ptwrca Itilme,
ALTOONA, PA
MAY 15* 1862.
Sucosasftil Strategy.
. Events of momentous importance to this nation
-and, perhaps, to the cause of liberty throughout,
the world, hare followed each other in such rapid
succession, within, the past fortnight, that the largest
daily papers will scarcely contain full particulars,
and.country weeklies can give but n faint outline
of the more prominent. The names of those who
have been instrumental in bringing them about
have been immortalised, and a relief afforded to
the dark historic pages of this, the second and,
we believe, final struggle for liberty of thought,
speech and action, and powerful demonstration of
the tact that man is capable of self-government.
Insurrectionists and traitors have been taught that
treason cannot be tolerated, that it will be crushed
but, and 'that their deepest schemes and boldest
strokes to overthrow the best form of government
the world ever saw, must in the end crane to naught.
Foreign nations have also been taught,. if they did
not previously kno* it, that the bone and sinew of
thelaboring millions of this country, when trained
to die art of war, are more invincible than the
“Old Guard” in its palmiest days, or the entire
phalanx of British bayonets on the field of Water
loo., The armies of the Union fight for liberty
and justice, and are thrice armed. They
feel that it is more honorable to die in a righteous
cause, than to escape the dangers of battle and
crane off victors in a doubtful one.
Those who have heretofore complained of the
tardy movements of the grand army of the Poto
mac, must surely now-be satisfied that everything
was being done for the best. The apparent inac
tivity of months only prepared it for the achieve
ments of the past week. We shall not now be
surprised to find those who were most loud in their
censure, and unjust in criticism, gradually casing
off and swinging around into the popular current,
and according to the proper person superior strategy
and magnificent results. Fewer men have been
sacrificed, and greater advantages gained by the
cautions movement of that army, than could possi
bly have followed an advance upon Manassas, two
months since, when the clamor for that advance
was made. Although the rebel fortifications at
that place were not so extensive and invulnerable
as generally supposed, yet they were sufficient to
have butchered our troops by thousands. And, we
may ask, what would have been gained by the
taking of Manassas? In a strategic ppipt of view
it was worth nothing, because Richmond, the rebel
capital, could be more easily from an
other quarter—Yorktown—and if threatened from
that direction the rebel army .at Manassas must
necessarily be withdrawn. The sequel has proved
this. Had our troops taken Manassas, and marched
thence on Richmond, the obstacles in thier way,
natural as well as artificial, would have greatly im
peded theirprogress, and to-day, instead of rejoicing
over the evacuation of Yorktown and the sur
render of Norfolk and Portsmouth, we might
have complained of tardiness, and our troops
been lying idle along the banks of the Rappa
hannock, awaiting the rebuilding of the bridges
bunted :by the rebels in their retreat. The syste
matic movements of the armies under Generals
McClellan, Wool and Burnside, threatening Nor
folk and Richmond from three quarters, and gradu
ally cutting off their means of communication
with the Sonth, has served to demoralize the rebel
army and bring the citizens to a sense of their
entire helplessness; consequently, they surrendered
unconditionally. Richmond will not be given Up
without a struggle. It is the “last ditch’* of the
Confederate army of the Potomac, and, if they
stand-fire, many of them will die in it.
The operations of our fleets on the Mississippi,
under Coins. Farragut and Foote, have won im
perishable honors, and fully sustained the reputa
tion of our navy. To bravery, ingenuity, and per
fect knowledge of the art of war, rather than to
nnmbemof men arid number and strength of boats,
are we indebted for the victories in that quartpr.—
But a small portion of the Mississippi river now
remains in possession of the: rebels. It is a ques
tion of time only when it shall be occupied by the
Union flotilla.. This secured, the rebels will be
completely surrounded, and the days of the Con
federacy very few..
We,would like to give our readers full particu
lars of the lath movements of our armies and the
victories achieved, hut our space will not admit of
it. We JRTO the most important and all for which
we can find room.
, Gobet’b Lxm’s Book.—The Lady’s Book for
June looks as charming as the month for which it
is Intended, and as bewitching as a belle dressed
up afier.tfae style of the unsurpassed fashions which
it contains. Godcy should pice the word “Excel
sior” at the top of the title page. Nothing is looked
for more anxiously than the monthly visits of the
Lady’s Book, by those who receive it regularly.—
When it once a visitor at the fireside and
centre-table, nothing but the most adverse circum
stances can prevent its return, year after year.—
Price 1(3.00 per annum. L. A, Godey, Philndel-
<jrHe niinere at Broad Top “struck” for
wages, a short time since, and we leant
from die" Bedford fapdrer that they received the
increaae. Ttey wen receiving 40 cents per toi>
and “strnek”ifer 10 cents. The miners at Fotts
ville have also gone to troik again, and the Phil
ytotyhl. brought Quito keep down riot
ing, lucre gone home. The increase demanded by
them by their employers.
WWe have read nearly a dozen articles in the
Blear County 'Whig, addressed to the people of this
district, hot with the exception of a
personal QMWBBpn to Mr. Hall, have thus far been
miahfc te iHwover what the writer is after.— Lew-
Joat the ibt of the people in this region.
, 7 gloriouMews !
Shylock was in town this week looking np his _
rents, and complaining loudly of the Railroad Com- AT 'W/xll- I D ri xl
pany because they didn’t make things bight with i-N 01 iOlcl 3,11(1 iOl INlllOlllll
him. Threatens to take away their charter and
demolish; their property generally unless they lay
a branch-road from the main track to, his property
on Pine street. He was especially anxious to
know how “No. 12” takes, and (as we didn’t see
him) left word for us to let him knbw. We are
sorry we can’t inform you, Mr. Horse Contractor,
the general opinion, but we will give you our ideas.
First, then, we think your spelling bad—as an evi
dence—“ The Railroad- Company went cooiy to
work and bought up the Legislature.’’. Now you
shouldn’t have made that mistake, John. That
looks bad for a man of your weight. Be more care
ful in future, man. A “ cooiy” would be a bad
article with which to buy np a whole Legislature,
John, especially in these times, when the price of
that commodity is so unstable. We pray you
consult your dictionary, Mr. Brotherline, before
you on Friday pen “No. 13.” Your reference to
facts is also unfortunate, “J. B.” The tonnage
tax was not three mills as originally imposed,
neither was it two milk in 1801. We had sup
posed that your experience as a borer in favor of
its repeal that winter, would have posted yon bet
ter. Neither did the State works cost $40,000,-
000, John, nor .the half of it, with all the stealings
and robbeiy thrown in. Will you be kind enough
to tell us, Sheriff, whether coal was one of the
articles affected by the repeal bill of that winter ?
One would suppose from your paper it was. Just
add that to the other queries, and give us truthful
answers to all. We will faithfully promise to pay
you in the shape of a handsome “cooiy,” or plenty’
of “hard cash ”
Our Irmy Correspondence.
Camp Winfield Scott, >
Close to Yorktoim, May oth, 1862. j
Messrs. McCbcm & Dern:—“There ! is a di
vinity that shapes our ends,” &c., and never was
the trufßof this more fully verified than in the
recent events at Yorktown. We, here in front of
Yorktown, have been manoenvreing and strength-:
cning our position in. order the more successfully to
take possession of this rebel stronghold. Entrench
ments have been thrown up, breastworks erected,
guns of the largest calibre placed in proper posi
tion, and everything that the cunning and skill of
an able general conid devise and accomplish, has
been done. The men have worked-assiduously,
night and day, as did our good Old Revolutionary
forefathers, with picks and shovels in hand and
guns and ammunition on their backs, prepared to
repel sorties from the enemy, at any moment, and
on the shortest notice. Several have paid the
penalty of this daring; yet all went on quietly
and successfully for about three weeks. “Not a
drum was heard,” nor a musical note from the
sleepy bugle, to disturb the harmony of the pick
and shovel in the accomplishment of their ardu
ous duties. Balls and shell went whistling and
shrieking above, around, and often in the midst of
our brave boys, yet “all went quietly on before
Yorktown.” The work approached completion;
the army before Yorktown felt itself ready to at
tack the army of 100,000 rebels strqngly fortified
in advance of them. 3 On the Ist, 2d and 3d iust.,
the enemy kept up almost a continuous firing of
shot and shell, many of them going completely
over us, and many falling far short, bnt 1 have not
yet heard of a single instance in which an effect
ive shot was made. On one occasion a shell passed
over our Headquarters, plunging into the ground,
about one-fourth of a mile beyond ns, tearing up
eveiything before it. This was a terrible shot to
the rebels, as I learned from the lips of a deserter.
He told me that that shot burst the largest gun
they had, and that he saw fifteen men lying dead
around it, besides two or three who were carried
off wounded. This continuous firing from their
guns was carried on while the contemptible cow-‘
aids were skulking away like thievesl : Yesterday
morning, word came in that the enemy was leav
ing the town, and soon every person was on tip
toe of excitement. They were followed up by a
portion' of General Carey’s division, and at three
o’clock we had possession of the town of Williams
burg. Before wtving, the scoundrels sp'iked what
guns they could not take away, and strewed the
ground with torpedoes. ’ They left j number of
miserable tents behind them, besides many other
minor articles, such as crackers, tobacco, playing
cards, etc. Some of our boys found ■ swords and
other more valuable articles, which they disjiosed
of to good advantage. M was on picket
at the time, and several of the hoys were the first
in the rebel forts. Gentlemen, were it hot for cer
tain unfortunate circumstances, 1 could heartily
wish myself connected with Company M, where I
would be enabled to cany out the design of my
enlistment!. Several persons were killed yestetdav
by the explosion of the torpedoes beneath their
feet. One of the principal telegraph operators was
in the act'of taking possession of the 1 telegraph
office used by the rebels, when stepping uncon
sciously upon one of those infernal machines, it
blew off both his legs, cansing death in a few
hoars. I. saw the poor fellow scarcely two hours
previous. It is presumed by some 'that one of
these instnunents may lead to a minej but I am
disposed to doubt it. Quite a number of prisoners
and deserters have come in to-day, and they all
concur Assaying that the rebels intend; to make a
stand at a swamp this side of Richmond, called
Chickahominy, and fall back thence Into Rich
mond. DuVis, Johnson and Magnifier were in
Yorktowii last night. How. I would like to liave
bagged tliat game! '
Well, gentlemen, we move immediately. Per
haps my next letter will be from Richmond, but at
the first opportunity I shall give you a more de
tailed account of the evacuation.
Respects to all. _ BL^VIN.
From the Rappahannock.
Washington, May 13.
The steamer Wyandock arrived this morning
from the Rappahannock.
Her officers report that the Freeborn and Island
Belle went up to Piankatbnk on Saturday, and
cut out two rebel schooners, one with-a valuable
cargo qf> whiskey and other stores. '
The Belle proceeded up the latter river some
distance and discovered a body of about 500 rebel
deserters from the Gloucester point batteries, who
stated that'when the order was given they, being
disgusted with the service, determined to march to
the federal lines and surrender. They belonged to
a Virginia regiment. They offered 'to lay down
their arms, and expressed a willingness to take the
oath of allegiance, which Capt. Harris, of the
Belle, administered to all of them.
MERRIMAC BLOWN UP.
REBEL* GUN-BOATS CAPTURED
They Approach within Shelling
Distance of Richmond.
The correspondent of the Associated Press gives i
the following graphic account of the expedition ;
against Norfolk and \the, subsequent surrender of ■
that city and Portsmouth, together with the navy
yard: ;
Fortress Monroe, May 9, 9 P. M.
Old Point this evening presents a most stirring
spectacle—about a dozcu steamer transports are
loading troops. They will land on the shore op
posite the Rip Raps, and march direct on Norfolk.
President Lincoln, as' commander-in-chief of
the army and navy, is superintending the expedi
tion himself. About six o'clock he went across to
the place selected for landing which is about a mile
below the Rip Raps. It is said he was the first to
step on shore, and after examining for himself the
facilities of lauding, returned to the Point, where
he was received with enthusiastic cheering by the
troops who were embarked.
The Merrimac still lies off Craney Island, and
the Monitor has resumed her usual position.
It is evident that the finale of the rebellion, so
far as Norfolk is concerned, is rapidly approach
ing. v ;
The general expectation is that the troops now'
embarking will have possession of the city before
to-morrow - night.
Willoughby's Point, Saturday morning, May
10.—The troops left during the night and at day
light could be seeh from tjhe wharf landing at Wil
loughby’s Point, a short distance from the rip
raps. i
The point at which we have landed is known as
Point Pleasant, one of the' favorite drives from
Norfolk, v .
The first regiment landed was the 20th New
York, known as Max Weber’s regiment, who
pushed on immediately, under command of Gen.
Weber, and were at eight o’clock in the morning
picketed within five miles of Norfolk. The Ist
Delaware regiment, Col, Andrews, was pushed
forward nf nine o’clock, accompanied by Gens.
Mansfield and Viele and staff. They were soon
followed by the 16tb Massachusetts, Col. Wyman.
The balance of the expedition consists of the Tenth
New York, Col. Bcnedix, tile Forty-eighth I’emt
sylvauia, Col. Boiley; the Ninety-ninth New York,
/'oast Guards; Major Dodges' battalion of mounted
rifles, and Captain Folett's, company D, of the
Fourth regular artillery. 1
Gent Wool and stuff remained to superintend the
landing of the balance of , the force, all of whom
were landed and off.before noon.
It is generally admitted that the President and
Secretary Stanton have infused new vigor into both
naval and military operations here, and that the
country will have no cause for further complaint
as to the insulting course of the rebels in this
quarter.
The President has declared that Norfolk must
fall,- the Merrimac must succumb to tire naval
power of the Union, and that the Government
property at Norfolk must be re-possessed at what
ever cost it may require. What is more, be has
determined to remain here until it is accom
plished.
The iron-clad gunboat Galena, accompanied by
the Port Royal and Aristoofc, went up the James
river on Wednesday night, and although I have’
been unable to obtain any ; positive information
from them since she silcnceil life forts in the lower
part of the river, it is understood that the Presi
dent has despatches from Gen, McClellan to the
effect that they have given him most valuable aid
in driving the enemy to the wall.
New York, May 11.
Special despatches state that the iron clad* steam
er Galena has sunk the rebel steamer Yorktown
and captured the Jamestown !in the James river.
*
W a 8 1 ri ngj o x , May 11.
The following was received at the War Depart
ment this morning:
Fortess Mosboe, May 10th, \
12 o’clock at night. j
Norfolk Is ours and also Portsmouth and the
Navy Yarfi. Gen. Wool having completed the
landing of his -forces at Willoughby's Point, about
nine o’clock this morning, completed his march on
Norfolk with a,OOO men. Secretary Chase accom
panied the General. About five miles from the
landing place a rebel battery was found on the op
jtosite side of the bridge over Tanner's creek. Af
ter a few discharges of companies of infantry the
rebels burned the bridge; this compelled our forces
to march around five miles farther. At five
o'clock in the afternoon our forces were within a
short distance of Norfolk, and were met by a dele
gation of citizens and the city was formally sur
rendered. Our troops marched in and we now
have possession.
The Merrimac was blown up by the rebels at
two minutes before ftvfc o'clock this morning. Site
was set fire to about three o'clock, and the explo
sion took place at the time stated.
It was said to have been a grand sight by those
who saw it.
Fortress Moxroe, May 13.
Eight hundred and eighty-five prisoners released
from Richmond on ]tarole leave to-day on the
steamer Wm. Kent. Ninety confederate" prisoners
who were to he returned to Richmond, positively
refused, although earnestly urged and threatened
by their officers, and took the oath of allegiance.
Norfolk, May 12.
‘ The city continues very qtuet. Most of the
stores are closed, but it is expected they will open
in a day or two, except in, cases where the occu
pants have left the city with; the army.
Some excitement stiff prevails, hut it is sup
posed that in a few days, when communication is
fully opened with the Northern ports, confidence
will be completely restored. :
The prices of almost everything are astonishing
ly high. Candles for instance of a miserable
quality sell at CO cents per jtouud; common brown
wrapping paper .10 cents per package: brown sugar
20 cents.
A nnml)cr of stores will be opened, however, in
» lew days by parties from Old Point and Balti
more.who will bring supplies of the articles so much
wanted here.
The Post Office and Custom House will doubt
less he re-opened very shortly. Very little Union
sentiment is openly expressed. All over the city
our soldiers, both privates and officers, freely talk
with citizens, which must produce a good effect.
All the fortifications in the vicinity are occupied
by Union troops, and all the public property is in
the possession of the federal authorities.
The policy of the confederate troops appears to
be to concentrate its troolM at Richmond, and
some even say that all the gnlf States will he given
up Iteforo Virginia, and that Richmond will be
held to the very last.
. All insist that desperate resistance will he made
there if nowlieic else.
Several negroes arrived from Suffolk this morn
: ing and report that there wore no troops, gnus or
fortifications there, or on the road this side.
Among most of the citizens here there is but
little confidence entertained in the officers of the
Confederate Government.
The Confederate notes are refused in many
places. Gold and silver are welcomed with enthu
siasm by all classes of the population, many of
whom have not seen cither for manv months.
Elizabeth river, between Norfolk and Ports
mouth, is of a deep coffee color on account of the
tobacco which has been thrown overboard. Large
quantities \yere recovered to-day, ■ damaged by
Water, : •
Gov. Vielc, the Military Governor, pursues a
course calculated to produce an impression of the
superiority of the Federal Government and an in
tention to throw no obstacles in the way of private
business, but to enforce the ordinances of the city
government.
The Day Book newspaper will be continued as
an afternoon instead of a morning paper on condi
tion that it shall be respectful in its tone. The
first number, printed toAlay, contains nothing ex
cept extracts from Northern papers and an edito
rial statement of the bare facts of the evacuation
and occupation of the city.
GREAT NAVAL BATTLE AT FORT
WRIGHT.
Desperate Conflict Between the
Cincinnati and Nlallory.
THE UTTER VESSEL SUNK BY THE BENTON
Cairo, May 21.—The desperation of the rebel
cause in the Mississippi valley culminated vested
day, in an attack on the United States flotilla off
Fo'rt Wright.
On Saturday morning, at an early hour, eight
of their gunboats came around the point above the
fort, and'boldly "advanced towards the flotilla. The
Cincinnati, which was stationed at a point where
the rebels came up on Friday, did not attract their
attention until the fleet had passed above her. As
soon as she was seen, a simultaneous attack was
commenced from the whole fleet.
The gunboats made an attack upon her with but
little effect, as the guns were poorly aimed.
The Cincinnati, in the meantime, had hauled
into the stream, where an iron-clad ram, supposed
to be the Mallory, advanced, in face of a continued
broadside from the former, until with forty yards
of her, and being the faster sailer, succeeded in
moving between the Cincinnati and the right bank
of the river, when men appeared upon her decks
and prepared to board the Cincinnati. The design
was frustrated by the Cincinnati throwing hot water
from her steam batteries.
In the meantime, the rest of our gunboats bad
arrived at the scene of action and engaged the rebel
fleet.
The Mallory, undaunted by the failure of her
attempt to board the Cincinnati, crowded on a full
head of steam and came toward that vessel, evi
dently intending to rim her down.
Captain fStemble, who was in command of the
Cincinnati, waited until the rebel monster emne
within twenty yarils, when he fired a liroadside
into her from his Parrott guns, which did fearful
execution.
The two boats were so close together by this
time that it was imjiossible for the gunners of tiie
Cincinnati to serve at their guns. It was onlv bv
bringing the steam batteries to bear on them again
that the Mallory was compelled to haul off..
Captain Stemble shot the pilot of the Mallorv
with his revolver. He was himself wounded by a
pistol shot fired by tiie pilot's mate of the Mallorv.
While the engagement lictwcen the Mallorv aiid
Cincinnati was ju progress, our shots had cxphxled
the boiler ut one ot the rebel gunboats, mid set
tire to another, burning-her to tiie water's edge.
* The air was very heavy, and under cover of the
dense stroke which hung over the river, the rebel
fleet retii'ed.
They were pnrsncti until they gained ;i shelter
under the guns of Fort Wright.. None of our
houts-were injured, except the Cincinnati, and the
damage to her was so slight that it can he repaired
in twcnty-foyr hours.
Four men on the Cincinnati were wounded, in
cluding the master's mate. No other casualties
are mentioned.
W hen the smoke cleared away, and the retreat
ot the rebel fleet was discovered, a broadside from
the flag-ship Benton was sent-after the Mallorv.
Shortly alter she was seen to careen, and then go
down with all on hoard.
News from Southern Papers,
Cincinnati. May Id.—The following Southern
news have been received ;
The Memphis Avulaitclt e of the Gth savs ; •‘The
telegraphic news from Richmond is painfully sig
nificant. McClellan seelns to have been, prewiring
the same fate fur Richmond that Butler and Bol
ter got up for New Orleans. The Congressional
stampede from Richmond had a very depressing
effect, and it was believed that it foreshadowed the
early evacuation of Virginia. The policy of evac
uating this city is played out. We have but pre
cious litthrmore territory that we can spare.
The A i-aiiincJic of the same day says of affairs at
New Orleans, that Mayor Monroe and ail the al
dermen have been arrested on retusing to take the
oath of allegiance, and sent to prison. Great dis
tress prevails in the city. Food of all kinds is ex
tremely scarce, and flour is not to be had at anv
price.
There is more of the federal forces yet to be
landed and the river is full of federal'gunboats,
mortar vessels and transports.
The Memphis Anjns says that the confederate
loss at Shiloh was 7,000 killed and wounded.
The same paper says, in an article on gunboats:
Thus far it must be confessed that, our attempts
with gunboats on the river have been disgusting
lizzies. The people know it and so does the gov
ernment.
The Memphis Acalwichc says that 33J per cent,
of Bishop Tolt's army were killed mid wounded
at Shiloh.
The Arutamhe of the 7th savs we have advices
from New Orleans up to Saturday, at 11 A. M.—
Geti. Butler had taken the St. Charles Hotel for
his Head Quarters. ■ The Evans House in Povdras
street has been converted into a hospital. ' The
Jackson railroad depot was taken possession of on
Saturday.
The federal pickets have been extended as far
as the crossing ol the Jefferson and Jackson rail
roads. Four gunboats and one transport started
for Baton Kogue on Saturday morning, and seven
federal regiments had been landed at New Or
leans.
All the newspapers in New Orleans are stUTpub
lished, though a federal censor has been placed
over even- office to examine all matters and to ex
clude whatever may prove inimical to the federal
cause.
A .proclamation from Gen Butler was sent to all
the offices and refused. When the guard came to
the peltu office and were refused, they took pos
session, and sent for northern printers who worked
it off" in the edition. .
Hard on the “F. F. V’s.”—J. M. Broomall,
of Delaware county, in an address recently deliv
ered for the benefit of the’ volunteers, gives the
“First Families of Virginia” a pedigree which,
though in many eases truthful, will not be relished
by ahem. In shaking of the aristocracy of the
South, he said : •
■ n ‘;-; ri '. IKL ' al " a >- i fxisted in‘the South, and
es|HH-ially in \ irginin and South Carolina, a party
ol somo considerable strength, opposed, if not to
Kcpnlmean institutions, at least to the general
gmeininent. A state of things that prevents men
from rising above the general level, except bv rea
son of suijerior merit, is necessarily distasteful to
men who have no merit, and who, notwithstanding
are too proud to remain on a level with the masses!
It we concede that qualities of mind are heredi
tary, we will understand the moving principle of
these ]Ktople by simply glancing at the oHi/hi of
the boasted ■first families.
“The men .who emigrated to Virginia at its
first settlement, were of King Charles’ Cavaliers
the younger sons of the decayed’ nohilitv cif Em-I
land, ns poor and as indolent as such people usu
ally are and proud in the ratio of their poverty
and indolence. Those were the/viMcrs of the ‘firs't
families.’ Many—too many—of the female colo
nists-were caught by the police in the streets of the
cities of England, perorating IH aty crimes, or
living by means still more degrading. These Wo
men were sold to the colonists at so many munds
of tobacco per head, and they lieeame the mothers
ol the -first families.’ It was naturally to be ex
pected that the offspring would exhibit nil the
pnde ot the cavalier with all the want, of prim-ip It
of the London street thief, or prostitute. History
will decide whether this expectation is verified.’’ '
NEW ORLEANS VICTORY.
OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.
L'mtst) State* Flag-ship *• Hartford.
At anchor .ff rit V of New OrK-iins. April 2S. I Sf)2. )
Sir:" lam happy to announce to yon that onr
flag waves over both Forts Jackson and .St. Phillip,
and at New Orleans over the Custom House. I
am taking every means to secure the occujiation,
by General Bufler. of all the forts along the const.
Berwick's Bay and Fort Pike have lieen ahantKmcd.
lit fact there is a general stampede, and I shall en
deavor to follow it np. lam bringing up the
troops ns fast -as possible.
We have destroyed all the forts aliove the city,
four in number, which are understood to be all the
impediments between this and Memphis. ■
I am, verv respcoffullv, vonr obedient servant,
I). L. FARRAGUT,
Flag Officer Western Gulf Blockading fsquadron.
Washington, May 9. —The Navy Department
has received the following despatches:
United States Ocxboat CatcoA,
, Orr New Orleans. April 25, 1862. J
Flag-Officer : fYonr boldly conceived and
splendidly executed flan of battle having resulted
in ]>erfect success, leaves me time to make up the
rejiort of niy division. You will find in Limit.
Commanding Harrison’s' rejiort ah accurate out
line of the noble part taken by the Cayuga* under
his command, and hearing my divisional flag.—
We led off at two A. M., in accordance with your
signal, and steamed directly \ip the stream, edging
a little to the starboard, in order to give room for
your division. I was followed by fbo Pensacola in
line style, the remainder of my division following
in regular and compact order. We were scarcely
above the boom when we wore discovered, and
Forts Jackson and St. Phillip opened upon usf—
we could bring no gun to bear, bat steered directly
on. We were struck from stem to stem. At
length we were close np with" Fort St. Phillip,
when we opened with grape and canister. Scarcely
were wc above the line of tire when we .found oar
selves attacked by the rebel fleet of gunboats.—
This was hot but. more congenial work. Two
large steamers now attempted to board our star
board Ikiv,-. one on the stern and- the other at our
starboard beam. The nine-inch Dalhgren gun
being turned on this fellow, we (ired at a range of
thirty yards. The effect was very destructive, and
ho immediately steered in shore and ran aground
ami sunk. The Parrott gun on the forecastle
drove off the one on the bow, while we prepared to
rejiel the hoarders, so close was our remaining en
emy. About this time Boggs and Lee came
rushing in, and made a finish of the rebel boats
eleven in all. In the gray of the morning, we
discovered a camp with the rebel flag flying We
opened with canister at 4 P. M., and received the
sword and flag of Col. Zvmanekiz, and his com
mand of five companies, anus and camp equidage.
While engaged nt this jioiiit the Vanina came in
conflict with a number of gunboats; she hail been
butted by one of them and sunk. But with his
forward gun still above water, tie was bravely
maintaining the fight, driving off bis enemies anil
saving bis crew. Informing Capt. Lee, of the On
eida, who had also been engaged with tile enemy,
of die Vunuia's situation, he instantly steamed up
and made a finish of the rebel "bouts. The re
mainder of the fleet now came up. The Missis
sippi had been detained below with the Mimnssas
and another irotv-elad. After Ibis everything
pa.-sed under your observation.
The pleasant duly now remains of speaking of
the Cayuga, and her brave officers aud crew.—
ITotp lirst to last, Lieutenant Commanding M. B.
Harrison displayed a masterly ability in steering
ins vessel past the forts, under a hurricane of shot
and shell, ami afterwards in manccnvering and
lighting her among the gunboats. I cannot sav
100 much tor him. He was gallantly sustained hv
Lieutenant George W . Berkinsand Acting Master
J iionias 11. Martin. These officers have mv un
bounded admiration. ' ■
1 must, in conclusion express the pleasure which
I experience in witnessing the seamaniike manner
in which all the slii)>~ were handled. The 'reports
of lite divisional captains will inform vouofthe
particular part home hv each ship. Respectfully,
J. BAILEY,
Captain and Commanding Division of the Red.
To ilag-Officcr D. G. Farragut, Commauder-iu-
Chief, New Orleans.
U. 8. Shu- Harriet Lane, )
- April flit, ISGfl.j
Sib: The morning after the ships passed the
forts, I sent a demand to Colonel Higgins for a
surrender ot the foils, which was declined.
On the 27th I sent Lieut. Colonel Higgins a
communication, herewith enclosed, asking‘again
for the surrender. His answer is enclosed.
On the 28th, I received a communication from
him, stating that he would surrender the fort, and
I came up and took possession, draw up articles of
capitulation, and hoisted the American flag over
the forts. T hese men have defended the forts with
a bravely worthy of a better cause. I treated
them with all the consideration that circumstances
would admit. The three steamers remaining were
under the command of Commander J. K. Mitchell.
Ihe officers of the fort acknowledged no connee
with them, and wished in no way to be responsi
ble for their acts. ; , \\ bile I had a flag of truce up
the\ were employed.in towing the iron floating
battery of sixteen guns, a most formidable affair,
to a place above the forts, and wltile drawing up.
the articles of capitulation, in the cabin of the
Harriet Lane, it was reported to me that they had
set fire to the battery, and turned it adrift upon us.
1 asked the general if it had powder on board or
guns loaded. He replied that he would not un
dertake to say what the navy officers would do. -
He seemed to have a great contempt for them. I
told him we could stand the fire and blow up if he
could, and went on with the conference, after di
recting the officers to look out for their ships.
While drifting down on us, getting
heated, exploded, throwing the s!Bt above the
river. A few moments after the battery exploded,
with a terrific noise, throwing fragments all over
the river, ittw wounding one of their own men in
Fort Kt. Phillip, and immediately disappeared un
uer water. Had she blown up near the vessels
she would have destroyed the whole of them.
W hen I had finished taking possession of the
ions, I got under \vay in the Harriet Lane, and
started for the steamers dhc of which was still fly
mg the Confederate Hag. I fired a shot over her
and they surrendered. There were on board of
them a nuinber of naval officers and two comna- 1
mes of marine artillery. I made them surrender
unconditionally, and for their infamous conduct in
tlying to blow us up, while under a flag of truce,
I conveyed them to close confinement as prisoners
ul war, and think they should lie seat to the Xorth
and kept in close confinement there until the war
is over, or they should be tried lop their infamous
conduct. I have u great deal to doliere, and will
M_nd \on all the ]>aj)ers when I am able to arrange
them,.
1 turned over the forts to General Phelps. Fort
Jackson is a ruin, lam told that over eighteen
hundred shells fell in and burst over the centre of
the fort. The practice was beautiful. The next
work wo go at we will settle sooner, as this has
Iwen hard to get sit. The naval officers sunk one
gunboat while* the vaiiihihitiou was going on, but
1 have one ot the other steamers at work, and
h°PO >» have the other. I find that we are
to be tlip hifwors ol wool anti drawers of water;
but as the soldiers have nothing here in the shape
of motive power, we will do all we can. I should
ur\c demanded an unconditional surrender, hut
with such a force in your rear it wds desirable to
get isjssession of these forts as soon as possible.
Ihe officers turned over everything iu or
der except the walls and buildings, which arc ter
ribly shattered hv the mortars.
■Vert- resjioetfullv,
~, W- 11. I’()HTEU, Commatiding.
lo Flag Officer IJ, G. FARitAciL'T.
' VxirvD St.viEs Fuu-smp llAßiroan. 1
Off the City of New Oeleess, April 25,1802. |
Dear Suit—ln the excitement of the bust two
days yon must dot be surprised if I leave undone
many things which I might to do, and one ofwhich
was to write tV> yoii on the occasion of my taking
tins city. But, thank God, it has been done, and
in what I conceivt} a handsome sh-le.
1 hail two Union ra<sn on board who had
form! into the Confederate service at, Fort
as laborers. They informed mo that then- w'!l"
two torts near .tlfe city, arnicas we approached IT
locality I tried to concentrate the vessels. 1,,,; ‘'
soon saw that we mast take a raking tire ta r . '
miles, so we did not mince the matter hut da-i'T
directly ahead. They permitted us to ap]ir,« u .i' 1 l ‘
within’a mile and a. quarter before they oj^n^i,
its. Captain Bailey on the Cayuga.' Lieuteit-v
Gonimanding Haorisbu, w-as m the advance. ,i,j
received the most of the first fine, hut, althoa B |,'.| K * >
shooting was good, they did not damage hisves !i
The" Cayuga then, fell back and tlic Hanford i,Ti
ber place. We had only two guns, which I |,T
placed on the top-gallant forecastle, that r„„ij
liear. on them until we got within a half a mile-,
We then sheered oil and gave them such a fi re ~’
they never dreamed of in their philosbphv. '
The Pensacola ran up after a while and tookti
starboard battery off our hands, and in a few niiT
utes the Brooklyn ranged up and look a chance T
my friends on the left bant; but they were ij
lenced in, I should say, twenty \ minutes, or hah'
an hour; but I cannot keep a note of time on sad,
occasions. I only know that "half of the
did not get a chance at them. 5
The river was too narrow for more than two , )r
three vessels to\ act to advantage, but all were *,
anxious that mV greatest fear was we should tin
into each other, and Captain Wainwright and my
self were hallooing ourselves at the men not to lire
into our ships. This bust affair was what i cmj
one of the little elegancies of the profession— a ik.h
and a victory. But the passing of the Forts Jack
sou and St. Philip was one of the most awh o i
sights I ever saw. The smoke, was so dense'that
it was only now and then yon could see anythin ■
but the flash of the cannon and .the fire-ship.
rafts, one of which was pushed down upon as, t) lc
■Hartford, by the ram Manassas, and in my effort
to avoid it ran the ship on shore, and then the raft
was pushed alongside and in a moment the >kip
was one blaze all along the port side, half way m
the main and mizzen tops; but thanks to theguoj
organization of the fire department by Lieutenant
Thornton, the flames were extinguished, and at
the same time we backed off and got clear of the
raft.
All this time we were inuring the shells im„
forts, and they into us, and every now and then a
rebel steamer would get under our fire am) receive
our salutation of a broadside. At length the lire
slackened, the smoke cleared off and we saw, t„
our surprise, that we were above the forts, and here
mid there a rebel gunboat on tire. As we eanio
up with them, ttying to make their escape, thn
were fired into, and riddled so that they ran ilniii
on shore, and all who coaid made their escape to
the land. I am told, Ido nbt know how truiv
that General Lovell had gone down that evening
:to make an attack, with thirteen gunboats, a lurt-e
:ram;of eighteen guns, and the Manassas.
The Manassas and the Mississippi made a set
at each other at fall, sjieed, and when they were
within thirty or forty yards of each other the rum
dodged the Mississippi and ran on shore, when tin;
latter poured her broadside into her, knocked awav
her smoke-storks ami then scut on hoard of her'
hut she was deserted and riddled, and after a while
site drifted down the stream full of water. She
was the last of the eleven we destroyed, hat tin;
larger ram wits still at Fort Jackson; hut tltcv
say here that she was sent down before she v, : ,'-
ready. and that she will have to surrender with the
forts, which I hojie will he to-day or to-morrow,—
I will give them my attention as soon as I ouu
settle the affairs of the. city.
; I demanded the surrender of the city yesterday
Of the Mayor, through Captain Bailey as the second
in command. His reply was that the city was un
der martial law, and he would consult General
Lpvoll. His lordship said- he would surrender
nothing, luit at the same he would retire and leave
title Mayor unembarrassed.
This morning the Mayor sent his Secretary and
Chief of X’olice to see mu and say that he would
cajl the City Council together at 10 o'clock, and
giye lue an answer, and that the General had re
tired, and that he had' resumed the duties of hi,
ofiiwj as Mayor, and would endeavor to keep order
in the city and prevent the destruction of propenv,
I sent him, by his Secretary, the letter marked Xu,
I, of , which a copy is enclosed. 1 also sent him a
letter, demanding the surrender of the citv, in con
formity with the demand made by me yesterday,
through Captain Bailey.
This morning, at C A. M., I sent to Captain
-Morris, whose ship commanded the Mint, to take
possession of it and hoist the American flag there
on ; Which was done, and the /leoji/e chtertsl it.—
At 18, I sent on shore again, and ordered Lieut.
Hertz, of the navy, and Brown, of the marines,
with; a marine guard, to hoist the flag on the Cus
tom House; but the excitement of the crowd was
so great that the Mayor and Councihuen thought
it would produce a conflict and great loss of life.—
At 1:1, a signal Was made to the fleet for Divine
service, under a general order (copy No. 3.)
On April 2Glh, in the afternoon, having been
informed that there were two forts eight miles
above the city, at a place called Carroltou, I deter
mined to take a look at them, and demolish them.
We accordingly ran tip, bat to ottr surprise, we
found the gnu carriages all on fire, and upon ex
amination, found the guns all spiked. It was a
mod formidable work for Commodore Foote to
encounter on his way down—consisting of a long
line;of defences extending back from the river to
Lake Fontchartrain, both above and below lie
city, on which ■ there were twenty-nine and thirty
guns each. ’
Immediately on my getting above the forts. I
sent Captain Boggs, who is now deprived of a
command by the sinking of his ship, which he had
so nobly defended, down to Capt. Potter, through
the’bayou at the quarantine, directing him to de
mand the surrender of the forts. His demand was
at first refused, but the soldiers told their officers
that we were in their rear, and that they would not
bo sacrificed. So, this morning, the 29th, the gal
lant Bailey brought ns the intelligence in the Cay
uga* Captain Harrison, that the forts had surren
dered, the rams blown up, and that the American
Hag' floats over both forts. •
I; have sent down for General Butler's troo[s to
come up and occupy this city, and will soon be o 5
for ■ Mobile, Depend .upon it, we will keep die
stampede up. I send Captain Bailey home ,as
beater of despatches. He has done his work no
blyl.and that while suffering under an infirmity
■winch required attention and rejiose.
■Lain,'very tmlv and resp’y, vonr nh't serf.
~ ’ D. G. FAKRAGCT,
? Flag Officer W. G. Blockading Squadron.
A. Strange Siort. — A strange story (not by
.Biilwcr,) is going the rounds of the English press-
A lately married Irish earl, wishing to improve
his old mansion, set architects at work, who dis
covered a room hermetically bricked up. It '' :L ‘
fittqd tqi in the richest style of one hundred and
titty years ago, and on the conch lay the skeleton
of a female, while on the floor was the skeleton ot
'a man, presenting evident traces of violence.—
Jewels and dresses lay scattered about the room,
but the fearfnl secret had been so well kept that
no tradition could be remembered which world
give any clue to the affair. The survivors— an
injured husband probably among them —walled up
the apartment, .which has kept its dread secret
ever 3 ccntnrv and a half.
1?ook Wiustliso.—“Speaking bores.' si'»
a victim of one of. the species, “1 cnu seatvcb
imagine one capable of inflicting more misery than
an intolerable whistler. I can stand a fife
all flic nation is armed and equipped on trainii)£
day, and the drum, with its ‘flang, flang,’ -servy
to drown its screams; but to listen to a poor air
badly murdered by a poor, puckerer, I prefer death
in some easier if not quicker way. I always think
or the French stage-coach driver, who beine vvo
much annoyed by such a bore, turned upon h| nl ’
“ Stine vriend, vat for you vissel all ze time.—
ort loss your leetie dog, eh ?”
Judge Daniel McCook, father of licju‘ r v
A. MeD. McCook and General B. L. Mv'Ce"
has {gone to Pittsburg Landing to oiler Iris serve*
in the next fight. Jndge McCook has seven s*’it>
in the army.
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local items
Kuskhal Obsequies op Gaft. P. T. K
-As mentioned in our last, the funeral of (
•. T. Keys took place on Thursday Afternoon
it 2 o’clock, P. M. the cortege moved from
an Hall to St John’s Catholic Church, in the
living order: .
Altoona Brass Band.
Isnort of Three Months’ Volunteers, under
\ mand of Captain Szink.
Major Kdie and Lieut. Campbell, U. S. J
Hearse covered with American Flag,
[datives and friends of the deceased in cajoi
Citizens'on foot.
[ Arriving at the Church, the coffin wa\» com
rom the hearse into the Ohnreh, where the
tressive ceremonies of that denomination
[one through with, and an' appropriate adi
[elivcred by Bev. Welsh, of Hollidaysburg.
The ceremonies over at the Chnrch, the
Session re-formed, in the order above given,
hutched to the -Catholic Cemetery, above
jutooita, where vvore consigned to their last
[ng-place all that was mortal of Captain Key
I'mlv may we exclaim:
“ Brief; brave and glorious wo-ilm young career I
Beloved by those who knew him best, am
■pcc.|ed by all who enjoyed his acquaintance,
leatli is universally' lamented.
I Kike on the Mountains. —For several
bast ail the mountains in this vicinity, and, in
nil along the line of railroad between this |
nnd Harrisburg, have been on fire, and we
bad a smoky time of it. So thick was the sii
(hat the sun presented the appearance of blood.
Shadows disappeared.' The weather was dry, w
pud windy, very favorable for the rapid sprer
(lie element. We learn that a great runout
eordwood, belonging to different persons, has
lestroyed, and among the rest, some 7(H) t
belonging to Allegheny Furnace. T|te lire
beared to rage tierces; and travel fastest on B
imuutain, where it formed an unbroken line
pic summit to the base, and burned up everyt
bf a combustible nature in its way. The s
liter nightfall, as witnessed from tliis place,
[•awfully grand and sublime.” A smart sit
yesterday (Tuesday) evening we hope extingn
the flames.
1 Fatal Acoiiient.— On Thursday night
Samuel Wilt, of this place, a brnkeman oJ
pf the freight trains between this place andyni
burg, fell from his train and was 'ama JSvei
killed. It appears that, for the purposcalf r
more comfortably, he hod placed a boanl d|ag
f.v across a stock car, between the slats, lea viiii
feud protrude over the bumper he occupied. \
passing through the narrows, below Lewlstov
is supposed that the board was shaken out <
place at the opposite end from the one on whic
tot, thereby causing it to tilt and letting him
between the bumpers. He fell with his legs ai
the rail and his body on the outside of the n
Dne of his legs was crushed from the thigh u
knee, where both legs were cut off. He lived
P few hours after the aeddent. His remains
brought to this place on'Friday morning,
leaves a wife but no children.
Fire in Collinsville. —On Wednesday
loon last, two weatherboarded log housi
iroperty of Isaac Walton, were banted to
frannd, in Collinsville, just over the hill from
llace. The fire originated from a stove
running through the roof of one of the build
Ihq afternoon being dry, the houses compos
combustible material, and none of the modern
wees for extinguishing the element on ha
won communicated to the second house, and
present conld do little else than attend to s
household goods. The fire was also commt
rcd to adjoining buildings but was discovei
lime to prevent it gaining any headway, if
Ihe beds and bedding and other property i
leeond stories of the house were burned. '
■is no insurance on the booses or hoi
aoperty
Hetdbseb.—Rev. A. B. Clark has vacate
witton at Annapolis, as army despa tchcr, at
unied to Bis charge in this place. We an
o have him among us again. Bev. D. S. B
' 10 supplied his place in his absence, has bet
•ointed missionary to the Broad Top regie
lx ®°ntha. We tire pleased to state tint
umisitration of Bev. Banks was very acce]
° the congregation in this place, tie bids I
c 11 popular and useful herald on the we
won.
5 —VTe notice tßat Esquire Hums
l^' en ofifipe in the small braiding on th
n , OP r itC Icke8 ’ 9 store room, corner of II
Annie streets, East Ward. Our fncii
si e of town have long desired a justid
i, e oTer Ulere > und now Squire H. Iras step
' ««ommodate them. As a matter •of e
'ey should patronize him.
Agalv '~ Tbe larße "‘oro roum
L . "fanch and Annie streets looks de<
! i since the slock of entirely new
IiLT^ 6 * by essre - Geis Co,, hav
in anotb^ 01 * B^olve8 ' their adrerti
another column.