Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-05-16
Prom he Pet. -surs EXPIRE. Nay ISL


LATE FROM NORIO AND PORTSMOUTH
We have had q conversation with an intelligent gen.
tlemaD, who in Norfolk Saturday and Sunday, and
who left Portsmouth Monday evening at halfplst sI
o'clock The Federas bad full possession Of both places
and their pcke extended out every road be ToDd the
suburbs OF both cies How informant eluded hess
pckets h is necessary here state but he did eude
them and relates many interesting incidents which came
under his observation during Saturday, Sunday and Mon
| day.
The city of Norfolk was formally surrendered by Mayor
Lamb to Gen. Wool Saturday evening about Clark, the
latter Immediately returning TO Fortress Monroe SeVe-
raj large vessels up TO Norfolk Saturday night
among the number the Minnesota, and anchored in the
stream fronting the city. These vessels plotted 10
Norfolk through the passage in Elizabeth river by
the traitor Tobias, who ran of to Old Point Thursday,
while in discharge of important duties entrusted 10 him
| by the Confederate authcrities
Our informant is unable TO recall the name of toe mil
itsry commardant Of Norfolk bat be has established bis
headquarters at the Atlantic Hotel and the soldiers Of
Lincoln on Saturday evening and Sunday ded the
streets to such extent that il was difficult Tor one TO
make bis way through them.
At dress parade on Wards Farm, Sunday afternoon
5000 Federal soldiers present. aud they all eIhib
ted admirable drill and discipline
The soldiers upon dismissal scattered themselves az
thickly about the late Inrancaed Camp Of the Confede
rates. and the officers expressed sm4z,ment that with
such Notifications the Ooniederaes should have dream
ed Of eEacuAtipg the place. General Wool was loud in
hs expressions Of establishment at the evacuation, and
declared in the presence ci several that with such f0r
foa;ions by land and water and the Merrimscguardpg
the Roads, he could have held Norfolk against any
that might have been brought against il.
On Sunday morniug az 10 o'clock the Seminole steamed
up 10 the city. crowd OF a thousand or more persons
assembled on Ohsmberlaine's wharf, for the want Of
something else to do which the commander Of the Fed
era steamer construed into welcome to the "Od hig"
Instantly all hands beat to quarters, every flag
flung to the breeze, the jack tArs manned the rigging
and gave three hearty cheers This ubilant demoDsra
ton responded by the crowd, with nine gro4ns
which given with strength Of lung distinctly
dibS q; the wharf in Portsmouth. The Federas we're
taken all abacE and the gallant tars dropped from the
rigging with much more elacriy than they had manned
them.
The halyards having been Gu. by the Confederstea
sailor "shinned" the flag staff or the Custom House
Sunday morning about o'clock, and having adjusted
the ropes the Stars ond Stripes speedily up
few ia Mt cheers from crowd Of drunken Fedeals in
front OF the Atlantic HOTEL the only but BETTING
reception with which the Yankee bunting was greeted.
We are assured that the great mass Of the Norfolk
people true ami loyal TO the Confederate Govern
ment az those Of suy portion Of the South. One ciizen
| named Kayton, dealer in musical Instruments
loud ana outspoken in his laudatons OF own and
denunciaons OF the Lincoln government that the Mill
try Commandant OF Norfolk has caused him 10 be ST..
rested This is the only arres; that has i'll
| iormants knowledge.
Portsmouth surrendered By Mayor Nash, about
the same hour Saturday evening Norfolk. Federal
General named Wyman having been appointed Military
Governor Of the place. received the surrender embracr
the occasion 10 assure the people that the Yankees
came not to destroy property, but TO restore order ;
to relieve an oppressed people and repsate that
| ALTO fou.s old flag which had been so long
| conct aed from the view Of the dear Portsmouth
| people. Much other gssconade and highfaluun kind
| OF sentiment INDUCED in, but have quoted
enough give the reader idea o. the style. We
greet to hear that atrongy tratorous feeling has mani
tested itself in Portsmouth, and thai several citz Of
that place made themselves prominently oihcious in
eff ng their obeisance tie new Corners and prof
eriug their services in any capacity which might be
| desired. One mau who had long acted a detective
for tue Confederate Provost ksr5ns shouted lastly for
the ssrs and stripes and order to cecuay cloak hs
hypocrisy concealed onion in bis handkerchief and
shed copOu tears Of rejoicing at the sight Of every blue
coat and brass button ne accounted Meeting loyal
ciizn OF the South, he could net Withstand the gsze OF
an honest man, but bowed bis head, while his checks
| suddenly came crimsOned with shame.
| Tht .sE raj clcsis made digsnt enquiry about the
deslructo OF the Navy Yard, and EARNESTLY solicited
ia'crm g. . the Whereabouts Of any who had bean
| en-, e.. 70 g.. inoc diary proceeding.
Five huhdT-i Yankee c,sslry escorted Ger. Wymau
% Portsmouth, ard took possession OF Tic Cicyrs build.
ugs in TIE Navy Yard They had been spared for
| sons which We have already given.
| The FedeTas endeavored 10 make themselves very
agreeable TO the people Of Portsmouth, aud stated freely
but few Of them would remain there. TIE greater
portion OF their men, they aaid, would speedily take up
tho line o. march Rchmoac, that the "rebelion"
| on lis last legs and that they expected the
'rsbe" capital to fall without the lighting OF another
battle
Monday morning a wagon drove up to the Market
House in Portsmouth, and swept every pound oil beet
from the butchers stalls. Upon being tod that the cit
liens desired 10 live, the COmmissary replied that the
citizens must dispense with beef for the present, he
desired IL for rho soldiers The owners, however
| promptly paid 0 the last cent 10 gold and silver.
Toe Federal soldiers all expressed the profound
ans zemen. at the destruction Of the HT1imdc. They
said she bad made them feel uneasy than any 9TH
event of the war aud the opinion at Cd Point was
general that she was the mos: formidable war vessel
ever constructed But regret mingled With the uni
vesa rejoicing which her wsaton destruction had pro-
duc5d and that the fact that she had lot into
| Yankca nnsaasaion intact