Year: 1862

being too shallow in the CENTRE tho wind having
tirey died away. they fire to her. She had cargo
OF 200 bushels of coal likewise destined for the Mer
rimac. If We had had single gunbOat here We could
easily have brought both schooners across.


The Irshman, who seemed to be the most intelligent
of the lot informed that the rebel forces at James-
town and Mulberry Island evacuatng the fortnca-
tons with all possible despatch and that the greatest
CONSERVATION seemed exist everywhere. On asking
officer at Mulberry Island for tho OF their eav-
ing he said:-'sWe have orders to hurry up or
wo run the risk OF being taken prisoners, al
Of u.s. Tho guuboats jamestown. Yorktown, Beaufort
and Teazer lying between Mulberry and Hog Islands,
in sight OF the Elizabeth Up to the present
writing en o'clock evening" the coal schooner is still
burning brightly and it is not likely that tho Merrimac
will have much good of that cargo


Anumber of negroes have across the river during
the last two three days Of them from the neigh
borhood of SmithGed They report that place and most
the batteries on the creeks and James river shore
almost entirely deserted by the military. The people
arc in perfect panic, fearing attack from General
Burnside side aud from the navy this side The
fall Of New Orleans created the greatest
aud Immediately the receipt the rose ten
cents pound 1t generally conceded that COM
paratvsy small Union force with tho assistance Of the
navy could the possession Of Norfolk while
the people are in such demoralzed state.
The servant Of the writer, very intelligent free
negro by the OF George Washington went across
TO the rebel shore last evening for the purpose Of bring
ing his wife and child, who living in house
the water and who had been treated with great Sc
verify by their master George has 'seceded
The expedition . perfect success, and the man
brought not only his family across bub
1 induced some twelve others to 60 with him. When
4 it Ia remembered that the Shareholders tell tho
negroes the greatest fasehoods in regard to our treat
men Of them, such this that shoot all the old men
when they arrive here and sell the young to Cuba
to pay for the expenses Of the is easily seen
that this expedition will bear important results viii
at least have the effect make the negroes unwilling TO
fight against U.S. they have been compelled to do at
Manassas and Yorktown George left few lines at the
house his wifes late master stating that he had been
there regretng that he could not have the pleasure
pay his respects person. He assured him. however
that he very well Off at Newports News, and that
the Yankees not such hard sct Of after
all. George passed three different picket guards all OF
sleeping soundly II the 'conedsration'
was foregone conclusion.


| The Of Yorktown having fallen into our hands
received little after eight O'Clock this morning,
and announced to the it received with
the widest ordinations Of delight. Our only regret,
amidst this shower Of good news which the last week
has brought u.s. that permitted TO havc
active part in the work. After quiet camp life OF some
ten months only broken by the late exploits Of the Mer
rmac, it is not unnatural that the soldiers long for
change Our longing eyes ever turned towards Nor
folk. and II get single chance at her we will
pay or the balance due on the Msrrimac since
| tho 9th Of March.


The appearance Of tho Merrimac outside Of Craney
Island this afternoon hardly created excitement At
all. We know that, whatever she may undertake
do, she will have proper reception; and besides tho
impression prevailing here Is that something other
must be the matter with her, as Commodore Tatnall
would not likely have refused 70 obey orders he haA
any confidence in powers speed and endurance
She from Elizabeth river about O'Clock,
steamed quietly up sewas Point and remained there
for hours and half after which she steamed
just quietly back again. Signalling going all
the time her deck the station Craney Island