New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-07-17
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
NIcrrimac No. 2-Plan % Destroy the Mem
notwithstanding the james.

From Our Special Correspondent.
FORTRESS MONROE. July IA. 1852.
A few days previous to the evacuation Of Norfolk
BY the Rebels " Merrimac No. Two" was lowed
from the Nsvy-yard in that city up James River To-
Richmond, where large number of mechanics have,
since been engaged in plating her with iron and
preparing her for service. Her armor il in plates
instead Of bars her sides of wood and six feet hck5
and she will have all the improvements suggested by
the career of the Merrimac. In the haste Of tho
evacuation her boilers were left behind on the dock
at Norfolk; but she has since been supplied with
others ct Richmond, which circumstance has occa-
stoned delay in her coming out. She has received
the engines of the Arctic, commanded by Captain
Harts.en in his Northern explorations.
There engines were taken out Of the vessel at
Norfolk soon after her return from her memorable
voyage. The name of the new steamer or ram has
been changed to the Richmond, and is about two
thirds the size of the Merrlmac Tor Virginia will
draw about ten feet and is represented as being
altogether more formidable than the slayer Of the
Cumberland and Congress. Deserters, escaped pris-
oners and others represent that she 10 nearly ready
to make her appearance in the James River, ana q
slaughter of any number Of cur gunboats is conn.,
IDENTIFY counted on II is said that the obetructione
at Fort Darling have been contrved as to let her
drop through, as did the Teazer the other day
These are substantially the particulars US they
have been obtained from various sources anu aIo
believed to be mainly correct. They have Tor some
time been In the possession Of the Government, 40
we're the main facts concerning the Merrimac, long
before she made her appearance ID the hoaas-
Whether as in her case, no heed VIII DC pau W
them, am unable to say. That some s9rs " noI-
a. naf rn(
there can be hardly doubt Prisoners tsken az
different times, and without any knowledge OF eaeh
others story concur in the general statement. but
there is information much more direct ana trust-
worthy; and though in some respects the iniorms-
ton gathered through different sources, may be erro
reous there would seem to be little room for ques-
tioning the main fact.
On BOARD the Rebel gunboat Teazer, captured q
few days since, were complete and elaborate draw
ings of the Monitor and coptrvance to be used in
cspturing her, the main features OF which are two
steamers connected by chain cable-one 10 20 on
each side of the Monitor, which would be drawn
along by the two steamers thus attached 70 nef.
There were also minute specifications as part OF mo
plan OF capture and details OF men as boarders, whiie
others were to be provided with iron plates to cover
the openings in the Monitors decks others with
compounds TO pour down her pipe and hue; Others
with wedges TO prevent the revolving OF her turre
and others still to play different parts.
On the Teazer were found also drawings OF SUP
different locations IL is conjecured that the SUP
marine cable found on board OF her related 70 ths
branch of the Rebel service, in which II supposed
che was engaged when size was captured.
The efforts Of the Rebels to blockade the James
River, and cut of supplies from Gen. Mcclellan,
have assumed quite q serious shape. There are
so many points between Harrison's Landing anc
Jamestown where musketry can be employed Win
almost unerriug certainty that this species Of block
AIDE has become more effective than artillery 0.
heavy guns, since sharp-shooters IN rine PiIs anS
ambuscades bid defiance to the gunboats While aftll-
lerv and land batteries cannot stand their lire.
On Saturday our transports were fired on re-
peatedly from what is known as Id Fort Powhatan,
situated blu about forty feet above the water,
on the west side Of the river, about ten miles be-
low Harrlson's Landing, where the river makes
sharp turn and is very narrow, and where the fort
bears directly a channel for a stretch OF two or
three mites as you approach or 90 up. The Paeinc.
having in tow schooner, was fired Oh at this point
on Saturday, and the line cut by cannon-shot.
The Captain Of the Pacific, with great herosin,
while the shot were flying around bin, Went pack
aud picked up his tow, and proceeded. Capt. John
Pennington of New-Jersey, OF the bark Mustang.
was shot through the body by q. rife ball. lnouen
be yet survives in the hospital here, he Is peneved
to be in a critical condition. The mail-ooat amer
fired on also, ana struck several ties " mug
ket shot, but no damage was done. -,
Two or three guuboats shelled the place, bu. the
artillery held out for some tine. The snarP-Snoo.ers
seemed to regard the eheIllog very httie 'they
have the effect to intimidate pavsators who have
no fear of heavy guns, aud Tor TIL. reason t.e
former are really most mischievous. lhe gunboats
now CONVOY everything that goes up or comes down,
for a considerable distance. The general belief rs,
,Sat tHe Rebels are engaged in constructing bat
terlcs, which they will open shortly. with the view
of closing the river Gen. holmes Is IN alans.
for some twenty miles below City Point.
Gen. McClellan's pickeIs now extend eight miles
INV landl down the east ride Of tie river, and Il
mid that his cavalry have been as far down as the
mouth of the Chiekshoniny.
gentleman IA foreignerl who leit Nehinono
very lately, says the Reel army has fallen back 70
it's old position near Richmond, leaving but small
force in tront. He says Also the army very maen
shattered, reduced and demorlized, and tnat .ne1e
exists no intention Of taking tue offensive 'o' 'ns