Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-04-27

Interesting from vireInia--Another Aos
count Of the DestructIon at the Norfolk
NAVY yard. ~ WNIi Nle ~.
Thesehooners Oliver H Lee, Captain Col
lirs; David Hale, CAptlin Conklin and Tuhis
Bodine, arrived at New York on Tuesday,
from Virginia, report very sad state Of
affairs in that part Of the country. The fol-
lowing is the substance of the narratives Of
the persons on board. Captain Bodine sailed
from New York on the 10th instant, with
cargo of hour-barrels to Craney Island, Vir-
ginia, situated at the mouth of the Elizabeth
River rIss s.rft ..f' t~sHr s1u o..
He reports having spoken at the entrance
Of the Elizabeth River, schooner DdUid Hale
the captain Of which hailed him and advised
his immediate return, as the mob was in
possession of all places on the river, and it
was unsafe for both property and lives TO
proceed further. Captain Bodine imme-
diately turned round and arrived back to
New York, Tuesday morning, within seven
ty-two hours of his leaving port.
Captain Oonklin, of the DdUid HaIe, says
that he left New York on the llth inst. with
800 barrels beef, for the Gosport Navy yard,
where he arrived in due time, but, by order
of Commodore McCsulay, he did not land
any OF his freight. The excitement in and
around Norfolk was intense, and it was con-
sidered unsafe for any Northern man to be
in the city. Or Saturday morning last Com
mCdore McCauay, being hard pressed by
the revolutionists, placed all movable Gov
eminent property on board the frigate Cum
beTland, and ne the want of men made it im-
possible tor him to retain possession of the
Navy. yaro, deliberately set about destroying
the stationary property of the Federal Gov
eminent. Ine first step taken was the
throwing overheard Of all cannon, shot, and
shell at the yard; then he scuttled the Aer-
| TtRack steam-frigate magnificent vessel,
which, in the Mediterranean, had elected the
| approval Of all foreign officers. This ship
| was nearly ready for sea, but rather than let
| the rebels take her, the gallant Commodore
! doomed her TO destruction.
In the afternoon the Jdmestotuns turn
came. This ship, ready to start at few
days notice, had her rigging cut, her. hull
scuttled, anchor and ornaments thrown
! overheard, the finest navy rifles broken in
| pieces, and, to crown the destruction, the
large iron crane used for hosting machinery
pulled over the vessel, which smashed her
/ decks into atoms and masts into slinters.
The boats crews who executed this de-
structioh we're not molested, as the Gambler
lands guns kept the mob in awe. Finally,
ct three o'clock A. NJ. on Sunday morning,
the order to set fire to the Navy yard
DullQlnRS, IHe sDlpS-OI-Wdr MuCeuOHtdH,
| PennsyLUdnid, Germantown, and other smaller
vessets, was given, and executed by two
boats crews, who did not leave until the
Navy. yard was a mass of ruins. All this was
done in sight of Captain Conklin, who lay
within 200 yards Of the Navy yard
| 30 At half. past three o'clock in the afternoon,
the Cumberland, in tow of the steam.tug
Yonkee, got under weigh, and Captain
Conklin went down the river under her lee.
Near the mouth of the river, the schooners
CommdHder-ir- Chief Jenkins and Others,
were sunk by the rebels to obstruet the
channel. When the DoOid Hale came out oi
Elizabeth River, the Cumberland was working
her way out, but Captain Conklin being
ordered back to this port, arrived here on
Tuesday with his entire outward cargo
Captain Conklin states that the captain ofan
unknown Eastern schooner had been cap.
tured by the mob a. Norfolk, his vessel
seized, and he was hanged g giai.
A naval officer who went into Norfolk on
Saturday, barely escaped with his life, the
mob having chased him through several
streets. .r'f oA ,-fHj-J kr-.t-A 70
On Saturday it was noised about that arm
had been taken to a certain mill near Nor
folk, from the schooner o. III Lee, which
caused the seizure Of the vessel and the arrest
of Mr.. Gross, who, in addition to that offense
tswas charged with having refused TO hoist
a palmetto flag The mob, composed chiefly
I Of studenrs RON William and Mary College,
took him before acourt martial, when he was
notified that unless every Northerner in the
mills would leave within three hours thei
lives would not be worth an hours purchase
The people accordingly picked up few
things and left that night. The schooner
was then released. ~ 'i'