales and other useful apparatus and implements.  They set fire to the buildings, which were entirely consumed.

A citizen of Cambridge, Mass., who went to Bull Run to recover the remains of his brother, who belonged to a Boston company, gives a melancholy account of the sacrilege committed upon the graves of our soldiers by the rebels.  About thirty of the Boston company and Chelsea company had been buried near each other, but every skull had been taken away and nearly all the principal bones of the bodies were gone.  Some of the bodies had been dug out and others pressed out of the graves with levers and some the sleeves of the uniforms were slit to obtain the bones of the arms.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 3, 1862, p. 1

Contrasts & etc.

Contrasts --- Gen. McClellan --- Somebody Blundered at Williamsburg – Our Advance – Military Jealousies – The Commander, The President, and the Secretary of War – Battle of York River – Obstruction of the Pamunkey – Maps.

CAMP AT ELTHAM, NEW KENT CO., VA,

SUNDAY, May 11^th, 1862.

Last Sunday the army was convulsed with excitement. Thousands of armed men were plunging onward in pursuit of a flying enemy.  Away off in the distance there was a sound of angry tumult, arising from the swamps and forests.  To-day, how serene and placid the scene!  Beautiful fields arrayed in living green, a calm, blue May sky, fragrant breezes from the Sunny South cooling the heated atmosphere, and the voice of praise and of prayer rising from the midst of embattled hosts.  But all this is the calm which presages the dreadful storm. * * *  The word comes that Gen. McClellan is coming into camp, and there is a grand rush to see him.

GEN. M’CLELLAN HERE.

The General paid this army a flying visit, halting temporarily at Gen. Sedgwick’s headquarters.  The troops greeted him with the heartiest enthusiasm.  I believe I commit no impropriety in stating that I am satisfied that the great battle is almost at hand.  It may take place before this is printed.  The enemy have evacuated every point connecting with Richmond, for the purpose of giving battle on the Chickahominy.  Their central point is at Bottom Bridge and the Chickahominy, on the perimeter of a semicircle formed by the meandering of the stream.  They are supposed to be protected from blank attacks by the creeks and deep swamps.  General McClellan did not express an opinion respecting the numbers of the enemy, but remarked “they are on the Chickahominy in force.”  The lowest estimate of their numbers, by careful commanders, is one hundred and twenty five thousand, but there are sound reasons for placing the number at one hundred and fifty thousand – of whom, perhaps, fifty thousand are new conscripts.  Our videttes are already in close juxtaposition with their outposts.

Yesterday afternoon two of our gunboats ascended the Pamunkey to White House, some seventeen miles above this camp, and about seven above and to the right of New Kent Court House, at the point, I am informed, where the Richmond and York River Railway crosses the Pamunkey.

OUR ADVANCE.

Gen. Stoneman also advanced to that point last night, meeting and driving before him a considerable force of rebels, killing five, wounding a number, and taking some prisoners, two of his men being killed and three wounded. – Our troops have gone forward to-day, and the whole army is disposed within supporting distance of the front.  This general fact would be presupposed.  I state it to calm any apprehensive inquiry that might be made.  I may say, likewise, that the General seems cheerful and confident, and since the battle of Williamsburg, he relies upon his volunteers to obey orders and emulate their leaders.

CABALS.

In infer from certain mysterious expressions among military men, that somebody blundered at Williamsburg, but the utterances are so cabalistic that I doubt the propriety of venturing an opinion.  Decision of character and consistency of purpose seem to have been the deficiencies of which compliant is made.  I am not competent to decide whether such insinuations are justifiable or whether they are the utterances of military cabals.  I sometimes fear that Old West Point and Young West Point do not agree.  As Young West Point has done so well, generally, in this war, my predictions are rather favorable to them.  Yet, I would rather not know so much about military collisions among our own officers.  While I dwell upon this point the reader will pardon me for submitting that the Secretary of War does not appear to be sustaining Gen. McClellan as he ought, otherwise he would not send exhausted or incompetent Brigadiers to the Commander, when he deserves a more vigorous and better qualified class of officers.  Just here, I would also remark that the special friends of Gen. McClellan are striving to widen the breach between the Secretary of War and himself, by representing that it was the former who subdivided the army into corps, for the purpose of crippling the latter.  Now, I think that my authority for saying that this was President Lincoln’s work is indisputable.  You will have observed, probably, that the N. Y. Herald is prone to couple the President and General McClellan as fides achate, and to mention the latter and the War Secretary as bitterly antagonistic.  Here are wheels within wheels.  I shall not be accused of an attempt to widen any breach or of puffing anybody who does not merit praise, but I shall be as just as I can to all concerned, no matter who is hurt.

BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG.

I do not know whether the casualty list at Williamsburg will be published or not, but I know that our loss was about 2,500.  The rebel loss was greater.  They captured some of our pieces, and we recaptured all but four of them, and some of theirs, leaving a handsome balance in our favor.  This bloody victory ought to satisfy the public that the evacuation of Yorktown was a fortunate event for us, and that the rebels are not irretrievably demoralized.  The truth is not always agreeable but in the long run it is the best principle.

THE BATTLE OF YORK RIVER.

There are further developments about the affair of Wednesday last.  It appears that Gen. Gustavus Smith was in command of the rebels and that Gen. Whiting led his own brigade. – Gen. Joe Johnston was also on the field and had a powerful force in reserve.  We were not fast enough to accomplish all we desired and intended, and our troops made a lucky escape.  Had the rebels pushed us, they might have destroyed an entire division.  The risk was too great, however, and they could not know how far to venture.  Readers who have followed my sketch of the siege of Yorktown will have observed that it has cost our army at least 3,000 brave men to clear the peninsula.  It has cost the rebels more, if that is any satisfaction, besides stores and a hundred pieces of artillery, large and small.

OBSTRUCTION OF THE PAMUNKEY.

Officers of the gunboats report that thirty five schooners were sunk in Pamunkey by the rebels to obstruct the transit of our flotilla, but they proved inefficient, our boats passing them as easily as if no obstructions had been planted.  If James river is blockaded in a similar manner the city of Richmond may be approached in a similar manner, the city of Richmond may be approached by boats drawing eight feet of water.

MAPS.

The popular war maps, including Lloyd’s railway map, mislead all who refer to them for geographical information.  In the latter the Richmond and York River Railroad is laid south of the Pamunkey, running through the town of New Kent Court House.  The road really runs north of the river from West Point to White House, seven miles beyond Kent C. H., where it crosses the river.  The turnpike runs almost due west from West Point to Richmond, but whether the army will march on that line is a question which I cannot determine.   W. D. B.

– 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

Specials to the New York Papers

(Tribune’s dispatch.)

WASTHINGTON, May 5. – The Select committee of the House on confiscation and emancipation has instructed its chairman Mr. Elliott, to report two bills, the first of which is agreed to by Noel of Mo., as well as by Elliott, Hutchins, Beaman, and Sedgwick, but opposed by Mallory of Ky. and Cobb of New Jersey, confiscates all the property real and personal of the leading class of rebels embracing somewhat more than are covered by Senator Sherman’s bill, who shall continue in rebellion after the passage of the bill, by another section property of all other rebels who continue such sixty days after the passage of the bill to share the same fate, the President is to seize the property but the courts are to [institute] proceedings, the claims of loyal creditors are made [hence] upon the property taken.  The other bill which only the republican members of the committee, a bare majority approve, immediately upon its passage the slaves of all rebels to be free.  Two additional sections to the first bill were discussed but not acted on, Mr. Noel being opposed to them.  By one it is declared that under this bill slaves shall not be held to be property, by the other provision is made for the enrollment of all loyal persons within the rebel districts who shall become free, upon such enrollment and may be, if such numbers are required, enlisted in the military service of the United States.  Both will probably be moved in the House.

(Times Dispatch.)

Gen. Franklin’s division which Gen. McClellan has ordered to West point at the head of York river, was on board of transports when the rebels abandoned Yorktown.  They were kept on board by Gen. McClellan for the very service they are performing and will doubtless be able to intercept the rebel retreat to Richmond, compelling them to give battle or surrender.  The main road of retreat up the peninsula is close on the bank of York river which will bring the rebel army within range of our gun boats that are conducting Franklin’s transports to the rear, there are four gunboats in the service.  McClelland [sic] has transports sufficient to forward twenty thousand additional soldiers from Yorktown to West Point immediately.  It will not be surprising if he captures the bulk of the rebel army and takes Richmond in a week.

The French Minister went to Richmond to assure the rebels that the Emperor of the French does not recognize them as a power among the nations, that England and France by recognizing them as belligerents did all that could be expected on the part of neutral governments, that the blockade of their ports is effectual, that they are fairly beaten in arms and their independence as a nation is impossible, that a continuance of hostilities by the threatened destruction of the cotton and tobacco crops of their citizens would only be a wanton injury to the commerce of the world, injuring France and England even more than the United States, and that a resort to guerrilla warfare as proposed, when their armies are destroyed would demoralize society and be practically a return to barbarism.  The rebels have been admonished that a cessation of hostilities is a duty they owe to themselves and to the world which all civilized nations will unite in requiring of them.

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

Yorktown Evacuated

ALL THE GUNS, CAMP EQUIPAGE AND STORES TAKEN.

Gen. McClellan Pursues the Fugitives.

WASHINGTON, Sunday Noon, May 4. – The following report is just received from Fortress Monroe:

Yorktown was evacuated last night. We now occupy the enemy’s works. They left a large amount of camp equipage and guns which they could not destroy for fear of being seen.

Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac

May 4th 1862

TO HON. E. M. STANTON, Sec’y of War:

We have ramparts, guns, ammunition, camp equipage, &c. We hold the entire rebel works which our engineers report very strong. I have thrown all my cavalry and horse artillery in pursuit supported by infantry. I move Franklin’s Division and as much more as can be transported by water, to West Point to-day. No time shall be lost. The gunboats have gone up the York River.

Gloucester is also in our possession. I shall push the enemy to the wall.

(Signed.) G. B. McCLELLAN

Several deserters have come into our lines. – One states that the rebels evacuated owing to the near approach of our parallels – that they feared the success of our gunboats in York and James Rivers which would cut off their communications.

Gen. Johnson gave orders on Thursday to evacuate – to commence the following morning, which was done.

Magruder is said to have strenuously opposed the evacuation saying if they could not whip the Federals here they could not anywhere in Virginia.

Deserters agree that their troops were much demoralized and disheartened when orders to evacuate was [sic] given as all anticipated a fight there.

The rebels had 100,000 men on the Peninsula, also 400 pieces of field artillery.

Gen. Lee, rebel Commander in Chief arrived at Yorktown on Wednesday and examined McClellan’s works minutely after which it is suppose he recommended evacuation, deeming his works impregnable.

It is believed the rebels have fallen back on Chickahominy creek beyond Williamsburgh where it is expected they will make a stand.

Gen. Stoneman’s command, a large force of cavalry and artillery is pursuing the enemy and have probably come up with their rear guard if they remain near Williamsburg.

The gunboats have passed Yorktown and are now shelling the shores on their way up the river following them are a number of vessels loaded with troops to effect a landing.

An official report just received says the enemy left 71 guns in the works at Gloucester Point – guns and ordnance stores were also left.

Deserters just come in report that Jeff Davis came with Lee Wednesday and after consultation with prominent officers all agreed to evacuation except Magruder.

From the army correspondent of the Associated Press at Yorktown:

The enemy’s entire works were occupied at 5 p.m., which their rear deserted four hours before. Everything was found in utter confusion.

About fifty pieces of heavy artillery were spiked. Also found a large amount of medical stores, ammunition, camp equipage and private property. Officers say the rebels threw a large amount of ordnance stores into the river.

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

The Battle of Williamsburg

BALTIMORE, May 8. – The following is from the American’s account of the battle at Williamsburg: The battle before Williamsburg on Monday was a most warmly contested engagement. Owing to the roughness of the country and bad condition of the roads but a small portion of our troops could be brought into action. Gen. Sickles’s Excelsior Brigade and Gen. Hooker’s Division bore the brunt of the battle, and fought most valiantly throughout, though greatly over powered by numbers and the superior position and earthworks of the enemy.

Approaches to their earthworks were a series of ravines and swamps, while rain fell in torrents throughout the day the men had also been lying on their arms all the previous night in a wood and were soaked with rain and chilled with cold; the battle raged from early in the morning until 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when Gen. McClellan arrived with fresh troops and relieved the division of Gen. Hooker who were nearly prostrate with fatigue and exposure; the 3d–Excelsior–regiment of Sickle’s Brigade, had it’s ranks terribly thinned by the batteries of the enemy. They are represented as having fought with such bravery that not less than 200 of them are killed and wounded.

After the arrival of Gen. McClellan, the enemy were fiercely charged by Hancock’s Brigade and were driven within their works before night fall, with heavy loss.

Nearly 700 of their dead were left on the field, with many wounded, though most of the latter were carried into Williamsburg.

Our loss was less than 300 killed and about 700 wounded.

Night having come on we occupied the battlefield, the enemy having been driven within his works, and our forces laid on their arms, prepared to storm the works in the morning.

On Tuesday morning Gen. McClellan sent out scouts whilst preparing to move on the enemy’s works, who soon reported that he had again taken flight during the night.

The works of the enemy and the city of Williamsburgh were then taken.

Fort Magruder was a most extensive work, capable of prolonged defense, but the enemy had abandoned it early in the night, retreating in the greatest confusion, as described by a few negro women who were found in the town.

A large number of wagons, munitions and an considerable store of provisions were found in the town, and the road was strewn for many miles, with arms and accoutrements.

A number of deserters also made their escape and came within our lines, who stated that they had received intelligence that large numbers of Federal troops were landing on York river above Williamsburg, flanking them.

The Third New Hampshire regiment has 16 killed and 66 wounded.

Second Michigan Regiment, Col. Poe commanding – Killed, company C, Corporal Orin Nichby; wounded, James Acken, Charles Brenham, Charles Frazer, Sergeant John Shanahan. Company F – H. H. Gallup, J. Weon, Geo. Carvenon. [Company] H – Corporal Williard Eddy. Company I – Jos Dizeka, Henry Hearluk, Hugh Mills, Corporal W. A. Wallace. Company K – Thos. Lenon. Total 14 wounded. Second Lieut. R. D. Johnson, Company A, slightly wounded; Corporal W Kearle slightly wounded; private John Rash, severely; 1st [Sergeant] H H Daniels, Sergeant H H Evans, severely. Company B, Private Mather, Severely; private Lyman Heath, slightly; Thos. Oakley, slightly; James Dadnin, slightly; 1st Sergeant Benj F Lee, mortally; private Joel Carven, severely; S. B. Glidden, slightly; H Covert, ditto; Wm H Custo, ditto; Jefferson B Famhen, do; Wm Jay, severely; J K H McClary, slightly.


WASHINGTON, May 8. – The following are the names of some of the killed in Sickles’ Brigade:

Killed – Capt. Barrett, Capt. Willard and Lt. Bailey. Wounded – Capt. Greenleaf, severely, Lieut. Hortney, severely, Lieut. Marcus, seriously, Serg’t Maj. Clark, seriously, Ass’t Surgeon General Hart, struck by four balls.

Col. Dwight was wounded and taken prisoner.

Maj. Holt was seriously wounded while leading on his men.

The body of Capt. Willard was rifled of his watch and money, by the enemy, as were many of our dead.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3

Specials to the New York Papers

NEW YORK, May 8. – A special to the times this p.m., dated Fortress Monroe, 7, says the rebels burnt their gunboats in York River yesterday morning.

We have taken many prisoners in small companies, but I cannot learn of any large bodies having been captured.

Two companies of the 8th Illinois Cavalry are reported captured by the enemy.

General McClellan was struck by a piece of shell but was not injured.

The opinion prevails that if Franklin’s Divisions receive reinforcements in time a great part of the rebel army will be captured. The roads are in very bad condition by which our advance is greatly impeded.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday May 10, 1862, p. 3

WASHINGTON, April 15 [1862]

The Steamer Yankee, Capt. Eastman, arrived at the navy yard to-day, having left York River at 5 o’clock yesterday morning. The Yankee went about eight miles up the York river on Sunday night; and anchored off Gloucester Point, where the steamers Penobscot, Marblehead and Wachusett were already laying. The rebel batteries at the Point are said to be very extensive, mounting mostly 100 pounders, rifled. They tried the range of their guns on the steamer yesterday one mile, the shot falling very little short of one. The vessels then descended the river, and about three miles below the Point discovered a party of rebels building a battery on the north bank, when the Yankee opened fire at a distance of three quarters of a mile. The rebels seemed [loath] to abandon their works, and although the shells of the Yankee fell in their midst they did not leave the vicinity, but took refuge in the woods and behind some neighboring log huts. The Yankee, after firing some sixty or seventy shot and shell during an hour and a half, left. As the Yankee was leaving, the boats of the Marblehead were on the way to shore to burn the house behind which the rebels had taken refuge.

– Published in the Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862, p. 1

From York River

WASHINGTON, April 15. – The steamer Yankee Capt. Eastman, arrived at the Navy yard to-day having left York river at 6 o’clock yesterday morning. The Yankee went about eight miles up the York river on Sunday night and anchored off [Gloucester] Point, where the steamers Penobscot, Marble Heart [sic] and Watchful [sic] were already lying. The rebel batteries at the Point which are said to be very extensive, mounting mostly 100-pounders rifled. They tried the range of their guns on the steamers yesterday afternoon, the shot falling very little short of one of them. The vessels then dropped down the river and about three miles below the Point and discovered a party of rebels building a battery on the north bank, on whom the Yankee opened fire at a distance of three quarters of a mile. The rebels seemed [loath] to abandon their works, and although the shells of the Yankee fell in their midst they did not leave the vicinity, but took refuge in the woods and behind [some] neighboring log houses. The Yankee [left] after firing some 60 or 70 shot and shell during an hour and a half. As the Yankee was leaving, the boats of the Marble Heart [sic] were on their way [ashore] to burn the house behind which the rebels had taken refuge.

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