Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-06-15
IMPORTANT LETTER FROM A NORFOLK
REFUGEE.

More Southern FdlSehoods-IH Merrimac-
Norfolk Nary Yard--The Seaboard and
Roanoke Railroad-Ihe Sewalrs Point
Engagement-Scarcity Of Coffee
WASHINGTON, June O.
The rebels say that the "Merrimac" has
been raised, and that she will be ready for sea
in two weeks, which is an unbushing false
hood She has only been above water about
one week, an3, with the present system Of
working, cannot be repaired in tro months
When Commodore Pendergrast found it nee
essary to destroy her, be did it in the most ef.
fectual manner, viz set her on fire, and then
scpttled her and consequently she now
stands burned and charred ship, as every
thing above her water mark was destroyed
by fire in fact, the destruction OF the "Mer-
rimac" aud "Germsntown was the most efec.
tusl piece Of destruction performed by the
Federal authorities The system Of working
10 the Norfolk Navy Yard is done by force.
Every working man in Norfolk and Ports.
mouth must perform four days labor gratis,
(?) or, to be be palmer, be is compelled to
labor that length of time without pay, as nei.
ther ihe soldiers nor mechanics at that station
have, as yet, received one cent of pay. They
are promised everything. Gen. Beauregard
has paid flying visits to Norfolk and Ports
mouth, but for some unknown reason, does
not stay long in any one place. The great
Richmond and Harper's Ferry at the same
time. and then the possession Of the Seaboard
and Roanoke Railroad by the United States
troops. If the above named road in the
State Of North Corolina should be siezed, il
will cut of all communication between Nor
folk and the rest of the world, and then o sur
reader will necessarily follow, as nothing bu
starvation will meet them face to face. Nor
folk is considered impregnGble both by SET
aud land it may be very strong, but shoulC
the administration adopt the gUme they hav,
played at, the Rebels will most assuredly b,
in Tx, as O seizure Of the Railroad, will
james River already blockaded, and the Nor
folk and Petersburg Railroad in the posses
sion OF the Government, no earthly power Cal
save the inhabitants of Norfolk and Ports
mouth from starvation.
In regaId to the Sewall's Point Battery,
will mention, from good authority, that si
men were killed in the fight with the Unite
States steamer "Moutieello." They wer
members of the Woods Raemep, of MOI
folk, Capt. Lamb, son OF the mayor OF MOI
folk, the whole being under the command G
Lieut.. Colquittt, Of Georgia. Since the affra
the battery has been repaired, and is now cor
sldered impregnable. No doubt it will do q
hcient service if manned by good soldiers.
The commanding officer there, Gen. Gwyr
regrets that be did not take possession c
Newport News, as he now clearly sees th
value OF tina; point, and how easily Genera
Butler can march on yorktown.
Coiiee is very scarce, and one ingenious il
diyidual hos commenced the manufacture
substitute from rye. with the addition OF th
essence OF coffee. What they intend TO
when the supply Of essence OF coffee runs OF
cannot say. Suppose they will then cou
mence the use osrye whiskey as substitu,
for coffee.
That the people Of Norfolk, even tbos
bearing arms, are dissatisfied With ,he preser
state OF affairs. do not doubt, and the fir,
fash OF q Federal gun 10 the city of Norfol
will be followed by desertioDs from the Reb
army such as the world neyer dreamed OF.
ESTbe utmsst Jealousy exists between the of
GERS OF the different States. and you may loo
out, when the time arrives, for some rich d
velopments in that rsspsot.-Cor. Philade
phiG Inquirer.