Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-05-26
From Baltimore.

BALTIMORE, May "a.
The following is taken from the American 8
Fortress Monroe correspondence:
There is bu. little change in the condition Of
affairs at Norfolk. The Mayor and members OF
the City Council still refuse to take the oath of
allegiance Gen. Wool had an interview with
50 that DO now refuses intercourse wi h the peo-
pie Of Norfolk and Portsmouth, and even the little
business they have been doing in the way of
strawberries and peas is now stopped.
:, Gen. Wool sent up proclamation to Norfolk,
this morning, notifying the people that the mat
they would acknowledge the supremacy Of the
Government, they will cIjoy its fostering aid, but
while they remain in their present rebellious
mode, they will be cut off from all advantages Of
trade and commerce, and they city will be gsv-
erned by strict martial Law. lie assures them
that no contingency can possibly arise whereby
Norfolk will again be given up to the control Of
the rebel government, and that those who enter
tain Union sentiments can give expression to them
with ample assurance Of protection Cf all rights
citizens Of the United States.
Most OF the stores are now open, and the sale of
such goods az they have is progressing. Al far as
can be ascertained, no one is now willing to re-
ceive Confederate notes at par. Business is most
ly done in small notes Of Virginia banks and other
corporations. Government notes are received with
great avidity.
The Union men of Norfolk still hold back, afraid
iious spirits around them.
Quite an enthusiastic Union meeting was held
at Portsmouth on Thursday night Not less than
500 we're present, including many Union men from
Norfolk. The course of the government in refus-
ing to allow provisions to come there for loyal
people was severely criticised, and the propriety
of such a course by no means approved. The
scarcity Of provisions and necessaries of life are
30 great, and prices so high, that the poorer class
have to live almost entirely on fish and oysters.
The secessionists are nearly all wealthy people,
who can stand high prices, and have laid in tn cir
cision Of Gen. Wool is leading to great suffering
among the poorer classes. They have suffered
beyond endurance for year.
1t was reported at Norfolk yesterday that Burn
side had taken Weldon.
1t is estimated that there are now in Norfolk
the force with which Con. Hugee left Norfolk
Those who have come in, and are still arriving in
squads Of tens and twenties, did not succeed in es
Gaping until after they reached Petersburgh.
They are ia most deplorable condition. A party
who came in to-day says there must be 1early
1000 more scattered through the woods behind
them. All willingly take the oath Of allegiance,
and appear most happy to have escaped from the
The Minnesota will proceed to Norfolk to-mor-
row morning. and the whole feet viii have aban-
doned Old Point and taken up position 1T the
old Naval station.
The walls Of the navy yard buildings are in a
solid condition, and can soon be put in order
again. The machinery was taken out If the
building before they were fred, ahd packed up
with the intention Of being removed, int the
rapid action Of Gen. Wool prevented the removal.
Numerous wrecks sunk in the harbor and river
BY the rebels are oil to be removed forthwith, in
cluding the wrecked Merrimac. A large number
Of fuses and shells were obtained from the latter
yesterday.