The New York herald. [volume], May 19, 1862, Image 1

About The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920

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THE NEW YORK HERALD
WHOLE NO. 9382. NEW YORK, MONDAY, MAY 19, 1862. PRICE TWO CENTS.
IMPORTANT FROM THE SOUTH,
RUMORED EVACUATION OF WELDON, N. C.
Arrival of the United 8tates
Transport Gen. Burnside.
Cot. Clark, of North Carolina, Brings
Jeff. Davis to Terms.
The North Carolina Convention and the Rich
mond Rebel Authorities at Loggerheads.
The North Carolina Troops Called
Home by Got. Clark,
10 MORE AID TO JEFF. DAVIS & CO.
Virtual Restoration of North
Carolina to the Union.
Bow the Conscription Act is Viewed
in South Carolina,
&c.i &c.j &e.
Reported SvMvatloii of Weldon, W. C.
Baltimorb, May 18,1862,
A rumor is current here that W.ldon, N. C., has been
evacuated by the rebels.
Arrival of the Transport General Burn*
side from Newborn.
The United States transport General Burnside, Captain
Wilcox,from Newbern, N. C., and Halt eras , arrived at
this port this morning, after a passage of forty honrs,
having on board one hundred and sixty-five si.k and
wounded soldiers and seventy-five officers and privates
on furlough. She has also a very large mail from New
bern, Roanoke and Hatteras, and six hundred packages
of merchandise, consigned to Adams JteCo.'s express.
Nothing of interest had transpired at Newbern.
General Burnside returned to Newbern from Roanoke
on tbe 13th to review the troops. The troops are all in
good health.
The following are the passengers by the General Burn
aide:?
Lieutenant Colonel Roble, Eighty-ninth New York Vo*
lunteers; Major S. A. Allen, Captain E. E. I*apham,
Captain L. E. Kent, Fourth Rhode Island; I.ieutenaut
J. A. Green, Ninth New York Volunteers; Captain J.H.
?irk, Sixth New Hampshire Volunteers: Prof. B. Malli
port, Engineer Corps; I>r. Stono, Twenty-third Massa
chusetts; L. P. Walcott,C. H. Foster, of North Carolina;
H. Hayne,New York Volunteers; L. Kraught.
At a meeting of the passengers, held May 17,Colonel
J. C. Robie presiding, and Charles Henry Foster acting
as Secretary, it was
Resolved, ThAt our warmeRt thanks are hereby ten
dered to Captain D. I). Wilcox, commanding till" steamer,
for his kind and courteous treatment during the passage
from Newbern. His demeanor to us all has been gene
rous and gentlemanly, and it is due to his care and vigi
lant attention to our wants that a trip which, from the
roa?hnoes of the weather on the first day, and the
crowded condition of the vessel, miKht have been. had
we been left to another, exceedingly disagreeable, wan
rendered most comfortable ami pleasant. His table has
been sumptuously spread and attentively served, and
nothing that was attainable for our accommodation has
boen neglected.
Glorious .Vcvri from the Old North State.
We ana indebted to Charles Henry Foxier, of North
Carolina, who came passenger by the General Burns ide,
for North Carolina papers of a late dato, from which we
ox tract the following glorious nown from North Caro
lina :?
[From the Newbern Progress, Mar 10.]
*nte information which we givo below Is gratifying to
the lover of his country. North Carolina at last begins
to awake to the fact that J. Davis* Co. have bcou
making a cat's paw of the Old North State to poke their
chestnuts out of the Are, and refuses longer to subrai1
to the disgrace and burden which has been imposed
upon her by the sconndrels at Richmond. The old pa
trlotic fires which burned so brightly at Alamance and
Mecklenburg are rapidly developing themselves, and we
trust will bum with an increasing brilliancy upon the
altars of liberty. North Carolina is In a fair way of
being regenerated from the thraldom of sin and rebsl
dora. We trust that this may prove the harbinger of
better days, and that bright prospects are ahead lor our
beloved country. Wo obtain the news by way of Wash
ington, and direct from Raleigh.
The arrest of Mayor Reapess, of Wushiugton, N. U.,
who was seized in the night time in the most summitry
manner and hurried off to Richmond in irons, is creat ing
a most Intense excitement hi the State. The Governor
of the.lute (who is not in prison, as reported), barked
by the Convention, sent a peremptory demand to the
Richmond authorities for the immediate delivery of tbe
person of Mayor Respess, who was kept in close confine
ment. His trial was In progress when they received the
demand, and tbe authorities at Richmond informed the
oommittee sent by Governor Clark that there were a few
?tore witnesses to appear in the caso, and they desired
to complete tbe trial. The committee informed the au
thorities at Richmond Mot the perm of the Mayor mn*t
be delivered up forthwith, ether wise fifth Carolina wowl<i
tend ? forte to back up the demand of the Convention. Mr.
Reepees was delivered over to tbe committee, and
?at to Raleigh rejoicing. He was set at liberty >
and Is sow on his way home to Washington
where the Union citizens are preparing to give
him an ovation. This oommittee was also insiruc tod to,
and did, deliver sa order to the Virginia ehivalry that
North Carolina was capable of managing her own affairs,
and that so more of her citizens must be taken oat of tbe
BUto.
la connection with this matter we also learn that J.
Davis a few days since ordered Governor Clark to fur
aish them all the means of transportation and defence
passible to aid htm In the passage to and through
the cotton States, and also for additional troops. Gov
ornor Clark, backed by tha Convention, informed him
that had recsioed all the aid from North Carolina that
he could aspect,and thai hereafter no more troop* would bt
permitted to leave the State, and hat ordered all the North
Carolina State tronpe home.
Governor Clark informed the rebels that they could
use the railroads la retreating homewards, and that they
would run their own risk of beiug intercepted by a
Union force at any part of the State.
The above information comes from a member of the
Convention,
Governor Clark, of Worth Carolina, Op
posea the Aet of tho llebel Military Au
thorities.
(From thp Raleigh,N. C.. Standard. April 26.)
Stats or Noam Carolina, Exsrrnvic I)icr?iiTitsirr, \
Kai *1(11), April 16, 1M62. J
To tub Peon.* or North Caroi.ima:?
By an advertisement In tbe public papers, signed W.
8. Ashe, you are informed that he will appoint, and send
agents through every Wnnty in the Hinte,to borrow,
rchase, and If necessary, to impress, all the arms now
tho hands of private citizens.
Any attempt to peir.a the arms ef our citizens is dl
rectly at variance with tbe constitution, and in op|>osl
tlon to tbe declared policy of tbe government, which
makes it the duty of every oltiren to keep and bear arais,
and protects the arms of tbe militia even frem execution
for debt.
But r/hilel notify yon that these ugentM have no law
fal authority to seise your private anna, and you will be
protected m preserving the means of self-defence. I mun
snh'ta upon you in this emergency, ns an act of tlio high
est pet riot I sen sad duty, that you should discover to
tbe proper Mate authorities all public arms, markets
or rifles, within your knowledge, and of selling to tbe
?tate all the arms, the property of individuals, which
can be spared.
Tbe colonels of the several regiments of militia will net
ss agents for tbs State, and wHirSotlfy me whenever any
such arms are delivered or offered to them. Their
prompt and earnest attention is called to the execution
of l,hte order. HENRY T. CI.ARK,
A nut. lg, 1M2, Governor a offlrio
Carinas Hlat Concern Inn the Rebel Con
scription Art.
[From tbe South Carolinian )
m LIT AST LAW or CONMJBirriON.
Wt learn by telegraph s/ the passage of a bill fey Uen
great), pressing under conscription all over eighteen and
under thirty-five,and to raise a Taut and permanent army
without reference to the States. This is a groat ami
mighty stride to a military consolidation. If it be abso
lutely necessary to gave us from a conquest by the
North we are willing to submit to it, but toe ftar tt?
public mxmi mutt prepare iUelf for a ckanf/e in our
i/wemnunt.
"We Hst? Not Borne Arms."
[From the Rai'-igh Standard. April 26.]
The following from the Kichmond Kzamimr hits off
the blood aud thunder destructive!!, who talk, talk; bat
who can't be dragged into the war except by a rope.
The gentry of that school are filling the offices of the
South, and will back ami back, as the enemy advances,
to the Gulf, unless they can find a hiding place sooner,
or will go over to the enemy "horse, foot and dragoons."
Let the government purge the offices of ttie land for con
scripts and make them light:?
" The bare conjecture of the possibility of the enemy
reaching Kichmond has been enough tojdeveiope the
meanness and cowardice of a number of our bogus pa
triots, who are now intent to save their carcasses and
property, and who congratulate themsolveg that they
have not committed themselves in any way that the
enemy can reach them, as "they have not borne
arms." We do not invent this wretched con
gratulation to put in the mouth of any man. We have
heard it from the lips of a man who had boasted
a while ago that be ''brought on secession,"
and who, day and night, from telegraph office to War
Department, and from street corner to street corner, has
gone about complaining that our troops are cowards;
that the government is not redhot enough; and that
separation with the Yankees should be made wide and
impassable by the living hell of an endless war.
"It is sickening to see the amount of time-serving and
truckling meanness In a considerable portion of human
creatures. Any one who saw the ulsplav of tergiversa
tion lost spring in Washington city, in which fire-eaters
suddenly became petitioners for ollice under Lincoln,and
hot-blooded secessionists were tranformed into "hen
hussies" to take care of their women aud children, may
be prei>ored to witness in Richmond, if it should ever be
occupied by the Yankees, similar displays on the part of
"original disunionigts," whose only part in the war has
been "to bring it on," to talk beligeroutly at the tele
graph office, to banker around the Wur Department, and
to spit Ire on the street corners.
"Seme of these brave street corner politicians are
constantly giving desperate advice to others; and
while rich Mr. Fire-eater is advising all penniless
men to leave their families to starve and '-light for
liberty," no sooner is his own name enrolled for the
militia than he puts a pitch piaster on his back, sneaks
by stealth up to the Board of Kxemptions, and gets a
certificate of exemption for weakness of the spine. So
Mr. Fire-eater " does not bear arms," and, although he
has boen writing political tracts all his life, or in some
way firing the Southern heart, or preaching orally dam.
nation to the Yankees, he expects, should they get to
Kichmond, to save his money, stocks aud plate because
" be hiw not committed bituself in auy way that the
enemy can "i"?&cb him."
Shame, unutterable shame, for such a plea! Tho truly
brave and patriotic man, who, by bis misfortune, has
been prevented from serving in the field for hiB coun
try's cause, woultl disdain to make this a plea for
his safety. Ho will be glad lor the trial of his man
hood?lio will rejoice to answer to the enemy who con
fronts him, that though his hands have not borne arms,
bis soul has?and he will be proud thus to relieve him
self of the disgrace ot not being found in the field by ex
plaining that his absonce froiu it was ? misfortune, un
welcome to a brave spirit, and not a coward's refuge.
News from Norfolk and Portsmouth.
[From tbe Norfolk Day Book, May 13.]
The destruction of the (iosport Navy Yard, together
with the vessels lying there, was, on tbe approach of the
federal troous, begun about ten o'clock in the morning.
Fire was first applied to tbe Plymouth, and in a short
time thereafter every vessel was inflames. Tbe dry
dock was also destroyed, as well as all tho buildings in
side the yard, with the exception of some two or three
near the wall, which were not fired through the fear
that the llanius might be communicated to Gosport.
About lour o'clock a quantity of cotton left behind was
burned near the railroad dejiot, and some two hundred
and fifty boxes of tobacco thrown overboard. The
steamers Selden, Kaliukee, Harmony and others were
tired and completely destroyed during the afternoon.
A ting of truce from the Confederate troops, in charge
of (oloucl Preston, of General Huger's stuff, reached
Portsmouth yesterday afternoon about six o'clock, and
proceeded to tho Navy Yard. We were not able to learn
with certainty the ebiect of this flag, but presume its
mission was to make some arrangements for tbe removal
of tbe sick Southern troops at tho naval hospital.
IFrom the Norfolk Day Rook, May 16.]
The inflated prico of provisions which his marked the
recent state of trade is about to collate. This is owing
to two causes?one is that very many lamilies have laid
in large supplies, tlieir pautries presenting the appear
ance of very respectable grocery stores,thereby lessen
ing the number ot' purcha-ers: and the other is. that our
monumental neighbors have begun the ex|K>rlation of
goods from Baltimore.
Colonel Powell T. Wyman, commanding I nited Slates
forces on the Portsmouth side of tie river, ha* issued an
order, in auswer to Inquiries, stating that persons going
about tbe city, quietly attending to their business or
pleasure, will not lie interfered with by the guard at any
hour of the night.
MOVEMENTS OF SECRETARIES SEWARD AND WELLES
Our K?val Correspondence.
I'njtkd Statjb Stkamkk Stkpwjio Sim hs, May 14.1 StiJ.
Arrival of the Steamrr Ha Hi mi,rr?fts Iinjxtrtant I'omett.
ffrrt?(irnrial JHcClellan a durst on lizard tltr Hual?
.Vara/ Movementt, itr.
The steamer Raliimorc, Acting Master Germain, which
lull tho Washington Navy Yard at five o clock yesterday
afternoon, hue just arrived, making a law stoppages on
her way hither. Considering the pa.-tieogurs she brings,
it would appear that the energy exhibited by President
Lincoln, in hi* landing at Willoughby I'oint and the cup
titre or Norfolk, has become contagious, and that the
venerable Chief of the Navy Department is uot disposed
to take things so easily as some people are disposed to
give Inm credit for.
Tlie lialtimore brings the following passengers ?
Hon Gideon Wellea, Secretary of the Navy; Hou. Wil
liaui H. Seward, Secretary of State, Frederick W Sew
ard, Ksq , Assistant Secretary of State;Commander Ifcilil
gren. Commandant of the Waahington Navy Yard, hia
son and daughter; Attorney General Hates; Mr. Kaxlon,
Chief Clerk of the Navy Department, ami son. Dr. Whoa
len, Chief of the Buroau of Medicine and Surgery. hia
lady and son: Mrs. Commodore Goldsboretigh, son and
brother, and Miss GoldsUtroiigh.
General McCleilan is now a guest on board. At his
request Kommander Smith, Flag Officer of the York
Kiver squadron, on board the Wachusett. and Lieutenant
Commanding Stevens have juat been ordered by Secre
tary Welles to the .lames river, leaving Lieuteuaut Com
manding Murray in <<oriunand of tho squadron.
This moment (six o'clock P. M.), Master Commanding
French, of the stepping Stones, baa received a despatch
from Commodore Wyman, of the l'otomac flotilla. order
ing him to leave forthwith, reporting his departure to
tha Quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac, and to
rejoin the Potomac flotilla, reporting to tho Commodore
on board Ibe Yankee, at the mouth of the Rappahanock.
Oar Army Correspondence.
CrMwcm.AMD, V?., May 14,1862.
Jrriral of Srcrrtana Srward and WtlUt? White H unt
in Our Hands.
The steamer Baltimore, having on board Secretaries
Seward and Wellee, arrived at two o'clock P. M. today?
Captain Dablgren accompanying them. They wore re
ceived with the honori due them. Escorted by Genera*
McCleilan and a few members of hia staff, they proceed
?d to the headquarters. They will be the guaats of the
General during their stay with the army. At six o'clock
their presence waa made known to tho diflercnt brigadier
generals, whoealled out their regiments and passed them
in review. It was raining quite hard at the time, but
neither the objects of the ovation nor tho men paid an?
attention to thia lact. They gave cheer alter cheer, with
that heartiness soldiers only can give. Secretary Seward
was on horseback. My his side rode Geueral McCleilan.
Secretary Wellea rode in a carriage.
General Stoneinan returned this afternoon from are
connolssanie with a |*>rtlon of his cavalry regiment. Ho
took the lead a short distance of a division which left
here this morning Having taken possession of the
"White House," tbe former residence of General I/?e,
tho rebel General, and turned the sama over to our
General, he sent two detachments of bis men in diverse
directions?one to burn a bridge to interrupt the pro
gress of tbe rebels, and the other to get possession of
some additional barns, In which are stored seversi thou
sand bushels of gram They carried tbelr point in each
case.
Twenty seven prisoners aud deserters, among them ?
captain and three lieutenants, were added to day to our
lists of those rebel representatives. In appearance, they
aro a counterpart of lie -u preceding them, aud corrobe
rate former recitals as to tha 'demoralization and future
movements of the robe! army.
thir division starls at half |M?st six o'clock In the morn
ing. As is generally the case on the evening before
striking tents, the ramus are lively to night with prepa
rationc to rnmply with the order. The spirits of the
jnen are more jubilant as our proximity to Richmond In
crease*, wd their health continues good notwithstand
ing the malarial regiooa In which we have been encamped
since leaving York town.
News from Tsuim.
liOcmviLLB, May 17,18M.
Major Helveti was released by Morgan, at Sparta, Tea- I
?sssss,oa Thursday. and ia now at Nanhvilla. Major H.
aays Morgan had sixty men with him when he left.
Captain Dwyrr Mortally Wonndnl.
I'aikAKCi.niu, May 17, IMS
Captain Dwyer, of Company K, Thirty eighth New
York regiment, of Flizabethtown, Fssex county, Is at tbe
8t. Joevph if Ucspital, mortally wounded
J B CRAWFORD,
lorgeon J'euusyivama Volunteers.
THE REPULSE ON THE JAMES RIVER.
The Vessels Engaged with the Rebel Batteries
and Lists of the Officers Attached to Each.
?ketch of James River and James
town Island,
Ac., Ac., be.
Tbe despatch that was received at the War Department
on Saturday last from Williamsburg, Va., gives us the
intelligence that the gunboats Galena, Monitor, Aroos'
took, Xaugatuck and Port Royal were repulsed from Fort
Darling, seven miles below Richmond, on the previous
day, and that a portion of them had returned to James
town bland, in James river.
Lieutenant Morris, commanding tba Fort Royal,
brought down with him a number of those who wero
killed and wounded during the engagement, and seven
een of the former have been interred on the banks of
the river. There were a number or the wounded still
on board when the despatch left, including Lieutenant
Morris.
It appears that the one hundred-pound gun of the Nan*
gatuck burst at the first fire.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
Xo official report of the gunboat affair on tbe James
river has beau received at the Navy Department. The
messages received on the subject indicate aa opportunity
to do better in the future. The river is now clear of ob
structions to within eight miles of Richmond. At that
point there is a heavy battery mounted on a high bluff,
and the river is temporarily closed to navigution by
sunken vessels. amoug which are said to be the York
town and Jamestown, and by piles, chains, 4c. The
Monitor could not olevate hor guns sufficiently to reach
the high battery, which rendered her useless. The
banks of the river were filled with rttle
pits, from which an incessant lire wu poured
upon the fleet, a part of which was engaged
at from 600 to 1,000 ynYds from the maiu battery. After
an action of four hours the tleet, finding it impracticable
under the circumstances to silence the battery on the
bluff", withdrew. Our long was thirteen kilted and eleven
wounded. Among tbe latter Lieutenant Morris, in the
leg, by a Minie ball, but not seriously. It is expected
that full particulars will be received in the morning.
Reception of the News in Washington
Explanation of the Cause of the Re
pulse.
WisuiHQTOM, May 18,186a.
The repulse of our gunboats by the rebel fort on James
river, just below Richmond, as stated in a meagre
despatch, produced much excitement here, until ex
plained that for some time past the rebels have been
obstructing the river at that point with sunken stonei
immediately under the guns of a strong fort ui>on a bluff
so high above the river that the guns of our vessels
cannot be elevated enough to reach it.
It is quite certain that an attempt was made by our
gunboats to remove these obstructions, under a fatal fire
from tbe fort, which was able to pour its shot with
accuracy down upon them, while they could not reply
with any effect. This (ort can only be reached with
mortars; but if the obstruction* could be dragged out <>f
tho channol the gunboats might easily pass the fort and
have the city of Richmond at their mercy.
The Xaugatuck carried only a single gun?a rifled one
hundred-pounder Parrott. The bursting of this piece at
the first fire renders her unserviceable until the shat
tered I'arrott can be replaced by a more reliable piece of
ordnance.
Description of the Union Gunboats.
Tbe following is a complete description of the vessel8
engaged in the above action, with a list of the officers
attached to each:?
GALKNA.
A description of tho new iron-clad gunboat Galena
having already beeu published in the Hkrai.d, wo will
merely state here that she was |Mtrtly built at Mystic,
Connection, aud afterwards brought to the port of Xow
York to receive her armament, armor and machinery.
After arriving here some very Important alterations in
tho plan of tho construction of her armor were made, by
which hor strength and power of resistance woro ren
dered much greater than was at first deemed practicable.
The object which it was designed to secure in tho cotr
struction of this vessel was deemed almost impossible of
accomplishment, and the project was, therefore, like the
building of the Monitor, an experiment. To tbe well known
nival architect, Hanwel H. Hook, of Boston, is due the
praise of putting into successful operation what seomed
wholly inconsistent with itself?that a vessel could be
built two hundred I'eet long, thirty-sis feet breadth of
bourn and one thousand tuns burthen?the size and
description of a war vessel of the ordinary construction,
which would require the depth of about twelve feet of
water, and yot be strung enough to sustain a shot prooj
covering, have a draught of water of but ten or twoivefeet
and contain engines and machinery which would give
her a speed of about twelve knots per hour?in short
that she should be entirely seaworthy, as perfectly
adapted to the purposes or cruising as wooden vessel s
in common use, and, in addition, be impenetrable. That
all these desirable objects have been accomplished we
have bad ample proof from the tests already employed
on her. In her trial trip from the Continental Iron
Works, at Greenpotnt, to the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, she
accomplished about sis miles per hour uuder only a half
head of steam, minded her helm beautifully, and her
machinery worked with the utmost satisfaction. After
receiving ber outfit and a picked crew, she sailed from
the Navy Yard on the 23d of April, making a speed
of about ten miles per hour. After arriving at Fortress
Monroe her masts, rigging and other objects on her apper
deck were removed, so that her smoke stack and pilot
house were tbe only objects which afforded a mark for
the enemy above her covered deck. Tbe particulars of
ber recent engagements having been already published
in the Hkrai.d, it is unnecessary here to repeat them; it
is enough to know that in those engagements she baa
giveu unqualified proof that she is an iron-clad veesel of
no mean power of resistance, and is destined to hold a
very prominent position in tbe history of the American
Navy.
Her designer was Mr. Julius Patterson, constructors
Messrs. Maxon, Fmh k Co., and tbe general superintend
ence wss conducted by Naval Constructor Poole.
Annsxed is a list of ber officers
Cvmmander?John Kodgers.
Lieutenant ami Kxecutict H. Newman.
Acting Mattel*?H. W L/orlng, A. W. Emerson and S. B.
Washburn.
AntiMant Surgeon?R. S. Van (Jreson.
Acting Amitant I'aymiuirr?J. H. Sellman.
Knmntm? First Assistant (Actiug Chief), J.W. Thomp
son . Jr.; Acting First Assistant. A. <1. I'erable, Acting
Second Assistants, A. S. Chapman and Frank A. Bresmon;
Acting Third Assistants, Thomas Milholland andjamei
Dob be.
H< aUtcain?Robert Dixon.
h'unner?J D. Hoovom.
Acting Maiter't Mate*?A. Meld ram, A. MoCleary, E.
A. (iclando and J. II. Jenks.
Tbe (iaiena also carries a sergeant's guard of marioei
and a crew of about 100 men.
MONITOR.
Although a full description of the glorious little Mont
tor has been published in tbe Hduld twice, we give a
few particulars concerning ber, feeling confldent ttut
everybody Is interested in ber movements.
The trial trip, after the vessel bad been finished, was
anxiously looked for, not only by tbe public, but by
Captain Ericsson and Albac C. Stimers, Chief Engineer,
United States Navy, together with Isaac Newton, Flr<t
Assistant Engineer United Bute* Navy. Under the care
and superintendence these two last gentlemen tbe e?
tire vessel and machinery were built.
On Tburaday, the Utth of February, she left the Navy
Yard, Brooklyn,ou her first trial trip;but ber steerlag
apparatus not working satisfactorily, she put I??ck te
have the necessary alterations made. These were ar
ranged In a short time, and on tbe 3d instant she went on
a trial trip to test her steering qualities, having on hoard
a Commission composed of Commodore Oregory, Chief
Engineer (iarvin and Naval Constructor Hsrt. She left
the Navy Yard at half-past ten o'clock In the morning,
and pirnoeded down outside the Narrows, where her
guns were fired and the vessel maun-uvrea The (torn
mission reported verbally to Commodore I'auldin^ that
they considered the boat very suciessful.
Use man sleeiad her with perfect e.ist and facility.
She mail* a complete revolution with the helm hard over
in a space of three times her own length, the time re
quired being four minutes and three-quarters. It had
been feared by many naval officers that when the guns
were tired the concussion within the turret would be too
great for the men to bear; but it was found that, on the
contrary, the concussion within was less than it was
without the turret, nor was it at all severe upon the ear
in any part when a charge of canister, weighing one
hundred and thirty-five pounds, was fired with the full
charge of fifteen pounds of powder. Her speed by the
ehip-log was six and a quarter knots an hour, with sixty
five revolutions of the engines. The boilers, being new
and greatiy, foamed so that the engines could not be
worked up-to their maximum speed.
The Commission expressed themselves agreeably dis
appointed at the performances of the vessel in every
respect, the only difliculty being that the iron pilot
house affected the compass, a matter which was after"
wards easily adjusted.
She is a long, wide, flat-bottomed vessel, with vertical
sides and pointed ends, requiring but a very shallow
depth of water to float in, though heavily laden with
impregnable armor on her sides and a bomb-proof deck,
on which is placed a shot-proof revolving turret, which
contains two heavy gun a. She la so low in the water as
to afford no target for an enemy, and everything and
everybody is below the water line, with the exception
ot those persona who are required to work the
gun in the turret. The follow ins ia a correct liat of her
dimraaiona
feet. Ineka.
Length or upper vesael 172 ?
Beam of upper vessel .41 4
Depth of upper vessel 5 ?
Length of lower vessel 124 ?
Beam of lower vessel at junction with upper. 34 ?
Beam at bottom 18 ?
Depth of lower vessel 0 6
Diameter or turret, interior 20 ?
Height of turret 9 ?
Diameter of pilot house.6 ?
Height above deck 5 ?
The pilot bouse is only a few feel above the deck, the
helmsman standing on a platform below it. This, with
the turret, are the only thinga above the surface of the
deck.
The keel of tho Monitor was laid on the 25th of October,
1861, and steam first applied on the 31st of December
the same year. She was launched on the 30th of last
January.
The exploits of this glorious little craft are so fresh In
the minds of the publio that it is unnecessary to go into
details about them. Suffice it to say that on the ninth of
last March she very opportunely arrived off Fortress
Monroe, engaged the Merrimac, and in a couple of hours
forced that supposed impenetrable monater to retire,
disabled so badly as to render her almost useless after
wards. The following is a correct list of her officers:?
Lieut man! Commanding?George J e fliers.
Lieutenant awl Executive Officer?S. D. Green.
Acting Matter/?L. M. Stodder, J. W. Webber.
Acting Astiitant Paymaster? Wm. F. Keeler.
Acting Auistant Suryecn?D.C. I Ague.
Hugineeri?First Assistant, Isaac Newton; Second As
sistant, Albert 8. Campbell; Tliird Assistants, K. W.
Sands, M. T. Sunstron.
Acting Master't Male?George Frederickson.
NAUGATUCK.
This little steam battery was built by Mr. Stevens as
apurtial illustration of some of the principles of his
famous battery, and presented to the United States go
vernment by him. She carries one 100-pounder rilled
gun amidships, and two small howitzers. Many doubts
were expressed as to the efficiency of this boat; but the
'ollowiug atatemeut of her performancea during her
recent engagement, with the Merrimac, firing with a
range of about four miles, sets aside all doubts as to her
efficiency as a powerful engine of war:?
The Naugatuck then fired at the rebel gunboals York
town und Jamestown, which were lying beyond the Mer
rimac. The practice was excellent, and her gun showed
an extraordinary length of range. Turning her attention
from the Merrimac her shots wero directed at the rebel
gunboats, and of four fired all appeared to strike near the
object aimed at. The rebel vessels fell slowly back and
the tiring soon censed. The practice and powers of the
Xaugatuck'n rifled gun excited great admiration, and if
brought into p'ay would probably have prevented the
rebels from capturing any prizes.
In her late engagement off Fort Darling it is said her
one hundred-pounder Parrott gun exploded.
As we have already given a full description of her in
this paper, we merely annex a list of her officers:?
J.ieulenant t'ommamlinf)? ?? Robinson.
Fir it Officer?Lieutenant J. Wall Wilson.
Second Offiecr?K. L. Morton.
Enyinart?First, 'Ihomas Lingle; Second, Joseph Whits.
rOKT ROYAL.
The Totted States steam gunboat Port Royal is of the
game class as the Octorara. She was built at Stack's
Yard, (JreeDpntat, and received her machinery from the
Novelty Works, tost river. After completing her outfit
at the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, she went on a t welve hours'
trial trip. making nine Itnots per hour under only a half
head ?;f steain. answering her helm beautifully, and re
turned to ths yard on (be ;$Oth of April. Sho carries eight I
guns, Iiuh an inclined engine of great power, with I
boilers twenty feet long, ten feet wide mid uino and a
half Tent high Her length is two hundred aud eight
feet, breadth of beam thirty-five feet, thirteen feet
depth of hold, and draw* only Keren feet. Sbo is a side
wheel etoamer, iiaving a rudder at either end. On the j
morning of the 5th of Muy sho sailed from this port for '
Fortress Monroe, and was engaged with the Merrimac on I
the day that that vessel seised three United States
schooners oil Newport's News. Uotb commander and 1
crew of this vessel have seen service on the Cumber- j
land, in the engagement between that vessel and the
Merrimac?one of tho most glorious struggles of the
war. Lieutenant Morris was born in Massachusetts, in
the year 1826, and was appointed to the navy
in 1M6. Ho received bis present commis
sion on the 18th of September, 1801. To the beginning
of 1M1 his sea service under his previous commission
wis nearly four years, and bis total sea service ever ten
years. He was three years doing shore duty, and un.
employed for fifteen mouths. Previous to his appoint
ment to the command of the Cumberland, on the North
Atlantic squadron, he had been on leave of absence. He {
was also for some time on the sloop-of-war Cyans, on the
Pacific squadron. The heroism which he displayed when
the Cumberland was sinking, and ber decks covered with
the dead and the dying, will never be forgotten. "Men," I
said be, when the ship was sinking, "shall we give her !
another broadside?" "Aye, aye, sir," was the response
of the gallant crew; and w itb the last surge of the noble
ship, the water rushing through her portholes, her guns
thundered forth a final volley at the Merrimac.
Lieutenant Morris, in the late action seven miles be
low Richmond, Is reported among the wounded. Tho
following Is a list of her officers:?
Lieutenant Commanding '.eorge U. Morris.
Lieutenant?Henry P. ford.
MnUtr? M. 8. MUiyvesant.
Acting Matter*? fcdgar Van Biysk and L. D. D. Voorbees.
Jmiilam Surgeon? W. 3. Fort.
Amttant /'aymartn?John 8. Bates, Jr.
Captain't Clirrk?W. H. linn is.
Acting Uiutm' MaUt?John H. Marnel, James Hunter,
Beiy. Wood and W. F. Reynolds.
Kngtnerrt?Seeond Aisistnnt (Acting Chief), W. C.
Solden, Second Assistant, George W. Sonsuer; Third As
sistants, K. M. Breese, Oscar l ewis and F. B. Allyn.
AROOSTOOK.
This steam gunboat was built In Fhiladelphia. She is
of the same class as the failed Stales gunboat Oneida,
built at the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, and is considered one
of the best men-of-war of her class. She has not been
engaged in any particular struggle, until that in which it
jS reported she was repulsed from Fort Darling, seven
miles below Richmond.
Sketch off James River.
James river is the largest of the rivers which have
their course wholly within the state of Virginia, and Is
formed by tbe union of the Jackson and Cowpasture
rivers, which unite at about fifteen miles below Coving
ton, on the border between Alleghany and Botetourt
counties. The river, flowing first southeast, through th*
mountains of Central Virginia, is Joined by the lalfpaa*
tnre river from the left, at tho base of tha Blue Ridge
Mountains, through which it forces a passage about fif
teen miles northeast of the Peaks of Otter. It thon llows
southeast and passes by Lynchburg, after which H
Change* tie course to the northeast. Rut at the pressat
time tbe most interesting portion of the river is after (t
hns reached and pnesed Richmond. Near that eity the
rhannol is divided by numerous islands, and tho river
descends over rocky rapids, about six miles in extent.
These passed, the river gradually expands and deepens
until it forms itself into an estuary several miles In
width. and Hows into tbo southern extremity of < hesa.
pnake Bay, between Willougliby Point and old
Totnt Cornier! The whole length of tha rive,
is about four hnndred and fiftv miles, and tbe tide
ascends to Richmond, which is about one-third of that
distance from the sea. It is navigable for vassals of ooe
hundred and thirty tons to the port of Richmond, from
which city the Kanawha and James river canal will
carry them for two hundred miles further up the coun
try. The James river flows through a flue and fertile
country, and has several towns upon its banks. From
Richmond to the sea the river is tortuous and the bends
are capable of being easily fortified. At City Point there
are flftyfeetof water in the channel, and at Jordan'8
Point, a short distance farther down the river, there are
forty feet. On this point, previous to the rebellioni
there was erected a lighthouse, as the land Juts out
rather dangerously to those unacquainted with the chan
nel. For the next twenty miles tho depth of the channel
varies greatly, as follows, the first soundings opi>osite
Harrison's Point being eighteen feet, tho next
twenty feet, next forty feet, aud opposite Charles
City Court House forty-two feet. Here the
river bonds abruptly, and a few miles fur
ther on the chanuel has but thirty feet of water
After passing the next bend, which is very sharp, the
channel deepens to thirty-five feet, which is the case
opposite Fort Powhatan. In less than Ave miles the
soundings are recorded as follows:?35,30, 40,109,4c.
A few miles further on the depth is but twenty feot.
Here the river widens considerably, forming almost a
lake for over ten miles, with an average depth of about
eighteen feet, ending in the island noticed in the
despatch above mentioned. Jamestown Island is a small
piece of land of about three miles In length, and about
one and a half miles at the widest part, narrowing olT
at each end. At tho upper end of the island there are forty
feet of water in the principal of the two channels, and a
the south of the island is Cobham Bay, with an average
depth of about eighteen feet. Tho river still continues on
at various depths, interspersed with sand banks and
islands, until it reaches the sea by way of Newport's
News, &c.
IMPORTANT FROM THE PENINSULA.
Gen. McClellan Within Fifteen
Miles of Richmond.
Successful Military and Naval Expedi
tion Up the Pamunkey River.
The Rebels Compelled to Destroy Two Steamer*
and Twenty Other Vessels.
THE ADVANCE OF THE UNION FORCES,
Ac., Ac., Ac.
White Hotrss, Va., May 18,1882.
The advance guard of our forces on the main road to
Richmond, by way of Bottom's Bridge, drovejthe enemy
across the Chickahominy river at that point yesterday
morning. When our troops arrived within half a mile of
the bridge, which is burned, they wore opened upon by a
brisk flro of artillery from the opposite side of the river.
No one was Injured. This bridge is fifteen miles from
Richmond. At this point our troops will experience
conslderablo difficulty In crossing, as the country is
low and swampy.
A rcconnoissanco was made yesterday by one of the
gunboats with two companies of infantry under Major
Willard,andone scctionof Ayres' battery up the l'am
unkey river, a distance or twonty-tlve miles from hero
At a point known as Russell's landing they found the
steamer Logan, one propeller and fifteen schooners in
flames. They were laden mostly with corn, which was
being unloaded. Some contrabands on shore stated tha1
when tho robels heard our gunboats coming they com.
tnonced putting (he corn on board again, so as to ensure
its destruction. A few shells soon dispersed the remain
ing rebels In that locality, when the gunboats returned
to the White House.
The roads for the past three days have been next to im.
payable, owing to the recent rains. A division.train was
thirty-six hours making its way live miles with teams
doubled, together with the assistance furnished by a large
number of troops. The advance of the army from this
point must necessarily be slow. From here it loses the
benefit of river transportation, requiring all the supply
trains at the disposal of tho Quartermaster's Department
to furnish so vast a body of inen with subsistence. The
bridge between here and the enemy has been destroyed
aud every imaginable obstruction placod in the way of
our advance.
The Richmond Disintch, of the 12th, has a lengthy ar
tlcte on (tie evacuation of Norfolk and Yorktown, and the
| conduct of the war generally. It says by abandoning
detached posts which are within reach of the enemy's
lleet, and which it is therefore impossible to defend, we
are enabled to concentrate powerful forcos upon essen
tial points, and to baffle the enemy in every attack of vi
tal importance.
The same paper makes mention of a terrible panic in
Richmond on Friday on the approach of our gunboats.
This being Sunday the Army of the Potomac has ceased
its labors, the troops remaining in camp, enjoying a day
of rest.
Oflclal Despatch from General MeClellan.
HBAoqUAimit* Army Potomac. )
Whit* Hot s*, May 17?10 30 P. M. /
Bon. E. M. Stahton, Secretary of War:?
A combined naval and army expedition under Captain
Murray, United States Navy, with troops and artillery
i under Major Williard and Captain Ayree, of the army
1 want some twenty-five miles up the Pamankey river to
day, and forced the rebel* to destroy two steamers and
?ome twenty schooners. The expedition was admirably
managed, and all concerned deserve great credit.
We have advanced considerably to-day. The roads
are now improving.
GEO. B. McCLELLAX, Major General
Oar Ravtl Correspondence.
Chitkd States ^tcamkr STarrma Stoxw, 1
Cvmnwi.AUD, Pami'xkst Riven, Vs., May 14, IM'X f
The SU/yiny Stone* Fully Employ*!? The Pamunkty
River?The Enterprise Aitami' Erprtm, <fr.
Wehavejuat arrived here, after nearly a week's so
journ In the neighborhood of Wost Point. On parting
from us, Commodore Wy man's last injunction to Captain
French was, when he (Captain French) could flud no
thing to do In the vicinity of York river, to return to the
Potomac flotilla. But the Stepping Stones hss been kept
not only with something, but with everything to do,
with a vengeance. Night and day she has been em
ployed removing from place to place, and landing batte
ries, horeee,hay, ammunition, men, forage, oommissary
stores, horses, quartermaster's stores, and the devil
knows all what. Judge then what chanee we have to re
turn to the rotomacand identify ourselves with our own
distinguishing pennant, which is still flying.
Yesterday morning we left the anchorage off Brick
House Point, opposite West Point, and ran four or five
miles up the Pamunkey to another landing, where the
treat body of the troops are encamped. We were
immediately seat down to Yorktewa, whence we started
wirti a hay schooner tu tow and a number of barrels or
beef on our deck, for the subsistence ef troops at this
place. Returning up the river, we cast anchor a few
miles below West Point for the light, and remained
there for the morning, as it would have been imprudent
to continue further up, in consequence of the shoal
water, in the absence of a pilot who understood the
soundings of the river.
Early this morning we weighed and stood upwards,
soon entering the l'amnnkey This river, nntil a little
distance below where we lay, is not sa narrow aa ia
generally represented. Steamboats of the greatest
length ran and do turn with the utmoet ease. The stream
in very serpentine in its course, and passes through
alternate low and undulating land. Nearly the whole
wag,U> Cumberland you have a low lying piece of laud,
which may be designated .in extensive savannah or a
miniature prairie?now on this side, now on that, and
anon on both?the irregularity arieiug from the fact Mist
the savanimli or prairie does not exactly follow the wind
ing course of the river.
our coarse upwards was slow.from the fact that on
one side we towed a bargo containing no end ef gc>od
things belonging to certain sutlers, while at one end of
the ?ame vessel Adams' Kxorerg Comnaiiv l>??i a tent
erected, underneath which was a complete office, con
taining all the appliiiueeu for thetranmission i ranythiug,
from a herd of elephants to a musicalsnutf box; and soma
people on board the Stepping Stones actually availed
themselves of the opportunity of sending money to their
faultin g by the express while on the water. If any one
had told the old goutleman who gave his name to the
ttrm.and lite to us all, that one, or any number of hw
descendants and name would ever havo been able to per
form such a feat, how he would have stured.
About FOT?'n or eight miles below Cumberland, on the
right hunk, of the Pamunkey, we saw on a gentle accli
vity the frame of a rebel gunboat that had been so far
hurnod on tlio .-tt.cks as to bo beyond all remedy. Thero
?re no workshops nor the remains of auy near by, and It
must have been, under aay circumstances, an expensive
and difficult mutter to so far finish any vessel at that
siKit as to warrant its launching. The solo advantage
seemed to be a good supply of timber, with this draw
back, however, that It is very green, as Indeed must
have been the |ieopJo who could have supposed that a
boat built there, under such circumstances, could have
been In an/ way instrumental to the success of the
rohels.
We havo long since left our encampments, and even
our pickets are few and far between. At a turning oC
the river a gunboat is seen, and occasionally
we fall in with a comfortable looking farmhouse,
with apple, peach, pear and cherry trees itt
full bloom. At obo point a <leup cutting near
the batik of the river reveals the railroad between Rich
mond and West Point, and a glimpso is caught of the
telegraph wires. The gunboat passed. After a few turn
ings and windings the savannah disappears, the river
contracts, foliage of deciduous trees becomo more fre
quent than the sombre green of pinos; a sharp turning at
right angles, and here we are, brought up amongst a
crowd of steamers, schooners and other vessels, at a
spot where the rebels could comfortably cut all our
throats but tor the admirable strategy of General Mc
Cleilan, but whsro, as matters stand, they seem to be
encircled with a wall of Are, with only the resource ot
the "last ditch'' at Bottom's Bridge to die in.
Oar Army Correspondence*
Wssr I'ourr, York Rivkb, May 12,1802.
On the Road to Cumberland?More Deserters?The Rebels'
Only Hope?Supplies?Camp Humors, <Cc.
At length the order to strike tents has been given.
Wo leave here at five o'clock In the morning. Our des"
tination is said to be Cumberland. The object of our
advance is understood as intended to givo our division
its position again on the right, in the belief that such
is the case, tho regiments are joyous enough. As the
order was promulgated cheers went up from every
regiment, showing an eagerness to meet the foe that
augurs splendid action in the Held, hvery camp to
night presents a busy spectacle preparing rations and
getting everything in readiness for the morrow's work.
The bands are playing enlivening airs ; the moon looke
down from the sereuest of skies, shedding a llood ot
silvery lighTupou the animated scene. It is such nights i
such music, such orders for advance, that give eamp
life a poetry and electr\c activity and enthusiasm whose
mag netic effect stirs and thrills every one.
More deserters have come in to-day, and despite the
mendacious statements of the rebel leaders about our
cutting up, throwing in boiling water, hanging,quarter^
ing, and doing every other sort of imaginable vk>leaca
to rebels captured or coming within our lines, they wilj
continue to come in as long as our army is anywhere
near them. Though seeing several 1 could elicit nothing
additional to the stories of prior deserters. They unite
in according intense disgust to the rank and tile of the
enemy to the further prosecution of tho war, and assert
It as their opinion that tho game of the rebellion is
about played out. As far as they understand, the only
hope of the eneiny now Is to Induce our troupe to pursue
them into the miasmatic regions of the Southern States.
The difficulty of providing army storos and loss of our
men through unliealthfulness of the climate they believer
will compel our return, after which thev will make these
States the battle field and gain time to fortify.
Two individuals, one in soldier's costume and tho
other got up with sufficient length of whiskers and
elaboration of hat brim to be taken for a Tribune reporter,
were found this afternoon hid in the woods near here.
Both were armed, but they did not venture to use their
wea|>ons against our bold soldier boys. They pretended
that they were looking for our camp. With the corps of
deserters who have come in since our arrival, they were
ordered to Fortress Monroe.
A central object of Interest for a day or two past has
been a schooner in the stream loaded witn sutler's storos.
It has been a godsend to officers and ine.i; for everything
conceivable of preservation in hormeiically sealed caus
and ditto bottles was on board, and, what is more,sold
at exceedingly reasonable rates. Another redeemable
feature is that no liijuor was sold,except on presentation
of a special order from the commander of division.
A good deal of tho shipping have moved tip to day to
Fltham, two miles above us, on the Pamunkey river.
The army post, office was removed there to-day, as also
a branch oiiice of Adams JkCo.'s Express Company.
As I close my letter a rumor is circulating in ramp
that a detachment of General Stoneman's cavalry to day
advanced to Bottom's Bridge, which is eleven miles
from Richmond, and that they saw no trace of the
enemy, except indications of a continuation of th<ir
precipitate stampede towards the seat of the con
federacy. If this be true the expected battle at Bot
tom's Bridgo will of course fall through.
NEWS FROM GENERAL^ BANKS' CORPS.
The Skirmish with Rebels at Lyndeit, V?.
Rsdkktow.n, Va., May 17, 1862.
A detachment of seventeen men of Company O, Twenty*
eighth Pennsylvania regiment, who reached l.ynden,
Vtt.,outhc loth, a short time in advance of remtoice*
ments to that place, was attacked by a body of about
four hundred and fifty cavalry, who dashod upon thom
rom four directions. The men resisted them with sharp
tiring, under shelter of a depot, which bears severe
marks of the contest. They wore overjiowerod ;ind los*
?ne killed and fourteen taken prisoners. Tho balance ol
the company came up, charged the cavalry and com'
polled thom to beat a hasty retreat, with some loss.
Killtd?Corporal Sneath.
Captured?Corporal E. Itaker private* W. Glazier, J.
Kaikold,T. White, G. Bauersaoks, J. W. Prink, W.CRve<
G. Snyder, A. Miles, S. Rinard, C. MaxwellCompany
M, and throe privates of the First Michigan csvairy,com.
panic* H and 1.
NEWS FROM THE MOHTAIN DEPARTMENT.
General Cox's Advance at Princeton At
tacked and Driven Oat by tlie Rebel?
Under Humphrey Marshall?The Town
Recaptured by the Union Forces and
the Rebels Defeated, dee.
HtunqrARTBKa MnrNTinr pKFinrvBXT, >
Fukrux, Vs., ria Baltimore, May 17,1M2. /
Do*patches received this afternoon and evening, not
official, but considered trustworthy at headquarters*
announce that Princeton, the capital of Mercer county,
Va., where General Cox's advance was stationed, was at
tacked and captured yesterday by a rebel force under
Humphrey Marshall. This morning the piece was recap,
tared and the rebels defeated by General Cox. No par
ticulars received. Scouts report that the enomy in front
of as has been reinforced.
THE OCCUPATION OF PENSACOLA.
Destruction of the Wavy Yard and Re*
fmoval of all Movable Property.
Btmnit Corinth , May 18, 18?2. '
The Mebilo Advtrtiter and RegitUr contains the follow
ing special despatbh:?
I'snmcola, May 10,1862. '
At twelve o'clock last night the Peneacela Navy Yard!
and forts were set on Are and destroyed. When the eno
my discovered what was going on, Fort Pickens oponed m
furious bombardment and kept it up during the confla-i
gration, but without doing any damage to any one at*
Pensacola. All the public property, except the Custom
House, incapable of being burned, wis moved; but all
tho movdblc Confederate {property has been raved. Tho
railroad track leading out of the city towards Montgome*
ry was torn up this morning.
Federal vessels, with a flag of truce, came up to tba
city to-day, demanding the surrender. Msyor Rollbe re
fused to ooaply with the demsnd. and said that all th?
military force bed left and he had no powor to oppoee*
The federal officer replied that tbey would occupy tba
oily to-morrow, but that the inhabitants need not b*
alarmed.
No News (Tom Portress Monroe
Bamimonb, May 18.1802.
The Old Point boat has arrived. No news.
Death of Captala Wright.
nsuansimu.May 18,1882. ?
CSpUin Wright, of Rush's eavalry,son of Heedtkto
B. Wright, died this morning at Germantown, of typhoidl
fever.
Fire In Leominster, Massachusetts.
Boston, My 18, ltd!.
A flre at laomlnster, on Saturday ssorning, destroyed!
the pianoforte manufactory of J. H. I.ockey, the eevtrf
facuiry of .loselyn A Adams, the nschtne shop ea
Thurston k Richardson, and two other bnlUHess. LM|
*10,000. Partly insured.