The New York herald., 1862-04-13

News to Hampton, sent boat each Of the vesses.
which were apparently deserted By their crews, and
steamed towards the three. small boat loaded with
troops followed, whilst The jamestown laid of about
mile distant.
NINE O'CLOCK A. NJ
The rebel tugboat has made fast 10 the largest brig
and ia towing hor on. The Yorktown is still in the beud
above Hampton. The Naugstuck has neared up, and s
apparently getting within range Of the Yorktown There
Is no other move on the part Of feet. Our naeon
seems unaccontabe except upon the suppostion thas
the desire is TO get the rebels further down. Sill IL
is painful sight TO these vessels carried OF With
out an attempt at resistance.
HALs-PAsr NINE O'CLOCK A. N.
The rebels have accomplished the capture of three
vessels the Yorktown towing on two OF then and the
tug taking hold Of the third Not shot was fred on
either side The Merrmac maintains her position about
half way between sewalls and Pig Points one Of the
French steamers is coming down TO the lower Roads,
she has water schooner In tow, which was alongside
her when the Merrimac appeared One Of our gunboats
went up along shore towards Hampton, but TOO late TO
prevent the capture Of the three vessels IL that the
purpose The Yorktown and tug towed the prizes well
up towards Norfolk, when small tugs out and took
charge Of them Upon OF the brigs they hoised the
American flag at half mast The sight not plea
SAINT one
HAIFPAsr TEN O'CLOCK A. NJ.
There change in the position OF affairs. The rebel
fleet lies in ine-ofbsttle stretching from sewals Point
up towards Pig Point. The Merrimac is black With men,
who cluster on the ridge of her iron roof TIE other
vessels also hronged with In all the rebels
show twelve cratall except The Merrimac, Yorktown
and jamestown being insignificant tugboats.
The jamestown is armed with an iron PROV, which
be prorudng about six feet beyond tho water
line Of her bow The position 10 simply one Of defiance
both sides The rebels challenging us to come up
to their field battle and daring them TO come
down.
The French and English vessels still lay up beyond the
rebels the French vessels not than milo from The
Merrimac and the Englisbman further up. Not sho'
has been fred by sither party.
No fight yot. The Msrrimac occasionally shifts her
position but does not come further out The Yorktown
and Of the smaller tugs have gone up to Norfolk
Two O'CLOCK Pm.
The position OF affairs has not changed.
There be little probability of any fight to day.
The Merrimac aud all the rebel eet keep their position,
and SO does our ncet possible that the rebels may
come down with the food tide in hour or two hence;
but it both parties hegtatsd to assume the
offensive.
WHAT Is SAID AND THOUGHT.
The events Of this morning much commented on
and caused considerable feeling Of irritation and
humiliation Beyond the capture Of three trans
the demonstration OF reDO nCet
more than reconnaissance II cannot but be concluded
however that tho rebels had the best Of the Affair."
The capture of the three prizes bold affair, and
can well imagine hurrah with which their arrival ~
Norfolk was greeted. Whether they might not have
beon saved and the rebels made to suffer for their tee
rity, point upon which shall not venture decided
opinion Their position close in beach. about half
way between Hampton and Nswpors's News, and from
four FIVE miles distant from the position Of the Merr
mac A light draught gunboat two sent up in time
might have saved thcm The Naugatuck started, but
littls too late to be Of any eaectual service
OF course the na-al authorities acting upon some
concerted plan and under definite ORDERS tho carrying
out Of which considered Of Importance than sav-
ing two or three small vessels The capture effected
almost of the French and English cruisers,
and we may no That national prestige was not
increased in their eyes by what they saw.
AN EXCHANGE or SHOTS.
HAP-pAsr -FOUR O'CLOCK z. N.
For some hours the Merrinac had continued moving
about, sometimes advancing towards the Monitor, as
challenging her TO combat and then again falling back
About hour since she moved over in the direction Oh
Hampton and fired shot towards the gunboat Octorara,
lying ia the bend Hampton and fully four miles dis
tsnt The shot fell at least mile short. Tho 0ctorars
Immediately replied her shots also fell Short though
well in line The Naugatuck then took part and discharged
her riaed gun, making splendid shot; but the ball fell
beyond the Merrmac full half mile.
The Naugatuck then fired at the rebel gunboats York
town and jamestown, which were lying beyond the Mer
rmac The practice was excellent and her guns showed
extraordinary length Of range Turning her attention
from the Merrmac her shots all directed at the
bel gunboats and Of four which fred all appeared
to strike the object aimed at.
The rebel vessels fell slowly back, and firing ccas
cd The practice and prowcss OF the Naugasuck ridsd
Gun excited preat admiration and il brought into pay
this morning. would probably have prevented :e rebei
| from capturing any prizes.
AS close at FIVE O'Clock p. NJ the firing has ceased
and the Merrmac appeared 10 be returning TO Caney
ISLAND.
We look for warm work tomorrow.
RETIREMENT OF THE REBEL FL0TILLA.
HAIF-PAsr FIVE oCiocx p. NJ.
All the rebel feet are moving On towards Norfolk.
The Latest from Fortress Monroe.
WASHINGTON, April IL, 1862.
despatch to the Secretary Of War from General Woo