New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-14
SIX REBEL GUNBOATS IN HER WAKE
THEY CAPTURE THREE VESSELS.
EIGHT SAILORS TAKEN.
STRANGE APATHY OF oUa SQUADRON.
The Rebels Return to Craney Island.

FosTRxss NOM OF. Friday April iI-2 p n
Tie return OF pleasant weather to-day brought the
lkIrimsc, as was generally anticipated. She had
been seen three days ago under steam, at Craney
Island and the evening OF yesterdsy promsed that
the stoTm had exhausted itself, few Were surprised
this morning at the announcement that she was in
sight- coming down.
The alarm gun was fred at 30 O'Clock. and Sc
soou as the appearance of the Me.rimsc was eener-
ally known the docks beach, rsmpsrts of the Fort
sess, and other points commanding q view, were
crowded With spectators.
Tie Merrimsc, after showing berself beyond
Sews!ls Point, appeared TO be heading this way.
She did not long continue on ths course, however,
but turned toward James River, followed by six
other gnnboats which had come round tie point in
hes company. OF the latter the Jamestown Snd
Yorktown were recognized. Among the others were
snpposed to be the Raleigh snd Teazer.
Arriving II point about half WAY between Sew
slls Point aud Newport News Point, and near tie
place where lhe French war vessels Gassend and
CatiDet and Ibe English war steamer X uslGo had
placed themselves early in the morning, the whole
feet came 70 a stop, while the jamestown, followed
Of some distance by the Yorktown aud email tug,
continued On her course.
n
perceived. AS she came around leaving Nowpor,
News ON her efI, it was that her object 70
capure two brigs and " schooner which were an
chored the shore, about two miles from the
Point. This wss done without the slightest diff
Guilty, and the assistance of the small tug being
dered, the fhIee prizes were taken of under the
Rebel flag.
The whole affair was concluded in les than half
sa hour and the Jamestown, having Toioined the
feet VS.. ordered tue prizes to Crsney Island.
Tskil bIig in tow stterD, and the Others along
side, be moved slowly away.
Slightly alarmed a; this bold dash, = number Of
schooDers in tie UPPER harbor svaied themselves Of
favorable wind ana sailed
Up to tlis time the Rebel feet ar remained in the
position in which they FIST placed themselves, aad
nothiDg more has been done. The tide rs ont,
and probably 10 new movement will be made for
some houTs. II tue Herrimac should then see 81 20
pay us a Wait, she viii be appropriately welcomed
The names Of tie two brigs captured aro tie
SAlao Of Providence, Il. L., and tie Macus Of Stock
ton. Ne. the former was loaded with lay on pr
vate account, and the latter Was chartered by the
Government but had been unosded. The nAme cf
the schooner has not been asoertsiGed. The captains
of The two brgs escaped 10 shore in Il small toa
with four Of the crew Of the Marcus. Two Ilen
were left on board the latter and ak on board the
Sabao, who made no eforts 10 lower boat TO es-
cape They were all taken prisoners, together with
abe crew OF the schooner.
1t is said that tie captured vessels were ordered
hast night 10 move down the harbor for safety
The schooner Harmony, used q waterloo, by
Mr. Noyes, Government contractor for supp ying
water 70 the fleet, happened TO be alongsde Of
tie French men-of-war when the herrimsc made
her appearance, and was taken under protection oi
sbe French Gag, thus escaping capture. Br. Moves
has previously lost BY capture two sehooners en-
ployed ~ waieT-bosts by him.
LATER.
The Jauestovn returned from Crane bland at
llree O'clock.
Not shot wac ired until four o'el,ck when tie
Merrimsc fired three sbOs 10 Tie direction OF Lamp-
top Creek. The Naugatack and Octor2ra which had
been stationed il tba, vicinity, replied with d mum
Der Of shots, Gl Of which fell near the Rebel feet.
Tie whole feet, led by the heuimac. tben re-
.nrntd 70 the Elizabeth River.
TIE name of the schooner captured il the Emily.
She Was from Washington, with suffers s,ores.
passenger Steamboat, flied with spectators came
cut Of Elizabeth River this afternoon ard number
Of small sabOats could be seen through The day Cf
S~yaIl's Point