Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-05-16
GLORIOUS NEWS FROM VIRGINIA =!
Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Navy
Yard Captured!
MERRIMAC BLOWN UP !!


Washington, May 1l.-Thc Navy Depart
ment has received the following dispatch THU
morning: ..------e---
Fort Monroe, May 10-12 o'clock.-Nor
folk and Portsmouth are ours, including thu
Navy Yard Gen. Wool completed the land
ing Of his troops this morning, and common
esd the march on Norfolk with 5000 men
Secretary Chase accompanied the expedition
About five miles from the landing rebel bat
terry was stationed on the opposite side of {;
bridge, over Tanners Creek. After few
discharges, the rebels burned the bridge
which compelled us to march around five
miles. At o'clock when our forces wcr,
within short distance Of Norfolk they were
met by delegation of citizens and the city
formally surrendered. Our troops marched
in and now have possession. Gen. Niele
commands rs Military Governor. Neithc,
the city nor the Navy Yard were burned
Gen. lTuscr Withdrew his forces witho;.t a
fight. ..r .. s.......... ..: .........
Fortress Monroe, May Ito j. H. Wat.
son, Assistant Secretary of War: The MER-
RIMAC WAS BLOWN UP by the rebels
about 5 o'clock this morning. The Monitor
Naugatuck and gunboats have gone towards
Norfolk. ..................
The following particulars arc from the N.
Y. Times. correspondent at Fortress Monroe,
undcr date of the 18th:
At e o'clock this morning bright light
was observed from Fortress Monroe, in the
direction of Craney Island precisely at half
past four an explosion took place, which made
the earth and water tremblc formilcs around.
In the midst of the bright flames which shot
up in the distance, the timbers aud iron of a
steamer could be seen flying through the air.
No doubt was entertained that the Merrimac
had ceased to exist.
Flag officer Goltlsboro, on receiving this
report ordered two armed naval tugs-the
Scavcr and Dragon to proceed towards Ora
ney Island on reconnaissance, and ascertain
the truth Of the rumor. Immediately after
they had turned the point, the Monitor and
+. "A. Stevens steamed up in the same dlrcc-
ton, followed by the San Jacinto and Daco-
tab. In the meantime the two tug boats
were seen coming on towards the Fortress at
full speed, the radiant countenance of Capt
Case, OF The Minnesota, giving assurance that
the news they brought was of the most graf
flying character.
The report was true All the earth works
at Craney Island appeared TO be abandoned,
though the rebel flag was still flying.
Lieut.. E!,lridge, from the Dragon, landed
with an armed crew, took down the rebel
flag and substituted the Stars and Stripes,
amid hearty cheering by the crew.
Capt Case Immediately reported the fact
to the President and Secretary of War, who
with great satfaction. ... ......
4 x1,o { h.
Immediately proceeded to Craney Island to
ascertain if the works were evacuated, in
company with the feet, which was advancing
AS we neared Craney Island we found this
immense fortress apparently abandoned,
though three rebel flags were floating from
very tall STATS in different parts of the works
Captain Case was the first loyal man that
pressed his foot OH the soil of this reasonable
stronghold, and the old flag was soon given
to the breeze. The Forts of the Island are
four or live separate sections. They are con-
structcd with the best engineering skill and
most admirable workmanship. The Forts
were left in excellent condition, as were also
the extensive barracks, which had accoinmo
dated dining the winter garrison of over
1000 men. Forty heavy guns wcrc mounted
on different parts of the works on the main
parts of the Island. The works commanded
the approach to the channel of the river,
The whole number of guns mounted was
thirty nine, of which twelve We're Parrots and
a number Of riHed Dahlgreens. There were
about six guns in the works which had not
been mounted.
After spending all hour On the Island we
proceed to Norfolk. From men on the Island
We asccrtancd that the Mcrrimac had laid
during Saturday at point nearly mile be-
low the head Of the Island. During the nis 1T
she had been brought back and run ashore
Her entire officers and crew were landed on
this Island and slow match applied to her
magazine. She was torn to fragments 10y the
time the crew were out of her reach
Negroes state that the officers and crew
passed through the adjoining county on the
main land about s clock in the morning to
the number of 200 They said they were on
their way to Suffolk. ...'....
On the line OF the river, leading. from
Craney Island to Norfolk, there are not less
than six heavy earth works, mounting in all
go cannon, all of which are still in position
The powder found in the magazine, is esti-
mated at 5000 pounds. and the fixed am,nu-
milton taken, can only be enumerated by the
cargo.
We landed at the wharf and took a stroll
through Norfolk; it being Sunday of course
ali places of business were closed, and the
city presented most quiet aspect. The
wharvcs were crowded with blacks, male and
female, and goodly number Of white people
with their wives and children, were strollng
about
Soldiers were stationed on the wharyes and
pickcted through the city, while the flag of
the Union noated triumphantly from the Gus
tom House ..
The houses through the city, were general
~ closed, especially those of the wcalthier
classes.
The Seccssionists talked boldly of the
Southern Confederacy
From Gen. Halleck's Army.
. ARMY THE MISSISSIPPI NEAR F,RNrSGrox,
.... May % Pm.
IL .Hljo,- General Htikect: