The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-05-30
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
PORTSMOUTH, NEAR NORFOLK !
May 10Th, 1862. }

Quite a lengthy periOdOf time has elapsed
since | have written to the readers oil the
Journal. and /, is with much pleasure that |
inform them Of the complete success OF our
expedition against the city of Norfolk. On
the afternoon of the 9th inst. our regiment
received orders to march to Fortress Monroe,
where we were to embark for our point OF
destination and here / will mention Incl.
dentally that the steamer Commodore was
lying at the wharf freighted with large
number Of Federal and Confederate soldiers
wounded in fight near Williamsburg
From one of the wounded learned an in
stance Of barbarism which fully exempliiies
the character OF confederate warfare.
The rebels hoisted white flag and ad.
yanced under its protection until they were
within (20O) two hundred yards Of our forces,
when they poured murderous vollcy into
our unsuspecting troops. This is fact, for
l had 1t directly from an eyewitness and a
sufferer by that event. My informant also
told me that 1t. Col. Farnham was bayonct-
ed and Drained as he lay wounded on the
field OF battle. Comment is needless, but the
listening soldiers received added motive for
hatred against such Goddess scoundrels.
We, that is, portion of the 10th, passed
the night aboard the Nelly Baker, OF Ma.
liant notoriety, and in the morning landed at
Ocean View, about ten miles irow Sewalrs
Point. Our whole force amounted to but
5000 men, including small body Of cavalry,
one company of mounted riaemen, and four
pieces of artillery, The troops were formed
in line, when Gen. Wool, entrusted with
command, landed and rode along our line
He made few remarks to us, in which he
told us that we should be killed il defeated,
as Virginia bore no love towards Massachu-
sets troops. We then took up our line OF
March for Norfolk. The day was quite hot,
and the cloud of dust pot in motion by so
many tramplins feet almost smothered us at
times. We were Obliged to travel some out
of our way, as the rebels had burned a bridge
in anticipation of our coming.
At the distance of mile and half FROM
Norfolk, We came across breast-work ex-
tending some two and halt miles from
stream TO stream, on which were mounted
between Is and 20 cannon, some Of them OF
very heavy calibre. We marched in and
planted the stars and stripes without opposi-
ton. IL was then about three o'clock, and
the whole command halted for rest and re-
freshment, while Gen. Wool pushed forward
with iag of truce to demand the surrender
of Norfolk. We had not much time to look
around US, for at FIVE our regiment 1.-THE l6th)
received orders to march into Norfolk.
noticed on our way that vegetation was
quite forward. peas being in blossom. As
we entered the city the sidewalks were lined
with ladies, who in many instances waved
handkerchiefs to US, which courtesy we re-
turned by military salute; negroes greeted
us with undisguised delight, and dressed dc
Lord dat we was come at last"
The rebels left the city at IL o'clock a.
NJ, and in their retreat fred the Gosport
navy yard. The right wing, which includes
our company. was at once transferred across
the river to protect the remaining property
FROM destruction. Your readers are undoubt.
edly aware that at the commencement OF the
war this yard was partially burned by our
forces; by this second visitation il is now but
a mass Of ruins.
As we steamed across the river towards the
scene of the conllagratiOn, the sight was at
once grand and awful. In front, the navy
yard buildings presented a complete SHEET of
FIRE. while tn the left the gunboats and ship
ping, also In flames, dotting here and there
the surface of the Elizabeth river, added to
the sublimity Of the scene.
We are now quartered in the yard. On
the morning of the llth inst. we were star
tied by tremendous explosion, the death
struggle of the Merrinac-the Northern
bugaboo."
The rebels threw overheard, in their rapid
retreat, large quantities of tobacco and oil,
which the Provost Guard are engaged in re-
covering. fshed up three boxes of tobac
CO, which | Immediately confscated, afraid
that IL waited for the passage of the conis-
cation bill my chance would not be fright
smart"
We have been well treated by the citizens
of Portsmouth and Norfolk, and have found
many strong Union men among them. A
MIR. Burt, belonging IN Bath, Me-, is agent
for the Norfolk Co. ferry, and l have found
u number of Maine men here.
Sewall's Point is ours, with 20 guns-none
spiked. Granny Island has ben evacuated,
and is guarded by Co. II OF the 10th.
The Monitor has gone up the James river,
and Richmond must soon cave in. Burn
side Is not far from here.
Tea here is only "a and IS per h.; coffee
IS cts; boots all the way from $40 to SIS
cotton and wool pants IS; and their letter
paper would be considered mean as wrapping
paper at the North. II is brown, with dirty.
black fibre running through it.
The doc is dead, and secession failure