Tag Archives: Yorktown Virginia

Pithy, Pointed, Prodding

On April 4, 1862 General George McClellan and his huge Union Army of the Potomac set out from Fortress Monroe for Richmond. By April 7th the army had made it to the Warwick River and the Yorktown area (approximately 25 … Continue reading

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All for $13 per month (with pork and hard bread)

Here’s another letter from a member of the 33rd New York Volunteer Infantry. 150 years ago this week the 33rd was taking part in the Union siege of Yorktown. This is quite a long letter that begins with a recap … Continue reading

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“on the qui vive” in Yorktown

What are the Yankees waiting for? From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 26, 1862: Correspondence. from the Peninsula. Yorktown, April 21, 1862. Nothing stirring, as yet, has transpired on the Peninsula. The enemy seem to have no disposition to attack. … Continue reading

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Trading Barbs and Bullets

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1862: Letter from Lieut. Brett. Camp Near Yorktown, Va. April, 11th 1862. Since I last wrote, we have had some pretty sharp fighting. Our brigade thus far has done all the skirmishing … Continue reading

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“an elephant at a bridge”

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 10, 1862: Yorktown. There is yet nothing from Yorktown indicating an immediate fight. The enemy, now believed to be under McClellan, had, instead of attacking, after sending a few shot at long range, commenced … Continue reading

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“A Probable Siege of Two or Three Days”

From The New-York Times April 8, 1862: IMPORTANT WAR NEWS; Gen. McClellan Before Yorktown with the National Army. The Water Batteries on York River Shelled Out by Our Gunboats. Gen. Magruder in Yorktown with 30,000 Rebel Troops. Shipping Point in … Continue reading

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Yorktown Naval Battery

150 years ago today General George McClellan began the Union army advance up the Virginia Peninsula.The rebels say they are ready for a “second battle of Yorktown.” From the Richmond Daily Dispatch April 4, 1862: The army of the Peninsula. … Continue reading

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Relative Quiet in York County

Some Christmas Eve southern patriotism from the Virtus correspondent of the Dispatch. Virtus does not think there will be any general advance on up the Peninsula because it is too well defended and because the Yankees seemed to be too … Continue reading

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Great Find!

Talk about being on Cloud Nine – a paragraph from 150 years ago involving the two wars and an exciting find. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch September 23, 1861: A genuine Relic of the Revolution. –We are informed that not … Continue reading

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