The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-07-02
DESTRUCTION or PROPERTY COMMENCED.

Al three O'Clock p. NJ Colonel Norris OF the Ninety
third New York regiment under direction OF the m.
manding General Casey commenced the destruction OF
government property. The first they gave to tho flames
tho immense water tank used for the railroad loco
motives; next was the line Of officers tents. In
GLIDING the Post Office the bank Of the river;
then followed the suffers shanties, negro quar-
tors, railroad shantes and, At half-past four
P. M the White House itself given to the dsvourng
element. Tho commissary store was tbs last fired.
Three splendid locomotives were exploded and
dred burned Tho flames and smoke from al
these seemed Ike grand piece Of pyrotcchny
ntsspersed as was by frequent and loud reports Of
exploding ammunition and falling beams OF the govern.
mont warehouse. The flames were to be seon long
after dark and lit the heavens tha. The
visible for miles around.
At half past six O'Clock General Casey and his STAR
the last on the ground embarked board the
Khicksrbocksr, Colonel Ingalls, and his sta the Cir
cassian. Az these vessels proceeded down tho river
the vessels Of the retiring transport feet we're
every turn and bend In the river.
Everything really valuable had bsen saved and we
were all on board. The whole thing had bosn acccm
pshcd with quiet and perfect order that truly
remarkable, and rebounds much to the credit Of The
officers in commend.
THE PASSAGE DOWN RIVER
pdosVd
down the Pamunksy, when the scene just described
burst upon US in i,s full glory Of destruction Turning
rom this and looking along the river, far different
sight presented itself. largo feet OF vessels were
moving on towards Fortress Monroe. The quiet, un-
commercial stream, seemed TO have been transformed
into prosperous seaport tho forest OF masts could
remind Of nothing less than tho wharvss Of our
great commercial city, while here and thero in their
midst could be the black smoke Of the steamers
In grand procession left location, each
steamer having in its train from half dozen Of
the sailing vessels At dark anchored for the night
but dawn again on our way 10 Fortress Monroe,
where We arrived at ten O'Clock on Sunday morning
Colonel Ingalls, at proceeded up the James river
that tho coast clear and to ascertain what sup
plies would be needfu to transmit at TO the
depot Having become satisfied this point an order
received to send only that portion which that
time essentially necessary the stay whero they
were until their proper location was specified And
thus matters remain when close my account. Mean
while the battle Is raging in tho vcinNy Of the rebel
capital and the rebels viii doubtless learn their cost
that General Mcclellan IL not yet defeated
Our Fortress Monroe Corr espOndence.
FORTRESS MONROE June 20, 1862.
TAe Attack On Richmond Fairly Opened-7ns 8aGIe Of tie
26th Commences the Strie--Gen kcClclLGas Strategic
james River--Arripals al the Fortress, dc.
II hardly necessary for 70 inform you that the
long expected and anxousy looked for struggle the
rebel capital has at last be naugurated The telegraph
necessarily be in advance Of the mail, and unless
the government has suppressed such despatchss the
good people Of New York know a this more OF
what going in General NcCleans camp than we do
at this isolated spot The elaborate the battle
fought the 26th inst, published In yesterdays
HERALD was read here with great deal Of interest," and
was actually the frat tangible history Of this All
that known Of the affair that General Hooker's
division haa fight, and nothing further.
From subsequent accounts learn shat this battle
,naugurated the war, and since then both
armies have been Engaged in deadly strife. The
rebels arc soadsd by desperation retain their 80
called capital and brave troops actuated BY pa
trotnm and light for the vindication Of national
honor The fight is . desperate one. We, however re
ceve no except rumors, and these como from ex
pellea suffers runaway camp followers who At the
rst Indication Of battle, take occasion to skedadds
as fast as possible From this source the most Painful
runors may reach yeu but there Ii dependence bs
placed thereon One rumor for instance had Stonewal
Jackson in rear, destroying every thing; and or
course there old granniss enough everywhere to not
only credit such reports but they take a possible pains
to promulgats and add thereto.
The boat from Wnite House last evening brought \
large number Of passengers consisting mainly OF the
class above mentioned have TWO OF them yot
who we're able tell the story. That heavy fight.
ing has been. and st going on, is lac, which i,
would be foolish dsny but General Mcclellan full Of
strategy and resources, and whatever movement he
may make will certainly turn out to Be OF great advan-
tage.
The rebels have overwhelming force opposed 70
Gen Mcclellan but what we lack in mum bsrs s amply
made up In pluck and aon and splendidly
equipped artillery, cavalry and infantry. l have no
doubt but that correspondents with the army viii
keep you advised of oil movements going on there
All tho information obtain heis Is based merely On
vague rumors, and generally unreliable.
The news Of General FremOnt's resignation was
received here yesterday by telegraph. and caused
great rejoicing among officers and things
arc expected from General Pope, iaid IL Ia confidently
hoped that his forces ere this have joined General
Mcclellan.
From our feet up the James river have accounts TO
Yesterday afternoon. Important movements were in
the course Of execution, which policy prevents me from
making public. ! am, however, allowed 70 say
that II the movements Of our feet aresucceesful
u will only add wreath Of laurel the garland
Of the many brilliant victories by This noble branch
Of our service. Tho movement Is one which Ia calculated
20 assist General Mcclellan most materially.
understand that orders have been issued from the
War department prohibiting any passengers to cvms
down here by way Of Baltimore This order doubtless
for the purpose u keeping civilians from the army III
order not 70 be embarrassed by parties having bust
ness with our troops.
Mr. Alahson Crane, tho sflcisnt Postmaster OF Old
Point has made several important improvements TO his
ofcc which greatly facilitate tho mail arrangements
number vi clerks have beeu added w the olce and
doubt whether tho New York Post ocs does bust
ness than our postal establishment at this place. When
II s remembered that ali tho letters for tho army OF the
Potomac, Norfolk, Suffolk and the James river nest
pass thr ough here, small idea be formed OF the
magnituds Of ths business transacted BY tho Fortress
Monroe iost Office.
Among the distinguished arrivals here this morning
from Baltimore notice Lieutenant Colonel William y.
whipple, Assistant Adutant General Of General Wool
san Colonel N. NJ. Falls, President Of the Bay line Of
scamers Coonci Dc Trobriand, FfyGflh regimen, New
York state militia, and several others. Colonel wh,p