The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-12
FORTRESS MONROE May 0, 1862.

FORTRESS MONROE, May 0, 1862.
The Sscalps Point Bop,tdrdmcnt- What Is Though Of
aths Fdrs-The Keyrn,dc and acknowledgements
Of the Latter Vesel-The Departure Of Guaboos Up
James Rirer-Sharp Firing on The Hesel Baterie'-Ths
President and Secretary Chase al ne F5rA Rsconagis
sance by the Former dc, dc.
After the splendid ID cannonade or bombardnsnt OF
tho rebel works at Sewalls Point yesterday, in which
nobody was killed and nobody wounded vessels
returned their respective anchoragcs unscahed Tho
appearance or tho rebel craft Merrmac she steamed
down the Elizabeth river. hastened and in fact torm
naicd tho affair. This morning learn that Flag Officer
Godsborough gave orders 10 the vessels Of tho feet
TO engage the rebel batteries at long range. Had
contrary system been pursued thero Is doubt
but that our foot could have brought tho rebols
TO surrendoring terms. Tho officers fleet
than whom there bravcr in the service felt much
chagned at being permitted to close tho rebels
and capture their guns. Flag officer Godsborough took
no part in the engagement but remained quietly enjoy
inr the sconc on beard his ship-tho Minneso,a-four
miles from the scene Of action Ills orders convey
ed from time time the engagement proceeded by
means Of small steam propeers OF which he employed
half dozen more.
Tho Merrimac after she out far into Hampton
Roads as the prudence OF her traitor officers would per-
init locked at the Monitor lion watches IT. prey and
thon steamed back TO the north end OF Crancy Island
whore she s now keeping watch and ward over Norfolk
and its vicinity.
At ton o'clock this forenoon tho Flag Officer sent
ders TO the Monitor to slip anchor and make reconnos
saucs In the direction OF sewas Point and fec the
mys works. and to ascertain IL possible, whether not
the rebels had evacuated them, had been reported
by tho refugees who escaped from Norfolk the day pre-
vious. In few minutes the Monitor was under full
steam and heading to execute the orders OF the Flag
ofcer. The day was exceedingly hns tho sky
blue aud clear, and the waters the Roads Of CLASSY
smootlness. The Monitor gded from her moorings with
ease and she made the various turns the tortuos
channel leading TO the Elizabeth river sho answered he
helm with apparent ease. There another object Ia
view by moving tho Monitor In the direction OF Elizabeth
river. As mentioned in my letter OF yesterday the
battery Galena and the gunboats Port Royal, com.
manded by the gallant Lieutenant Norris, or Cum.
berland fame, and the Areostook, which wers sent
up the James River reconnaissance we're expected
10 return at to-day. From the menacing position
OF the Merrmac II thought she might essay 10 al
tack our vessels they returned 10 Hampton Roads
To obvate this the Monitor took position The chan
mel, TO Illustrate this apparent design. AT twenty lvo
minutes past ten the Merrimac observed steaning
slowly down tho river towards tho Monitor but she hal
proceeded but few lengths when she apparently
brought UP on eand bar II was but hall ebb tile
az the time. Az she stopped tho heavy clouds
OF steam issuing from her steam re indicated thst sh
had good bead force OF About thle tim,
heavy canDoDadIng was heard, coming frcm tho dire,