The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-21
NEWS FROM TINE CHESAPEAKE.
OUR MILITARY CORRESPONDENCE
FORTRESS kosRoE, Old PoIvr CoyoRr, Va,
Nau IQR1


FORTRESS MONROE Old PorSr CoMSoRr. Va,
May II, 1851
Decentralization Of reep-7Ne Vermont Aes-Sorss for
ne Trcepl-Aymapseat Of the Pemlroke-Aouementi Of
Other Wcr Vssseis-7ne Preent Condition Of Afairs-
life in the Frbess-False Rumors Concerning The Ar-
psayanes Of Smalpoz-Ht0la Of the Gasrison-ia2reg-
noble Front Of the Fbrkea--Ssase Of the Woathsr-Er
citing War Movements, DC.
When closed my last letter to you, written hoard
the Alabama the Vermont volunteers being rapidly
transferred from tho to the dock OF the fc-t in
the little steamtug Young America, known hereaoouts
from it's activity in hauling up vessels passing and
down the Roads, the Young Cumberland. Az one
O'Clock all the troops safely dsembarked, and the
stores, munitions Of &c quickly sent ashore, and
st an early hour Tuesday morning the Alabama de
parted for New York.
The troops from Vermont in good health and fine
spirits, and ready for any duty which they may be called
upon perform. But two three In hospital
and thoee suffering from slight attack Of the
sles AS there barracks FOR more troops, the
yermonters pitched their in "the place Of arms
near the bathing, saobrious and delightful po
stion, and leading regular camp life. After
day rest they viii be called upon TO take their turn in
tandpg guard and sentry and enter into the regular
routine Of soldiers life in fort
The steamer Pembroke, from Boston, arrived
Monday, with detachments Of the Massachusetts,
Third regiment, and . large quantity OF stores
FOR the two Massachusetts, regiments stationed at
this post She is well armed with two Dahlgrcn guns,
swung pvos fore and aft She returns TO Boston in
a day two, and win be more heavily armed, and en-
ployed by the State as coast guard.
The Minnesota, fagshp, Commodore Stringham, is
here and anchored or the fortress. believe she win
ieve the Cumberland which viii 90 North for repairs
She magnificent specimen Of marine architecture and
with her double Of heavy Dahlgrens, which
and ready for action presents formidable appear
snce.
The Monticello. Star as it is caIed-one OF the
gunboats Of the blockadng squadron-E very actively
engaged in the bay in bringing to and overhauling
Of every character She has already with the aid Of
Harriet Lane and the Young Cumberland taken quite
a feet OF schooners, loaded with coal, merch ndse &C.
The blockade is very stringent and no vessel pass
this fort without being brought TO by shot from the
Cumberland or the parapet.
The Harriet Lane, Captain Faunce, stationed up the
Roads M the James river TIA and his y perOfmng S good ser
taken up the Roads last night (Monday) this morning.
The brig lies under the Of the Minnesota and seems
to have q heavy deck load Of merchandise.
believe her name is the Yankee, from
Fastern port. What disposition win be made
OF her ia not known il abe thing that need
the fort ii will be taken out and the vessel allowed
| TO proceed-perhaps
Yesterday the commandant of this post sent out two
companies OF infantry, with FOUNDER, TO take pos
session OF the bridge leading 10 Hampton Colonel Dim
mick notified the enemies picket which had been thrown
on government pr roperty and must their
soil. They reluctantly submitted to the order and dis
sppeared An advance picket WINS thrown forward 70
picket guard stationed at the guardhouse at this
end Of the bridge and the Elk FOUNDER loaded with cans
ter shot placed In position TO rake the bridge.
That is the present position Of affairs. No collision is
| spprehended, unless some guerDas might take the
poion fire upon the advance picket and then retire.
The planting OF the SIX pounder bridge yester
day the signal for an Immediate and preciptate
evacuation Of the village OF Hampton by all the women
nd child nd tvroO Otd guu
in the neghborhood planted by the seceesonsts
bridge leading into their village about mile from our
| advanced picket. There three companies of
fantry and dragons, is said, at Hampton There
may be larger force, but il is not likely
trsr sportaticn OF sny guns or munitions oS war
from Norfolk TO Hampton TO assist in an attack on the
fort. II Is hardly known how many men there are en-
camped about u.s. but from the parspets the
white tents Of Georgia regiment cleaning In the green
Young Cumberland, under com mand Of Boaswan Bell
Captain Bel!of the Cumberland, frequently runs
in shore and looks over the camp but has not been
fired into yet although the visits seem to be received
by the GeorgiaDs with bad grace. sharp lookout Is
kept on their movements.
We are not living 80 well at present in the fortress
we could wish The Governor OF Virginia has given
ders cut Off the sale OF fresh provisions, vegetables,
eggs and short everything The loss OF theee Injuries
felt and look 10 New ork for our fresh
PROV isions.
The health of all in the fort is perfect, with few
ceptiOns The reports Of the prevalence OF smallpox
here started by the Norfolk papers are entirely false
Nothing Of the kind has come under the cosnznce of
any Of the officers here, and thus contradict it in
order TO relieve the minds of our friends North
Of any fears TO our health and spirits.
The report probably originated from the appearance OF
up the shore, and know shall be doing kind
ness TO the Norfolk people when inform them that they
occupied by douby strong picket guard ready for
IN Quaker City came up from the mouth o. the Chesa.
peake this evening" with large ship in tow probably
prize taken this afternoon. She seems to be Baltimore
built ship, and IL will prove valuable prize will
deavor her and the particulars Of her cap
| ture in time to send by the Dawn to morrow, via
| rbe Fourth Massachusetts regiment which has been
in this fort for several weeks Is in first rate health and
eager for fight They are doing their duty in manner
which the commentators deeervedly, too OF the
regular officers stationed here Tney OF at less than
twenty -four hours notice, and with hardly change Of
clothing They wore getting quite out at the elbows
when the Cambridge brought adequate supply OF gray
tatibet uowsers which the darkos hcreabout would be
reluctant appear in Why 90 not the Massachusetts,
| authorities send a good supply OF comfortable and
Eervseaoe clothing, SO the regiment can appear pro
perly uniformed They appear on parade now
several members have been on the pnapets in
their drawers, for lack q better garments.
neglect the A6utant General Of Massachusetts 70 at
| tend 10 them properly.
regiment
Lieutenant Colonei-Hawkes Fearing, Jr.
| Esjor-H. o. wbittemore.
Adutant-Henry Walker,
| Quarter rmaster-N. N. Carruth
Surgeon-HenTy w. Sayle
Surgeon Is Mate-wm. L. Faxon.
Sergeant Najor-Alvin + Hall
| Company A-CaptalL Ira Drake. Company B-Milo NJ
williams Company Captain Cephas c. Bumpus
Company D-Captrn Horace Miles Company cap
tain Charles 7. Allen. Company T-David l. shephard
Company G--Tnaothy Gordon. Company H-Franklm
Curtis. Company I-Intber Stephenson, Jr.
have iuet learned that the advanced picket was this
afternoon thrown forward 10 large farmhouse the
other side Of the bridge 70 Hampton, and s
pied by detachment OF troops who are guarding II,
and the well Of water connected with IT, Az the garrison
here must rely water " they cannot get fresh
water outside the walls the farmhouse will undoubtedly
| be held az all hazards.
Before close must your readers Of the per
feet impsegnabity OF this important fortress With
that the secessonsts dare attempt, 1t prepared TO
stand siege of 20 900 men, until reinforcements be
thrown IN. Still will do no harm TO send on eight ten
thousand additional men, with which, TIE fortress
beirg basis OF operations we retake Norfolk and
put the rebels epcanped the Roads 10 dght-mate
rally assisting In bringing back this old State.
Send hes Of HKaAIIs are suffering for the want