New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-14
after advancing we'll toward Newport News
steamed quickly toward Hampton. The object was

then Ree0 TO be u capture OF three ea,nnB
two brigS and schooDer, transports, which were
lying either aground bad not been furnished WIN
q eteau-tug in order to make their escape.
The bold impudence Of the maDueuver contrssted
with the apparent apathy of our fleet, excited snr-
price and Indignation. There was Rebel boat, not
built for purposes leaving the protection OF the
Merrimac aud ber consors, where appeared 70 un'
professional eyes she could essily be cut off, hnd YET
10 attempt WAS made part 70 do 1t. VI course
there were good res obs for tls policy, though the
crowd "could lot rec" them.
| The Yorktown then steamed rapidly along the
beach from Newport News to Hampton, sent boat
to each OF the vessels. which apparently deseri-
ed by their crews, and steamed toward the three.
small tue-boat loaded with troops followed while
the jamestown lay of about mile distant: =,
9o'clock-The Rebel tug-5oni has made fast to the
largest bfig, and is towing her Oft.
lhe Yorktown is still III tie bend above Hampton
| The Naugatuck has moved up, and Is apparently
getting within nnge OF the Yorktown. There Is no
other move on the part Of our fleet. Our inac'ion
seems unIeconn'able, except upon the supPo-l'ioh
that the desire s TO get the Rebels further down.
Still, the sight is painful one these vessels
carried oil without attempt at resistance.
u o'cioek-Tbe Rebels have accomplished the
capture Of three vessels, the Yorktown towing oil
two of them and the tug taking hold Of the third.
Not shot was fred on either ride. The Merrimsc
maintains her position, aboat half way between
Sewalis and Pig Points. One OF the French war
steamers is coming down to the lower roads. She
has 4 wsier-schooner IN tow, which was alongside
her when the MerrimRc appeared.
One OF our RnnbOste went up along shore toward
Hampton but TOO late to prevent the capture OF the
three vessels, ii that was the purpose. The York
town aud tug towed the prizes well up toward Nor.
folk, when snail tugs came ou1 and took charge of
them. Upon one Of the bIigs they boisteo The
American dag al half mast. The sight way not Il
pleasant one.
10. ociock.-There is no change in the position of
aairs. The Rebel 8eet lies in line of battr, stretch
ing ircn Sewsll Point up toward Pig Point. The
Meriimac Is black wiki men who cluster on the
thrOnged with men. In oil, the Rebels show twelve
craft, ell, except the Mer1mac, Yorktown and
Jamestown, beng II significant tugboats.
! The Jamestown j. armed, with an iron PROV,
which eau bC seen IrOlrudng about siX feet beyond
tho " a;er hne Of her bow. The position is simply
one OF defiance both sides. Tie Rebels are chal-
lenging up to their held Of battle, and we
are oaIiDR them to come Gown. The French ~ d
Enghsn vessels eth lie mp beyond the Rebels. the
French vesses no, more than mile from the NeIrl-
mac, and the Englishman further up. Not shot
he's been fired Oh either side
/ II o'ol0ck n.-No fight yet. Tie Merrimac ocoa-
siongly shiits her position, but does not como fu
:ter out. The Yorktown aud some Of the smaller
tugs have gone up 10 Norfolk
20'ci0ck.-The posiion of af.rs bar not changed,
and there teems TO be little probability OF any fight
to-day. The MerFiuac end all the Rebel fleet keep
their position, and 60 does our feet. II IL possble
that the Rebels may come down with the food tide
in sn hour or two hence but 1t Looks a. If both PR
ties hesits'ed 10 assume the Offensive.
WHAT Is SAID ASD THOUGHT.
The events Of this morliug aie much commented
on and have canseo considerable feeling of irritation
and some bumlii,tiOn. Beyond the capture Of three
transports, the G.mousra'ion OF the Retel feet hnf
been little more han reconnaissance; II cannot te
concluded, bow ever, that tie Rebels have had the
beet OF the affair. The capture of the three przes
was n bold affair." and We eau well imagine the
" "lurrah = with which tleir arrival at Norfolk was
greeted Whether tAey might not have been saved
sud The Rebels have been made 10 suffer for their
ieme1ty, IL point upon which shall not venture n
deciced opinion
Thor 10 icn was close in beach, abou. half way
be, weel Hampton and Newport New,, and frvui
four 20 i've mile distant from the position Of TIE
MeliIa2e. s igL. di snght ganboai or two, sert up
ia time, t.i IL have saved them. The Naugninck
started. but little TOO late 10 be Of any efecludl
service.
Of coarse the Naval authorities are acting upon
some concerted ian and uLdsr definite ord,rs, the
CARRYING ont Of which il oonridered Of more irl-
Iortance tLsu tie saving OF two three ,nall wee
.es. The capture elected almost under the
bOws OF the French and English cruisers, and We
may be sure thai our national presugc was not H.
cre'.sod il their eyez by what they saw.
An EXCHANGE or SHOTS.
A. oclock .. m.-For some hous the Merrimac
/ had continued moving aboul, 70 eiimes advancing
toward lie Monitor il challenging her 10 combat,
and then ogail f.lliag back. About IN bour ,inoe
,he moved over IL The direction of Hampton, and
4 fied shot toward the eauboai = lri, lying IN
tie bend near u. mpton, AID iu.. .iles ois'ant.
The .lot fell ~ oast mile ite Ociorarsi
IN rnedA ely replied but her ilo also fell short
.lough vell in Inc. The Nereatu"A then took pant
sud dischn gcd Der rit0d gun, making spleldil
shot tui the bal ie beyond the Merriuae full half
Is mile.
! Tie Saugatuck then fred at the Rebel yanboats
Yorktown and jamestown, Which were lying be-
yoDd tie Merimac. ihe pructiceeSas excellent hnd
her guns showed extraordinary length OF range.
Tlruinq her attention from the heTimac hcr shJiH
weTo II directed ~ the Rebel guntoss. snd of pnr
which were fred, AL appeared 10 ftnke near The
object siuled al.
Tho Kenel yessels fell slowly back and fii' z
soou ceased the pbciicc aid rrowess Of The Naus.-
iucks rifled gun excited great admiration, sDd u
brought into ylay this morning, would probably
have prevented the Rebels from capturing any
prizes. As clOfe at ?. ~, tie hrinS hss ceased,
anu the heuuac spleafe1 10 be returning to
Crsney lsand.
We l)ok for warm work tomorrow.
- O'clock.-Au the Rebel fee. are moving Oh
toward Norfolk.
SATURDAYS PROCEEDINGS.