Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-05-02

From the Petersburg Express.
The Burning; AID Deser:ion of Gosport Navy by
LncOns Troops!
NORFOLK, April 2l, 1861, o. H.
Yesterday exciting day here. At an early
hour Gen. Taliaferro waited on by officer from
the rigate Cumberland, and informed that the United
States forces here did not to naugurate hOsttes
against the citizens Of Virginia. but desired only to be
let alone If they attacked their movements in
erfered with force would be met by force and the ci-
ties of Norfolk and Portsmouth would be sheleG. This
notice. it added, that OppOrtOnlty might
be allowed for the removal OF the women and children,
if it was contemplated to commence hostities. The
caution not etded however, for the simple reason
that being almost wholly unprovided with men and
suitable munitions of war, there not the least like
ihood that the Commanding General would incur the
penalty of ordering attack
Until the arrival of the Petersburg battalion last
night the whole force under here did not number
two hundred men, and even this small force was but in
differently supplied with of defence Of artillery
the arms most needed, four rifle cannon (6 pounders)
and two eighteen Founders comprised the whole amount
that could be rendered available So urgent the
necessity for artillery felt TO be that old LaL have
done duty at street leaning posts for half
century have been dug up all the city, but
being found worthless, any might have known,
have of course been thrown aside again.
1t seems unaccountabe that place important as
this should have been in times like these lett utterly
deenceless.
supply Ou have already been informed by telegraph
of the seizure OF the naval magazine at Fort orok last
Friday night. By this seizure We have secnred upwards
of 5000 barrels of powder and fixed ammunition OF
this quantity about Onethrd has been sent to Richmond
and Petersburg portion to Hampton and the balance
is stored this city, present under the protection
of the Petersburg City Guard, Capt. May. 1t is pret
ty safe
Speaking of the Petersburg companies may men
ton here that their arrival last night was hailed with
tumutuous delight. Their march up the street tri-
umphal in its features Shouts and cheers rent the air.
banners and handkerchies waved from every balcony
women welcomed them with smiles, and men with hear
ty greetings. All felt safer for their presence
Revertng to the enemy. All day long it was
evident from proceedings in the harbor that
sual movement about to be made, but its precise
nature no one could determine Everything, however,
indicated purpose the part of the enemy, to aban-
don the Navy Yard, and destroy all the property that
could not be removed. With the ebb tide, quantities
of broken muske stocks foated past the city, and work
men from the yard reported that all the cannon had
been spiked and general destruction of property
in progress. Later in the day. it discovered that
the Germantown, Merrimac, Raritan, Plymouth, and
Dolphin had been scutted, and that pair of enormous
sheers used for taking in and out the masts OF vessels
and erected at cost of $4,000, had been cut down
crushing with their weight the stern of the German
town, across which they were thrown All these acts
and others indicated purpose to retreat.
Just after Gark to the surprise OF all, and the dsmay
of many the PaUnes steamed up the harbor and took
position at the Navy Yard where she was received with
such shouts of rejoicing could be distinctly heard
this city. Her arrival put new face on matters Il
was rumored that she brought large renorcemens and
that the Yard would now be defended to the last ex
tremity but the reverse of this was her mission She
was sent to destroy not to protect She brought Vth
| her 200 workmen from the Washington Navy lard
and large quantities OF turpentDe to be used in firing
the buildings There is doubt that it was the nen
| =; IF +hof f0 T0kp
ton complete, but panic seized on those employed tc
carry the design into effect and much Of the most val
liable property was saved Shortly after the arrival
the Pavnee the military companies from Petersburg
arrived, and as trains were kept running until late
hour in the night an impression prevailed among tht
enemy that renorcemeuts by the thousand were being
thrown into the city, and that an immediate ATTACK
might be expected After that, the only thought wa
how to escape. 1t was cunning device of Presiden
Malone that running of the rans and he deserves
dit for practising successfully so shrewd trick
About midnight the alarm was given that the Nav,