The New York herald., 1862-05-29
ton OF the presidents, s SUPPOSE e specie 70 be beyond



NEW MILITARY coMMASDANT APPOINTED.
[From the New Orleans Delta, May l3.
Acting Brigadier General George shepley Colonel OF
the Twelfth regiment ~ Maine volunteers has been ap
pointed by General Butler military cmmandant o. New
Orleans We indebted 10 the Picayte for the inor-
nation that General Butler will make his headquarters
on the coast Colonel Shepley is a son OF Judge
shepey formerly Judge of the supreme Court Of Maine,
and Senator from that State. The Colonel has
been prominent national democratic politician in times
past, and was the special friend adviser and host OF
Jefferson Davis when no made visit TO New England
Iron the Now Orleans Bee. May 1877
change has taken pace in the military government
No "a OF general orders appointment OF
Acting Brigader General George 7. Shepley, Colonel
Twelfth regim Maine Volunteers, military COM
mandant OF New Orleans II Is ramorod that General
Butler contempates establishing his headquarters at
some point the ako residence at any Of tho
watering would hs far more agreeable than expo
sure the heat dust and uncleaness OF New Orleans
during the perous months Of GUNNER
DEATH OF A REBEL NAVAL OFFICER.
The New Orleans Dld announces the death of Captain
T. b. Huger Confederate States Navy. He was CON-
mandor Of the steamer McRae and wounded in tho
battle at Fsrt Jackson.
COTTON BURNING.
[From the New Orleans Delta, May 49,
Tho cotton Concordia parish has been entirely des'
troyed. In Tensas parish the burning is going on
CONDITION OF TIE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
from the New Orleans Bee, May l3.1
The Mississippi is extraordinarily high andlhas broken
through the levee In various places. both above and
below We have not heard whether tho crevasse IN tho
parish Of has been closed That al story PLAN
taton in Paqemine stopped but another has taken
place on the right bank Of the river the parish
We anticipate, however, speedy f in the pretsnsions
Of the "Fathsr o. Waters"
The Destruction OF the Merrimac.
WHY IT WAS EFFEcTED-oFFIoiAL REPORT OF THE
REBEL COMMODORE TATNALL-SiGN3 OF TREACHE-
RY AMONG THE REBEL PILOTS.
The following is copy of letter addressed by Com
RICHMOND, Nay IA, 1862.
SR-n detailing to you the circumstances which
caused the Of the Confederate States steamer
har,, 1ast1 FA,u fau
that event begin with teesaphc dispatches 10
OF the 4th and 5h nsts directing me 70 take such
position In the James river as would entirely prevenS
the enemy's ascending 1t.
General Huger commanding at Norfolk, on learning
that had received tins order called on me ana
that its execution would obige him TO abandon imme-
dately his forts on Craney Island and Sswals Point,
and their guns, TO the enemy informed him that, as
the order imperative, must execute it, but sug-
gested that he should telegraph and state the conse
quences He did SO, and on tho 5th inst. you tele-
graphed sndeayor afford protection TO Norfolk
well the James river, which replaced me in my
original position then arranged with the General
that he should notify when his preparations for she
evacuation Of Norfolk were sufficiently advanced to
enable him to act Independently.
On the 7th inst Commodore Holins reached Norfolk
with orders from you to consult with Inc and such
officers might select in regard to the best disposition
to DO made Of the Virginia under the present aspect OF
Wo had arranged the conference for tho next day
Sth; but that day, before the hour appointed tho
enemy atackedeths Sewals Point battery, and left I'm,
mediately with the Virginia to defend it,
We found six Of the snemys vessels, including tho
iron clad steamers Monitor and Naugatack, shsng the
the enemy for the purpose or engaging him and thought
action certain particularly as the Minnesota and Van
derbit which anchored below Fortress Monroe got
under weigh stood that point apparently with tho
intention Of joining their squadron in the Roads Reore,
however we got within gunshot the enemy ceased firing
and retired with all speed under the protection OF ths
OF the fortress followed by the Virginia, until tho
shells from the Rip Raps passed over her
The Virginia was then placed at her moorings near
sewals Point and returned TO Norfolk 70 hold the con-
ference referred to.
Col Anderson and Gait --, OF the army selected by
Gen Huger who unwell to attend himself and
Of the navy myself Commodore Hollins, and Captains
| Sterrett and Lee, Commander Richard L. Jones. and
Lieuyenants Ap Catesby Jones and Pembroke Jones.
The opinion was unanimous that tho Virginia was then
employed to the best advantage and that she should
continue for the present protect Norfolk and thus A.
| ford time to remove the public property.
On the next day, at ten O'Clock A. NJ, we observed
4 from the Virginia that tho flag not flying on tho
Scwas Point battery and that appeared to have been
| abandoned despatched Lieutenant J. p Jones, tho
Flag Lieutenant Cransy Island where the Con
flag was stl flying ana he there learned that large
force Of the enemy had landed on the Bay Shore ana
Point battery abandoned, and our troops
treating. then despatched the same officer 20 Norfolk,
to confer with Gen. Huger and Capt. Lee. He found tho
Navy Yard In flames and that all the officers had left by
railroad On reaching Norfolk no found that Gen. Hugsr
and all the officers Of the army had also left that the
| enemy were within half a mile or the city, sni that
| tho Mayor was treating for its surrender.
On returning to the ship he found that Craney Island
and all the othor batteries the had been aban
It was now seven O'Clock in the evening, and this
unexpected confirmation rendered prompt measures
| csssary for the safety OF the Virginia.
The pilots had assured me that they could take the
ship, with draught of eighteen feot, to within forty
| miles OF Richmond.
This the chief pilot Mr. Parrish, and his chief asss-
ant, Mr. Wright had asserted again and again; and on
the afternoon OF the 7b in cabin in the presence Of
Commodore Hollins and Captain Stcrrct. In reply to
question Of mne they both emphaticaly declared their
Conading in these assurances and, after consulting
with the First and Flag Lieutsnans and learning that
officers generally thought II The most udcious course.
determined to tighten the ship once and run up tho
| river for the protection OF Richmond
All hands having been called on deck stated to them
the condition Of things and nope that by getting up
the river before the enemy could be made aware OF
designs might capture his vessels which had ascend
ed it, and render efficient aid in the defence OF Rchmond
but that effect this would require all their energy in
tightening the ship Thoy replied with three cheers
and went 10 work at once The pilots were on deck and
| heard this address to the crew.
Being quito unwell had retired TO bed. Between ono
and two o'clock in the morning the FIRST Lieutenant re-
six hours and lifted the ship as TO render her unfit for
action the pilots had declared their inability TO carry
eighteen feet above the Jamestown Flats. 70 which
point the shore, on each side, was occupied by tho
enemy.
explanation Of this papabc deception he replied that
eighteen could be carried after the prevalence Of
sastsry Winds and that the wind for the last two days
had no time to lose. The ship not in . condition
for BATTLE with enemy Of equal force and their
force was overwhelming. therefore determined, with
the Of the First and Flag LeutsHans to
save the for future service by landing them a
Craney Island the only road for retreat open and
destroy the ship prevent her falling into the hands
OF the enemy may add that, although not formally
consulted, the was approved by every commits
stoned officer In tho ship. There was no dissenting
opinion The ship accordingly put shore
thc mainland in the vicinity Of Craney Island, a. pos
sble and the landed She was then fired, and after
burning ercey fore and aft for upwards OF an hour blow
/ up little before nvo on the morning OF the 11th
i We marched for Suffolk, twenty two miles, and
reached the evening, and from thence came BY rail.
/ road 10 this city. -
II win be asked what motives the pilots could have had
/ to deceive The only imaginable one is that they
wished to avoid going into battle.
Had the ship not been lifted, as to render her unfit
for action desperate contest must have snsucd with
force agat too great 70 justify much hope Of success.
and battle Ia not their occupation, hoy adopted this
decsitfu course to avoid IT, cannot imagine another
motive for had V distrust their good
l fSnh ~ the cenfederacy.