The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-05-17
WAR NEWS.

l.
On Friday the 9th instant an expedition
was fitted out at Fortress Monroe, of 5000
men under command of Major General
Wool for the capture of Norfolk. This
expedition was supervised by President
Lincoln as commander in chief of the army
and navy Of the \. 5. assisted by Secretary
! Stanton.
The troops left during The night, and at
daylight could be seen from the wharf land,
ing at Willonghby Point, Il short distance
from the Rip taps.
The first regiment landed was the TWEEN
ticth New York, known as Max Webbers
Regiment, who pushed on Immediately.
under command of General Weber, and
were at d clock in the morning pickcted
within five miles of Norfolk
The first Delaware, Colonel Andrews
pushed forward at . clock accompanied
by General Mansfield and General Viclc
and staff.
Cen Wool and staff remained to super
intend the landing of the balance of the
force, all of whom were landed and off
before noon.
AT Tanners creek n small picket was
stationed, with howitzer, and slight
skirmsh took place without any damage
on either side. The Rebels fled in great
haste across the bridge, which they dcs-
troyed.
Fires were burning all around the country,
principally the destruction of Ks and
camps, and the fire in Portsmouth was
understood to be the Navy Yard. Explosions
of powder could also be heard, supposed to
be the blowing up of magazines.
| AT Eve o clock in the afternoon our forces
were within a shert distance Of Norfolk,
and werc met by delegation of citizens
| and tha ,ity w,c ,,,r,.nJ.,nJ
General Wool says in his official dispatch
that the taking of Norfolk caused the des-
truction of the Merrimac, which was blown
up by the Rebels about five clock on the
morning of the 18th of May He says:
! On the It'll visited the Navy Yard. and
| found all the workshops, storehouses. and
other buildings i'll ruins, having been set on
fire by the Rebels, who at the same time
partially blew up the dry dock.
| also visited Granny Island, where found
thirty-nne guns of large calbre. NEST of
which were spiked Also large number
of shot and Shells with about 5000 pounds
of powder, all Of which with the buildings,
were in good order as far us | have been
able to ascertain. We have taken about
two hundred cannon, including those at
Sewell's Point batteries, with IL large num-
Der of shot and Shells as well as many other
and Crarey Island, Sewcll's Point and other
| places.
A division Of General Halleck's army
under General Pope was attacked on Friday
last by the enemy near Pennington. The
affair is thus related by General Pope in his
official despatch to General Halleck
The enemy, twenty thousand strong, drove
in our pickets beyond Pennington and
advanced against the brigade occupying the
further side of the creek in front of my
camp. The brigage held on for five hours,
until finding them heavily pressed in front
and on the flank, and that I could not sus.
tain them without passing the creek with
my whole force, which was contrary to your
cral engagement, withdrew to this side in
| order.
The conduct Of our troops was excellent
and the Withdrawal made by them very
reluctantly. The enemy made demonstra.
ton to cross, but abandoned the movement.
F, Our loss was considerable though | cannot
yet tell how great; the elreray being much
exposed suffered very severely. One of his
batteries being completely disabled, and his
infantry line driven back several times
My command are eager for an advance.
The following are the particulars Of the
brilliant naval victory, near Fort Wright on
the Mississippi on the 10th instant.
Early on Saturday morning eight Rebel
gunboats came around the point above the
| fort, and boldly advanced toward our Aotila.
The Cincinnati, which was stationed at the
point where the Rebels came up on Friday,
did not attract their attention until the feet
had passed above her, but as soon as she
was seen a simultaneous attack of the whole
| fleet Of gunboats was made upon her, but
with little effect, as the enemy guns were
| poorly aimed.
| The Cincinnati meantime had hauled into
the stream where an iron clad ram, supposed
| to be the Mallory. advanced in the face of
continued broadsides from the sormer until
within forty yards. Being the faster sailer
the Rebel boat succeeded in running
between the Cincinnati and the right bank,
| when men appeared upon her decks prepar-
ing to board the Cincinnati, with grapnels
thrown out, which design was frustrated by
throwing hot water from the steam. batteries
of the Cincinnati.
In the meantime the rest of our gunboats
had arrived at the scene Of the action and
engaged the Rebel feet.
The Mallory, undaunted by the failure of
her attempts to board the Cincinnati, crow
ded on full head of seam, and came
towards the Cincinnati, evidently intending
to run her down. Captain Stcmblc, who
was in command, waited until the Rebel
monster was within twenty yards, when he
fired broadside into her from his parrot
guns, which did fearful execution. The
two boats were so close together by this
tfme that it was impossible for the gunners
of the Cincinnati to swab out their guns,
and it was only by bringing the stern bat
teries to bear on her again that the Mallory
was compelled to haul OF. Captain Stemble
shot her pilot with his revolver, and was
himself wounded by apistol shot fired by the
Pilots Mate of the Mallory.
While this fierce engagement between the
Mallory and the Cincinnati was in progress
our shots from our other vessels had eXplo-
ded the boiler on one of the Rebel gunboats
and set fire to another, burning her to the
waters edge.
| The air at the time was very heavy, and
under cover of tn; dense smoke which hung
over the river the Rebel fleet retired, but
was pursued until they gained shelter under
the guns of Fort Wright. When the smoke
cleared away Lroadsidc from the flag ship
Benton was sent after the Mallory and
shortly after she was seen to carecn and
Ucnt doHn uhh all on board.
None of our boats were injured except
the Cincinnati and the damage to her is so