The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-23
CAPTURE OF NORFOLK.
Interesting Particulars.
HOW THE CITY WAS SURRENDERED
Correspondence Pnila telphia Enquirer.
PRESIDENT LINCOLN AHEAD.

Correspondence Pnila ielphia Enquirer
PRESIDENT LINCOLN AHEAD.
President Lincoln was the first man to
step on shore, ard we are Informed that be
rut his foot Gown firmly on the land. We
believe the sequel will prove the assertion
TO be a correct one. The "Stars and
Stripes" were planted, and the land occu.
pied in tte pane o! the powerful Govern
ment OF the Uoited States. ,--a
AS we were leaving the wharf, MIR. Lin
coin asked, Captain Ingram, how much
water does the George Washington draw ?"
8: Ten feet, sir, loaded" "All right, then,
GO ahead said our worthy and beloved
President 10 firm tone.
THE FIRST TROOPS LANDED.
The first troops landed were the men of
Captain Davis Richardson Light Infantry,
an Independent company from Lowell,
Massachusetts so the old Bay State has
the honor Of having her sons first beached
on the shores of Lynnhaven Bay, and the
first in the advance upon Norfolk. The
company was towed to the shore by tug,
aud proceeded to scout around iD the woods
and fields 90 the shore.
AFFAIR IA TANNERS CREEK-THE BRIDGES
BURNED.
All here comes General Mansfield A
council of war is held between him and
Weber, and an advance upon Tanners
creek bridge determined on with nothing
but infantry there being no artillery or
cavalry up with our advance yet. A brave
and trusty regiment is needed. 1t is here
the New York Twentieth under command
OF Lieutenant Colonel Weiss.
"General Weber," said General Mans
field, will take these German rifemen of
yours and try and save the bridge. Send
on reinforcements as fast as possible" ~
will bring them myself, sir, instants
ly," returned Gen. Weber. ..a
> On we 60 for half mile, where we find
Methodist meeting house, with the food
of the rebel cavalry lying around, quite
fresh yet. The marble top table at the
altar has been used for the officers mess,
with half dozen handsome stuffed chairs
around it. The Holy Bib e lies upon the
pulpit, the only article left undisturbed by
the rebels. looked at it, and found it was
opened at the account given of Absaloms
treason.
Marching en- two miles further, we could
see the creek and the smoke rising from the
burning bridge, but we may yet be able to
save it by pushing forward rapidly.
Arriving near by it was observed to be
enveloped in flames, with the rebels posted
strongly on the opposite bank.
AT precisely eleven o'clock they opened
fire upon US with howitzar and rihed
brass piece, but their shells exploded with
out doing the slightest harm to the Union
troops.
A PROMOTION.
Next to the mounted rifles came the gal.
liant New York Twentieth, German rifles.
AS this regiment was marching on to Nor
folk, after the battle of Tanners Greek,
Secretary Chase asked the officer in COM
mand the name Of the regiment. After
this he rode up to the front of the Tweuti.
eth with General Wool to observe their
condition, and turning to General Wool be
inquired, "who commands that regiment,
Sir 2" II is under command of Lieutenant
Colonel Wells" returned the Commanding
General. No sir" said Mr. Chase, " be
is Colonel now.
AFFROACdlNG THE ClfIs
AS we approached the city only two
white men came out to meet us-they were
in buggy which they had hired fer the
occasion, and they seemed from their Ian.
guage aud actions, to be the strongest kind
Of Union men. They offered to take US son
behind" but we preferred walking ahead
leisurely and seeing the sights.
THE SURRENDER OF THE CITY.
About half past three o'clock we had or.
rived at the limit of the eastern suberb ard
observed a white flag flying from the porti.
co of deserted framed dwelling, with some
miserable looking blacks standing in front
of the door. General Wool Immediately
dispatched an Orderly to fnd out what was
desired by those over whom the flag of truce
was flying. The Orderly returned in few
moments during which the division halted
in the road and reported that the Mayor
of Norfolk was at the house under flag of
truce, and desired " a few moments parley
with the commander of the United States
forces for the purpose of surrendering the
city according to the usages of modern
warfare, as directed by Major General HUI
ger, Q. s. A., Commanding the Department
of Norfolk, and the Select and Common
Council of the city,"
Major General Wool and staff, accompa-
MED by Secretary Chase and Generals
Weber and Mansfield, approached the house
in quiet manner. There was no ostenta.
ton whatever, but like veteran chieftains, as
they are, they passed up to the house and