Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-05-16
wool sale at auction viii close the Fair on
Friday afternoon. .
P,ai.lI.r i lLs EIg.ins > ] h. Esdn..

o'clock this morning brilliant light was
observed from Fortress Monroe in the di-
reetion of Craney Island. Precisely at |
half past four an explosion took place, |
which made the earth and water tremble |
for miles around, In the midst of the |
bright fame which shot up in the distance
the timber and iron of steamer could be
seen flying through the air, No doubt t
was entertained that the Merrimac had
ceased to exist Flag officer Goldsboro,
on receiving this report, ordered two arm
ed naval tugs, the ZoaaFe and Dragon, tel
proceed toward Craney Island on recon
noissance and ascertain the truth of the
ruInor. Immediately after they had turn
ed the Point, the Monitor and F. A Ste
vens stood up in the same direction, fol-
lowed by the San Jacinto, Susquehannah,
Mt. Vernon, Seminole and also the Daco-
| tab.
In tho meantime the tugboats were
seen coming towards the fort at full speed
and when nearing the wharf, the radiant
/ countenance Of Capt, Casei of the Minne-
sofa, gave assurance that the news they
brought was Of the most gratifying char
acter. The report was true, and all the
earth works at Craney Island appeared to
be abandoned, though the rebel flag was
still flying.
Lieut., Eldridge, from the Dragon, land
ed with an armed crew, took down the re-
bel flag, and substituted the stars and the
stripes amid hearty cheers of the crew.
Capt. Case Immediately reported the
fact to the President and the Secretary of
War, who received the confirmation of
the picket boats with great satisfaction.
At the request Of the President Capt.
Case Immediately proceeded to Craney
Island, to ascertain if the works were
evacuated, in company with the feet,
which was then advancing. AS we near
ed Craney Island, we found this immense
fortress apparently abandoned, though
rebel flags were floating from very tall
stats in different parts of the works. Cap
tain Case was the first loyal man that
pressed his foot on the soil of this treas
enable stronghold, and the old flag was
soon given to the breeze. The forts on
the Island are in four or FIVE separate sec,
tons. They are constructed with the best
engineering skill and most admirable
workmanship.
Negroes state that the officers and crew
passed through the adjoining country on
the main land, about s o'clock in the NOR
ming, to the number of 200 They said
they were on the road to Suffolk 81 the
linq of the river as it led from Craney Is
land to Norfolk There are not less than
SIX heavy earthworlts, mounting in all SO
cannon, all of which are still in position.
; The amount of powder found in the mag
) azines, is estimated at about 5000 pounds
: and the fixed ammunition can only be
enumerated by the cargo. We landed at
the wharf, and took stroll through Nor
f folk. 1t being Sunday, Of course, all bus
: mess places were closed and the city
: presented most quiet appearance.
; The wharVes were crowded with blacks,
male and female and goodly number Of
white working people, with their wives
+ and children, were stationed on the wharf
and picketed through the city, while the
Gag Of the Union hoated triumphantly
from the cupola Of the Custom House.
The houses throughout the city were
generally closed, especially those of the
wealthicr classes. The scccssionists talk
boldly of the Southern Confederacy, de.
claring their intention Of receiving moth
ing but Confederate money, and saying
they would have nothing to do with the
Lincoln shinplaSters. They were fully
: confident that in twenty days Norfolk
: would be repossessed and the Yankees
driven out.
/ The President laid off of the city, and
: then steamed back to the Fortress. Sec
} retary Chase returned with him, while
, Secretary Stanton remained till Later
: hour, in consultation with the military
: Governors, Generals Fiele and " ood,
The forts were in excellent condition as
Z were also the extensive barracks which
! had accommodated during the winter q
, garrison of over 1000 men.
3 Forty heavy guns were mounted in diff
+ ferent parts Of the works. On the main
portion of the Island the works comman-
/, ded the approach to the channel of the
q river. The whole number of guns noun
: ted was 80, of which two were PARROTS
3 and number of rifed dahlgreens. There
r were six guns in the works which had mo-
e been mounted. After spending an boul
1 on the Island, we proceeded on to Nor
$ folk.
From men found on the Island we as
q certained that the McrIimac had laid dur
!, ing Saturday at point nearly mile be
Il low the head of the Island. During the
c night she had been brought back and ra1
ashore, and her entire officers and crew
;. were landed on the Island, and a slow
y match applied to her magazine. She wa
= torn to fragments by the time the crew
were oat of reach of her.