, 1862-05-17
Entering NorfoIk--.Feel1aE and Con-
Guct Of the People"--SaIe Of Free
Negroes Postponed.


Correspondence Of the y. T. Tr1bune1
NoRFoZK, May II, 1864.
This Southern city and its ncighbor, Ports
mouth, are now centres Of interest, and the
scenes witnessed on every side are novel and
Striking Passing up the street, found the
stiffness OF the Sabbath untroken, as the SOL
di'ls, IN little squads, walked quietly here
there, and the su1l.n men aud women at street
corners OF behind the blinds of their houses,
loukt d curiously and Indignantly at the VIC
fers, but we're too much coWed down to make
airy hostile demonstration. Suddenly the
s;liIness was brokan by the roar OF can
ron not far of, and then a few min
utts. after by an explosion whole con-
eusslon shook the Garth and sea. The
Merrlmac! was Instantly the name on every
liz, and nore fearful gloom quickly settled
on tht brow If every rebel Of Norfolk. The
The fire which the rebels had kindled in the
ship had reached first the loaded guns and ex-
p1odtd them, and then the magazine Of the
worlu-noted tyrunt of Hampton Roads, and
she wss no more: Soon deserters from her
crew arrived, and confirmed the glad intelli-
gelce of the destruction Of this Philistine Co.
llath, who had committed suicide in despair
Of successful encounter with our champion,
the David Of our Israel, the little Monitor
The news was received with very
mingled feelings by our troops; they rejoiced
tlat the Merrimac was destroyed; they re-
qEished by her plucky antagonist, the little
Monitor. No other vessel VIII ever be built
On the same model, for Sue drew too much
wafer, and was too pnwie1dy for sea or river
stryice, and vas at best but q floating battery
for harbor defense. Mayor Lamb Of
lot injured In her contest With the Monitor
gave that her Prov having been bent by the
Cumberland's guns, was yet further displaced
By shot from the Monitor, which caused her
tY leak badly, and neceEsitated her return to
Norfolk.
Reaching The ferry, I crossed to Ports
mouth, finding thc Elizabeth River positively
yellow with tobacco and covered with black
scum 1Iom burning rebel steamers aud guu-
bouts, and the ruined navy yard. These were
al frtd by the rebels, and were still burning
or half concealed by w1eatles Of dense black
smoke. Q! what contrast Portsmouth pre-
scn1ed to Norfolk! The burning of the
mouth, had filled full the cup Of indignation
against their traltorous tyrants. Our troops
"ere welcomed as delirerers. Women, and
even mer, tlTnrged about the advancing col
unn Of the 10th regiment the evening before,
and insisted on kissing the old flag weep
woman NIT, and half the men, bowed aud
smiled, gladly saying, "you are welcome"
cannot describe The ruined Navy Yard ade-
Quately- Tie scene is too sorroTful Fifty
large mechanic shops and warehouses are
smoking ruins: b1acIened hulks Of steamers
or eunboats lie on every side; huge piles of
coal are still burning. Thc houses Of officers
alone are saved, and these By the efforts Of
citizens, not by the spariug mercy Of the reb-
els. What follJ, as well as sin. By that coz
flograsion, a fatal blow is dealt at Virginia
and that ty the hands OF her professed SPECIAL
fiiende. This rebellion is making itself infa-
nous, even at the South, BY its wanton incen-
diary fires. The Navy Yard dry dock get re-
n:ii!s :,ut ftt': injured, only the front etoues
being 1oo=cned and the gates burned. Tie
attempt to blow it up proved q iailure.
We are just in time to prevent another
crime Of slavery. The NvrI0lk Day Book of
Saturday, now in my bands. has the following
ads ci alnenent in its co1ums:
SALE oE FREE BLACKS FOR CITY TAXES.
''C1TT Co1LEcToH's OFFICE
NORFOLK, MayG, 1852.
"Fr1er the provisions of an ordinance direct
ing the sale Of al free blacks who fail to pay their
city tA1ee, ! shall, before the door Of the City
lla on Mondfy May T.. at Il o'clock NJ. SELL the
fclo" Ing named persons for the term specified By
sa:d ordinance"
Here follow the names OF one hundred and
tEctse males, and taoo hundred and -FOUR fcJaa!s
was at the place at the given time but found
no opportunity TO buy slave, had desired
60 atrocious crime. God be praised; elare'
r. is doomed! None welcome SO loudly, nonC
20 e?aaly, our soldiers, as the slaves Of these
two cities. Whether others be Union1sts o1
not, they surely are.