The first four day of last week—Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday—were distinguished for the splendid operation and achievements of the Grand Army under General McClellan on the York peninsula.
On Sunday, by a triumph of consummate strategy and engineering skill, McClellan took possession of Yorktown, which the rebel Generals had been compIled to evacuate and retreat ten mile up the peninsula to their works at Williamsburg, where they doubtless calculated upon making good their position.
But on Monday, they were followed up and checkmated by McClellan, who had only promised to hold them in check. Sunday had shown what cool calculation and strategy could accomplish; Monday revealed what dash, pluck and fire directed by skill and brains, could do. The rebels who had been forced to retreat, were on Monday night compelled to flee from Williamsburg.
On Tuesday, twenty-four hours after taking possession of Yorktown, General McClellan entered Williamsburg. The rebels had westward toward the James river. McClellan pursued, came up with, and routed the rear of their main army under Joe Johnston, driving them across the Chickahominy. It is said they have since crossed James river, giving Richmond the go-by, and making, it is thought, for Petersburg, which is in a direct line west from Williamsburg, and about thirty miles from the James. Thence, taking the line of railroad there, they may seek to reach some point in the South.
On Wednesday, a third battle took place at West Point between a force of about thirty thousand rebels under Lee and some twenty thousand Union troops under General Franklin and Sedwick, In which the former were defeated with great slaughter—our gunboats materially aiding the land forces. The rebels who were trying to make their way to Richmond, were flanked and driven back toward their army under Johnston on the Chickahominy and the James.
So much for four days’ work of General McClellan and his “Quaker army.” We shall probably hear of other achievements during the remainder of the week. We almost hold our breath in eager anticipation of what the next glorious news may be. The cry of “On to Richmond! “Is now, or soon will be, in order.
Daily Ohio Statesman, Columbus, OH