Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1862-04-18
The Return OF the lIerrin1ac-.She Taxes
Position at James River.

The Return OF the lIerrinlao--she Takes
Position at James River.
FORTRESS MONROE, April I'LL P.
M.-The return of pleasant weather to-
day brought the Merrimac, as was gen.
erally anticipated. She had been seen
three days ago under steam at CraBey
Island, and as the evening Of yesterday
promised that the storm had exhausted
itself, few we're surprised this morning
at the announcement that she was in
sight coming down. The alarm gun was
fred t twenty minutes past seven clock,
and, as soon as the appearance OF the
Merrimac was generally known, the
docks. beach and ramparts OF the fort
ress. and other points commanding
view. we're crowded with spectators.
! The Merrimac, after showing herself
beyond Sewell's Point, appeared to be
heading this way. She did not long
continue on this course, however, but
turned toward James River, followed by
six gunboats, which had come round the
point in her company. OF the latter,
the jamestown and Yorktown were rec
ornized. The others were supposed to
be the Raleigh and Treasurer.
Arriving at point midway between
Sewell's Point and Newport News Point,
and near the place where the French
war vessels Gassendi and Catinet, and
the English steamer Rinaldo had placed
themselves early in the morning, the
whole feet came to a stop, while the
Jaa estown, followed at some distance
hy the, yorktown and a small tug, con-
4 tinued on her course. The intention oi
the Jamestown was not at first perceived
As she came around, leaving Newport
News on her left, it was seen that he1
! i.obiect was to capture two brlgs and
schooner which we're anchored near the
shore, about two miles from the Point
This was done without the slightest diff
fculty, and with the assistance OF th'
) small tug the three prizes were takel
off. under the rebel flag. The whole af
fair was concluded in less than half al
hour. and the jamestown, having re
ioined the feet, was ordered to tow tn
T nrizes to Craney Island. Taking on
> brig in tow astern and one on each side
9 she moved slowly away. Shghtl
n alarmed at this bold dash, quite mum
c Der of schooners in the upper harbo
e avalled themselves Of favorable win
u and sailed. Up to this time the rebs
IS feet has remained in the position
d. which thsy first placed themselves, an
y nothing more has been done.
IS The tide is now out, and probably 4
II new movement will be made for SON
:, hours. If the Merrimac should see
IL to paw us visit, she will be appropr
~ - ately welcomed. The names OF the tv
~ briggs captured are the Sabas, of Prov
re dcnce, Rhode Island, and the Marcus,
g. Stockton. The former was loaded wi
ie hay. on private account, and the latt
y; was chartered by the Government, b
ed had been unloaded. The name of t
ai schooner has not been ascertained. II
captaius of the two brigs escaped asho
in a small boat, with four of the crew
~ the Marcus. Two men were left
's board the Marcus and six on board t
'ss Sabas. They made no efforts to low
a a boat to escape. They we're all TAX
lot prisoners, together with the crew Of t
no schooners. 1t is said that the captur
" vessels were ordered, last night, to r
n' down the harbor for safety.
The schooner Harmony, used as
m m water boat by Mr.. Noyes, Governme
es' contractor, for supplying water to
'e- fleet, happened to be alongside OF
French man. of-war when the Merrin
an an made her appearance, and was tax
oS under protection of the French II
o'- thus escaping capture.
Mr.. Noyes has previously lost,
ID Id capture, two schooners employed
" III water boats by him.