Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-22
From Fortress rronroe-Ths Traitor steamboat


| Fortress Monroe letter. dated Nav 9Th. saws
Inns morning at half past o'clock small steamer
was deserted approaching Newports News from tn
rebel side of james river She was quite small craft
with dense column of blacs smoke curling out of her
pipe, and her hurried manner confirmed the belief tina,
she was making her escape from rebeIdom Upon a
telescope observation flag discovered On board
except small one the lore ballard white flag with
rec border lnthe centre of which the name of the
boat, 81. B. White" The troops in garrison at New
ports News viewed the fugitive steamboat with great
curiosity, and, SIZE reached the wharf the troops
crowded it in order to learn the late news from Sece
sia After the little stray craft had mooed alongside
OF the wharf, Capt. Christian, son Of the Provost
Marshal went on board the boat and took pos
session OF 1t IN the Of the e. States. The boat
had crew of three men, viz captain, engineer and
deck hand also two passengers. She left Norfolk
nall past i've this morning the petence to go to Tan
ners Greek to tow schooner On board of which was
a gun, to the Navy Yard. The ruse worked well ;
hence the escape The passengers from Norfolk report
that Sewes Point has been abandoned by the rebels,
they taking away with them all the ammunition except
ten charges for each gun. Craney Island has been
partly abandoned of the guns have been sent to
Richmond and all the powder, with the exception of tel
POUNDS 10 each gun. Norfolk is being evacuated. A
great many citzans remain seadasty refusing to sh2rt
the positive DIT structi0D OF the rebel horde.
Captain Lee Confederate States Navy, is 10 com
mand there, and says he will not leave one brick upon
another. The Merrmac will be left for the defence o.
her and the fortunes of appear to turn against her.
she IS to be blown up to prevent her falling into our
hands
The Provost Marshall of Norfolk issued an order
yesterday to the effect that all the cotton tobacco sp
Es OF turpentne and oil in the district be removed
thererom by FIVE O'Clock to-day and return be made
TO the departmental cOmGi3ader that tTansp0ratO
may be secured The articles enumerated above not dis
posed OF directed will be couscated, and parties who
have concealed them connVe at the coneealment
conveyance to any secret pac9 of deposit to have
neen arrested and severely punished.
Commodore latnal has not resi- gned the command OF
tie Merrlmac. The of his resignation from
the fact that he ordered to report at Yorktown
the military commander, to which he interposed posi-
tive objections. He reptile TO the rebel recretary
Vars order that he would start fer YORKTOWN, running
the blockade, but would report to no one be would
go and act on his own hook"
At bafpast seven o'clock this morning. the iron bat
terry Galena, and the glnboats Aroosto0k and Port
Royal weighed anchor, and under direct orders from
President Lincoln, who is still here proceeded up the
James river The vessels sailed in the order in which
| they named Tie movement was unexpected to
people here although it ought to have been made one
week ago. bat the 8told Indifference of the chief naval
commander has given everybody the impression thai
little might be expected from the North Atlantic squad
ron while it is under it's present chief The arrival
President Lincoln here is most opportune. Notwith
standing his ineXperence in naval matters be at once
saw the necessity OF little action among the i'm
f6et that has been rOtng in these waters for
months past.
At quarter past ten o'clock, A VI =. heavy cannon
aiding was heard from the direction of the James river
Probably the Gaena and her consorts may be attack
ing a large rebel work near DAVIS Point twenty rnie
from Newp0rts News.
The rebels at Sewois Point have been destroying
powder for several hours during this forenoon The,
also burst large number of to prevent then
falling into our hands.