Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-30
Affairs at Norfolk and Portsmou IN

| Preparations at The Navy Yard in FtH BIa4 a-7he
plymouth and Germantown 20 be Raised IHn, diGtelg
| The Merrin1ac t1B be Turned TO Good Acc punt
Her Battery Rerp0red to Se1cdLLs P0Rt-1he spLen-
ded HoUitzer Bdtay Of the Germantown Sent 70
| Richmond SeueraL Hundred Guns UntoushAl.
| The work of preparing for defense is going On
bravely, and the farmers in the country sen-
ing in their slaves free of charge, to work the
| Notifications Thrty-two free colored Enen living
in Norfolk had rendered their service laborers,
and 500 more are ready to come from Pet ersburg.
The Portsmouth CORE pc dent of the Petersburg
Express writes under date of the 18th follows:
| At the Navy-YarI the preparations for are
in full blast. Every hour discl1ses TO occa-
sion for gratitude, account of the Illustration Of
the malicious purposes of our enemies by a kind
Providence. The PiymOu IN will be gott0 IN into the
dock to day. and will soon be ready for service.
The falling of the large sheers the Germantowa
intended Tor her utter destruction-dd her mucll
less damage than was feared, while by carry ing
away her masts and rigging, it saved her from rum
by confiAgration; they have already commenced
raising her. The Merrimac is probably more in
jured but it is believed that she may still be turned
to good account Besides, she has 10000 pounds OF
powder in her magazine which although under wa
ter is yet so by being enclosed in copper re-
cevers that there is danger of It's being damaged
Her battery of five guns-one of the best in the
wOrld-was gotten up yesterday and removed to
SewelPs Point, where it was remounted behind
any attempt of hostile snip pass through the
Roads. When similar battery shall be planted on
Lambert's Point-whch will be effected in a few
days-the navy of the Northern myrmidOns will be
effectuay hacked down to the protecting beach of
Fortress Monroe.
The magnificent Howitzer battery of the German
town, consisting of ten guns, also raised yester
day and sent to Richmond on board the steamer
Northampton. This will fully enable our sister city
to give another welcome to the New York seventh
regiment, to any other friends who may chal-
lenge their respects.
The shot, shell and other ammunition were thrown
into the river by the vandsl hordes before tn cir
flight also being raised in large quantities. And
il gratifying to learn that-contrary to Our first
impressions and belief-in thsir haste and fright
they actually left several hundred guns in remote
part of the yard unspiked
The defences at Craney Island and the Hospital |
are going forward very successfully At the latter
place, six of the Dahgren thirty-two Founders and
two brass field pieces, have already been mounted
and six more guns of the former rank will within /
two days, be placed beside them. This is a hot-shot
battery, and will be irresistible as in order to pass
it, vessels must come within half mile of it. and /
between it and a similar battery at Fort Norfolk
The furnace of the Hospital battery is already up
and in good working order. En- pdssaat to show |
the promptness and enthusiasm Of the men in the
yard, am credbly informed that they were hard at
work at this furnace by ii O'Clock Sunday while
the fires were yet burning. and before the gnoble
fugItives were fairly out OF sight In their eager
haste, they have left more arms, ammunition and
equipments than we could produce five years.
large company Of gallant and hardy-looklng
men, lately arrived from Georgia, is commanded by
a minister of the gospel am told that they are ,
all true temperance men. On their arrival, they
were breakfasted at the Macon House; and 1t was
an imposing and cheering spectacle TO see tnem IN
the fierce habiliments of war, reTerenty standing .
around the table, while their reverend captain de- :
routy implored the blessing OF God On their repast
Can such men be conquered bere:
Men are still coming in from different quarters, =
and the aspect of affairs is Frightening.