Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-05-13
Another Victory -Craney Island in
PoSsessiOn of our TrOOps-sNOrEOltK
Navy YARD Destroyed,

Another VtCtOr7s-CrRney Island In
PoGsessiOn of our TrOOps-,NorEOIk
Navy YARD Destroyed.
FoaTREss MONROE, May ll.-At four O'Clock
this morning e brilliant light was observed from
Fortress Monroe in the direction of GPaney 10
land Precisely at half past four an explosion
took place, which made the earth aud water
tremDle for miles around. 10 the midst OF the
brigh, Almo which shot up in the distance, the
timbeIs and hon Of steamer could be seen
fsipg through the cir. No doubt was enter.
tained that tho Merrimao had ceased TO exist.
Flag ctioer GoldsbOrO, on receiving this re-
port ordered two armed naval tugs the zJusve
and Dragon--to proceed toward Crsney Island
on reconnaissance, and ascertain tho truth of
the IumUr. Immediately after they had turn
ed the point, The Monitor and Stevens stood up
10 the same direction, followed by the San Ja-
cinto, susquehsnuab, Mt Vernon, Seminole and
DAcotah.
Ia the meantime tho tugboasa we're seen
coming on towards the fort at full speed, and
when nearing the wharf the radiant oountenance
of Capt. Case, of the Minnesota, gave assur
ence that the Lews they brought was of most
gratifying character. The report was true.
ALI the earthworks at Clancy Island appeared
to be abandoned, though the rebel flag was still
h5ing. Lieut.. Eldridge, from the Dragon,
landed with an armed crew, took down the
rebel AAg, and substituted the stars and stripes,
amid hearty cheers by the crew. Capt. Case
Immediately reported the fact to the President
and Secretary OF War, who received tue con-
firmation of the picket boats with great satls.
faction.
At the request OF the President. Capt. Gaze
Immediately proceeded TO Crsney Island, to
ascertain if the woTks we're evacuated, in co N
pspy Win the feet which was then advancing
AZ we reared CraHey Island VIC found this i'm.
mense fortress apparently abandoned, though
three rebel igs we're floating from very tall
stats In different parts of the works. Capt
Case was the feat loyal man that pressed bis
foot on the soil of this reasonable stronghold
and the Ole Aig was soon given to the breeze.
The forts on the island are in four or hye
sepsrste sections. They are constructed with
the beat engineering skill aud most admirable
workmanship The forts were lefE in excellent
condition, as we're also the extensive barracks
which had accommodated during tho winter a
garrison of over two thousand men. Forty
heavy guns were mounted on different parts Of
the Works.
On the main part of the island the workt
commanded the approaches TO the channel Of
the river. The whole number of guns mounted
was thirty-nine, of which two were PARROTS
and q number OF EiAed DAhlgrons. There
were abyut elk guns In the works which had moi
been mounted.
After spending sn hou7 on the islaGd, We pro
cesdsd to Norfolk.
From men found on the leland, We ascertain
cd that the Merrimsc had laid during Saturday
at point nearly mile belcW the head Of th,
island. During the night che had been brought
-
crew we're landed on the island, and slow
match applied to her magazine. She was torn
70 fragments by the time the crew were out Of
reach of her. Negroes state that the officer,
and crew passed through the adjoining country
on the main road, about eight O'Clock in the
morning, TO the number of two hundred. They
said they we're on their way to Suffolk.
On the line OF the river leading from CraDeJ
leland 10 Norfolk, there are nos lees than sil
heavy earthRorks, mounting In all sixty.ninc
cannon, all OF which ere still In position, The
amount of powder found in the magazines is %
timated at live thousand pounds, and the fxeC
ammunition taken Can only be estimated by the
cargo.
We landed at the wharf and took q etrol
through Norfolk. Il being Sunday, Of coursI
ell places OF business were closed, and the cltl
| presented O most quiet appearance. Thl
wharves were crowded With blacks, male ant
female, and goodly number Of white working
people, with their wives and children, wer
strollinR about. Soldiers were stationed o.
the wharves and picketed through the city, Will
the flag Of the Union Aoated Hiumphantly fror
the cupOla of the Custom House. The house
throughout the city were generally closed, eI
peoially those Of the wealthier classes. Y
!, The ssceseionisls talk boldly of the Souther
ConiederAcy, and declare their Intention to RI
ceive nothing but Confederate money, sayin
they would have nothing to do with the LII
coin shiDplasters. They were fully oon6del
that In twenty days Norfolk would be reposSes
cd and the Yankees driven out
The President laid of In the steamer Bllt
! more about an hour, In front of the city, aI
then ntafted back 10 the fortress. SecIetai