Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-18
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K One Of the foragins party died from ez
T posture during the storm.
FORTRESS MONROE. April 3. , P. NJ
The return of pleasant weather brough
tie Merrimac as was generally expected
r The alarm gun was fired at :. 20, an
the dock. beach and ramparts of the
Fortress were crowded with spectators
The Merrimac after showing herself beyon,
Sewell's Point, and appearing to be comm,
, this way soon turned towards James River
followed by the jamestown, Yorktown, Raj
eigh and Teaser, arriving at point midway
between Sewell's Point and Newport News,
and near the French vessels Gassendi anC
Caunet, and English vessel RInaldo.
The whole fleet stopped while the James
town, followed at some distance by the York
town, and a small tug, continued on her
course. Her intention was not at first per-
csiyel, but as she came around leaving New
port News on her left, it was seen that her
object was to capture two brigs and schoon-
er anchored near the shore, about two miles
from the point. This was done without the
slightest difficulty, and with the assistance of
the tug the three prizes were taken of under
the rebel aas.
The affair occupied less than half an hour.
when the jamestown having reioined the
fleet, She tjwed the prizes to Craney Island.
Alarmed at this bold dash, a number of
schooners in the upper harbor sailed.
The brigs captured are the SAbas Of Proyi-
dence, K. L., and Marcus Of Stockton, Me-,
the former loaded with hay on private ac-
count, the latter chartered by the Govern
ment, but had been unloaded. Their Cap
tains escaped in small boats with four Of the
crew Of the Marcus Two men were left
aboard the latter and six on the former who
made no effort to escape, The crew of the
schooner were also taken. She was the En-
lily, from Washington with suffers stores
Ii is said the captured vessels were ordered
last night to move down the harbor for safe
ty.
The Baltimore Americans correspondent
says the Merrimac approached the English
sloop-oi-war and after apparently communi-
eating with her. fell slowly around and
moved back towards her consorts in the rear
The French and English vessels then moved
up as if they had been informed that the
lower roads were to be the scene of
Of conflict and they had been warned to get
out Of range. For one hour the rebel fleet
kept changing position without making any
decided advance in any direction. On our
part no movement was made. The Monitor
with steam up and in fighting trim lay
quietly near her usual anchorage. The
Naugatuck Stevens battery came out and
took position alongside the Monitor.
Signals were made between our vessels the
Fortress and the Rip Raps, but no move
ment was made. At length the Yorktown
moved rapidly up, an d after advancing well
towards Newport News steamed rapidly
towards Hampton. Her object was then
seen to be the capture Of three sailing vessels
which was duly effected, The Nausatuck
has moved up and is apparently getting
within range Of the Yorktown.
There is no other move on the part of our
fleet. Our inaction seems to be unaccounta-
bic, except on the suppostion that the de-
sire is to get the rebels further down, still
it is painful to see these vessels carried of
without an attempt at resistance. One Of
oCr gunboats went up along shore towards
Hampton, but too late to prevent the cap
ture Of the three vessels, if that was the pur-
pose. The prizes were towed well up towards
Norfolk, when small tugs came out and took
charge of them.
1890 \. M.-The rebel fleet lies in line
of battle stretching from Sewall's Point up
towards Pig Point. The Merrimac is black
with men who cluster on the ridge of her
iron roof. The other vessels are also throng-
ed with men. The Jamestown is armed
with an iron PROV, which can be seen pro-
truding about six feet beyond the water line
Of her bow.
The rebels are challenging us to come up
to their field Of battle
Up to this time the rebel fleet remains in
the position they FIRST placed themselves, and
nothing more has been done The tide is
out and probably no new movement will be
made for some hours. Should the Merrimac |
then choose to pay US a visit, she will be ap- !
propriately welcomed.
The schooner Harmony used as a water
boat by government contractors was lying |
along side of one of the French vessels Of |
war and taken under the protection of the
French flag and thus escaped capture.
LATER.-The jamestown returned from |
Craney Island at 3 O'Clock. Not sho. was
fired until 4 o'clock, when the Merrimac
threw shot in the direction of Hampton |
Creek. The Naugatuck and Octorora which
were lying in that vicinity. replied with a
number Of shots, which fell near the rebel
feet
The rebel fleet embraced six gunbolts be-
sides the Merrimac including the four named
above. The whole fleet led by the Merriinac
then returned to Elizabeth River.
passenger steamer filed with spectators
cimt' tout Of Elizabeth river in the afternoon
and number OF small sailboais could be
seen through the day of Sewall's Point.
Il O'Clock.
The Yorktown and some Of the smaller |
tugs have gone up to Norfolk. Both par