The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-05-31
From, Norfolk.


Americans Fort Monroe Correspondence.
BALTIMORE, May 24.-It is estimated that
there are now in Norfolk and Portsmouth not
less than loco deserters from the force with
which Gen. Huger left Norfolk Those who
have come in and are still arriving in squads of
tens and twenties did not succeed in escaping
till after they reached Petersburg. They are in
a most deplorable condition. A party who came
in to day say there must be nearly ], 200 scat.
tered. They all willingly take the oath Of ale.
glance and appear most happy to have escaped
from the rebel army.
The Minnesota will proceed to Norfolk to-
morrow morning and the whole feet will have
abandoned Old Point and taken up new posi-.
ton at the old naval station. The walls of the
Navy Yard building are in solid condition and
can soon be put in order again. The machinery
was taken out of the buildings before they
were fred and packed up with the intention Of
being removed, but the rapid action Of General
Wool prevented the removal '4..u'-'' ''.. =
Numer Gus wrecks, sunk in the harbor and riv-
er by the rebels, are to be removed forthwith, in
GLIDING re wrecked Merrimac. A large number
of fuses and shells were obtained from the latter
yesterday. ''
Deserters from Petersburg say fully one half
of the army wauld desert II they had the op.
portunity, but the rebels intend making des.
perate resistance. IS
As soon as disposition is shown by the PEG.
pie of Norfolk to return to their allegiance, the
port will be opened. No such disposition Is yet
manifested Lg4gttt
Should Richmond be captured hundreds in
Norfolk would openly declare for the Union. II
General Banks Report.
WAsHINaToN, May 26-Ths following was
received at the War Department at Jpn
WnI,Anspnpr Nav
To the President: .sgt
| have the honor to report the safe arrival Of
my command at this place last evening at 10 o.
clock, and the passage of the 9TH corps across
the river to day with comparatively little loss of
men in killed, wounded and missing In the
different contests in which my command has
participated since its march from Strasburgh,
on the morning Of the oath, I am unable
now to report, but have the great sat.
isfaction in being able to say, although se-
rious our loss is much less than might have
been anticipated, considering the very great
disparity OF forces engaged and the matured
plans of the enemy, which aimed at nothing
less than the capture Of our force. A detailed
statement will be forwarded as soon as possible.
Ny command encountered the enemy 10 .
constant succession of attacks and 10 we'll
contested engagements at Strasburgh, Middle.
town and Newton. At a point between these
places and at Winchester the force of the en-
envy was estimated at from 10000 to 10000,
with strong artillery and cavalry support, and
my own force consisted Of two brigades, less
than 1000 strong, all told, $50 cavalry, 10
Parrot guns, smooth bores. The substantial
preservation of the entire supporting train is
a source Of qualification. It numbered about
500 wagons. On forced march Of SO miles,
s5 Of which we're performed in one day, sub.
ject to constant attacks, in 'front.' rear and lank.
according to its position, by the enemy in full
force. The panics of teamsters and the mis-.
chances of river passage Of more than 200 yards,
with slender preparations for fording and ferry.
ing, lost not many more than Atty wagons.-
Onr troops are in good spirits and occnpy both
sides Of the river. 6lI sssH BOG niSt'a 8f't
H (Signed.}l Eaior N. p BANKS, hi2s !