The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-05-02
Destruction Of the Norfolk Navy.4MG
United States Vessels ScuttIed.
GREAT EXCITEMENT AMONG THE CITIZENS.

From Captain Russell ard Major AL
len of the steamer Louisiana, and pas
sengers, we have the following matters of
interest which transpired since she left
on Friday evening. The steamer pms
sed down the Chesapeake with sixty five
passengers, nearly all Of whom We're re-
turning from tie North TO the South.
The United States frigate Merrimac,
Captain Pendereast of Kentucky, in com
mand, took a position in the harbor be-
tween the cities of Norfolk and Ports
mouth, simultaneous to which the forces
in the Navy Yard commenced the tear
ing down of all the buildings and tho
.pikiug Of all the can ION in the Yard ,aud
general destruction Of all the Govern
ment property. The ship houses were
being torn down, and the factories level
ed with the ground, with the intention
it was said, of firing them and abandon'
ing them on Saturday night.
A flag oftrucs was sent by the Mayor
of Norfolk and Portsmouth, to Caprair
Pcudergast, to know what WAS the pur
pose of his belligerent attitude in tn,
barbor, and whether he intended to 6r,
upon the town. He replied that he wOulc
&C, altogether on the defensive. If free
upon, or the Navy Yard attacked h'
would feel it his duty, in self defense, II
fire upon the two cities.
In addition TO The destruction of prop
erty in the Yard. all the vessels of th
Navy Yard. including the ships Pennsyl
vania, the Columbus, the Delaware, IT,,
Raritan, and tho Merlimac, were scuttle'
and sunk previous to which their gun
were spiked, and all the arms on then
thrown overheard. TIE only vessels le
tanned, with which it was intended t
carry away the forces when the work q
destruction was complete, were the stea
mer Pocahoutas and the flag ship Cum
berland.
As Captain Russell came out OF tn
port he met the United States ship Paw
nee, crowded with troops, and the inqui
ry was made as to the depth OF water a
the mouth of the hMbor. They wer
tod that no vessel drawing over eleve
feet could enter. 1t is not known whetl
er she attempted to enter the harbor c
whether she returned 10 Old Point,
The steamer Spauldihg, it is raid, a
tempted 10 return to Boston with he
troops; but they mutinied against IL
Captain and, compelled him TO take the
10 Fortress SIS Monroe. She landed her trool
there, as did also the Empire City, fro
New York carrying in all nearly tV
thousand men. 1t seems, however, III
the Spaulding left Fortress Monroe wit
out troops for Fort McHenry, in the ha
u Dor of Baltimore. where she took in co;
and left for the North.
The excitement at Norfolk and Port
mouth last evening is represented to la
been most intense, the women and cb
;, dreu were flying from the cities, and t
whole male population rallying to arm
1t was expected that the shops and t
he ship. of-the-line New York, on the stock
ST Sf would be fred before the force atandc
I ed the Yard.
= The leveling Of the buildings by bel
blown up by powder was going on;
\, it was thought to be an effort to destr
J all without fire, for fear the conAagrali
! might extend to the two cities.
sS ss The people of Norfolk had seized
re powder house at Craney Island, and
ne NO moved all the powder it contained to
. ct;, and were making arrangements
= a vigorous defense.
z There had been no fire applied to
N buildings at the Navy Yard when
Louisiana left, at six o'clock last ev,
ing. No attempt was made to interf
=. with the boats ofthe Norfolk line, cit
"a. by the Government or by Virginia.
The citizens Of Norfolk have hel
I'M public meeting, and adopted measu
ino looking to the public safety until a m
q. the tary leader shall disappointed by the g
ar ernor, and measures Of defense taken
o.. C,s the State authorities.
60; Commander Page. United States Ma
a1S 10 being present, responded to call of
meeting, and advised careful and j
4 L.. a..