The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-05-17
SURRENDER OF PORTSMOUTH
MERR1MAC BLOWN UP!!

CAIRO, May II.
The desperation of the rebel cause cul-
minated yesterday In an attack on the flo
tilla by the rebel feet from Fort Wright.
At six on Saturday morning the rebel
ram Louisiana rounded the point, accompa-
MED by four gunboats, and Immediately open
ed fire on the gunboat Cincinnati, which
was stationed in the advance. The rebel
boats were held in check by the vigorous
fire of the Cincinnati alone, until the FEEDER
al feet came to her assistance. In the.mean-
time the rebel ram, finding her guns inef-
fectual against the iron armor of the Gin
cinnati, approached with the evident
intention of running her down. Captain
Stembel, of the latter, prepared to meet the
assault by putting steam batteries 10 readi-
ness for use, and as the ram approached
within close range, the Cincinnati turned her
head about, causing the ram to run along
side, when Capt. Stembel drew his pistol
and shot the pilot of the ram through the
head. At this time the contest was intense
ly exciting. Tue crews of each boat were
armed with cutlasses, carbines and boarding
pixies. discharging volley after volley in
quick succession. Just then the steam bat
teries of the Cincinnati opened with terrible
effect, throwing volumes of steam and scald-
ing water into the midst of the rebel crew,
placing all who appeared on deck hors du
combat, causing the craft to withdraw hast
lily. In the mean time the rebel fleet had
been reinforced by three other vessels, among
them the new iron clad "Mallory," lately
built at Memphis. These three immediate
ly engaged the Cincinnati. She withstood
the assault nobly, the shot of the enemy CLAN
cling from her iron plating without causing
the least damage, while her own guns were
pouring shot and she'll into the enemy with
fearful effect. During the engagement the
Mallory approached the Cincinnati with the
design of accomplishing what the ram fall
ed to do. AS she came in close proximity
the Federal gunboat st. Louis bore down
upon her with a full head of steam on.
struck her amidship, cutting her nearly in
two and causing her sink in a few moments
While this work was in progress, the other
boats of our fleet engaged the remainder of
the rebel feet. A most terrific battle ragged
Report followed report in continued roar.
Dense volumes of smoke covered the broad
river for time, completely enveloping both
fleets. At this time report louder than
usual attracted general attention. When
the smoke lifted little, it was found that
one of the enemy's boats had been blown to
atoms. Scarcely had the excitement caused
by this event passed when second like re-
port was heard, and another rebel boat with
her crew disappeared. Both vessels were
blown up by the shells from our guns in
their magazines. Under cover of the dense
smoke the remainder of the rebel fleet retir-
ed at twenty minutes past seven, the fight
having lasted but little over an hour. The |
Cincinnati bore the brunt of the battle, and |
was so little damaged that "a hours will fit
her for action. The St. Louis, that ran
down the Mallory, ia slightly damaged, and
is again ready for duty. No other of our
boats was injured in the slightest degree.
The loss of life on either side is not ascer-
tanned.
Fort MONROE, May II.
Norfolk is ours; also Portsmouth and the
Navy Yard.
Gen. Wool. with force of 5000, cross
ed to Willoughby Point Friday night, effect
ed landing this morning, and commenced
their march on Norfolk, five miles from the
landing. The rebel battery was stationed |
on the opposite side of the creek. After
few shots the rebels retreated, after burning
the bridge, which compelled the Federal
troops to march five miles further. At five |
o'clock in the afternoon, within a short dis
tance of the city of Norfolk, our forces were
met by the citizens, who formally surren-
dered the city. Our troops marched in and
now hold possession. Gen. Viele-commands
as military Governor. Neither city nor
Navy Yard was burned. Gen. Huger, com
handing the rebel forces, withdrew with
out fight.
The Merrimac was blown up by the reb-
els at five O'Clock this morning.
The Monitor and Naugatuck gunboats
have gone to Norfolk.
CAIRO, May H.
The news from Pittsburg Landing to
Saturday. now states that Reconnaissance
of four companies of Illinois cavalry fell
into a rebel ambush on Thursday. They
cut their way through, losing one Major kill
ed, and four privates wounded. A deserter
who has since arrived says the rebel loss was
thirty killed and wounded
On Friday a superior force attacked Gen. |
Paine's division on the left wing. An en-
gagement, lasting one hour, ensued, when
the rebels having had reinforcements, Gen. |
Paine retired to Pennington. Our loss, so |
killed, wounded and missing.
MoNrEREY, TENN, May 10.
Deserters from Louisiana regiment. in |
the fight on Friday, just arrived, state the |
rebel force making the attack on our left |