Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-14

Capt. aud A. D. @.
FoRrREss MONROE, April IL, 5 PM.
To E. ~. Stanton, Secretary of War.
The Merrimac came down toward the
Monitor and Stevens battery. The latter
fred four or five rounds and the MerritnAc
one round, when she with her cousorts
returned to Crauey Island. Thus ends the
day. What the night may bring forth
am unable to say.
(Signed) ]. f. WooL.
FoRrREss MONROE, April IA o'clock
P. M.-The Merrimac, jamestown, York
town and several gunboats and tugs APP
peared between Newport News aud Sew
alls Point. The only damage done us is
the capture of three small vessels, one emp.
ty, one loaded, it is said, with coal.
These vessels were captured opposite
Brigadier General Casey's division, with
small guns of three inch calibre, aud two
hundred feet from shore.
The return of pleasant weather to-day
brought the Merrimac as was. expected.
She had been seen three days since under
steam at Craney Island, and as the evening
OF yesterday promised that the storm had
exhausted itself, few were surprised this
morning at the announcement that she was
in sight, coming down. The alarm gun was
fired 1t twenty minutes past seven O'Clock,
and as soon as the appearance of the Mer-
rimac was generally known, the docks,
beach and ramparts of the fortress COM
handing asview were crowded with specta-
tors. The Merrimac, after showing her
self beyond SeWell's Point, appeared to be
heading this way She did not long con-
tinue IN this course, however, but turned
towards James River, followed by six 9TH
q n hoH
point in her company. or the latter, the
jamestown and Yorktown were recognized.
Among the others were supposed to be the
Raleigh and Teaser.
Arriving Mt point about half way be-
tween Sewells Point and Newport News
Point, and near the place where the French
war vessels, Gasseudi aud Catinet aud the
English stamer, Rinaldo, had placed them
selves early in the morning, the whole feet
came to a stop, while the Jamestown, fol-
lowed at some distance by the Yorktown
and small tug, continued on her course.
The intention of the jamestown was not at
first perceived, but as she came around,
leaving Newport News on her left, it was
seen that her object was to capture two
briggs and n schooner which were anchored
near the shore, about two miles from the
Point. This was done without the slight
est difficulty aud the assistance of the small
tug being rendered, the three prizes were
taken of under the rebel flag. The whole
affair was concluded in less than half an
hour, and the jamestown having joined the
fleet was ordered to tow the prizes to Cra.
ney Island, and taking one brig in tow aud
the others alongside, she moved slowly
away. Slightly alarmed at the bold dash,
quite number of schooners in the upper
harbor availed themselves of the favorable
wind and sailed out of danger.
Up to this time the rebel fleet has re-
manned in the position in which they first
placed themselves, and nothing more has
been done. The tide is now out, and
probably no new movement will be made
for some hours. If the Merrimac should
then see fit to pay US a visit, she will be
appropriately welcomed.
The names of the briggs captured are the
Salbad of Providence, r. l., and the Mar
Gus OF Stockton, Me. The former was
loaded with hay on private account, and
the latter was chartered by the Govern
pent, but had been unloaded. The name
of the schooner has not been ascertained
The Captains of the two brigs escaped to
the shore in small boats, with four of the
crew of the Marcus, two were on board the
latter, aud 6 on board the Salbad, who
made no effort to escape. They were all ia
ken prisoners, together with the crew of the
schooner. 1t is said the captured vessels
were ordered last night to move down the
harbor for safety. The schooner Harmony,
used as water boat by AIR. Mayes, Gov
eremeut contractor for supplying water TO
the feet happened to be along side of one
of the French Men-of-War at the time the
Virginia made her appearance, and was
taken under the protection of the French
flag, and thus escaped being captured
Mr.. Mayes has previously lost two schoon.
ers by capture, which were employed as
water boats by him.