New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-15

there, and the sullen men and women at street cor
or behind the blinds Of their houses, looked Gu
riousy and malignantly at the victors, but were too
much cowed down to make any hostile demonstraion.
Suddenly the stiffness was broken by the roar OF cam
non not Tar off, and tbena few minutes after by an ex-
plosion whose concusson shook earth and sea. The
Merrimac! was instantly the name on every lip, and
more fearful gloom quickly settled on the
brow Of every Rebel citizen of Norfolk. The
fire which the Robes had bindled in the
ship had reached first the loaded guns and
exploded them, and then the magazine OF the
world-noted tyrant Of Hampton Roads, and she
was Nc more. Soon desertes from her crew ar
rived, and confirmed the glad intelligence OF tho de-
struction of this Philistne Goliath, who had commit,
ted suicide in despair of successful encounter Win
onr champion, the David of our Israel, the ~
tie Monitor. The news was received with very
mingled feelings by troops; they reJoiced ma.
the MerIipac was destroyed; tney regretted 'na'
she as not captured or vanquished by her puckfy
antagonist, the little Monitor. No other vessel VII
eyerbe built on the model for she drew too much
water and was too nwiedy for sea or river service
and at beat but ioatng battery for narbor de-
fense. Mayor Lamb oil Norfolk assured me las,
evening that she was not injured in her contest with
the Monitor, rave that Der Prov having been bent
placed by shot from the Monitor, which caused
her to leak badly, and necessltaied her return TO
Norfolk.
Continuing my walk through the principal through
fare, ny course was soon arrested by several women
WHO rushed from house followed by the children
OF the family, and begged as an officer to in
terfer, 81 the soldiers were committing outTages IN
the dwelling. entered in great surprise, 20 strlct
had been the prohibition of any molestation OF the
inhabitants, aud found two soldiers OF my regiment
L. f- aptr ff.f no
lie as they really were. What have you been
doing :" | inquired We asked for something 20
eat ." was the answer " Did you oier 10 pay Tor
2" go, yes." Did you break into the house y
" We entered the open door sitter snockng. Ihir
statement tie women confirmed This wAs the only
Outrage 4" committed by our soldiery that day. In
fact the inhabitants had been go impressed with
belief thai soldiers demons IN tue guise oi
men, that they expected brutality, aud were in
PANE wi ch to-day is aayed that they are begin
ming 20 n-ut the soldiers knowing their taunts and
reylling will not be answered.
Reaching the ferry, crossed TO Portsmouth, find
iug the Elizabeth River positively yellow with to-
bacco and covered with black scum from burning
Rebel steamers and ganbolts and the ruined navy
ward These were all fired by the Rebels and were
ftl burning or bali concealed by wreaths of dense
blaok slaokc. q what q contrast Portsmouth pre-
ssnted 10 Norfolk The burning Of the navy YARD,
running every mechanic III Portsmouth,, had hlled
full the cup oi Indignation against their tihtorous
]
/ Women. and even men, thronled about tie ad-
yancing column of the 10th X giment tue evening
before aud insisted on kissing " the old nag, weep
,ng tears OF JOY ar they dii %. Almosl every
woman met, and half tie men, bowed and smiled,
! Gladly sayIng, 80 You welcome This was Of
conr.e not as AN individual. for knew none OF the
tbrong, but WAS recognition OF my connection
with inc army. Tho hunblost soldier received an
eounl welcou.. Bouquets OF flowers were proileled
from the blooming gardens, and two citizens ear
neatly prohered breakfast III an
eating g-house near. Exhausted and hungry from
nights march diversified only by ride for
a part Of the way in u mule wagon over the worst
Of roads, cheerlIlly accepted the invitation. On
entering the honse, the good woman who kept Il
said 40 Well, Sir what will you have recoliect
we have to live pretty plainly here.' "Oh," was
ry anrwsr, " am used to simple living in the
army give me bit OF beef steak and that will do"
- Steak :" was the exclamation, W . have none.'
d" Very well, some ham and eggs" " Egg there are
none to be- had now" "Ah then just bread
and butter, and cup OF tea" - Butter and tea !!
said my poor hostess, Sir, the like of us poor
folks have ut seen seen such thing9 Tor long
time nor is there pound of tea TO oe bought IN all
Port slnouth." ] rather despaired OF airy further
calling OF the bill OF fare AMI lett II entirely to my
entertainers, who coon produced some ham, corn
bread, rye coffee. and excellent oysters. ms l
find TO have been "A luxurious meal amid this starry
ing population. The excitement was intensified
when insisted en- paying quarter OF dollar for
my entertainment. What, real money! said tn
roor woman ana she exhibited II at once TO an I'd
mirinq crowd, who looked upon II a. rnemento of
their bygone happy days. | have narrated tins in'
cident accurately, as 1t shows the almost utter
d,slu,ion both oi money aLd provisions on the part
Of the inhabitants OF this long oppressed people.
Leaving the house, my attention was attracted By
throng swarming to the ryer. Ii seemed ar If Nor
folk and Portsmouth were shaken To the center with
excitement Many whispered hopefully, some mourn
fnliy. "the citizens are rising against tie unonists.
An such hope or fear was dssipated, for elbow
ing NV way through the crowd l raw the little
Monitor anchored in the stream, and let me assure
Won she excited as eager gaze rs could the Meli-
mac in New.York Uarbor. A great many " could mt
.se IT," Where where is She" they cried, refos-
inc 70 believe that the Insignificant tub or cheesebox
ues the dreaded Monitor who had fought the mon
ter Merrimac five hours, aud driven her back leak
ing 10 Norfolk.
cannot describe the ruined Nsvy-Yard ade-
oneiely. The scene Is too sorowinl. Fifty large
mo- haic shops and warehouses aIe smoking RUNS:
NSekened huks OF steamers or gunboats lie on every
i'd hule plies Of coal are sti burning. The houses
Of oces alone IRE saved, ard these by the efforts of
cit,yen-. not by the spming mercy OF the Rebels.
Wbat folly us well as FIN BY that coniiagIaton, a
fa, blow IL dealt ut Virginia, aud that by tie hands
of her professed special friends. This rebellion is
making ltrelf Infamous, even at the south, by It's
vaiton incendiary fires. The Navy Yard dry dock
vet reran. but little Injured only the front stones
L.Inq loosencd and tie gates burned Inc attempt
20 blow it mp proved failure.
We a-e jisi in time 10 prevent another crime OF
sl,',ery. TIE AorjoM Day B0ok OF Saturday, now
in nav hands has tic following advertisement in It's
columns
"s,1E OF FRic BLACKS ron CRY TAxEs.
"Ct,, CoLLg, coE's OYFCE NOEPoIL. Nay b. 1867.
nirndel th, pro, oas Of ordinance directing the sac
, IL f,,e blac VINO 4 to pay their city shall be
aoor OF the I,ry Han Monday. May ~ at II
,orI m ,rfr the following named persons Tor the term
I specincd by ,sid ordnance"
U,re follow The names of one kun8red and trelce
,,alss. and taco handred and four temales. was