Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-05-13
U. S, FLAo.sHlp AIINNEsorA,

U. 5. FLAGSHIP hiHNEsOrA,
Hampton Roads, May 8, 1862.
To his Excellency the President of the United
States:
SIR ;-Agreeably to a communication Just re-
ceived from the Hon. Edwin NJ. Stanton, have
the honor to report the instructions / gave yes
terday to the officers commanding the several
vessels detailed to open fire upon Sewalps Point,
were, that the object of the move was to ascer-
tain the practiclblity Of landing a body Of
troops thereabouis, and to reduce the works, if
it could be done.
That the wooden vessels should attack the
principal works in enGlade, and that the Moni-
tor, 10 be accompanied by the Stevens, should 20
up az far Us the wrecks, and there operate in
front. On the appearance Of the Alerrimac out
side Of the wrecks, the Monitor had orders TO
fall back into fair channel way, and only to en-
gage her seriously in such position that this
ship, together with the merchant vessels iutend-
ed for toe purpose, could run her down if an op.
pOrtunity presented Itself
The other vessels were not to hesitate to run
her down. and the Baltimore, an unarmed
steamer, of light drAught, high speed, and with
curved bow, was kept in the direction of the
| Monitor expressly to throw herself across the
| MerrmHc, either forward or aft Of her plated
| house, but the Merrimac did not engage the
Monitor, nor did she place herself where she
could have been assailed by our ram vessels 10
any advantage or where there was any prospect
Whatever OF getting at her.
| My instructions were necessarily verbal and,
in giving them, supposed that | was carrying
out your wishes, in substance, if not to the let
ter.
The demonstration resulted in establishing the
fact that the number Of guns ON the principal
work on Sewalrs Point has been essentially ro-
duced, and is not greater now than about seven
teen, and that the number of men now stationed
there is comparatively quite limited.
The quarters connected with this work were
set on fire by our shells, and no doubt severely
injured.
am, very respectfully, your Obedient servant.
l.. NJ, 0OLDsBoRouOH,
Flag Officer Commanding Naval Bloekading
Squadron.
FoRTREss MONROE, May 0, P. M.-About a
dozen transport steamers are loading with troops.
They will land on the shore opposite the Rip
Raps, and march direct on Norfolk.
President Lincoln US Commander in-Chief Of
the Army and Navy, is experimenting the expe-
dtion himself About O'clock he went across
to the place selected for landing, which is about
a mile below the Rip Raps. 1t is said that he
was the first to step on shore, and after ex-
amining for himself the incities for landing, re-
turned to Old Point, where be was received with
enthusiastic cheering by the troops who were
| embarked,
Troops crossed over to the Virginia shore du-
ring Friday night and whilst the Hip Raps
shelled the Rebel troops at Sewalrs Point, a
landing was effected at Willoughby's Point, at
spot selected on the previous day by President
Lincoln himself who was among the first who
stepped ashore
The first regiment landed was the Twentieth
New York, known as Max Weber's regiment,
who pushed on Immediately under the command