April 12, 1862 map shows Berdan's and a balloon
From The New-York Times April 13, 1862:
THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN.; The Weather once more Favorable for Military Operations. Heavy Reinforcements Received by the Rebels. SUCCESSFUL BALLOON RECONNOISSANCE. Compliments to the National Troops.
NEAR YORKTOWN, Saturday, April 12.
The sun shone brightly yesterday and to-day, much to the relief of the thousands of soldiers who are compolled to sleep in the open air. The roads are still to very bad condition.
The rebels still continue to open with artillery whenever they discover a picket post, to which our guns never reply.
The rebel forces have been greatly increased within the last two days. On Thursday several vessels were seen to land troops at Yorktown, and also at Gloucester, opposite, which place has not been occupied up to this time. Reinforcements have also been received from Norfolk by way of the James River.
Fitz John Porter
The balloon reconnoissance made yesterday, by Gen. FITZ JOHN PORTER, shows that the rebels had materially strengthened their works since the advance of the National troops, and that many additional guns had been placed in position. He reached an altitude of five thousand feet, affording an unobstructed view as far as Williamsburgh and Norfolk.
Gen. MCCLELLAN has written a letter highly complimenting the Sixth Maine Regiment for their gallant behavior while making a reconnoissance on Warwick River. Similar honors have also been bestowed on the Berdan Sharpshooters, by Gen. PORTER, for their conduct while acting as skirmishers during the advances. They now do picket duty in front of the enemy’s work, and many a rebel has fallen from the bullets of their unerring rifles.
Among the wounded in the Division Hospital is private FRED. KOWALSKI, of the Mississippi Battalion, who was shot through the lungs while deserting from the enemy.
Capt. SPAULDING, of the Fourth Michigan Regiment, was severely wounded, on Thursday, in the left shoulder.
Berdan Sharpshooters' camp near Yorktown
