The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-18
The Merrimac Out.
She Captures Several Vessels.
THEIR CREWS TAKEN PRI-
SONERS.


ticipated.
She had been seen three days ago under
steam at Craney Island, and as the evening
of yesterday promised that the storm had
exhausted itself, few were surprised this
morning at the announcement that she was
in sight coming down.
The alarm gun was fred at twenty min.
utes past seven o'clock, and as soon as the
appearance of the Merrimac was generally
known the ramparts, dock, and beach of the
Fortress and other points commanding a
view, were crowded with spectators.
The Merrimac, after showing herself be.
yond Sewall's Point, appeared to be head
ing this way.
She did not long continue on this course,
however, but turned towards James river,
followed by six other gunboats which had
come round the point in her company.
Of the latter, the jamestown and York
town were recognized. The others were
supposed to be the Raleigh and Treasurer.
Arriving at point midway between
Sewall's Point and Newport News Point,
near the place where the French war yes.
sells Gasnett and Catinet, and the English
steamer Rinaldo had placed themselves early
in the morning, the whole feet came to a
stop, while the jamestown followed at some
distance by the Yorktown, and small tug
continued on her course.
The intention of the jamestown was not
at first perceived. AS she came around,
leaving Newport News on the left, it was
seen her object was to capture two briggs
and schooner which were anchored near
the shore, about two miles from the Point.
This was done without the slightest diff
Guilty, and the assistance of the small tug
being rendered, the three prizes were taken
of uLder the rebel flag.
The whole affair was concluded in less
than half an hour, and the jamestown hav.
ing rejoined the feet, was ordered to tow
the prizes to Craney Island.
Taking one brig in tow astern, and one
on each side, she moved slowly.
Slightly alarmed at this bold dash, quite
q number of vessels in the upper harbor
availed themselves ola favorable wind and
sailed up to this place. At this time the
rebel feet has remained in the position in
which they first placed themselves, and moths
ing more has been done.
The tide is now out, and probably no
new movement will be made for some
hours.
II the Merrimac should then see fit to
pay US visit, she will be appropriately
welcomed.
The names of two briggs captured are the
Sabao, of Providence, Rhode Island, and
the Marcus, of Stockton.
The former was loaded with hay on
private account, and the latter was chartered
by the government but had been unloaded
The captains of the two briggs escaped
ashore in boat with four OF the crew of the
Marcus. Two men were left on board the
Marcus and six on board the Sabao.
They made no efforts to lower boat to
escape, and they were all taken prisoners,
together with the crew of the schooner.
1t is said the captured vessels were Or
dered last night to move down the harbor
for safety.
The schooner Harmony, used as water
boat by Mr.. Noyes, government contractor
for supplying water to the feet, happened
to be alongside of the French men-of> war
when the Merrimac made her appearance,
and was taken under the protection of the
French flag, thus escaping capture.
Mr.. Noyes has previously lost by cap~
ture two schooners employed as water boats
by him.
The jamestown returned from Craney
Island at three O'Clock.
Not a shot was fired until four o'clock,
when the Merrimac fred three shots in the
direction OF Hampton Greek.
The Naugatuck and Octorora, which
had been stationed in that vicinity, replied
with a number of shots, all of which fell
near the rebel feet.
The whole rebel feet, led by the Merri-
mac, then returned to the Elizabeth River
The name of the schooner captured is the
Emily. She was from Washington with
suffers stores.
A passenger steamboat, filled with spec.
tators, came out OF Elizabeth River this
M. A number of small boats coald be
seen through the day of SewalI's Point.
FORTRESS MONROE, April 13.-The Mer-
rimac remained in the same position all day
yesterday, until evening, when together
with the rest of the rebel fleet, she returned
to Norfolk. She is generally supposed to
have been aground. None Of the rebel feet
have shown themselves today.
Several captains of vessels in port testify
in relation to the three vessels captured by
the rebel steamer jamestown, that they
were ordered to move either outside of For.
tress Monroe or inside of Hampton bar.
As the position of the vessels in question
was inside the bar, the blame, if any, on &C.
count of their capture should rest upon the
Harbor Master rather than on the captured
vessels.
Mr.. Quigg, correspondent of the New
York World, was arrested here this morn
ing on charge of having prepared matter
for publication of cortraband character.
A Norfolk paper has bern received here
containing dispatch from Beauregard in
relation to the second days fighting at
Pittsburg Landing. He claims complete
victory. He says that after capturing 36