, 1862-05-15

first news that greeted us this morning was
that the Mcrrimac had been blown up By her
officers. On Craney Isla1d were two or three
brought back the night before about mile
from where she had been lying, and that early
this morning she WIGS blown up, her Officers
and crew having gone ashore in small boats,
and having started at about o'clock ACROSS
the country for Suffolk. They said they Ecne
wreck we're also found doating around, which
rendered this story almost certain to be true.
have nodoubt whatever, of the destruction
of the vessel It became, IN fact, necessity
only 60 twelve miles up the james river, as
the water was not deep enough for her,-snd
our gunboats are al5cady far beyond tllat point. I
II it was certain TINT the rebels weze deter
%n9fd II f1dpt Of qas1 Re1ona 5n0thfF shond saad
con. eat to forgo al aid from this formidable
seseel, which might at least prevent other !
gunhoats from going to the assistance Of the |
attacking army. But the destruction Of the
csiYed from the recent military movements Of
the rebels, and which have more than once
expressed, that Virginia has been substantially
abandoned by the rebel government
VISIT or PRESIDENT LINCOLN AND sECRE1A-
K1Es STANTON AND cEAsH 10 NoREoLh-
President Lincoln, who has been staying
here, as have also the Secretaries Of War aud
the Treasury, for several dayE, and whose pres
ence and personal participation In the move
ments OF the last week, have been OF the ut
most importance to the country, decided to
start for Washington this morning IL the
destruction Of the Merrfnae confirmed, he coE=
cluded first to take 4 look at this
latest of the cities which has been re-
covered for the Union. Taking General
Wsal On board the steamer accordingly, IN
der ehsrge 81 GommodoTe Goldsb95ongh, theJ
| left for his hsgship, and Gen Wool remained
| to transact business connected with the 81
| fairs Of this new Department. The President
! did not 20 ashore; but aiter taking look ct
the city Started immediately for Washington
| His visit here has been Of the most nnosten-
| tons, but certainly Of he most useful sort.
He has given his personal attention and care
| to every department Of operations here, and
has broughta very excellent and safe judy
ment to bear upon matters which required
something more than more professional
Knowledge and skill for their solution And
| do no Injustice to Others in saying that
much Of the Tisor and success Of the recent
operations here Is due to the stimulus Of bis
presence.
GEN. HooL's OFFICIAL REPORT.
Foa7nEs. MONROE, May Il. 1862.
To Hon E. n Stanton, Secretary Of Var:
| Ons the 9Th May, Friday afternoon, organ.
lied force to march against Norfolk. On
we're landed, under the direction Of Col Craze,
at Ocean View, aud commenced the march to-
ward Sens. Mansfield and Weber, who had
proceeded On the direct route By the way oI
Tanners Greek Bridge, but finding 1t on ire.
they returned to the crossroads, where !
Joined them and took the direction Of the col,
unln. I arrived by the old road, and entered
the entTenchments in front Of the city at twcu
ty minutes before five pm.
l Immediately proceeded toward Norfolk
accompanied By the Hon. Secretary Chase
and met Select Committee Of the Common
Council Of Norfolk at the limits of the city
| when the surrendered The city, agreeing to the
| terms set forth in the resolutions Of the Com
mon Council, presented b. the Mayor, Y. W
Lamb, which were accepted BY me so far q
: related to the civil rights Of the citizens I
copy Of the resolutions have been already fur
| nished you. I Immediately took possession
Of the city, and appointed Brig Gen. Egber
| l. Veile, military Governor Of Norfolk, witt
= tected in all their civil rights. Soon after
! took possession Of Gosport and Portsmouth
: Tie taking of Norfolk caused the destruc
= tion Of the iron-c,ad steamer Merrimac, whicl
= was blown up by the rebels about 5 o'clock o.
the morning OF the llth Of Nay, which Sa
7
: President Of the United States. On the 1T
. visited the Navy-yard and found all th
r workshops, storelouse5 and other building
i In ruins, having been set on fire by the rebel:
\ who. at the same time, partially blew U
= tie Dry Dock. also visited Crauey Island
q where found 50 guns Of large calbre, NOS
!. Of which were spiked: also o lltt5e nun
i ! ttr Of shot and shells, with about 5000 pound
t | ofpowder, I'll Of which, with the buildings
!. were in good order. AS far as have bee
1 ~. I4b1,
~ ncn, including those at Sewalls Point ba
n | te1ies, with large number Of shot aud shells
!. | Us we'll as many othtr articles Of value, st,
- toned at the Navy Yard, Craney Island, SeE
u Gll's Point snd Other Places.
- Major General Commanding.
: "oLD ABE" PUSHED TIE MOVEMENT.
i, Correspondence y. Y. Trlbune.1
J. When President Lincoln arrircd At Furtre:
t. Monroe, which va. Oh Tuesday last, after b
le ing shown the curiOslties, he concluded the
y was something more 10 see, and asked, " WI
e. don't you take Eorfolks'' "Pooh," So,
10 Gen. Wool, lyon don't understand militia
II necessity just after this little confeEcnc
Id there came in secession tug from Norfolk
: the John B. White. This tug belonged
ae Buffalo parties, and when the war broke O.
ri vas enguged in towing into the Albemar
er Canal, and was seized by the Confederate Go
u. eminent.
I'd The Captain of the vessel had been tryit
e- for some time to get away, and at last su
at ceedrd in bringing intelligence that Norfo
'e- was 80 nearly evacuated that nothing could
en easier than to take it. Upon this the Pre-
ps dent taking Secretary Chase's revenue CUTE
ol- the Mimi, and the Secretary himself accoJ
panying, they went of and made reconno
sances Of all places where troops could
N. landed In this search the President fou
one spot that suited the purpose, Ut "Oce
View" a place where the people of Norfu
formerly drove Of an afternoon, resembli1
in some respects, our Coney Island. It is 8
uated about ten miles from Norfolk.
es. The division WAS Immediately placed uut
marching orders after these reconnaissance
he bad been made,--which WIS on FTiday aft
he noon-and vas embarked On number Of s1n
he tugs, but owing to the appearance Of the u
raj rinac they did not start. The next mornit
IDS sitter remaining an board all night, they U,
on- marched back to Camp Hamilton, and t
IN same evening embarked again on tran-por
nd During the night they were taken to ssOcs
Vicw,n and on Saturday morning, Al {
of broke, they all landed, Capt. DaYis's eompa
icy being the first to 80 On shore.
Id, ---
at DanT1lle, Va. the New Rebel Captt,
On, The nextrebe1 " Capital, it is supposed,
hst ,,st ter the retreat from Richmond will be
d q vile, in Pittsylyania county, on the No
to Carolina border. The country around is sta