Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-15
From the Petersburg Express
The Evaeas.son of so.fo,k


From the Petersburg Express.
The Evacuation OF Norfolk
Just as we expected the traitor Byers who stole the
OontotfaIe steamer A. j. FhIe, and went over TO the
enemy On thursday, communicated such Information to
General W oo precIpi.ate the occupsncy of Nor
folk by tie Yankees and hasten its abandonment bv our
troops On Friday, the enemy landed a heavy body of
troops VaFousy estimated from FIVE to seven thous
and ocean view, so0e eight ten miles in rear OF
Noro.k, and commenced a march upon the city. The
FORCES consisted OF lntantTy, artillery and cavalry and
the latter came cutting off large portion of Col
Chamhliss' regiment, which had been stationed near
Se"elIs Point. Our forces among them the Confeder-
ate Cadets of this city, equicked toWsris The old
borough, and made very narrow escape 1t is said
that when we burnt Indian Poll Creek Bridge across
tanners creek, The Yankee cavalry at one end of
It, ard would have seriously nter'ered with our oper-
atoms, but Tor the Beaaregarj Artillery of Lynchburg
who by lew welldirected shots, sent the Yankee
horsemen flying beyond the reach of our guns.
1t Is believed that ali OF troops, arms ammuni-
ton, qnartermasters and c0mmssary stores were say
removed But We regret to hear that the Confederate
loss at the Gosp0rt Navy Yard has been immense An
employee IN the yard since the war commenced
estimates the loss there at six millions or more large
quantity OF very valuable machinery, and me 5000 900
worth OF copper have been left to the enemy AL the
buildings that could be destroyed, were fred and con-
sumed. Some OF them being fire proof could not be so
destroyed. The Dry Deck, one Of the most costly and
pertct establishments OF its kind probably in the world
was blown up. This Dock is said 10 have cost
S5OOOOOO and required several years for It's copstruc
tiOn.
1t is matter Of Universal regret that two gunboas
which mad just been Completed and received their
ment and stores, were burnt. These could easily have
been carried to Richmond, passing 10 the mouth OF
james River, under the protection Of the Merrmac.-
-Four other gunbOats the stocks, and unfinished,
also consigned to the flames The splendid trans
port " m, Selden ard number of smaller steamers,
tugs, etc all burnt. These two it isstated could
have ben carried to Richmond without risk But we
Ir sumo the Confederate goverament has money
than IL wei knows what to do wtb and desires to give
employ ment to artlzAns in tuildiDg new vessels.
The Twelfth Virginia Regiment the last to leay
| Norfolk They crossed the river at Portsmouth, and
from there marched distance OF rs miles Suffolk.
The troops on Craney Island supposed to be safe
| but we have been unable to hear from them. There
two companies in that garrison from this place
Capt. LewelIen's and Capt. Camps-aud their friend:
yesterday very naturally felt and expressed much aney
To their fate it ated that the water between Tbs
Island and the mainland in the rear is fodabe at low
tide. Il s0 they have escaped, but the loss of the
baggage, ETC., is inevitable.
= 1t is generally believes by the few civilians who die
get of, that than 100 males outside Of the ar
N.Y. have left Norfolk. Many females have left since
became known that the city be abandoned TO til
tender mercits OF the Linconies, and large numbe
who desired to leave, sill remain because OF their ioa
bity to get away. Soldiers inform US that vixen the
passed through Norfolk, Saturday morning, they wer
everywhere met ty groups OF ladies who with tears i
J. their eyes, imP!ored their protection
Strange to say, authorities decided very suddcul
to eVaCuae the place, bat gave The people iuOrma
ton OF the fact and stranger STILL they first sent th
greater portion OF The troops away and then
{ TO move the vauabcs. Common sensa would have sue
L. gesed that troops be retained hold and deten
the place until every article Ct value had been
It Vest Point thought differently, however, and henc
the brilliant. but very precip ate departure.
1t II is the opinion OF nine o. every men Of 0:
binary mind, that Norfolk could have bgen held IL
j. twelve months on. with much it has b
% since tie war commenced. With the Merrmac guar,
j ing the entrance 10 the JAMES AID IL beth rivers
the iron-cad City of Richmond ia AlbeGar
Sound, harrass aud destroying Burnsdes fl ct; an
: few Col Wrghts at the head OF or 600 BRAY
men, defeating and cutting to pieces such Yankee Ger
! erals f 30 with 600 or 1900; while gal!sI
< Boys at SeWe8 PoiA' and Ocean View, kept ~watC
aud vigiI in that direction all the " coils and Burnside
L. aud McCItaus ankle land could not have taken II
d place. This is the opinion OF common men ms
+ who have heard OF brilliant Strategic ives but hay
- witnessed CT the glorious results OF these NOV
u ments the abandonment OF the tairest portions
- Virginia and n o., to the deErdatiOnS and Outrages
u toe interruptions aud relentless than Il
D Cloths aud Vandals." Military science has thong
otherwise and as military science is supreme, Col
III mon sense hide lis distinguished head, and subn
| WithC ut tie eXI rcSslOn OF an opinion.