The New York herald., 1862-04-13
IMPORTANT FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
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The Reconnaissance. of the
Merrimac.
The Capture Of Three Union
Vessels.
Interesting Details Of the operations
of the Rebel Gunh0ats.
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Strstcgical Importance Of the Mer-
rimac's Movements,
&C., &C., &C.,
ronrarss MONROE, April H. P. n.

IohTRESs MONROE, Aprii liz i. ~.
The return OF pleasant weather today brought the
Merrnac, generally anticipated. She had been
seen three days ago under Craney Island and
the evening Of yesterday promised that the storm had
exhausted ITSELF few surprised this morning az the
announcement that she in sight, coming down.
The alarm gun fred at twenty minutes past seven
O'Clock and as as tho appearance OF the Mcrrmac
generally known tho docks beach, ramparts Of the
fortress and other points commanding q view were
crowded with spectators.
The Merrimac after showing herself beyond sewalls
Point appeared to be heading this way She did not long
continue this course, however, but turned towards
the James river followed by other gunboas. which
had round the point Der company. OF the latter
the jamestown and Yorktown were recognized. Among
the others supposed be the Raleigh and Teazer
Arriving at point about half way between Sewalrs
Point and Newports News Point and the place where
the French vessels Gassendi and Catnat and the
English steamer Rinaldo, had placed themselves early
in the morning, the whole feet came to a stop, while
the jamestown, followed distance by the York
town end small ting, continued on her
The intention Of the jamestown was at first per-
ceivcd. AS she came around leaving Newports News
her LETT, it was that her object to capture
two brigs and schooner which anchored the
shore, about two miles from the point. This done
without the slightest dicuy, and the assistance Of the
small tug being rendered the three prizes taken of
| under the rebel flag.
The whole affair concluded less than half hour,
and the Jamestown, having reoned the feet ordered
10 the prizes Craney Island Taking one brig in tow
asterp and the others alongside she slowly away
Slightly alarmed at this bold dash, quite number Of
schooners in the upper hsrbor avsilsd themselves OF
favorable wind and sailed.
Up TO this time the rebel fleet have remained in the
position in which they first placed themselves and no.
hin hnop IN
badly movement viii be made for some hours.
II the Merrimac should then it to pay visit she
viii be appropriately welcomed
The Of the two brgs captured The Sabao OF
Providence r. L. and the Marcus, Of Stockton Me- The
former loaded with hay private account, and the
latter chartered by the government but had been
unloaded The Of the schooner has been
taned The captains of the two brgs escaped shore
in small boat, with -four Of the OF the Marcus
Two left board The latter, and six board
tho Ssbao who made no efforts to lower escape
They all taken prisoners together with he OF
| the schooner.
10 is said that the cspased vcsse,s ordered last
night to move down tho harbor COR safety.
| The schooner Harmony used rs water boat by Mr..
Ncyes government contractor for supplying the
feet happened TO be alongside Of the French Of
war when the Merrmsc made her appearance. ana was
under the protection of the French flag thus escap-
ing capture Mr. Noyes has iously lost by capture
| two schooners employed as water boats by him.
The jamestown returned from crsney Island three
! ocloek.
Not shot was fired until four o'clock, when The Mer-
| rimac fred three shots in the direction OF Hampton
creek. The Nangatuck and Octorara, which had been
stationed in that vicinity, replied with number Of
| shots, all Of which fell near tue rebel feet
The whole feet led by the Merrimac, then returned to
] the Elizabeth river.
The Of the Schooner csptnred il he Emily She
| was from Washington, with suffers stores.
| passenger steamboat, filled with spectators, came
out Of Elizabeth river this afternoon and number Of
small saboats could be through the day on sowas
| Point.