Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-05-15
NORFOLK.
A correspondent thus speaks of the
abandonment Of Norfolk;

abandonment of Norfolk;
After spending an hour on the island,
we proceeded to Norfolk. Immediately
at the upper end OF the island we found a
mass of blackened wreck floating on the
water, some of it proceeding from the
sunken portions Of the vessels, We had
also passed large quantities of floating
timber on our way up, all of which had
been torn into splinters,
From the men found on the island we
ascertained that the Merrimac had laid
during Saturday at point nearly mile
below the position from which the frag-
ments were observed during the night.
However, she had been brought back and
run ashore.
Her entire officers and crew were land
ed on the island, and a slow match applied
to her magazine. She was torn to frag-
ments by the time the crew had passed
out of her. Negroes state that the officers
and crew passed through the adjoining
country on the mainland about s o'clock
in the morning, to the number of 200.
They said they were on their way to Suf-
folk.
On the line of the river leading from
Craney Island to Norfolk there are not
less than six heavy earthworks, mounting
in all about 60 cannon, all of which are
still in position except those near the
Naval Hospital. These are said to have
been taken to Richmond during the past
week. On the opposite bank of the river
is another battery with two or three other
small works. On all the works the rebel
flag has been lowered by the fleet and the
stars and stripes substituted.
The amount Of powder found in the
magazine is estimated at 5000 pounds,
and the fixed ammunition taken can only
be enumerated by the cargo. After run
ming about for some time among the fleet
we landed at the wharf and took stroll
through the city of Norfolk.
1t being Sunday, of course all the
places of business were closed, and the
city presented a most quiet aspect. The
wharves were crowded with blacks, male
and female, and goodly number of white
working people with their wives and child
rem were strolling about.
Soldiers were stationed on the wharves
and picketed through the city, while the
flag of the Union ioated triumphantly
from the cupola of the Custom House
he houses through the city were gener-
ally closed, especially those of the wealth.
er classes. Some OF the females scowleG
at the horrible Yankees, and some attempt
ed to spit upon them; but there was &
subdued quiet among the middling classes
their countenances implying a desire te
wait and watch tor further developments
The secessionists talk boldly of the
Southern Confederacy, declaring their in.
tentions to receive nothing but confeder-
ate money, and saying that they woulG
have nothing to do with Lincoln's shin.
plasters. They were fully confident thai
in 20 days Norfolk would be repossesset
and the Yankees driven out.
The President was in the steamer Bal.
timore, which laid off the city for about al
hour and then steamed back to the For
tress. Secretary Chase returned witt
him, while Secretary Stanton remained
until a late hour in consultation with tn,
military governor, Gen Viele and Gen
Wool.
True to the spirit of secession, the fir,
as anticipated on Saturday, and which
threw a red glare across the heavens OF
Saturday night, proceeded from the de
struction of the Portsmouth Navy Yard
which was done by order of the rebe
commondant, scarcely anything being lef
but black, tall chimneys. Even the i'm
mense stone dry dock was ruined and
damaged, and it is said that the engines
and pumps belonging to it were remove,
to Richmond.