The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-04-14

! win VI plOdEdHb hOdbuCI IU-UdH DEOuKUt
the Merrimac out, as was generally antici-
| paied. She had been seen three days ago
under steam at Oraney Island, and as the
evening of yesterday promised, the storm
| had exhausted ITSELF few were surprised this
morning at the announcement that che was
10 sight, coming down. The alarm gun
was fred at twenty minutes past o'clock,
| and as soon as the appearance OF the
Merrimac Was generally known, the docks,
beach, and ramparts of the fortress, and
other parts commanding a view, were
crowded with spectators. The Merrimac,
after showing herself beyond SeWelPs
Point appeared TO be heading this way.
She did not long continue on the course,
however, but turned toward james river.
followed by six gunboats, which had come
round the point in her company.
OF the latter, the Jamestown and York
town recognized. The others were supposed
70 be the Raleigh and the Treasurer. Ar
irving at point midway between Sewalps
Point and Newport News, aad near the
place where the French war vessels Gus
sendi aud Cartinet and the English steamer
Rinaldo had placed themselves early In the
morning the whole feet come TO a stop,
while the jamestown had followed; at bome
distance the Yorktown and a small tug
continued on their course.
The intention of the Jamestown was not
at first conceived. AS she came around |
leaving Newport News on her left, it was |
seen that her object was to capture two
brlgs and q schooner, which were anchored |
near the shore, about two miles from the |
Point This was done without the slight |
est difficulty, and with the assistance OF the |
small tug being rendered, three briggs were |
-s<Siz~Es sEss- F'er5sf
The whole affair was concluded in less |
than half an hour. The jamestown having |
rejoined the feet, was ordered to tow the |
prizes to Craney Island.
Taking one brig in tow astern, and one |
on each side, she moved slowly away
Slightly alarmed at this bold dash, quite a |
number of schooners in the upper harbor |
awaited themselves of favorable wind and |
sailed out.
Up to this time the rebel feet has re- |
NAMED in the position in which they at |
first placed themselves, and nothing more |
has been done.
The tide is now out, and probably no new |
movement will be made for some hours. If |
the Merrimac should see fit to pay Us a visit |
she will be appropriately welcomed.
The names of the two briggs captured are |
the Sabas of Providence, r. J., and the |
Marcus, of Stockwell. The former was |
loaded with hay on private account, and |
the latter was chartered by the government, |
but had been unloaded.
Tho name of the schooner has not been
ascertained. Hf |
The Captains of the two briggs escaped in |
a small boat, with four of the crew OF the |
Marcus.
Two men were left ON board the Marcus, |
and six aboard the Cabas. They made no |
aeSn 10 a h0of ffn ThRU 1
taken prisoners, together with the crew Of
the schooner. II is said the captured yes
sells were ordered to move down the harbor |
last night for safety.
The steamer Herman, used IS water |
boat by a government contractor for sup
plying water to the feet, happened to be
alongside of the French man Of-war, when
the Merrimac made her appearance, and
was taken under protection of tho French
flag, thus escaping capture. He had pre-
viously lost, by the capture of two schoon-
ers employed as water boats by him.
LATER.-The Jamestown returned from
Craney Island at O'Clock. Not ehot was
fred until o'clock, when the Merrimae
fred three shots in the direction OF Hamp-
ton Greek. The Nangatuk and Octora,
which had been stationed in that vicinity,
replied with q number of shots, all of
which fall Near the rebel feet. Led by the
| Merrimac, the fleet then returned to Eliza
| beth river.
The name of the schooner captured is the
Gudy. She was from Washington with
suffers stores.
A passenger steamboat, filed with spec
tators, came out of Elizabeth river this at
| ternoon. A number of small sail boats
1 could besseen through the day off SewelPs
Point.