American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-05-09

The VIRGrsIA AND THR MosrroR,-
The New York Herald pitches into the
Secretary Of the Gorilla Navy with re-
doubled ardor. It says:
The public are very justly Indignant a,
the conduct Of our navy in Hampton
Roads on FRIDAY last The rebel fleet.
headed by the Merrinac. came down TO
Craney Island. and one of the rebel gun
boats very coolly captured three Union
vessels. The Monitor. the Stevens Bat
terry, the Octarora and the other Union
vessels of war took no apparent notice
of this proceeding
e Not one of the vessels there even
moved towards the MeFrimac. From all
appearances the REBEL fleet might have
captured every vessel il the Roads with
Eout resistance. so long as the Merrimac
kept her position of Craney Island.
! Among the spectators to this national
disgrace were representatives from the
French and English navies. They must
have formed a very high opinion Of our
navy from this sample.
Exceling The rebel fleet in the mum
J Der and efficiency of our vessels. we vet
waited for an attack. and submitted even
/ TO The capture of the unarmed vessels We
were there TO defend. rather than make
the first assault W As it want of force
that caused this remarkable inactiOn ,
Look at our ships in. Hsmaton Roads.
and from the Minnesota We challenge the
world TO show US finer war vessels.
j Was it cowarlice. then? Look at
our brave sailors. and remember what
they have done for the Union. and COW
= ardice seems impossible. No. it was
red tape that anchored our gallant ships
and kept them from attacking the enemy.
Et was red tape which tied the hands Of
cur brave sailors and restrained them
/ from victory. The wretchrd imheciiity
( of the management of the Navy Depart
ment has paralYzed the best sailors and
the best navy 10 The world.
Nor does the criminaliiv Of the Navy
/ Department end here. Ii Is not only
responsible for the ccntinued and threat
ening appearance of the Merrimac. but
also for the very existence Of that vessel
Five months ago Norfolk could have beer
taken. and again and again General
1 Wool has asked permission to capture 1t.
4 but has been refused. During that time
the Merrimac has been prepared. and
now it takes vast preparation to destroy
her and save the Union feet. when long
ago she could have been seized at her
dock by the Union forces. More than
this, the Navy Department Is responsible
Z Il 4 l.. 4
TO capture Yorktown and Norfolk. since
the intention of The rebels TO fortify and
defend these places even at the cost ol
4 The evaculting of Manassas was an'icjpa
ted by Gen. Wool and could have been
prevented had the department allowed IL
But space fails Us to enumera'e hall
the plumbers and foolish mistakes Of the
ZION with this Merrimac business. Il
turns out that TIE splendid preparations
made to sink her, Of which the depart
ment has given US such solemn assurance
f consists of an invitation for her 20 core
!, out and place herself in such position
that ball from Fortress Monroe may
destroy her.
Until the rebels accept this invitation
f of course. the Navy Department can d.
+ nothing. and the Merrimac and her con
sorts may capture as many schooners as
they like, and keep our whole fleet AID
army at bay. If, in the meantime. the
rebels would only send a gunboat or two
up the Potomac. and throw a large shell
directly into the sleeping apartment of the
venerable head Of the Navy Department
we will forgive them all the other da MA &c
they may do US in year.
Sung of the Sentinel.