The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-23
rFrom our Correspondents.l

fokTshOtEH, apTiI ~, 1901.
The past two DAYS with us contain events |
OF wondTous interest. Saturday our troops |
were under arms all the day-our community |
was all excitement Rumors from the Navy |
] I'd came thick and fast. About one clock, |
or before, it asceI tanned that the nne war |
steamer MerTimac was scuttled, the German
town was crushed by the ponderous shears,
and the small arms on board the ships were
being broken in pieces and thrown overheard
It WAS evident there was panic among the
remaining officers Of the yard and OF the ships
They regarded tokens OF 3 felt neces-
atty 10 surrender upon demand. Thus events
were strangely Ihickening, when about nine
o'clock, loud shout from a steamer as she
passed our wharyes, up TO the yard, broke on
our ears, surprising and saddening all
hearB. 1t proved TO be the steamer Paw
nee. which had brought from Washington
e large reinforcement OF troops for OLD Point.
She Wa, said TO have on board now 500 As
she fastened TO the wharf out poured her
troops In few moments, the sound of
scores " sledge hammers broke on our ears
as they spiked the cannon, battered them and
attempted 10 render them useless. 1t was ey-
Ident thorough destruction was Intended.
Soon powder trains were laid all over the yard,
and be clock the barracks was on IRE. Be
tween end O'Clock, with the ship Ouinber-
land In tow, ths Pawnes steamed Oh, ana at a
given signal the match was applied, and the
whole yard seemed to be III a biaZa The
sceue was terrific beyond eoneSp llon--oescrip-
ton Is In possible.
The fire ragged four hours; but it has turned
out that only a small portion OF the yard has
been consumed. The principal buildings, In .
GLIDING the splendid officers quarters and
the Dry Dock, are unscathed. The ships
Pennsylvania, Germantown. Merrimac, and
two others, l believe, have been burnt 10 the
waters edge.
been uphurt, and fall into our hands most
opportuuely. The cannon are very little
damaged and before the sun went down yes
leyday number Of them were prepared to
III. t.at hRtn end a.
pltal shore.
Yes terday was day of terrible excitement,
Hundreds of men were working mos' woo
rously and effectively Thousands OF persons
visited the Yard
Thi. attempt 10 destroy the public works
here, and with them large portion OF our
city, 10 q vandalism and cowardice Wnich
bespeaks the meanness Of Lincoln and his co.
ad)utors. 1t will carry with 1t moral enec'
worth more than millions to US. feeling
has been wrought among this people which
makes them more than legions 10 war against
The vile foe 1t has enkindled universal nate
and con tempt In this community. The world
tympathy, TOO, must be drawn ont by this ac'
towards a people Thus visited by the malig
nant, yet impotent, effort 10 destroy them, by
the doomed wretch who IL called the Presi-
dent.
Two officers, said TO be one Of the Army and
one Of the Navy, were seized ia their attempt
to cross from the Yard over the river. They
are lodged Ia jail, as lie reported. All day
bombardment Of the two towns, If they were
not given up. For a period, the excitement
here was intense, but towards evening II died
away.
We are busiiy engaged preparing batteries
and shall bs well prepared In q few hours "a
give warm reception 10 any attempt n
attack. But / must hasten this for th6 mail
emitting IN. by particulars of interest.
Exra.
kokpoLK, April ~, 1881.
The town 10 alive with soldiers. MtAtar.
forces are coming In from all quarters, AM
ths most general unanimity Of opinion exist
~ 10 beating back the Black Hawks Of IN