The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-24
The News.

We have now positive intelligence with regard
TO the destruction of the Norfolk Navy Yard. II
was set fire TO on the morning of sunday last by
ihe government forces stationed there, to prevent
AZ falling into the hands of the sccessonists. All
Abe most valuable property there was destroyed,
Including the line-of-battle ship Pennsy yania, the
screw frigate Merrmac, sloop of.war German.
iown. briggs Plymouth and Dolphin, frgates CO.
xumbia Potomac and Delaware the line of battle
ship New York on the stocks, and other veSnels
of less value, together with tue arms munitions
and stores, shphouses and storehouses. On a
preconcerted signal being given. the whole was set
fire to simultaneously, and rapid was the de-
struction that Com. Rogers. OF the navy and
Can't Wright, of the engineers, were unable TO
reach the point of rendezvous tor embarkation,
and were necessarily left behind The Union men
of Norfolk, it is said co-opcrated with the govern
ment troops.
Monday last. 1t was reported that there was
then ia the neighborhood Of the city secession
army Of six thousand men. Great excitement
prevailed all sorts OF rumors were afoat, and wo-
men and children were being sent away from the
city mail from Washington, which left there
On Monday, came through to Philadelphia yester
",
been strengthening and throwing up defences
around the Capitol and all the public buildings,
and every precautionary measure possible was
being taken. Nothing positive was known as to
abe secession forces supposed to be in the neigh
bofLood, but an early attack on the capital was
appreheuded.
The latest arrivals from Baltimore report that
martial law has been proclaimed in that city. All
Abe places OF amusement, the saloons, &C., were
closed. Scouts had been sent out in every drec
lion to guard the approaches to the city, and to
give warning in case Of the advance OF any
Northern troops. Terror seems to reign supreme
The roads leading from the city nathward are
described as being crowded with carriages and
wagons filed with those who arc Fastening to
escape. mail was sent north from Baltimore
On Monday, being conveyed TO the Susquehanna
river on wagons. The report noticed in yester-
days papers, that Fort McHeury had opened its
guns on the city, seems to have been incorrect.
Nothing of the kind had occurred up to the latest
dates.
Tie Governor of Maryland has issued procla
nation convoking the Legislature Of that State on
abe 10th inst. FRIDAY next. special election is
A. be held in Baltimore to-day for members to fill
vacancies.
The Pennsylvania troops recently encamped at
Gockeysyille few miles north Of Baltimore, have
broken up their encampment. They have been
ordered to return to York, Pa, TO be despatched
ahence to Washington via Philadelphia
The steamtug Yankee, Capt Germaine, arrived
here Yesterday from Charleston bar, via Norfolk
and the Gosport Navy Yard. The Yankee was
ono Of the feet sent by government to the relief
of Fort Sumter, previous to the evacuation OF
Maj. Anderson, but was delayed by storm, and did
not arrive at the mouth OF Charleston harbor until
atteI the other vessels had left. Finding herself
There alone, she Immediately put for Norfolk,
where she arrived on the evening OF the 18th inst
Nm attempt was made by the Custom House Off
GERS to seize her, but they were deferred by the
commander OF the Navy Yard threatening 10 blow
her out of the water in case they persisted. Tie
Yankee In concert with the Pawnee, rendered
efficient service to the government officers in the
destruction of the Norfolk Navy Yard. The
Yankee left Hampton Roads on Sunday last, after
ihe destruction OF the yard had been completed
She now lies at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
The schooner Tunis Bodine, Captain futile, ar
rived here Yesterday, from Norfolk on Sunday
East. Captain futile brings confirmation OF the
destruction Of the Norfolk Navy Yard, but says
ahat the report of the city Of Norfok being on hre
Il not correct. The people Of Norfolk had sunk
lhe schooner Commander.inC hiel, OF staten is
Hand, for what purpose is unknown.
The schooner Oliver II. Lee, from \ ork River, Va.
which also arrived here yesterday, brings several
Families who were compelled to leave because
fhey would not espouse the cause Of the reyolu.
1onists and reports that several small vessels had
been seized by the secessioni.ts and sunk, to Oh.
etruct the channel and thai the captain Of one OF
them. an Eastern vessel, had been hung.
An eI news column Ibis m0rDing viii be found