The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-05-17

s1he rebel souadron is Supposed 70 be under
'heeomn.n .lo Of H0 1h 9. 4 'f pavis,
Commanding Aisa. Flotilla, pro. tenn.
Z. specials . sGe new York Papers. 81
lTimei Dispatch. .a.1..
: FoRrsxss NoxRoB, Nay 1l.-At o'clock thss
morning bright light WAS observed from Fort
ress Monroe in the direction of Craney Island.
Precisely at half past four an explosion to9k
place which made the earth and water tremble
ior miles around. In the midst Of bright flame
which shot in the distance, the timbers and iron
Of steamer could be seen flying through the
air. No doubt Was entertained that the Merri-
mac had ceased to exist SIS. aea
Flag officer Goldsboro, on receiving the re
port. ordered two armed steam tuge, the Zouaye
and Drake, to proceed towards Craney Island
on 4 reconnaissance, and ascertain the truth OF
tie run,or. Immediately after they had turned
The point, the Motor, and the E. A. Stevens,
(Nangatuck), came up in the same direction,
followed by the San Jacinto, SusQuehanna, Mt
Vernon, Seminole, and other boats.
In the meantime the tug boats were seen com.
ing towards the Fortress at full speed and when
nearing the wharf the radiant ,countenance of
Capt. Case of the Minnesota gave assurance
that the news they brought was Of q most graft
flying Oh aracter. The report was true. All the
earthworks at Craney Island appeard 70 be aban-
doned, though the rebel flag was still fying.-
Lieut.. Eldridge from the Dragon landed with an
armed crew took down the rebel dag andsusti-
tuted the stars and stripes amid hearty cheering
by the crew. Capt Case Immediately reported
the fact to the President aud Secretary who
received the confirmation of the picket boats
with great satisfaction. At the request of the
President, Capt. Chase proceed to Craney Island
TO ascertainif the works we're evacuated.
In company with the fleet which was then ad.
yancing, as we learned, to Crsney Island, we
found this immense fortress apparently aban.
doned, though three rebel flags we're floating
| from different parts of the works m "A
Capt. Case was the FIRST loyal man that press.
ed his foot on the soil of this reasonable
strong hold, and the old flag was soon
given to the breeze. The forts on the
Island are in four or five separate
sections. They are constructed with the best
engineering skill and most admirable workman
dition, as were also the extensive barracks
which had accommodated a garrison of ovel
1000 men. .5.ig .I,-.I.-s8 j
Forty heavy guns were mounted in Different
parts Of the works on the main part of the Is
| land. The works commanded the approach t,
| the channelof the river. The whole number o
| guns mounted was 80, of which two were Par
rott and a number Of riaed Dahlgren. Their
were about guns in the works, which had no
been mounted.
After spending an hour on the Island we pro
ceeded toNorfolk.
From man found on the Island we ascertain
ed that the Merrimac landed during Saturday q
point nearly mile below the head Of the Isl
and but during the night she had been brough
back and run ashore. Her officers and crev
were landed on the Island and slow match ar
piled to her magazine, and she was torn int
fragments by the time her crew were out o
reach Of her. af> u
| Negroes state that the officers and crew pass
ed through the adjoining country on the mai
land, about o'clock in the morning; they nun
Der 200. They said they were on their way t
Suffolk -
On the left Of the river leading from Crane
Island to Norfolk, there are not less than 81
heavy earthworks, mounting in all 50 cannon
all of which are still in position.
The amount Of powder found in the magazin
is estimated at 5 900 pounds, and the fixed an
munition taken can only be enumerated BY th
cargo. ss.f.. .-...l 95.,.l9,y .I..l
We landed at the wharf and took stro
through Norfolk; 1t being Sunday, of course al
places Of business were closed, and the city Ore
sented most quiet aspect The wharves wer
crowded with blacks, male and female, and
goodly number of white working people will
their wives and children were stroiling abou,
Soldiers are stationed on the v harves and pick
eted through the city, while the flag of the Unio
aoated triumphantly from the cupols of tn
Custom House. The houses through the cit
we're generally closed, and especially those of tn
wealihiest Secessionists talked boldly of til
Southern Confederacy, and declaring their in
tention to receive nothing but Confederate NOR
ey and saying they would have nothing to d
with the Lincoln shinplasters They are full
confident that in twenty days Norfolk would b
recovered and the Yankees driven out
The President came of in the steamer Bait
more about an hour in front Of the city and the
steamed back to the Fortress. Secretary Ohas
returned with her while Secretary Stanton re
mained Until late hour in consultation with til
military government, Gems Veile and Wool
True to the spirit Of secessia, the fire as al
J ticipated, on Saturday, which threw abroad re
; glare across the heavens on Saturday night, pre-
ceeded from the destruction Of the navy yard
done by the order of the rebel commandant
scarcely anything being left but blackened wall
and even the dry dock was ruined