Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-05-16
Norfolk, the Merrimac, &c.

1t never rains but it pours, as will be
seen by reference to the shower OF Union
successes recorded in our Geographic
columns. BY land and by water--and
we trust also in the hearts of the people
the good cause is advancing with mar
veIous rapidly. Norfolk, whose capture,
with its Navy Yard and two thousand
heavy guns, one year ago, has been a
most important support to The rebellion,
is again in our hands, and that without
the necessity of sacrificing single life
As rebel stronghold, indeed it fell with
the desertion of their lines at York town,
as the tide of war then rolled on TO Rich
mond, leaving Norfolk useless and un-
protected in the rear. But to US it will
prove a useful base of operations, whence
reinforcements can be sent direct to
Burnside, and where naval and military
stores can be accumulated for effective
distribution. The manner in which the
surrender was made lends confirmation
to the many reports Of strong Union
feeling still prevalent in the city; and
we trust that under the wise manage
ment of the new authorities, the seces-
sion mania will soon pass off like a troub-
led dream.
The Merrimac is no more 1t is indis-
putable that this announcement gives a
sensible feeling of relief to the mercan.
tile community, as well as lively salts
faction to all. No one, probably, ever
felt that there was any danger of the
monsters appearing in the harbors OF
Boston or New York, because there was
no evidence that she was fit for a sea
voyage Still, there was no saying what
she could do--no proof that she would
be worsted in another contest with the
antagonists waiting for her. The only
thing certain about her was her terrible
destructiveness amid wooden ships. Bul
it is now to be inferred that she had met
more than her match, and did not dare
to come out into Hampton Roads last
Thurs day. Within the last week her
services, if worth anything, would have
been all important to the rebel cause, but
she failed at the pinch. and went off into
suicide when she found herself encom-
passed by her foes. She signaIe9, too,
the end of Southern navy. Tie com
panions Of her former raid, the James
town and Yorktown. had just preceded
her to destruction, and the boosted fleet
of the Boosting Nollins had followed the
fate Of that Of Dead Sea" Lynch. a
few scattered craft yet remain, but the
Southern navy exists only in the memory
of the one days operations Of the Mer-
rimac.
And the Southern land forces. if we
are to Judge from present appearances,
will not be far behind then navy. The
new iron-clad steamer Galena, and her
accompanying boats, are clearing James
river of the rebel forces, and preventing
the escape of those who had not pre-
yiously crossed over. The advance Of
Gen. McCeilan's army is within twenty
miles Of Richmond, driving the enemy
before them. 1t is reported that the lat.
ter are likely to make stand about ff-
teen miles from their capital. But if they
do, it will be only till our forces come up
in sufficient strength, when the barrier Of
resistance will give way again, and Ton
to Richmond will become glorously
realized. The enemy cannot stand there !;
aud tue fight aud dispersion Of the
members of the Confederate Govern
ment, so-caed, viii but tore-shadow and
briefly precede the utter overthrow of
their infamous enterprise Boston Jour,
nal