, 1862-05-26
FROM FORTRESS MONROE AND
VICINITY.
4 RuSh Of Deserters from
the Rebel Army.
THE FEDERAL FLEET AT THE
OLD NAVY YARD,
Humbug Statements as to Unionism.

BALTIMORE, May 24-The following is taken
from the Baltimore Anaeriea.'s Fortress Mon
roc correspondence:
"There is but little change in the condition
Of atE1frs at Norfolk The Mayor and mem-
bers Of the City Council still refuse to take
the oath of allegiance. Gen. Wool had an in
tcrriew with them yesterday, but they con-
tinued in the sulks, SO that be now refuses all
intercourse with the people of Norfolk and
Portsmouth. Even the little business thev
lave been doing in the way of Strawberries
and peas is now stopped
"General Wool sent up proclamation to
Norfolk this morning, notifying the people
so soon as they would acknowledge the su-
premacy Of the Government, they will cpioy
its fostering aid; but while they remain in
their present rebellious mood; they will be cut
OIL from all advantages Of trade and COM
merce, and the city will be governed by strict
martial law. He assures them that no cor
tingcncy can possibly arise whereby Norfolk
will again be given up to the control Of the
rebel Government, and that those who enter
tain Union sentiments can give expression to
item with ample assurance of protection Of
al their rights as citizens Of the United States
Most Of the stores are now open, and the
sale Of such goods as they have is progregres-
sing. As far as can be ascertained, no one is
now willing to take Confederate notes at par,
Business is mostly done in small notes Of Vir-
GINA banks and other chartered corporations
United States Government notes are received
with great ayidity.
"The Union men e. of Norfolk still hold
back, a1fald to express sentiments openly in
defiance of the rebellious spirit around them.
"Qulte an enthusiastic Union meeting Was
held at Portsmouth on Thursday night. Not
less than 500 were present, Including many
Union men from Norfolk. The course OF the
Government in refusing to allow provisions to
come here Tor loyal people was severely
criticised, and the Propriety of such 4
course by no means approved. Tie scarcity
great, and prices so high, that the poorer
classes have to live almost entirely on fish and
oysters. The secessionists are nearly ali
wealthy people who can stand high prices,
and have laid in their stocks long since There
IS no doubt that the decisien Of Gen. Wool is
leading to great suffering among the poorer
classes. They have suffered beyond all en-
durancc for year,
1t is estimated that there are now In Norfolk
and Portsmouth not less than 1000 deserters
from the rebel force with which Gen. Huger
left Norfolk Those who have CONF in, and
arc still arriving in squads Of ten and twelve,
did not succeed in escaping until after they
reached Petersburg. They are in most de-
plorable condition A party who came in to-
day says there must be nearly 1000 more
scattered through the woods behind them.
All willingly take the oath of allegiance, and
AfFNN- AAAO1p Imply ~ 1AAfC NaEApEu 41pU LIE
rebel army.
The Minnesota #il1 proceed to Norfolk TO-
morrow morning, and the whole fleet will have
abandoned Old Point and taken up position
at the old naval station. The walls Of the
navy yard buildings ere in solid condition,
and can soon be put in order again. The ma
chincry was taken out Of the buildings before
they we're fired, and packed up WITH the in
tentlon OF being removed, but the prompt ac-
ton Of Gen. Wool prevented the removal.
Numerous wrecks sunk in the harbor and
river By the rebels are all to be removed forth
with, including the wrecked Merrimac. A
large number Of fuses and shells were obtain
ed from the latter yesterday
WASHINGTON, May 244-The conflict Of an
thority between the civil and military author
tiles OF the District in respect to fugitive
slaves, at present stands thus: All those who
were arrested By either side are now not % released' @
Marshal Lamon, and the Military Governor,
Gen. Nadsworth, had long Interview to-day
relative to the conflict between the former.
claiming the rightto exercise all bis civil func-
tlons in the absence OF decl21atiou of martial
law. The question at issue will hare tdfbe
settled BY the Executive. Gen. Wadsworth
intends to insist On an examination into every
case where an alleged fugitive has an alleged
pass tor protection, and where there Is reason
to believe the accused Is free under the laws
Of August Last, confiscating alares who have
oeen employed Tor lnsurrectionary purposes
tFA NEW TORK-{
New YoRK, May. 24-The I.1bune's special
Washington says; A gentleman Just afriye ed
. from Norsh Carolina, and who was passen-
ger on the Oriental, gives the following futer-
estipg Items Of news in that State: General
Burnside has eeized all the Commissioners Of
the town of Edenton, North Carolina, T. J.
Bland, 4. J. Glover, Il. a. Bond and F. L.
Roberts, and taken them to his headquarters
at Newtern. The fifth Commissioner was not
arrested, being confined to his bed by eick-
ness. They are held as hostages for the safa
return OF Mr. Smith, a Union pilot, who Was
seized by the Confederates while on a visit to
his vile at Edenton. It is alleged that these
= Commissioners conniyed at MI. Whites ar
rest, though they stoutly deny any completely
with the matter, aud insist that they had no
power to prevent it.. Gen Burnside intends
to send one of the Commissioners to Raleigh.
whittier MI. White has been conyeyed. to de.
mand his release. The G ,nfederates threaten
to hang Mr.. White, and Gen. Burnside intends
that all the Commissioners shall swing for It
in case the Confederates execute their threats.
They were taken to Newbein In the Steamer
Ocean Wave, In charge of Major Jar1ine, and
guard from his regiment, the Hawkins Zou-
ayes.
The Potter Investigation COMMITTEES has
continued in session, giving opportunity to DO
heard to those whose dfsloyalty is impugned
By witnesses: Or the suggestion Of the Com
:mittee about 500 disloyaI Government EN-.
ployees have been dismissed heads nf
departments having generally acted upon the
reports.
AL the claims against the Government, so
fur as they are officially known to the sccre-
ta1y Of the Treasury, hare been paid.