About eleven A.M., on the seventh, I heard that about four thousand of the troops recently stationed at Gloucester Point (who had retreated up the north side of the York River, with the view of crossing at this place, and were prevented by our presence) were crossing the Mattapony River at Frazier's Ferry, thirty miles above here. I immediately asked and obtained permission to go after them, and by three P.M. had carried the On the Merrimac's appearance outside of the old flag thirty-six miles above West-Point, till our progress was checked by our draught of water. works the Monitor had orders to fall back into I learned that four thousand of the rebels had fair channel-way, and only to engage her seriouspassed the previous night, on their way to Dun-ly in such a position that this ship, together with the merchant vessels intended for the purpose, kirk Bridge. could run her down. vessels detailed to open fire upon Sewell's Point, were that the object of the move was to ascertain the practicability of landing a body of troops thereabouts, and to reduce the works if it could be done; that the wooden vessels should attack the principal works in enfilade, and that the Monitor, to be accompanied by the Stevens, should go up as far as the works and there operate in front. I found white flags hoisted on both shores of the river, and the people generally apparently pleased to see the Union flag once more among them. About three miles above this place the Mattapony has been obstructed by the sinking of six vessels in the channel, but we passed round the south side of them in five fathoms water. In the evening we returned to our anchorage, and during the night shelled out a party who were endeavoring to set fire to the timber in the ship-yard, which had escaped the general destruction by the rebels on their evacuation of the place during the fourth instant. If an opportunity presented itself the other vessels were not to hesitate to run her down, and the Baltimore, an unarmed steamer, of light draught, high speed, and with a curved bow, was kept in the direction of the Monitor expressly to throw herself across the Merrimac, either forward or aft of her plated bows. But the Merrimac did not engage the Monitor, nor did she place herself where she could have been assailed by our ram-vessels to any advantage, or where there was any prospect whatever of getting at her. My instructions were necessarily verbal, and I will mention that we had the pleasure of fir- in giving them I supposed that I was carrying ing the last naval shot at Yorktown on the eve-out your wishes in substance, if not to the letter. ning previous to the evacuation, and that one of our twelve-pound Hotchkiss shell, projected a fraction over four miles, exploded and killed five of the enemy, and one of the solid shot passed about one half a mile beyond the town, or four and a half miles. All the prisoners who have been captured, or have given themselves up to me, agree in saying that the rebel army from Yorktown ("one hundred and twenty-five thousand well men") will fall back to the Chickahominy, and that Gen. Johnston declares that he will not attempt to make a stand where our gunboats can cut up his men; they also say that the people "feel that it is all over with them," and soldiers desert whenever they can. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. Commanding, Assistant in Coast Survey. Superintendent United States Coast Survey. Doc. 26. ATTACK ON SEWELL'S POINT, VA. REPORT OF COM. GOLDSBOROUGH, U. S. FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA, SIR: Agreeably to a communication just received from the Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, I have the honor to report that the instructions I gave yesterday to the officers commanding the several The demonstration resulted in establishing the fact that the number of guns at the principal work on Sewell's Point has been essentially reduced, and is not greater now than about seventeen, and that the number of men now stationed there is comparatively quite limited. The quarters connected with this work were set on fire by our shells, and no doubt seriously injured. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, BALTIMORE "AMERICAN" ACCOUNT. FORTRESS MONROE, May 8, 1862. This has been a most stirring and exciting day at Old Point, and all are anticipating the early fall of Norfolk. The weather has been beautiful, and the scene was one of no ordinary attraction. At eleven o'clock, the little steamer Naugatuck was observed raising steam, and a few minutes before twelve o'clock she moved out by the side of the Monitor, which vessel had also cleared her deck for action, taking down her awnings and pipes, and stood in full fighting trim. 11.30 o'clock.-The gunboat Dacotah has just moved up on line of battle with the two little batteries, followed slowly by the sloops-of-war Seminole and San Jacinto. The flag-ship Minnesota is also under steam. 12 o'clock. The Naugatuck moved up towards Elizabeth, followed by the Monitor and Dacotah in regular line of battle, the Seminole and San Jacinto following slowly. Heavy firing still heard from the direction of the Galena, and the gunboats up the James River. 12.10 o'clock. The United States side-wheel steamer Susquehanna moved up, passing the Seminole and San Jacinto. In the mean time, the Dacotah and the Monitor had reached the channel, and taken possession of Sewell's Point, and the Dacotah fired a shot towards Craney Island, which fell short. A second shot from the Dacotah struck on the beach at Sewell's Point. A third also fell short. are moving along again slowly up the Elizabeth River, and a dense black smoke has commenced to rise from Sewell's Point, indicating that some of the incendiary shells thrown have fired their barracks. The Dacotah continues to throw her shells direct into the Point, the explosions of which can be distinctly seen. The shells from the Point mostly fall short, and splash along in the water or explode in the air, the constant 12.20 o'clock. The Susquehanna moves up, changing of the positions of the vessels destroyand takes the lead of the San Jacinto and Semi-ing the range of the rebel gunners. They are, nole. There was no return from either of the however, making quite a determined fight from rebel forts, and the Dacotah and Monitor are their works, giving the fleet almost shell for shell steaming up the Elizabeth River, the Naugatuck and shot for shot. Sewell's Point is almost enlaying off towards the mouth of James River. veloped in smoke, the constant explosion of shells and the smoke from its own guns and the fire raging in the vicinity, making it a most hot place for suffering humanity. 12.30 o'clock.-The Dacotah and Monitor are moving up abreast, and are approaching Craney Island and Sewell's Point. The Dacotah stops and fires every few minutes, alternately at Sewell's Point and Craney Island, the enemy making no reply, although the balls all reach their intended destination. The Monitor is now taking the lead, but has not fired. In the mean time the Seminole and Susquehanna open fire on Sewell's Point, and two shots are fired from the Point, all of which fall short of the Monitor, which is now a mile above the other vessels. 12.40 o'clock. The rebels are firing rapidly from Sewell's Point, principally at the Monitor, whilst a continual succession of shells are being poured in from the Susquehanna, Dacotah, Seminole and San Jacinto, broadside after broadside. The Rip Raps also threw an occasional shell into Sewell's Point. 12.50 o'clock. The Susquehanna, Dacotah, San Jacinto and Seminole are pouring in shells, and the Monitor threw her first two shells from a point full a mile and a half ahead of the vessels. The guns from Sewell's Point fall short of the regular fleet, and many of them explode high in the air at half the distance. The Monitor is still moving forward, firing an occasional shot, whilst the Rip Raps and the fleet, lying off in line of battle, are still firing steadily. 1 o'clock.-The Monitor is now within a mile of Sewell's Point, moving slowly forward and firing. The enemy is firing briskly from Sewell's Point at the Monitor, and the shells are falling briskly around her. Craney Island is also joining in the fight, and has just thrown several shells at the Monitor, one of which has just exploded directly over her. 1.10 o'clock.-The Monitor is moving steadily forward, occasionally firing, and receiving the shells and shot from the rebel batteries with perfect nonchalance. 2 o'clock. During the past hour there has been but little if any change in the progress of the bombardment. The Monitor has fallen back, and lies alongside of the Susquehanna, probably for the purpose of communicating with her. The Naugatuck, in the mean time, has been throwing shells into the Pig Point battery, and the fleet have also thrown a number of shell in the same direction. 2.15 o'clock.-The Monitor and the Dacotah 2.30 o'clock.-The Monitor has lain out of action for nearly an hour, whilst the four larger vessels throw an occasional shot, all of which enter the works of the enemy, or explode within the woods. The Rip Raps also keep up a constant cross-fire, throwing a large number of shells in the rear of the Point batteries, giving them the benefit of a cross-fire. The Rip Rap battery has the range from Sewell's Point most perfectly. 2.45 o'clock. The rebel monster Merrimac has just passed out from behind Sewell's Point, and is moving down slowly towards the Federal fleet. Her black hull can be seen moving slowly along the shore, in front of the Craney Island batteries. Simultaneously with the appearance of the Merrimac, the Monitor started up from behind the wooden vessels, and moved up to meet the enemy. Dense volumes of smoke rolled from the pipes of the Merrimac, and the Monitor, with only a puff of white steam escaping from her, looked in the distance an infinitesimal atom on the surface of the water. The larger vessels drew on one side, and left the Monitor and the Naugatuck in the path of the approaching enemy, the contestants being now fully two miles apart. 3 o'clock.-The Minnesota fires her signal-gun, and the long roll is being beat in the fort. The Minnesota is also coming up slowly from her anchorage below the fort. The fleet had been all lying quietly at anchor for the past half-hour, when a signal from the flag-ship ordered them all to return. The Susquehanna leads the way, followed by the San Jacinto, the Seminole and the Dacotah, the Monitor bringing up the rear, all apparently using their greatest speed towards the fort. To the spectators this seemed rather mortifying; but as they moved down in line, the Monitor was observed to halt, and the San Jacinto and the Dacotah also followed her example, leaving the Susquehanna and the Seminole moving ahead. The four steamers and the Monitor having taken their positions, the Merrimac also halted, and the five vessels stood not more than a mile and a half apart, the rebel monster not apparently willing to come further down, and the Monitor unwilling to go further up. The Minnesota had also steamed up in front of the Fortress wharf, followed slowly by the Vanderbilt, when both stopped. After lying in this position, the Minnesota turned around and steamed back, and the Vanderbilt, without turning, backed water slowly down the river. Whilst all this manoeuvring was going on, the firing had entirely ceased from all points. shells at times raining in among them with such fury that it was impossible to escape. Doc. 27. PROCLAMATION OF GOV. JOHNSON. 3.40 o'clock. The Merrimac now turns around and steams back towards Norfolk, with the rebel flag flying from her stern. The Baltimore steamer Georgiana has lain out in the stream with steam up all the afternoon, ready to escape from danger at the earliest practicable moment. The Minnesota and Vanderbilt have gone back to their anchorage ground. The Dacotah wheels around, and again proceeds up towards the Merrimac, and the Monitor also stands off towards Now therefore, I, Andrew Johnson, Governor the mouth of the Elizabeth River. The Dacotah of the State of Tennessee, by virtue of the power is now within easy range of Sewell's Point, the and authority in me vested, do hereby proclaim batteries of which do not open on her. She and that in every instance in which a Union man is the Monitor have both stopped, and the Merri- arrested and maltreated by the marauding bands mac is lying stationary, about a mile in advance aforesaid, five or more rebels, from the most proof the Craney Island battery. minent in the immediate neighborhood, shall be arrested, imprisoned, and otherwise dealt with as the nature of the case may require; and further, to the Government of the United States is taken in all cases where the property of citizens loyal or destroyed, full and ample remuneration shall be made to them out of the property of such rebels in the vicinity as have sympathized with, and given aid, comfort, information or encouragement to the parties committing such depredations. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, NASHVILLE, TENN., May 9, 1862. tile to the Government of the United States, have WHEREAS, certain persons, unfriendly and hosbanded themselves together, and are now going at large through many of the counties of this State, arresting, maltreating and plundering Union citizens wherever found: The Vanderbilt and the Arago have also steamed up in front of the wharf, and have again backed. The Merrimac has run back under the guns of Craney Island, and the Monitor is steaming off towards her at full speed. The Minnesota is also coming up again at full speed, the effort being to draw the rebel out again. 5.45 o'clock. For the past hour, the fleet has been moving back and forward, but the Merrimac still lies under the guns of Craney Island. The Monitor is lying about a mile and a half from the Merrimac, and the Dacotah, Susquehanna and Seminole are still in her rear. The Naugatuck is also running up towards the Monitor. The Minnesota, Arago and Vanderbilt have gone back to their anchorage, and there is no prospect of any fight to-night. - 5 o'clock. The war-vessels, including the Monitor, have all returned to their anchorage. The Merrimac, in the mean time, is moving slowly behind Sewell's Point. The President has witnessed the whole action from a tug-boat lying about a mile in the rear of the fleet. He has just returned, and as he passed up the wharf was vociferously cheered by the troops. 5.15 o'clock. Our fleet having retired, the Merrimac is again steaming out. The Monitor, Dacotah and Naugatuck are, however, lying in position off Sewell's Point. I just learn from an officer of the Seminole that the flag-staff at Sewell's Point was twice shot away during the bombardment. The first time it fell it was picked up, and a rebel in a red shirt jumped on the ramparts with the stump of the staff and flag, and waved it, when a second shell struck him and cut him in two, and, it is supposed, killed a number of others who were near him. Of the many shots fired from Sewell's Point and Craney Island, not one struck any of the vessels. One or two went over their masts, but the balance fell short. The rebels could be distinctly seen carrying off their dead and wounded, the This order will be executed in letter and spirit. All citizens are hereby warned, under heavy penalties, from entertaining, receiving or encouraging such persons so banded together, or in any wise connected therewith. By the Governor, EDWARD H. EAST, Secretary of State. Doc. 28. ANDREW JOHNSON. The three States of Georgia, Florida and South tial law. Carolina, comprising the military department of ED. W. SMITH, Acting Adjutant-General. Doc. 29. THE DESTITUTION OF NEW-ORLEANS. GENERAL BUTLER'S PROCLAMATION. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT of the Gulf, GENERAL ORDERS, No. 25. The deplorable state of destitution and hunger of the mechanics and working classes in this city has been brought to the knowledge of the Commanding General. The United States has sent land and naval forces here to fight and subdue rebellious armies in array against her authority. We find, substantially, only fugitive masses, runaway property-owners, a whisky-drinking mob and starving citizens with their wives and children. It is our duty to call back the first, to punish the second, root out the third, feed and protect the last. Ready only for what we had not prepared ourselves, to feed the hungry and relieve the distressed with provisions. But to the extent possible within the power of the Commanding General it shall be done. He has yielded to every suggestion made by the city government, and ordered every method of furnishing food to the people of New-Orleans He has captured a quantity of beef and sugar that that government desired. No relief by intended for the rebels in the field. A thousand those officials has yet been afforded. This hun-barrels of those stores will be distributed among ger does not pinch the wealthy and influential, the deserving poor of this city from whom the the leaders of the rebellion, who have gotten up rebels had plundered it; even although some of this war, and are now endeavoring to prosecute the food will go to supply the craving wants of it, without regard to the starving poor, the the wives and children of those now herding at working man, his wife and child. Unmindful Camp Moore and elsewhere, in arms against the of their suffering fellow-citizens at home, they United States. have caused or suffered provisions to be carried out of the city for the confederate service since the occupation by the United States forces. Lafayette square, their home of affluence, was made the depot of stores and munitions of war for the rebel armies, and not of provisions for their poor neighbors. Striking hands with the vile, the gambler, the idler and the ruffian, they have destroyed the sugar and cotton which might have been exchanged for food for the industrious and good, and regrated the price of that which is left, by discrediting the very currency they had furnished while they eloped with the specie, as well that stolen from the United States as the banks, the property of the good people of New-Orleans, thus leaving them to ruin and starvation. Captain John Clark, Acting Chief Commissary of Subsistence, will be charged with the execution of this order, and will give public notice of the place and manner of distribution, which will be arranged as far as possible so that the unworthy and dissolute will not share its benefits. By command of Major-General BUTLER, GEO. C. STRONG, Assistant Adjutant-General, Chief of Staff. Doc. 80. NAVAL FIGHT AT FORT PILLOW. U. 8. FLAG-STEAMER BENTON, OFF FORT PILLOW, May 11. Fugitives from justice many of them, and others, their associates, staying because too puerile and insignificant to be objects of punishment that yesterday morning, a little after seven ment by the clement government of the United States. They have betrayed their country. They have been false to every trust. They have shown themselves incapable of defending the State they have seized upon, although they have forced every poor man's child into their service as soldiers for that purpose, while they made their sons and nephews officers. They cannot protect those whom they have ruined, but have left them to the mercies and assassinations of a chronic mob. They will not feed those whom they are starving. Mostly without property themselves, they have plundered, stolen and destroyed the means of those who had property, leaving children penniless and old age hopeless. Men of Louisiana, workingmen, propertyholders, merchants and citizens of the United States, of whatever nation you may have had birth, how long will you uphold those flagrant wrongs, and by inaction suffer yourselves to be made the serfs of these leaders? o'clock, the rebel squadron, consisting of eight iron-clad steamers-four of them, I believe, fitted as rams-came round the point at the bend above Fort Pillow, and steamed gallantly up the river, fully prepared for a regular engagement.、 The vessels of this squadron were lying at the time tied up to the bank of the river-three on the eastern and four on the western side-and (as they were transferred to me by Flag-Officer Foote) ready for action. Most of the vessels were prompt in obeying the signal to follow the motions of the commander-in chief. The leading vessels of the rebel squadron made directly for mortar-boat No. Sixteen, which was for a moment unprotected. Acting-Master Gregory and his crew behaved with great spirit during the action; he fired his mortar eleven times at the enemy, reducing the charge and diminishing the elevation. Commander Stembel, in the gunboat Cincinnati, which was the leading vessel in the line on that side of the river, followed immediately by Commander Kilty, in the Mound City, hastened to the support of the mortar-boats, and were re peatedly struck by the enemy's rams, at the same time that they disabled the enemy and drove him away. The two leading vessels of the enemy's line were successively encountered by this ship. The boilers or steam-chest of one of them was exploded by our shot, and both of them were disabled. They, as well as the first vessel encountered by the Cincinnati, drifted down the river. Commander Walke informs me that he fired a fifty-pound rifle-shot through the boilers of the third of the enemy's gunboats, of the western line, and rendered her for the time being helpless. The action lasted during the better part of an hour, and took place at the closest quarters. The enemy finally retreated with haste below the guns of Fort Pillow. Early this morning, as usual, our mortar-boats were towed down to their position for firing, it being a point on the Arkansas shore about one mile from the end of Craigshead Point. The gunboat Cincinnati ran down as a convoy. Scarcely had the mortars been moored in their position, when the rebel ram Louisiana appeared coming around the point, accompanied by four other gunboats. The ram immediately opened fire on the Cincinnati, to which the latter replied with interest. The rebel boats were all held in check by the Cincinnati alone, when the rest of the Federal fleet got under way and came to her assistance. In the mean time the rebel ram, finding her guns ineffectual against the iron armor of the Cincinnati, approached her with the evident intention of running her down. Capt. Stembel, of the latter, prepared to meet the assault of the ram by opening his steam batteries and putting them in readiness for use. I have to call the especial attention of the Department to the gallantry and good conduct exhibited by Commanders Stembel and Kilty, and Lieut. Commanding S. L. Phelps. I regret to say that Commander Stembel, Fourth Master As the rebel craft approached within close Reynolds, and one of the seamen of the Cincin-range, the Cincinnati turned her head about, nati and one of the Mound City were severely wounded. The other accidents of the day were slight. I have the honor to be, Your most obedient servant, COMMANDER PENNOCK'S DESPATCH. CAIRO, May 13, 1862. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy: News from the fleet is just received. The Mound City was injured on the starboard bow by a ram, and is now on her way to Cairo for repairs. The Cincinnati was injured on her starboard bow and sunk in twelve feet of water. She will be raised and sent here for repairs, which will be done with all possible despatch. Commander Stembel is here at the Naval Depot, doing well. Fourth Master Reynolds of the Cincinnati was mortally wounded. Two of the Cincinnati's crew were slightly wounded. There were no other casualties. Commander Stembel fought his ship gallantly. (Signed) A. W. PENNOCK, Commanding and Fleet Captain. CHICAGO "TIMES" REPORT. OFF FORT PILLOW, May 10. At last the monotony is broken. We have had a fight and a glorious one too, purely naval, with nearly an equal number of boats on each side, and have sent the rebels back down the river badly crippled. They attacked us this morning at six o'clock, and before eight they were so badly whipped that they will never again attempt such a job. Yesterday morning they sent a boat up with a flag of truce, ostensibly to arrange an exchange of two surgeons, captured at the battle of Belmont, but, as now appears, simply to ascertain definitely the position of our fleet. causing the ram to run along close beside her, when Capt. Stembel drew his pistol and very coolly shot the pilot, killing him instantly; but a second afterwards, a musket-ball struck the gallant Captain in his left shoulder, inflicting a painful though not serious wound. At this time the contest between the two boats was most intensely exciting. The crews of each were armed with carbines, cutlasses and boarding-pikes, and were discharging volley after volley in quick succession at each other; while the ram was also endeavoring to get her head about so as to run into, and, if possible, sink her antagonist. Just then the steam batteries of the Cincinnati were opened with terrific effect, throwing heavy volumes of steam and scalding water into the midst of the rebel crew, placing all who appeared on deck hors du combat instantly, and causing the craft to withdraw with all haste. In the mean time the rebel fleet had been reën. forced by three other vessels, and among them the new iron-clad gunboat Mallory, lately built at Memphis. These three ran immediately up to the Cincinnati and engaged her at once. She withstood the assault most nobly, the shot of the enemy glancing off from her iron plating without causing the slightest damage, while her own guns were raining shot and shell with fearful effect upon the enemy. Capt. Stembel, though badly wounded, remained at his post and directed every movement with the coolness and deliberation for which he is noted. During the engagement the Mallory approached the Cincinnati with the design of accomplishing that which the ram had failed in doing. As she came in close proximity, the Federal boat St. Louis bore down upon her, and coming with a full head of steam on, struck her amidships, cutting her nearly in two, and causing her to sink in a very few minutes. Numbers of ner crew escaped by clinging to the St. Louis, and others |