Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-16
Particulars of the Capture Of Nor.
folk and Portsmouth.
THE NAVY YARD COMPLETELY DE-
STROYED. ...

"
the city government. The last Of the rebel
troops left this morning, and the city was left
in the care of the Mayor as the representa-
tive Of the city power. On the approach Of
our troops the Mayor went with flag of truce
to the city limits. and an arrangement
was soon made between the Mayor and Gen.
Wool that the city should be gwen up on the
promise of Gen. Wool that private property
should be respected during the march on
Norfolk.
Three regimental cavalry camps were
found deserted apparently day or two since.
Gen. Weber's regiment, the New York Goth,
was advanced on landing to reconnoiter.-
Some six miles from the beach, the Halfway
House, so called, they found place which
had been prepared for battlefield. Trees
and brushes had been felled and rifle pits
built, and early in the morning, as was ascer
tanned, several guns were placed in position
At this point some Of the recruits of the Ais
Virginia regiment were captured. They re-
ported Sewalps Point abandoned on the pref
ceding night by four companies, which had
garrisoned the place for some weeks past
A negro was also captured at this place, who
stated that it was the intention Of the enemy
\,
and then evacuate Norfolk.
Part of Max Webter's regiment was push
ed forward on the road to the bridge, and the
enemy was found about noon posted ON the
opposite side of Tanners creek with three
guns. The bridge had been set on fire, and
was still burning at that time. Some six OF
eight shots, however, were fred without ef
feet, and our men being beyond musket range
did not reply. The creek being a quarter
of mile wide, our force was withdr avn, and
started on another road considerably longer
and reported to be defended by strong bat
terry. Not the slightest opposition was made
however, to our advance, and the fortified.
tons, which were mile and half from
Norfolk, were found to have been evacuated
after spiking the guns. They were extensive
works and finely constructed.
They arrived at Norfolk after a tiresome
march at o'clock, without firing gun, and
found the whole rebel force gone, the last
leaving this morning.
Mayor Lamb, with committee of the city
government authorized for the purpose, met
Gen. Wool with flag of truce at the city
limits, and after brief consultation the city
was surrendered to the United States forces.
Gen. Wool then proceeded to the City Hall
with the Mayor, followed by large crowd,
where he issued the following proclamation :
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA
NORFOLK, May 10, 1862.
The city of Norfolk having been surrender
ed to the Government Of the United States,
military possession of the same is taken, in
behalf of the National Government, by Major
General John E. " DOL. Brigadier General
Viele is appointed Military Governor for the
time being. He will see that all citizens are
carefully protected in all their rights and civil
privileges, taking the utmost care to preserve
order to see that no soldiers be permitted to
enter the city except by his order or by the
written permission of the commanding officer
Of his brigade or regiment; or he will punish
summarily any American soldiers who shall
tresspass upon the rights of any of the inhab-
itants.
[Signed] JOHN E. Wool,
Major General.
Gen. Viele Immediately appointed Mr.. F..
D. Davis his Military Secretary. The very
first parties who entered the city were news
paper correspondents. Gen. Wool returns to
camp outside the city, and probably to Fort
ress Monroe tonight.
After the departure of Gen. Wool, several
thousand persons assembled near the Civ
Hall to hear speech from Mayor Lamb
The Mayor seemed to be very popular He
said in substance that in his negotiations
with Gen. Wool he had secured pledge for
the protection of private properly and the
safe continuance of all private business.
The people are in state of great excite
ment and strong police force is out to- night.
1t is hoped no violence will be committed,
and confidence in the Government will doubt
less soon be established.
NORFOLK, Sunday morning.
The Navy Yard has been completely de-
stroyed, together with very large number of
steamboats, and other vessels.
Numerous Union flags are flying in Ports
mouth. The place is occupied by the 10th
regiment.
Gen. Viele has established bic headquarters
in the Custom House, formerly occupied by
Gen. Huger. The National flag was raised
for the first time this morning. 1t was
saluted by the guard and enthusiastically
;heered. The Monitor and Naugatusk have
ust now arrived. number of other vessels
rom the feet were also comig up. The night
passed quietly. At present every thing is |
perfectly quiet, and order is entirely restored.
All the public property is occupied
Gen. Wool and Com. Goldsborough have
ust arrived on the Baltimore The policy of |
he authorities here is to allow everything to
% on with as little interruption as possible. |
l general feeling of confidence seems to pre- |
all. and Union sentiment begins to show
tseif.
Fifty-two guns were found at Craney Is-
and this morning by Capt. Case.
The following proclamation was issued in
Iorfolk on Saturday morning:
Norfolk, May 10Th, 1s62.-The occupancy
{ the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth is for
be protection of the public property and the
maintenance of the public laws of the United
tates. Private associations and domestic
uiet will not be disturbed, but violations of
rider and disrespect to the Government will
e follow ed by the immediate arrest of the
Tenders Those who have left their homes
! anticipation of acts Of vandalism, may be
ssured that the Government allows no man
,e honor of serving in its armies who for
cts the duties of citizen in discbargingI
lose of soldier, and that no individual
ghts will be interfered with. The sale of
luor is prohibited.
Signed EGBERr S. VIELE,
Brig. Gen. Q. 8. A. and Military Governor. 8
e. The rebels are enlisting boys thirteen
I'd fourteen years. Having raised all the 9
en- they can, they have gone to raising
Journal. u