On the strength of the Yorktown lines, here is what D. H. Hill had to say about the place on
April 13th, 1862:
APRIL 13, 1862
Hon. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH,
Secretary of War, C. S. A.:
DEAR SIR: As I am once more in charge of Yorktown, and General Magruder is at the other end of the line, I have taken the liberty of writing to you directly by Captain Tayloe.
I find this place totally unprepared for a siege. There are only 65 rounds per gun for each of the heavy guns, and there ought to be at least ten more heavy guns on the land side. General Johnston thinks that half of the water guns ought to be transferred to the land side.
The enemy is making formidable preparations. He has established a depot at the mouth of Wormley's Creek, as well as at Ship Point. There can be no doubt that he is bringing up heavy siege guns, and when he does open fire it will be terrific. The light guns in Redoubts Nos. 4 and 5 (outside of Yorktown) will be knocked over in half an hour. I fear that those redoubts cannot be held, certainly not with light guns. The woods which I was so anxious to have cut down are still standing, so that the enemy can establish his batteries under cover at 800 yards. In fact, we have had men killed by rifle-shots even inside of the works. We ought to have force enough to make formidable sorties to destroy batteries in process of construction. But with our present inadequate supply of troops we have no men to spare for outside operations.
The occupation of Wormley's Creek puts a new face upon the operations of the enemy. His light steamers can carry heavy guns up to White's Mill, within a mile of Yorktown. He has full possession of all the woods in that direction.
Our wants are, briefly, more infantry— at least 10,000; more heavy guns, and more ammunition. The calibers on the land side are four 32-pounders, navy carriages; one 52-pounder, light carriage; four 24-pounders; one 8-inch mortar; three 12-pounders; one rifled 24-pounder (a poor affair). These guns ought to be abundantly supplied with ammunition. In addition, General Magruder has ordered the removal of five 8-inch columbiads to the land side. These also ought to have a large supply of ammunition. Hand grenades ought to be supplied in large numbers, and at least 50,000 sand bags. Richmond and the Southern Confederacy are dependent upon the contest here.
Please excuse my calling your personal attention to these matters. General Johnston's presence and General Johnston's army may save us; otherwise the contest will be hopeless. It is not conceivable that the troops of General Johnston would fight as well under any other officer. The marvelous energy of General Magruder has accomplished wonders, but the Army of the Potomac will fight better under its own chief.
With great respect,
D. H. HILL.
Added Later:
Here is D. H. Hill again on
April 15th:
YORKTOWN, VA.,
April 15, 1862.
Hon. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH,
Secretary of War, C. S. A.:
DEAR SIR: As nothing can be procured here without personal attention, I have sent my quartermaster up to get 2,000 tents. The army is diminishing most fearfully by sickness from fatigue, exposure, and stampedes.
The enemy has sent up two gunboats, which have been bombarding this place for two days. We have but two guns which can reach them, and these have but 16 rounds of disk shells. The other shells are worthless. The delay of McClellan can only be accounted for in one of two ways: He is either waiting for a formidable mortar and siege train or he is waiting until more iron-clad vessels are made. In the latter case he expects to reduce Yorktown from the water side, the Monitor keeping the Merrimac in check at Old Point. Yesterday the gunboats shelled the woods near Gloucester, feeling for batteries. The reduction of Gloucester would be a serious calamity, but iron-clad boats in the river would be much more so.
The enemy with his water facilities can multiply his artillery indefinitely, and as his is so superior to ours, the result of such a fight cannot be doubtful.
Would it not be better to let our railroads in North Carolina be cut, our cities in South Carolina and Georgia captured, and have the whole Southern army thrown here and crush McClellan? By attempting to hold so many points we have been beaten in detail, and are losing all that we have been trying to hold. We are no match for the Yankees at an artillery play with our wretched ordnance, poor in quality and feeble in quantity. We must fight on the field and trust to the bayonet. If we had 100,000 men here we could march out of the trenches and capture McClellan, unless he has a swift-footed horse. He has been anxious to dine in Richmond and we would be glad to send him up with an escort.
I have been much troubled about the river. If the enemy get a position in rear of us our men cannot stand to their guns on the land side while an assaulting column is coming up to attack the works. The enemy is accumulating men and guns much faster than we are. Every day is a gain to him.
I have a wretched tallow candle stuck in a box and cannot see the lines.
With great respect,
D. H. HILL.