From Norfolk

(American’s Fort Monroe Correspondence.)

BALTIMORE, May 24 – It is estimated that there are now in Norfolk and Portsmouth not less than 1,000 deserters from the force with which Gen. Huger left Norfolk.  These who have come in and are still arriving in squads of tens and twenties did not succeed in escaping till after they reached Petersburg.  They are in a most deplorable condition.  A party who came in to-day say there must be nearly 1,000 scattered.  They all willingly take the oath of allegiance and appear most happy to have escaped from the rebel army.

The Minnesota will proceed to Norfolk to-morrow morning and the whole fleet will have abandoned Old Point and taken up a new position at the old naval station.  The walls of the Navy Yard building are in a solid condition and can soon be put in order again.  The machinery was taken out of the buildings before they were fired and packed up with the intention of being removed but the rapid action of General Wool prevented the removal.

Numerous wrecks, sunk in the harbor and river by the rebels are to be removed forthwith, including the wrecked Merrimac.  A large number of fuses and shells were obtained from the latter yesterday.

Deserters from Petersburg say fully one half of the army would desert if they had the opportunity but the rebels intend making a desperate resistance.

As soon as a disposition is shown by the people of Norfolk to return to their allegiance the port will be opened.  No such disposition is yet manifested.

Should Richmond be captured hundreds in Norfolk would openly declare for the union.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 4