Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-05-13
FROM FORT MONROE.
TImag norrasnondannn. .

MI
I1me8 correspondence:
At four O'Clock this forenoon a bright light was
observed from Fort Monroe in the direction Of Ora
nsy Island Precisely at hali-past four an explosion
took place which made the earth and water trsmbs
for miles around. In the midst Of the bright fame
which shot up In the distance the timbsrs and iron
Of steamer could be flying through the air. No
doubt was entertained that the Merrmao had ceased
to exist.
Flag 0fiosr Goldsboro on receiving this report or
dered two armed naval tugs-the ZouaYe and Dragon
Ito proceed toward Craney Island on q reconnois-
ance, and ascertain the truth Of the rumor lmme
diateiy after they had turned the point the Monitor
and B. A. Stevens steamed up In the same direction,
followed BY the San JaointO, SusquehannR, Mount
Vernon, Seminole and Dacotah.
IN the meantime the two tugs were seen CON-
ing on towards the Fort at full speed, and when
nearing tne Enart the radiant countsnanee of
Capt Case of the Minnesota gave evidence that
the news they brought was Of q most gratifying
character. The report was true. All the earth
works at Craney Island appeared to be abandon
sd though the rebel flag was still flying. Lieut.
Eldridge, from the Dragon, landed with an arm
ed crew, took down the rebel nag and substitut-
ed the stars and stripes amid hearty cheering by
the crew. Capt, Case Immediately reported the
fact to the President and Secretary of War, who
received the confirmation of the picket boats with
great satisfaction At the request of the PFesi-
dent Capt Case Immediately proceeded 10 CFa-
ney Island TO ascertain If the works were eYaoua-
ted; in company with tha feet which was then
advancing. ~
As we 1eared Craney Island, we found this
lulutub6 HQTlFeG3 apparently ABANDONED. though
three rebel flags were heating from very tall
statts in different parts of the works.
Capt Case was the first loyal man that pressed
his foot on the soil Of this reasonable strong
breeze. s j 7aa.I. 1f
The forts on the Island are in four or five sep
crate sections. They are constructed with the
best engineering skill, and most admirable work
The forts were left In excellent condition, as
were also the extensive barracks, which had &C
commodated during the winter garrison of over
2eO0 men. Forty heavy guns were mounted IN
different parts On the main part of the Island
the works commanded the approaches to the chan
mel of the river. f
The whole number Of guns mounted were SO, of
Whlcn TWO were Parrots and number Of Tifled
Dalghrens. There were about six guns in the
works which had not been mo1nted After
spending an hour on the Island we proceeded to
Norfolk. From men found on the Island we as
certained that the NerTimsc had laid during Sat
urday ct point nearly a mile below the head Of
the Island. During the night she had been
| brought back and run ashore. Her entire ON
GERS and crew were landed on the Island and q
slow match applied 70 her magazine She was
/ torn to fragments byt time the crew were out
Of reach.
Negroes state that the officers and crew psssed
/ through the adjoining country and the mainland
about O'Clock in the morning, to the number Of
| 800 They said they were on their way to 5uf-
folk on the line Of the river leading from Crany
/ Island to Norfolk. There are not less than six
an of which are still in position. The amount Of
l poWder found in the magazines is estimated a.
l 200 barrels, and the hxed ammunition can only
/ be estimated by the cargo
| we landed at the wharf and took stroll
( ehFouRh Norfolk Itbeing Sunday, Of course all
nIaces Of pusiness were closed and the city pre-
sfented a most quiet appearance. The WharVe5
/ were crowded with blacks, male and female, and
/ q qoodly number of white working people VIII
/ their wives and children, were strouing so29t'
i Soldiers were stationed on the WharVes anq PICK
eted through the city, while the nag OF the Union
/ doated triumphantly from the Custom HOUSE,
/ The houses through the city were geqeIaily
closed especially those of the Wealtnler olssses.
/ The seoessionists talked boldly Of the soutnern
Confederaoy declaring their intention 70 receive
Il nothing but Confederate money, ana saying L1ey
/ would heve nothing to do with the Lincoln snin-
plasferg They were fully confident that IN
\ twenty days Norfolk would be reposseo anatne
/ Yankees driven out -.-- 7..,.,--
sbont an hour In front Of the city, and tnen
| Stesraed hack 10 the Fortress. Secretary Chass
/ refnrned with him, while Secretary stanton Re
| NAMED till e late hour in consultation with tn'
| Military Governors, Gems. Yiele and WOOL. -
True 10 the spirit Of secession, the hre es antlc
| mated % Saturday, and which threw broad rec
| 5Iare across the heavens on Saturday night pro
/ eseded from the destruction ofthe Navy j ara :
| n VA done by order Of the rebel commandAnt
Scarcely anything was left but black walls ant
Even the immense DRY Dock was ruined snC
| damaqed; II Is said the engines and pump oe
| LONGING 10 it WasremoTed 70 Riehmond-