Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-05-14
Geographic aslllrlrs.
Blowing up of the Steamer Merrimac
The Norfolk Rebels Still Boastful.
General viele's Proclamation.
Latest Intelligence from Yorktown

FoRrRgss MONROE. May l.-At four
o'clock this morning bright light was OBJ.
served from Fortress Monroe in the dirtcti
of Craney Island. Precisely at halEpast
four o'clock an explosion took place which
made the earth aud water tremble for miles
around. In The midst OF The bright flame
which shot up in The distance be timbers
and iron Of a steamer could be seen flying
through the air. No doubt was entertained
that The Merrimac had ceased to exist
Flag Officer GolCsbOrough, on receiving
this report, ordered two armed naval tugs,
the Zouaves and Dragon, to proceed towards
CTaney Islard on q Reconnaissance and ascer-
tain the truth of the rumor. Immediately
| after they turned the point, the Monitor and
E A. Stevens steamed in the same direction,
followed by the Jacinta, Susquehanna, Sem
mole, and Decotah. In the meantime, the
tug boats were seen coming on toward the
| fortress at full speed, and when nearing the
wharf the radiant cOuntenance of Captain
Cas-, Of the Minnesota gave assurances that
the news they brought was OF a most graft.
! flying character. The report was true. All
the eaTthworks at Cruuey leland appeared
to be abandoned though the rebel flag was
still flying,
! Lieut.. Eddridge from the Dragon, landed
with an armed crew, took down the rebel
! Il z, and hOisted the " Stars aud Stripes"
amid cheering by the crew.
Captain Case Immediately reported the
fact to the President and Secretary OF War,
who read the confirmation of the packet
DO lts with great satisfaction. At the re-
gu st of the President Captain Case pro-
| ce .dcd to Craney Island to ascertain If the
" )rks were evacuated, in company with the
fe t. which was then advancing. As we
nelred Craney Island, we found that inn
m 3nse fortress apparently abandoned, tho
three rebel flags we're floating from very tall
st llis in different parts Of the works.
Capt Case was the first loyal man that
pressed his foot on the soil OF this treasoua.
bic stronghold, and the old flag was soon
given to the breeze
The forts on the Island are in four or five
separate sections. They are constructed with
the best engineering skill and most admira-
BILE workmanship. The forts were left in
excellent condition, as were also the extern
sive barracks which had accommodated dur
ing the winter, garrison of over 2 600
men. Forty heavy guns were mounted in
different parts Of tue works on the main part
Of the Island The works commanded the
approaches to the channel of the river. The
whole number OF guns mounted is thirty
nine, of which two were Parrots, and
number OF riaed Dahlgreens. There were
about six guns in the works which had not
been mOunted.
After spending an hour on the Island, we
proceeded to Norfolk.
from men found on the Island we ascer-
tanned that the Merrimac had laid buried
Saturday at a point nearly q mile from the
head of the island. During the night che
had been brought back and brought ashore
Her entire officers and crew were landed on
the island and slow match was then ap.
Piled to her magazine. She was torn to
fragments by the time her crew got out Of
her. Negroes state that the officers AMI
crew If the Merrimac passed through the
adjoining county on the mainland, about
eight o'clock in the morning, to the number
Of two hundred. They said they were on
their way to Suffolk, on the line Of the river
leading IRON Craney Island to Norfolk.
There are not less than six heavy earth.
works, mounting in all siXty.nine guns all of
which are still in position. The amount of
powder found in the magazine is estimated
at 5 600 pounds, aud the fixed ammunition
taken can only be estimated by the cargo.
We landed al the wharf and took a stroll
through Norfolk 1t being Sunday. of
course all places of business were closed aud
the city presented a most quiet appearance.
The wharves were CROWDED with blacks
male and female, and a goodly number OF
white working people with their wives and
children were sJrolling about. Soldiers
we've stationed on TIE Whauves and picketed
through the city while, the flag of the Union
doat tTiumphantly from the cupola OF the
custom house. The houses through the
city were generally closed, especially those
OF the wealthy classes.
The secessionists talked boldly Of the
Southern Conlederacy declaring their inten-
ton 20 receive nothing but Confederate mo.
ney, and saying they would have nething to
do with the Lincoln shinplRsters. They were
fully confident that in twenty days Norfolk
would be rep3sscssed, aud the Yankees driv-
en- out,
The President laid of ia the steamer Bal.
timoro about an hour ia front Of the city,
and then steamed back to the Fortress
Secretary Chase returned with him, while
Secretary Stanton remained ill a late hour
in consultation with the Military Governors.
Generals Eiele ard Wool
True TO the spirit OF secession, the lire, as
anticipated on Saturday night, proceeded
from the navy yard, was done by command
Of the rebel commandant scarcely anything
being iuit but hiuck waits anu Chimneys.-
Even the immense dry dock was ruined aud
IL is said the engine aud pump belonging TO
il was removed to Richmond.
FoRrEEss MONROE, May l2.-The following
proclamation was issued in Norfolk on Mon
day morning:
Nogoik, Aay IL, lS62-The occupancy Of
the cities Of Norfolk and Portsmouth is for
the protection of the public property aud
the maintenance Of the public laws Of the
United States. Private associations aud do
mestic quiet will not be disturbed but VIC
lations OF order aud disrespect 10 the Cove
eminent win be followed by the immediate
arrest Of The offender.
Those who have left their homes under an.
lioipalion Of acts VI Vandalism, may be as.
suTed that the Government allows no man
the hou0r OF serving 10 ils armies who for
gcts the duties OF citizen 10 disOhargiug