Litchfield enquirer., 1862-05-22

ieH8s z .1 z. ga {. '. 2. ., 2. !. .sI l .
 LAST DAYS or THE MERRn1Ac.-The Fortress Monroe correspondent of the Philadelphia h. aairer gives the following interesting account Of the last days of the Merrimac, as obtained from the statements of E. K. McLaughlin, mas ter's mate, and one Ball, gunner both of whom were attached to the vessel and were arrested at Norfolk szs a-,--.r
 Commodore Tatnall was very imbecile and childish, and so feeble that he had to assisted up and down stairs. The crew had no conf dence in him, but were proud of Captain Bu- chanan. When the rebels found that the tug boat J. B. White had deserted and came down to the Point, they at once concluded that their plans were given in detail to our officers here. Captain Byers is worthy of great praise and ma ny thanks for the important news which he brought. It is well known here that, owing to his information, the important movements late- ly made took place. The rebels had frightened the Merrimac with the intention of running her up the James river to Richmond. But fnding their plans betrayed, they determined to come down into the Roads and cover their retreat, which was then going on at Norfolk and Craney Island. When our fleet shelled Sewall's Point there were only two companies there to keep up appearances. The Merrimac, according to ar engagement, came down not to fight, but to cover the retreat, which was then going on. The off, cers knew that the Galena, Aroostoog and Port Royal had gone up the James river therefor their project in that direction was decidedly i'm polite. Upon Saturday night consultation took place on board the Merrmac. The officers all became intoxicated md in this condition deba- tedwhat the southern chvalry should do with their vessel. The conference ended with the deter- imitation to blow her up, and destroy one of the rebellion's greatest hopes. So great was the hurry of the debarkation that nothing but the officers and mems affects were removed. They did not even spike the guns. as was their inten. ton. They took off the locks, and, adjusting the slow match left their idol to her inglorious fate The gunner had with him all the locks of the bow pivot gun, and also sword belong ing to one of the officers of the vessel, who had given it to him for the purpose of stationing pickets with, instead of which he left for Nor folk, and, taking the oath of allegiance is now on his way North. A gentleman, with strong proclivities for trophies. offered the gunner five dollars for the pivot lock, which was accepted after much hesitation. Being of a suspicious nature l conclude from present appearances, that the pieces of the wreck of the Merrimac" will soon be even more plentiful than "canes cut from the tomb of Washington"
 The armament of the Merrimac consisted of twelve guns-two Finch rifed pivot guns fore and aft, each working out of three porth four 9-inch smooth-bore guns, Dahlgren pattern four 6;inch riAed guns and two boat howitzers l2-pounders, both on the upper deck, fore and aft, to repel boarders.
 ro,, 'Not,oN ,n,,lo , c,,ooo, +o +bo oro,r r,Io had been mustered on deck, after boat from Norfolk had reached the vessel bringing the news of the occupation of the city by our forces. The substance of his speech as related to me by the gunner was this Boys, Norfolk has been taken by the Yankees and our supplies are cut off. Although the vessel has been tighten ed the pilot says he cannot get herup the James river, as we had intended to do, therefore we we have concluded to blow her up. You can make your escape in the best way possible"
 Tatnall was carried away from the Merrimac in a litter, he was so feeble.
 The Merrimac's crew numbered three hundred and sixty men. At the time of her explosion her magazines fore and aft were full of ammuni tion. Seventy of the crew have taken the oath of allegiance in Norfolk. They had received but fifty dollars for their services in the confed- crate navy. The money was ill confederate shin plasters.
 Among those who came on board our fleet at New Orleans was Judge Simms. wealthy plan ter, pho had held fast to his loyalty and suffered mvch at the hands of the rebels On the day the city was surrendered, the mob threatened to hang him to lamp post. His son had been forced into the confederate service.
 A Washington dispatch says Capt Ericsson has planned large seagoing plated ship, with a single turret covered with iron A inches thick and armed with two guns carrying ball l, ,OOO pounds in weight Ike Department, it is said, will order two such vessels.
 Gen. Tyler, of Connecticut, has arrived at Corinth, and assumed command of the Second Brigade of Stanley's Division formerly con- manded by Col. John Groesbeck, of the Thirty sixth Ohio.
 Confederate money is quoted in Richmond at 97, and gold and silver at 80 cents premium. This would make Jeff Davis Treasury notes worth about seventeen cents on the dollar. Flour was quoted at Memphis at $2O, $2l and S22, bacon 30 cents for sides and hams, sugar 6 cents, molasses 9 cents of cotton and tobac- co no sales, receipts or shipments; corn sl.3o, oats Sl.25.