New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-05-28
FEom FORTRESS MONROE.
The CAPTURE OF sni;tbGeld.

DyPtnrxyNT OF VIRGINIA, I
FoRrRYss MoSRoE, Msy 49, 1852.
Returning from Norfolk, your correspondent de-
cided upon visit TO the James River batteries, and
stopping at Newport News, learned that our nag
vas ayng also at Smithfeld. He continued on,
therefore, and passed some hours in that town, and
there learned tie manner in which it was taken.
Tie enemy having retired from Norfolk General
Mansfield sent his Aid-de.Camp, Drake DE Kay, 10
reconnoer the various riyers and creeks setting IN
from the James River.
Cart. De Kay started with & sai-lboat and eight
men. and examined the Nanfemond River and
Chuckatuck Creek, and then proceeded TO Smith
Geld Creek. This being narFoN and tonuous, Win
high banks, he boosted the Rebel ing aud nan W
some five miles to the town OF Smithheid. This
town il situated on "A hill stretching back from The
river. contains come 300 inhabitants, is very pref
lily laid out, hes several handsome churches and
line old iamily" homes!eads.
Tie people ore al ranl; Secesh-hnrdy man
woman, or child to be seen in the streets who dee;
not sneak 10 u.s. as tleir mastera had forbidden y
and beaten them severely for doing 70. The whole
negro population would run away we've II not that
every boat has been broken up.
T6on arriving Al tie town the Rebel Gag was
rulled down on board the sailboat, and the United
States Ensign run mp, 20 tie horror OF ~ oitiLens
| who had come down TO congratulate the lGs they
suprosed) escaped Rebel boat. Capt. DE Nay pro
ceeded on shore with his body-guard, sent for the
MAYOR aud authorities. who called meeting of the
citizens. At this meeting resolution was read, set
ting forth that the citizens would surrender as the
conquered TO the oonquerors aud that they were and
always would remain true and loyal citizens oil the
Confederate States of America
! Tlerenpon Capt De Kay seized and imprisoned
the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commitiee-no resistance
being made by their ieowctizens, from the fear OF
q supposed gunboat outside the bar OF the creek
The authorities, left TO Themselves, and wisely re-
moved from oil excitement, began now 10 zee the
error II their ways. Visions Of Fortress Monroe dun.
reors in the foreground and handsomely constructed
| gallows. with patent drops, In tie background,
worked upon their imaginaons, 30 that one by one,
and stouly coniestng point after point, tLey came
down n last 10 Capt De kays simple propositions,
which were:
!. TO surrender The town and all public property
! N The United States forces Internationally.
| p To hoist the American flag officially over the
| Town Hail and protect II there.
3. 10 each and all take the cath Of allegiance to
/ the United States Of America.
10 this they came at last, and after The oIh the
MAYOR Ia bitter Seceshl nailed up with DE own hhhu
the glorious stars and stripes.
Living opposite the town was ine schooner, Tho
DeaIiregard with a full cargo OF colt coal Tor W.
Mcrrimac A prize crew lone man was PM on ooaru
and some contIabnudF 10 work her. and she was gent
10 FOrreff MONfOf--the hEr PIiHS 'ehSU' '1A'" VI
| James River. ~,
Thus Smilhfeld was captured by oigh men. The
"suprosed gunboat in the Oilng never appeared
Alter passing few hours In this pretty town, W.
took to our OARS again, descended The creek ftoppns
nj the mouth at a very well-built 5gun battery
called "Todds Battery" The gum, which arc 0
friend Dahgren's make, were spiked, ara Dut lev
! cjuders remained Of their carriages The possi0I
wa admirable, raking the channel.
! Passing up Janes River, rounding Day roma
we landed at " Days Point Battery" and found th'
| 1ups spiked in the same manner.
Crossing over TO Mulberry leland, we examine
The eaIthworks thrown up by the Rebels IN Aprll u
prevent Gen. Keyes turning their night wing o,
crossing Washwich River. Thence to the Dee
Creek battery, Young's MILF, which our forces oc
cuuied at the same time. We then descended TN
james stopping at the only house left upon the ryer
II il handsome villa, owned by Capt Smith, borI
in Massachusetts, but having sailed out OF Richmon'
for long time bad friends Influential enough to pre-
vent lie being moved away by the tyTannici'
Magruder, the terror Of the Peninsula poor whites
Leaving here we soon reached Newport News
gazed upon the melancholy wreck Of the old Soh
grcss and secured momento from the rigging oil tl
| Immortal Cumberland, whose tapering masts ris'
from the water with yards aud ropes aflant and iru
as when fhe gloriously sank. We passed the nigh
at the hospi.able News" and reached to-day F"
noon Old Point Comfort. Ne