May 4, 1862

May 4, 1862: In the morning around Yorktown, Union scouts discover that the Confederate trenches are empty, the quarters ablaze, and the Rebel army gone, before Gen. McClellan’s magnificent array of monster guns has fired a shot. Johnston and the Rebels retreat along 2 parallel roads that meet near Williamsburg, the old colonial capital of Virginia. McClellan sends nearly 50,000 troops in pursuit, who find that the Confederates have built substantial defenses there, including Fort Magruder. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock and his brigade deploy for action in the morning.