Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-10

The news yesterday from the Peninsu-
Ia and from Hampton Roads was the topic
of engrOssing interest during the evening
especially that portion of it referring to
the movements of the Monitor and the Mer-
rimac. At one time the dispatches SEEM
ed to certainly indicate that the vessels
were coming together-or as they say of
two bullies on The streets, that they were
"hunting each other" They found each
other, but up to this writing they have had
no fight. An immense amount of firing
all along the shore was done by the rebels.
Their batteries Mt SeWalPs Point and Graz
ney Island were active, and so were ours
at the Rip Raps. Our vessels, the Monitor,
the San Jacinto and the DacOtah steamed
Up and down aud all around, pouring in
shell and shot upon the batteries, but with
what final effect it is not stated. 1t is be-
lteved, however, that we have pretty much
closed out the enemy's batteries.
The Monitor and Naugatuck we're 0Ti-
IDENTIFY hunting fight with the Merrimac
They parted company with their conveys
about the middle of the afternoon and made
straight at the monster, which, she perceiv-
ing, turned about and put in for Norfolk.
She evidently feared to engage the two yes
sells, either one of which is probably
match for her.
During these demonstrations, there was
movement going on which the reporter
for the papers suddenly discovers to be
contraband information, and he withholds
it. He would have shown himself to bet
ter advantage, had he also withheld the
hint itself. 1t does no manner of good to
tAntaIize the public with something that
you can't tell them.
The news from McClellan's forces con-
tinues encouraging, although it is not by
any means definite or satisfactory. 1t
would seem as if we came very near being
defeated in IA severe battle, twelve miles
beyond Williamsburg, and would have
been, had it not happened that our nbiqui-
tous and Invaluable gunboats were on
hand, as at pittsburgh Landing, to help us
ont of tight place. Things are goiug on
in our pursuit in such pell-nell style,
that We fear the enemy will either escape
us or do us unlocked for damage.
There appears to be a panic at Norfolk,
aud well there might be. Things are get
ting warm on both sides of that doomed city.
Burnside is within few miles OF Weldon,
in North Carolina, about fifty-lye miles
from Norfolk, while our fleet has been
down within seven or eight miles of the
city, almost within Smelling distance. The
rebel troops are "skedaddling" from the
place as fast as possible.
1t appears that some of our guuboats
have gone up James river. This is impor-
tant uews-yery important, provided they
can get up any considerable distance. II
seems TO be certain that the rebels are en-
deayOring to embark their troops on the
cars at City Point, ten miles below Rich
mond, which would enable them to get
away without going to Richmond at ALL
They could make OF through Petersburg
and go down either through North CARROLL
ma by way of Danville, or else out over
the Virginia and Tennessee road as far as
Mitchelrs scene of operations near Hunts
vile, Ala, would permit them to travel
by railroad. If our boats could get up to
City pOiat in time they could play hayOck
with their embarkment.
1t seems as if the rebels must stand and
fight somewhere within the vicinity of
Richmond. Our troops to the number of
twenty thousand had engaged some thirty
thousand Of them, and at great disad-
vantage to themselves. We presume that
our boats on the York river are throwing
forward the main portion of McClellan's
army and that he himself is determined, If
possible, to force the fighting. 1t is evident
that the rebels are heart sore and desper-
ate. We look for them to attempt most
anything within the next lew days.
Desirable Work.
We have received from the publishers