Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

that the engine and pump belonging to it were removed to Richmond.

Shortly after passing these harmless obstructions in their pathway, the line of march for the city was again taken up, the spires and prominent Whilst the Union men of Norfolk are reserved points of which could be occasionally seen through and fearful, those of Portsmouth, on the contrary, the thick foliage of the trees. When about a gave the most enthusiastic testimony on Sunday mile from the suburbs, Mayor Lamb, of Norfolk, in behalf of the faith that is in them. The deaccompanied by one of the city councilmen, ap-struction of the navy-yard has given great dissatproached the advancing column, bearing a flag isfaction, and as we steamed along the wharves of truce, when a halt took place, quite a number of flags could be seen suspended from private residences. Small boys were parading the streets with flags, evidently manufactured by their mothers, and there was every evidence that with a better supply of bunting there will be no lack of the disposition and determination to give it to the breeze. The possession of a concealed Federal flag was deemed an act of treason by the rebel authorities-all that could be found were destroyed; hence the present scarcity among the people.

The Mayor informed Gen. Wool that Gen. Huger and the rebel troops had evacuated the city and restored the civil authorities; that there were no troops at that time within some miles of Norfolk or Portsmouth; and that, under all circumstances, he was prepared, on the part of the people, to give to the Federal troops quiet and peaceable possession; all that he asked in return was that private property should be respected, and peaceably disposed citizens allowed to follow their usual vocations.

While the navy-yard was being destroyed on A halt was then called, and the men bivou- Saturday night another party was engaged in acked on the field for the night, outside of the going around and firing the shipping and steamlimits of the city, and Gen. Wool, accompanied boats in the harbor. Among these was the Baltiby Secretary Chase, and Gen. Viele and his staff more steamer William Selden, stolen at the comand mounted body-guard, with a corps of gentle-mencement of the war, the Cayuga, the Pilot Boy, men of the press, advanced to the city with the and other small craft. There were also two ironMayor, and found a large throng of citizens as-clad gunboats, which were unfinished, set on fire sembled at the Court-House. Here the Mayor stated to the people the subject of his interview with Gen. Wool, and repeated the assurance that he had given him of protection to personal rights and private property. This assurance was received with cheers by the people-not very enthusiastic, but nevertheless cheers.

The harbor of Norfolk looked most beautiful, | and the green foliage of the trees gave a summer aspect to the whole landscape, as we lay on the broad expanse of water between the two cities. After cruising about for some time among the fleet we landed at the wharf, and took a stroll through the city. It being Sunday, of course all places of business were closed, and the city presented a quiet aspect. The wharves were crowded with blacks, male and female, and a goodly number of working people, with their wives and children, were strolling about. Soldiers were stationed on the wharves, and picketed through the city, whilst the flag of the Union floated in triumph from the cupola of the Custom-House. The houses through the city were generally closed, especially most of those of the wealthier classes. The President lay off in the steamer Baltimore for about an hour in front of the city, and then steamed back to the Fortress. Secretary Chase returned with him, whilst Secretary Stanton remained until a late hour for consultation with Gen. Viele and Gen. Wool.

True to the spirit of secession, the fire, which threw a broad glare across the heavens on Saturday night, proceeded from the destruction of the Portsmouth navy-yard, which was done by order of the rebel commandant. It is now almost a mass of ruins, scarcely anything being left but black walls and tall chimneys. Even the immense stone dry-dock, which cost nearly a million of dollars, was mined and damaged, and it is said

and floated over towards Norfolk, probably for the purpose of destroying the city. The firemen, however, towed them out and extinguished them.

This work of destruction was accomplished on Saturday night, after the Federal troops had occupied Norfolk; and the incendiaries could be seen moving about in the darkness, with their pitch-pine flambeaux, like so many diabolical visitants. The scene strongly reminded the spectator of the panorama of the burning of Moscow, and with the immense flame that it threw forth made the scene one of terrible grandeur.

LETTER FROM GENERAL WOOL.

In a private letter to a friend in New-York, Gen. Wool wrote:

The whole affair of the capture of Norfolk was done in twenty-seven hours. My course was by water twelve miles, and by land thirty-six, on horseback. My friend D- will tell you I am a hard rider. I do not think he will care to ride with me again to Hampton and back.

I found by examination, on Friday morning, that I could land troops without much trouble at Ocean View, six miles from Fortress Monroe. The Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Chase, and my aid-de-camp, Col. Cram, were with me. We returned to the fort at two o'clock. I immediately organized a force of less than six thousand men, and embarked them during the night under the direction of Col. Cram.

The Colonel constructed a bridge of boats, and landed the troops at the point named early on Saturday morning. As fast as they could form, I put them in motion for Norfolk. Our route was by the New Bridge. On approaching the bridge the troops were fired on from a battery of three six-pounders.

The necessary halt enabled the enemy to fire

the bridge. At this moment I arrived at the head of the column, and by a countermarch proceeded by the old road to Norfolk, where I arrived safe at five o'clock, when the Mayor and Common Council met me and surrendered the city.

The enemy, three thousand strong, with Gen. Huger, had fled but a short time before my arrival.

The intrenchments through which I passed had twenty-one guns mounted, which, properly manned, might have made an effective defence.

I turned the command over to Brig.-Gen. Viele, and appointed him Military Governor of the city, and then returned to the Fort and reported to the President and Secretary of War.

I think it a fair inference that the occupation of Norfolk caused the blowing up of the "dreaded Merrimac," and thus secured to us the free use of the James River. The army may, therefore, claim at least some share of this much-desired naval success.

I have given you a hasty sketch of this movement, thinking it would be interesting to my friends in New-York.

In great haste, most truly yours,
JOHN E. WOOL.

Doc. 12.

Point battery; and I left immediately with the Virginia to defend it.

We found six of the enemy's vessels, including the iron-clad steamers Monitor and Naugatuck, shelling the battery. We passed the battery, and stood directly for the enemy, for the purpose of engaging him, and I thought an action certain, particularly as the Minnesota and Vanderbilt, which were anchored below Fortress Monroe, got under way and stood up to that point apparently with the intention of joining their squadron in the Roads. Before, however, we got within gunshot, the enemy ceased firing, and retired with all speed under the protection of the guns of the fortress, followed by the Virginia, until the shells from the Rip Raps passed over her.

The Virginia was then placed at her moorings near Sewell's Point, and I returned to Norfolk to hold the conference referred to.

It was held on the ninth, and the officers pressent were, Col. Anderson and Capt. - of the army, selected by Gen. Huger, who was too unwell to attend himself; and of the navy, myself, Com. Hollins, and Capts. Sterrett and Lee, Commander Richard L. Jones, and Lieuts. Ap Catesby Jones and J. Pembroke Jones.

The opinion was unanimous that the Virginia was then employed to the best advantage, and that she should continue, for the present, to protect Norfolk, and thus afford time to remove the

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE MERRIMAC. public property.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF COMMODORE TATNALL. RICHMOND, May 14, 1862. SIR: In detailing to you the circumstances which caused the destruction of the confederate States steamer Virginia, and her movements a few days previous to that event, I begin with your telegraphic despatches to me of the fourth and fifth instant, directing me to take such a position in the James River as would entirely prevent the enemy's ascending it.

Gen. Huger, commanding at Norfolk, on learning that I had received this order, called on me and declared that its execution would oblige him to abandon immediately his forts on Craney Island, at Sewell's Point, and their guns to the enemy. I informed him that, as the order was imperative, I must execute it, but stated that he should telegraph you and state the consequences. He did so, and on the sixth instant you telegraphed me to endeavor to afford protection to Norfolk as well as the James River, which replaced me in my original position. I then arranged with the General that he should notify me when his preparations for the evacuation of Norfolk were sufficiently advanced to enable me to act independently.

On the seventh instant Com. Hollins reached Norfolk, with orders from you to communicate with me and such officers as I might select in regard to the best disposition to be made of the Virginia, under the present aspect of things.

We had arranged the conference for the next day, the eighth; but, on that day, before the hour appointed the enemy attacked the Sewell's

On the next day, at ten o'clock A.M., we observed from the Virginia that the flag was not flying on the Sewell's Point battery, and that it appeared to have been abandoned. I despatched Lieut. J. P. Jones, the Flag-Lieutenant, to Craney Island, where the confederate flag was still flying, and he there learned that a large force of the enemy had landed on Bay Shore, and were marching rapidly on Norfolk; that Sewell's Point battery was abandoned, and our troops were retreating. I then despatched the same officer to Norfolk, to confer with Gen. Huger and Capt. Lee. He found the navy-yard in flames, and that all its officers had left by railroad. On reaching Norfolk he found that Gen. Huger and all the other officers of the army had also left, that the enemy were within half a mile of the city, and that the Mayor was treating for its surrender.

On returning to the ship, he found that Craney Island and all the other batteries on the river had been abandoned.

It was now seven o'clock in the evening, and this unexpected confirmation rendered prompt measures necessary for the safety of the Virginia.

The pilots had assured me that they could take the ship, with a draft of eighteen feet, to within forty miles of Richmond.

This the chief pilot, Mr. Parrish, and his chief assistant, Mr. Wright, had asserted again and again; and on the afternoon of the seventh, in my cabin, in the presence of Com. Hollins and Capt. Sterrett, in reply to a question of mine, they both emphatically declared their ability to do so.

Confiding in these assurances, and, after con

sulting with the first and flag-lieutenants, and learning that the officers generally thought it the most judicious course, I determined to lighten the ship at once, and run up the river for the protection of Richmond.

All hands having been called on deck, I stated to them the condition of things, and my hope that, by getting up the river before the enemy could be made aware of our designs, we might capture his vessels which had ascended it, and render efficient aid in the defence of Richmond; but that to effect this would require all their energy in lightening the ship. They replied with three cheers, and went to work at once. The pilots were on deck and heard this address to the

crew.

Being quite unwell, I had retired to bed. Between one and two o'clock in the morning the first lieutenant reported to me that, after the crew had worked for five or six hours, and lifted the ship so as to render her unfit for action, the pilots had declared their inability to carry eighteen feet above the Jamestown Flats, up to which point the shore on each side was occupied by the

enemy.

On demanding from the chief pilot, Mr. Parrish, an explanation of this palpable deception, he replied that eighteen feet could be carried after the prevalence of easterly winds, and that the wind for the last two days had been westerly. I had no time to lose. The ship was not in condition for battle, even with an enemy of equal force, and their force was overwhelming. I therefore determined, with the concurrence of the first and flag-lieutenants, to save the crew for future service by landing them at Craney Island, the only road for retreat open to us, and to destroy the ship, to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy. I may add that, although not formally consulted, the course was approved by every commissioned officer in the ship.

There is no dissenting opinion. The ship was accordingly put on shore as near the mainland in the vicinity of Craney Island as possible, and the crew landed. She was then fired, and after burning fiercely fore and aft for upward of an hour, blew up a little before five on the morning of the eleventh.

We marched for Suffolk, twenty-two miles, and reached it in the evening, and from thence came by railroad to this city.

It will be asked what motives the pilots could have had to deceive me. The only imaginable one is that they wished to avoid going into battle. Had the ship not have been lifted so as to render her unfit for action, a desperate contest must have ensued with a force against us too great to justify much hope of success, and as battle is not their occupation, they adopted this deceitful course to avoid it. I cannot imagine another motive, for I had seen no reason to distrust their good faith to the Confederacy.

My acknowledgments are due to the First Lieutenant, Ap Catesby Jones, for his untiring exertions and for the aid he rendered me in all things. The details for firing for the ship and

landing the crew were left to him, and everything was conducted with the most perfect order.

To the other officers of the ship, generally, I am also thankful for the great zeal they displayed throughout.

The Virginia no longer exists, but three hundred brave and skilful officers and seamen are saved to the Confederacy.

I presume that a Court of Inquiry will be ordered to examine into all the circumstances I have narrated, and I earnestly solicit it. Public opinion will never be put right without it. I am, sir, with great respect, your ob't servant, JOSIAH TATNALL," Flag-Officer Commanding.

Hon. S. R. MALLORY,

Secretary of Navy.

FINDINGS OF THE COURT OF INQUIRY.

C. S. NAVY DEPartment, Richmond, June 11. The Court of Inquiry convoked by the order of this Department of the twentieth ultimo, whereof French Forrest, Captain in the navy of the confederate States, is president, and which court convened at the city of Richmond on the twentysecond day of May, 1862, to investigate and “inquire into the destruction of the steamer Virginia, and report the same, together with their opinion as to the necessity of destroying her, and particularly whether any, and what disposition could have been made of the vessel," have found as follows:

The court, having heard the statement read submitted by Flag-Officer Tatnall, was cleared for deliberation, and, after mature consideration, adopted the following report:

The court, after a full and careful examination and investigation of the evidence connected with the destruction by fire of the confederate States Steamer Virginia, on the morning of May eleventh, 1862, near Craney Island, respectfully report that it was effected by the order and under the supervision of Flag-Officer Tatnall, after her draft had been reduced to twenty feet six inches, and on the representations of the pilots that in consequence of recent prevalent westerly winds, she could not be taken with a draft of eighteen feet as high as Westover, near Harrison's Bar, in James River, (whither he designed to take her,) which they previously stated they could do.

1. The destruction of the Virginia was, in the opinion of the court, unnecessary at the time and place it was effected.

2. It being clearly in evidence that Norfolk being evacuated, and Flag-Officer Tatnall having been instructed to prevent the enemy from ascending James River, the Virginia, with very little more, if any, lessening of draft, after lightening her to twenty feet six inches aft, with her iron sheathing still extending three feet under water, could have been taken up to Hog Island in James River, (where the channel is narrow,) and could then have prevented the larger vessels and trans ports of the enemy from ascending. The court is of opinion that such disposition ought to have been made of her, and if it should be ascertained that her provisions could have been replenished

when those on hand were exhausted, then the mostly in ashes. Without communicating with proper time would have arrived to take into con- the Fort, I proceeded to the town of Pensacola, sideration the expediency or practicability of strik- where I found that Gen. Arnold had already sent ing a last blow at the enemy or destroying her. | Capt. Jackson, of the army, in the schooner Wood, In conclusion, the court is of opinion that the to call upon the town to surrender. I sent for evacuation of Norfolk, the destruction of the the Mayor on board the Harriet Lane, who promNavy-Yard and other public property, added to ised that the citizens would behave themselves the hasty retreat of the military under General peacefully. Huger, leaving the batteries unmanned and unprotected, no doubt conspired to produce in the minds of the officers of the Virginia the necessity of her destruction at the time, as, in their opinion, the only means left of preventing her from falling into the hands of the enemy; and seems to have precluded the consideration of the possibility of getting her up James River to the point or points indicated.

[blocks in formation]

THE EVACUATION OF PENSACOLA.
COM. PORTER'S OFFICIAL REPORT.

U. S. STEAMER HARRIET LANE, Į
PENSACOLA, May 10, 1862.
SIR On the seventh instant I left Ship Island,
with the steamers belonging to the mortar flotilla
and the Sachem, for Mobile Bar, for the purpose
of fixing on a place for the mortar vessels to lie,
and to plant buoys for the ships to run in by
when they should arrive. Great excitement
seemed to exist within the forts on the appear-
ance of our steamers. I have reason to think
that Fort Gaines was evacuated, and some were
of opinion that the troops were leaving Fort Mor-
gan, but I think that they were reënforcing it
from Fort Gaines.

I found that the rebels evacuated the place on hearing that our steamers, the day before, were going to run into Mobile Bay, and the squadron and mortar flotilla would soon follow them. A thousand rebels were encamped five miles outside of Mobile. They had destroyed everything that time would permit. Fort Barrancas, the Marine Barracks, Muster-Office in the yard, one new stone building, the smithery, I believe, and the shears, are still in a fair state of preservation. The yard was so hot that I did not go into it.

Gen. Arnold having no steamer at command, and no means of transportation, I placed the Harriet Lane at his service, and at three o'clock had four hundred men, two pieces of artillery, and horses and some luggage-carts on the other side, when the troops took possession and hoisted once more the United States flag on the forts and Navy-Yard so long occupied by the rebels.

We land nine hundred more men on the other side to-night, when I shall proceed to hunt up some steamers for Gen. Arnold to keep open communication between the United States troops and to cover them if attacked. He is without any support of this kind, so necessary to a general in his position. DAVID D. PORTER, Hon. GIDEON WELLES,

Commanding Flotilla.

Secretary of Navy.

BOSTON " JOURNAL" ACCOUNT.

One of our steamers, the Clifton, got ashore under the guns of Fort Morgan, which opened fire on her, and when they had got her range beautifully, and were throwing the shot over, they stopped firing. Lieut. Commanding Bald-up from McRae to Pensacola, and the work of win went to work coolly, and got his vessel off just as I sent him assistance, and while I had to cover him from Commander Randolph's gunboats, which were contemplating an attack on him. Thinking better of it, the Commodore went up to Mobile.

The weather being bad, I sent the steamers back to Ship Island, and staid myself to relieve Lieut. Commanding Febiger, while he went to Ship Island to coal. I cruised that night in shore to the eastward, in hopes of picking up some vessel trying to run the blockade.

At two A.M., a brilliant light illuminated the sky, and I discovered that the Navy-Yard at Pensacola, Fort McRea, the Naval Hospital, Warrington, and some parts of Pensacola, were in flames. Fort Pickens, bombarding with shell, we stood for, and when light would permit, entered the harbor of Pensacola. I found all the above-mentioned places burning fiercely, and

About half-past eleven o'clock on the night of the ninth of May, the garrison of Pickens and the troops encamped on the island were startled by the report of two hundred muskets, which the rebel picket-guard on the opposite shore fired in rapid succession. These were followed by two volleys of musketry, when signal-lights were sent destruction commenced. The rebels set fire to the combustible material in the water-battery below McRae, and immediately after flames burst out from that Fort, the Light-House, the Marine Hospital, and the Navy-Yard; the villages of Warrington and Woolsey, all the buildings between McRae and the yard, and from an extensive oilfactory in the outskirts of Pensacola. The vandals had made every preparation for the execu tion of their infamous design, intending to make a clean sweep of everything that had the stamp U. S. upon it, as well as the town of Pensacola itself and all the confederate steamers which they could not remove beyond our reach.

When the sentinels discharged their pieces, the officers at Santa Rosa thought the confederates had gained a victory, and took this method to manifest their joy. But when the flames leaped up at all the well-known points, within a radius of ten miles, their doubts were quickly dispelled,

and the truth flashed upon their minds as the guns-left loaded and spiked in the forts and batteries, heated by the flames-went off one after another, keeping up a brisk cannonade along the entire line of defence. By the light of the conflagration the rebels were seen running along the beach, carrying torches, with which they were firing everything that fell in their way-barracks, officers' quarters, wharves, the buildings in the Navy-Yard, and the frame of the ship Fulton, on the stocks.

[ocr errors]

by telling them: "As soon as the Yankees came they would be let loose upon them to outrage their women, pillage their houses, and destroy their property.' The people, however, were not at all apprehensive after having seen the invaders, who received assurances from all sides that their presence was acceptable to the masses. Capt. Jackson was informed that three or four companies of cavalry were picketed some three or four miles from Pensacola, on the road to Mobile, and subsequently learned that there were one thousand dragoons. The rebels burned two steain

but succeeded in escaping up the bay with the old Time, a light-draught steamer, which made such a flight from the Navy-Yard, January first, when Pickens wished a party of drunken excursionists a "happy New Year."

The facts being reported to Gen. Arnold, the commander of Fort Pickens, he immediately or-ers, the Bradford and Neiffie lying at Pensacola, dered the beat of the "long roll," and opened a tremendous cannonade from the barbette-guns and the water-batteries above the Fort, for the purpose of compelling the rebels to abandon their work of destruction and hasten the evacuation of the place. The firing was kept up five hours with the desired effect. The enemy were driven from the fortifications, and in their haste to escape, abandoned and left standing their camp, near the house of Gen. Chase, between the Lighthouse and Barrancas. Their tents and a large amount of equipments were secured. By this prompt and decisive action of Gen. Arnold the designs of the traitors were in a measure frustrated, and the result of the conflagration was not so disastrous as from its magnitude was at first apprehended.

The wharves at Pensacola are but slightly damaged, Long Wharf being the principal sufferer. By the surrender of the town, Gen. Arnold secured between six and seven thousand feet of lumber. An extensive oil-factory in the outskirts of Pensacola, containing fifteen thousand dollars' worth of oil, was entirely destroyed, to prevent its falling into the hands of the Unionists. While the conflagration was at its height, the steamer Harriet Lane, with Commander Porter, of the mortar flotilla, on board, was running down the coast from Mobile. The unusual and startling appearance of the sky indicated that something of a serious nature was transpiring, and Capt. Wainwright steamed into Pensacola Harbor.

UNITED STATES STEAMER Hy 10, 1162"}

PENSACOLA, May

Soon as the rebels had been dispersed, Gen. Arnold sent an officer to the blockading schooner Maria J. Wood, then lying off Fort Pickens, requesting the commander to come into the bay, Capt. Porter, being desirous of cooperating which he did, being the first vessel that has with Gen. Arnold in reestablishing the dignity passed under the guns of McRae and Barrancas and enforcing the laws of the United States over for twelve months. The schooner proceeded up this important position, despatched the following to the city of Pensacola, taking Capt. R. H. Jack-letter to his Honor the Mayor of Pensacola : son, aid-de-camp to General Arnold, and A. A. General, who was charged with a demand for the unconditional surrender of the place. He landed, and was met by about one hundred and fifty people, and who, with one single exception, manifested unbounded joy at the arrival of a representative of the United States authority. He found the wharves in flames, and directed the people to extinguish them. They promptly responded to his request-the negroes emulating the example of the white people, and chanting: "Dey have come at last, dey have come at last." Capt. Jackson proceeded to the house of Mayor Bobee, discovering as he went that the town appeared deserted, grass growing in the streets, and everything wearing a sad and forsaken appear

ance.

Upon the appearance of the Mayor, he made the demand for an unconditional surrender of the town and its defences; to which demand the Mayor said he complied to the extent of his authority, and added: "The confederates had so long held sway there, and usurped the power which rightfully belonged to the municipal authorities, that he did not know really how much authority he had left." On returning to his vesel, Capt. Jackson was told that the confederates had attempted to excite the fears of the people VOL. V.-Doc. 4

SIR: I wish to confer with the authorities of this place, whoever they may be, civil or military, in regard to preserving good order in case there should be any disposition to commit excesses on unoffending and loyal citizens, and I wish to obtain information relating to late events and the destruction of public property. I take this opportunity to say that any abusive or disrespectful conduct, from mobs or other parties in this town, towards the persons belonging to the naval vessels of the United States, will be treated as an inimical act, and will be resented as if it was assault and battery. No one need fear any interference with their rights or property as long as they conform to good order.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mortar Flotilla The Mayor replied that he had received the. communication, and would be pleased to confer with Commander Porter on board the Harriet Lane, at his earliest convenience. He did so in the course of the morning. The interview failed to be productive of any considerable profit or encouragement to the naval commander.

The arrival of the Harriet Lane was most op

« ZurückWeiter »