From Fortress Monroe

BALTIMORE, May 19. – It is reported by the Old Point boat that the Galena was considerably damaged in her upper works by the plunging shot of the rebel batteries.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 4

Special to New York Papers

(Herald’s Dispatch.)

WASHINGTON, May 21. – The President has decided that 50,000 more volunteers shall be accepted.  This is to fill up regiments which have been thinned out by sickness and wounds, and to for a reserve under drill for the future, which may be ready at the decisive moment.

Notwithstanding the solemn threat of certain Senators who hold their refusal to take up the tax bill interwoven over the head of the President, to scare or drive him into a compliance with the programme of conducting the war, the bill was taken up to-day and will be acted upon without delay.  It will probably be shaped and passed before the end of the month.  The impression prevails that Senator Simmons’ substitute is more simple in its provisions, and that the House bill will finally be adopted.

The armor of the Galena which was pierced by the projectiles of the rebel batteries below Richmond, was but three inches thick.

The gunboats on the Western waters are thinly plated but partially clad, which shows the necessity of the six inch plates that have been ordered for the three new gunboats of the Monitor style that are now in process of erection in New York.

The Monitor thus far has stood the fire with her five inch plates, but as guns of enormous caliber and projectiles of great momentum are in view, it is safe to increase the thickness of the armor.

(Tribune’s Special.)

It is not yet precisely determined what number of volunteers to call for, but it will not be far from 100,000, including those needed to fill up the old regiments.

It will scarcely be credited that hay is brought to the army of Virginia from Maine, and corn from Illinois, although these articles are to be had for the taking from premises abandoned by the rebels.  Their armies do not scruple to rob our men of all that can be moved.

A pontoon bridge has been laid and the Rappahannock can now be crossed at four different points.

Orders have been issued for two pairs of shoes and one pair of leggings for the infantry of the army of the Rappahannock.

The greatest activity prevails and striking news may be expected from this quarter before long.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

Arrival of Federal Prisoners

Interesting Narrative – Meeting of the Citizens of Richmond – The City will be Surrendered – Rebel Deserters – Eighty-six Rebel Prisoners Refuse to Return – Jeff. Davis Gone to Alabama.

From the Washington Republican, May 15.

About dark last night our city was on the qui vue of interest at the arrival of the Federal prisoners, which left Richmond a few days since.

They were eight hundred strong, and as they passed from the river to the depot the people generally turned out to see them, and their hearty cheers at the sight of the stars and stripes along the route announced their joy at once more being free.

Their narrative of the incidents of their journey here is very interesting.  Last Sunday it was announced to them that they were to be released on parole.  At 10 o’clock at night they were taken out of their place of confinement, which was once the store and commission house of Luther Libby, on Cary street near Eighteenth, and marched down Carry and Main streets, to Rockett’s, where they embarked.  Many a handkerchief was quietly and stealthily waved at them by fair hands, which testified of Union hearts, as they passed along the streets to embark.  They were put on board of the two rebel steamers Curtis Peck and Northampton, and left the wharf at Rockett’s at about 12 o’clock, midnight, and proceeded down the river.

The next (Monday) morning, at about 10 o’clock, came in sight of the ancient town of Jamestown, and soon after their joyful eyes caught sight of the stars and stripes as they waved from the Union gunboats, the Galena and Arostook [sic].  How their hearts leaped with joy!  And over the waters of the James three times three cheers reverberated along the rebel shores, from nearly a thousand loyal hearts! – The rebel boats displayed the flag of truce.  They did not dare to have even a rebel flag on board.  Here they stopped for about one hour, and received directions from Captain Rodgers as to how the prisoners should be disposed of.  They then passed the three Union gunboats, and went down the river.  Met the Monitor at Harden’s Bluff, twenty or thirty miles from Newport News.  The Monitor was just passing the rebel batteries at Harden’s Bluff.  The rebels opened fire on the Monitor, pouring their shot right across the bows of the flag of truce vessels.

The Monitor passed on without noticing the batteries.  The Captain of the Monitor put his head up out of the turret or “cheese-box,” and shouted out to the Union prisoners, “Why don’t you give ‘em a pill over in those batteries?” shouted one of the prisoners.  “We don’t notice such small fry – got better fish up the river to take care of,” was the reply, and the “cheese box” steamed on up the river without noticing the batteries.  Arriving at Newport News, the prisoners were transferred to the Federal steamers Hero and Wm. Kent.  Here for the first time, they learned that Norfolk was taken, and heard the fate of the Merrimac.  And strange to say, the rebel guard which accompanied them down were equally ignorant of these facts.

This, or something else, had a strange effect on the 25 men, accompanying them, who were a portion of Jeff. Davis’ body guard, for only eight of the number returned in the rebel steamers.  The orderly sergeant set the example by throwing his gun overboard, and swearing he would fight no longer for the Confederacy.  A dozen more guns followed, and the men passed over into the Union boats, and promptly took the oath of allegiance to the Federal Government.

Eighty rebel prisoners, who were waiting to go on board the rebel steamers, refused to return to the service of the Confederacy, and asked to have the oath of allegiance administered to them also; and the proper officers from Newport News came on board and administered the oath, much to their satisfaction.

The Hero and William Kent brought the Richmond prisoners up to this city, and they arrived here last night, and are now quartered at the “Soldier’s Rest,” near the Baltimore depot.

Many interesting incidents are related by these prisoners.  We have time to relate only a few.

A meeting was held at Richmond, by the citizens, soon after the evacuation of Yorktown, which was a very exciting one, and prolonged for three days.  A tough fight was had over the question of “surrender or burn,” and it was at last decided in favor of surrendering the city, if they were forced to it, though the “roughs,” who own no property, tried hard to defeat the measure.

The rebels are to make a stand about a dozen miles out of the city, and say they will make a desperate fight before they will lose the city. – They say they have got McClellan in a trap, as they have erected their batteries in the face of a swamp, into which the Federal army will be entrapped.

Immediately after the evacuation of Yorktown the greatest panic prevailed in Richmond. – Wagons, ambulances, horses, wounded soldiers, stragglers, etc., were pouring into the city day and night for several days.  Large numbers of families began to back up and leave for the South.  It is said that Jeff. Davis has gone to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Provisions, etc., are very scarce and high. – Their food was scanty and of the meanest kind and the prison discipline very rigid.

John Minor Botts is released on parole, although he is virtually a prisoner in his own house.  He is not allowed to leave his country seat, near Richmond.

The Union Sentiment is strong, and its development on the increase.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 2

Letter From Orpheus C. Kerr

Triumph of Naval Architecture --- capture of Paris, &c., &c.

Correspondence of the N. Y. Sunday Mercury.

I have just returned, my boy, from witnessing one of the most tremendous battles of modern times, and shall see star-spangled banners in every sunset for six months to come.

Hearing that the Southern Confederacy had evacuated Yorktown, for the reason that the Last Ditch had moved on the first of May to a place where there would be less rent from our cannon, I started early in the week for the quarters of the valorous and sanguinary Mackerel Brigade, expecting that it had gone toward Richmond for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

On reaching the Peninsula, however, I learned that the Mackerel “corps damms” had been left behind to capture the city of Paris in co-operation with a squadron.

Reaching the stomping ground, my boy, I beheld a scene at once unique and impressive. – Each individual Mackerel was seated on the ground with a sheet of paper across his knees and an ink bottle beside him, writing like an inspired poet.

I approached Captain Villiam Brown, who was covering some bare spots on his geometrical steed Euclid with pieces scissored out of an old hair-trunk, and says I:

“Tell me, my noble Hector, what means this literary scene which mine eyes behold?”

“Ha!” says Villiam, setting down his glue pot, “we are about to engage in a scrimmage from which not one may come out alive.  These heroic beings,” says Villiam, “are ready to die for their country at sight, and you now behold them making their wills.  We shall march upon Paris,” says Villiam, “so soon as I hear from Sergeant O’Pake, who has been sent to destroy a mill dam belonging to the Southern Confederacy.  Come with me my nice little boy, and look at the squadron to take part in the attack.”

This squadron, my boy, consisted of one 28-inch row-boat, mounting a 12 inch swivel, and commanded by Com. Head, late of the canal-boat service.  It is iron-plated after a peculiar manner.  When the ingenious chap who was to iron-plate it commenced his work, Com. Head ordered him to put the iron plates on the inside of the boat, instead of the Outside, as in the case of the Monitor and Galena.

“What do you mean?” says the contractor.

“Why,” says the commodore, “ain’t them iron plates intended to protect the crew?”

“Yes,” says the contractor.

“Well, then, you poor ignorant cuss,” says the commodore, in a great passion, “what do you want to put the plates on the outside for?  The crew won’t be on the outside – will it?  The crew will be on the inside – won’t it?  And how are you going to protect the crew on the inside by putting iron plates on the outside?

Such reasoning, my boy, was convincing and the Mackerel Squadron is plated inside.

While I was contemplating this new triumph of American naval architecture, and wondering what they would say about it in Europe, an orderly rode up and handed a scrap of paper to Villiam.

“Ha!” says Villiam, perusing the message then passing it to me, “the veteran O’Pake has not deceived the United States of America.”

The message was directed to the General of the Mackerel Brigade, by boy, and read as follows:

“GENERAL: – In accordance with your orders, I have destroyed the mil d---m.  O’PAKE.”

“And now,” says Villiam, returning his canteen to his bosom and pulling out his ruffles, “the United States of America will proceed to capture Paris with great slaughter.  Let the Brigade form in marching order, while the fleet proceeds around by water, after the manner of Lord Nelson.

The Mackerel Brigade was quickly on the march, headed by the band, who played an entirely new version of “Hail Columbia” on his key-bugle.  Tramp, tramp, tramp! and we found ourselves in position before Paris.

Paris, my boy, was a city of two houses previous to the recent great fire, which destroyed half of it, and we found it fortified with a strong picket fence and counterscarp earthworks, from the top of which frowned guns of great compass.

The Mackerel Brigade was at once formed in line-of-battle order – the line being not quite as straight as an ordinary Pennsyvania railroad – while the fleet menaced the water-front of the city from Duck Lake on the maps, my boy, as it is only visible after a heavy rain.

Previous to the attack, a balloon, containing a Mackerel chap, and a telescope shaped like a bottle, were sent up to reconnoiter.

“Well,” says Villiam to the chap when he came down, “what is the force of the Confederacy?”

“I could only see one Confederacy, which is an old woman.”

“Scorpion!” says Villiam, his eyes flashing like the bottoms of two reversed tumblers, “I believe you to be an accursed abolitionist.  Go instantly to the rear,” says Villiam, Fiercely, “and read the Report of the Van Wyck Investigating committee.”

It was a terrible punishment, my boy, but the example was needed for the good of the service.

The Orange County Howitzers now advanced to the front, and poured a terrible fire in the direction of a point about half way between the nearest steeple and the meridian, working horrible carnage in a flock of pigeons that happened to be passing at the time.

“Splendid, my glorious Prooshians!” says Villiam, just escaping a fall from his saddle by the concussive start of Euclid, that noble war hose having been suddenly roused from a pleasant doze by the firing – “splendid, my artillery darlings.  Only,” says Villiam, thoughtfully, “as the sun is a friendly power, don’t aim at him so accurately next time.”

Mean time, Company 3, Regiment 5, had advanced from the right, and were just about to make a splendid bayonet charge by the oblique, over the picket fence and earthwork, when the concealed Confederacy suddenly opened a deadly fire of old shoes, throwing the Mackerels into great confusion.

Almost simultaneously, a large potato struck the fleet on Duck Lake, on the nose, so intensely exciting him, that he incontinently touched off his swivel, to the great detriment of surrounding country.

This was a critical moment, my boy: the least trifle on either side would have turned the scale and given the victory to either party.  Villiam Brown had just assumed the attitude in which he desired Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Artist to draw him, when a familiar domestic utensil came hissing through the lurid air from the rebel works, and exploding in two pieces at his feet.

“Ha!” says Villiam, eyeing the fragments with great pallor, “they have commenced to throw shells.”

In another moment that incomparable officer was at the head of a storming party; and as the fleet opened fire on the cabbage patch in the rear of the enemy’s position, an impetuous charge was precipitated in front.

Though met by a perfect hail of turnips, stove covers and kindling wood, the Mackerels went over the fence like a fourth proof avalanche and hemmed in the rebel garrison with walls of bayonets.

“Surrender to the Union Anaconda and the United States of America,” thundered Villiam.

“You’re a nasty, dirty creature,” responded the garrison, who was an old lady of venerable aspect.

“Surrender, or you’re a dead man, my F. F. Venus,” says Villiam majestically.

The old lady replied with a look of scorn, my boy, walked deliberately toward the road, and when last seen was proceeding in the direction of Richmond under a green silk umbrella and a heavy press of snuff.

Now it happened, just after we had formally taken possession of the city, while the band was playing partial airs and the fleet winding up his chronometer, that the General of the Mackerel Brigade made his appearance on the field, and was received with loud cheers by those who believed that he had brought their back pay with him.

“My children,” says the General, with a paternal smile, “don’t praise me for the achievement in which all have won such imperishable laurels.  I have only done me jooty.”

This speech, my boy, made a great impression upon me on account of its touching modesty. – War, my boy, is calculated to promote an amount of bashful modesty never equaled except in Congress, and I have known brigadiers so self-deprecatory that they lived in a state of perpetual blush – especially at the ends of their noses.

Yours, inadequately,

ORPHEUS C. KERR.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 1

Exit the Merrimac

Our skeleton in the closet has crumbled into dust, and nervous people inhabiting seacoast cities can sleep o’ nights hereafter without fear of being awakened by the thunder of the Merrimac’s guns at their very doors.  This vessel – the one navel success of the South, that accomplished the rare feat of compelling an American frigate to strike her colors to an enemy, and whose advent into Hampton Roads marks an era in conflicts at sea – was scuttled and sunk by the rebels to prevent her falling into the hands of our naval forces.  Her loss is more damaging to the rebellion than if an army of 50,000 men had been killed or captured.  Better to have lost Savannah, Charleston, Memphis or Richmond, than have destroyed this naval monster without a fight.  Had she gone down, as did the Cumberland or the Varuna, firing until the water closed over her, all the world would have wondered, and Southern valor, as well as Southern skill, would have claimed a proud page in the history of battles; but the pitiful panic which must have possessed the councils in which her destruction was determined upon will bring contempt upon the Confederate cause, even in those foreign circles whose interest or whose humor it has been to sustain and countenance the great rebellion.

It is to be regretted, for many reasons, that this vessel did not venture on another conflict with our fleet in Hampton Roads.  Her first exploit proved the folly of building any more wooden frigates.  The contest with the Monitor on the second day was of great scientific interest, as showing the relative value of heavy ordnance and thick iron plating in an actual sea fight.  The third fight, if a chance had been given, would have demonstrated the value of a swift steam ram against an iron clad vessel.  The Vanderbilt, the Arago, and the Baltimore, as is now well known, were in readiness to make the attempt, at least had she ventured into deep water or got out of the range of the guns at Sewall’s Point.  But this experiment is now postponed until another war takes place, for the rebels have no vessel left that a few guns would not sink with ease.

It is more than probable, although it has been denied by the rebel press, that the Merrimac was seriously injured in her contest with the Monitor, so much so as to disable her for another fight.  The report that she leaked continuously is no doubt true.

The destruction of the Merrimac is of the utmost consequence to us in the progress of the war.  After the occupation of Richmond the Galena, the Monitor, the Naugatuck and a large fleet of wooden vessels can pay their respects to Fort Sumter and reduce it promptly.  Gen. Hunter is already drawing his lines about the city of Charleston, but his work will be greatly expedited by the cooperation of these invulnerable vessels.  Iron-clad batteries, as against forts, were first tried by the rebels upon Sumter, but they took months to erect them, and finally opened fire upon a half-starved garrison of seventy men, let us show that the same work can be done against greater odds, and with much less fuss and waste of powder. – {N. Y. World.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 3

The Galena Captures the Jamestown and Sinks the Yorktown

NEW YORK, May 11. – Special despatches state that the iron clad steamer Galena has sunk the rebel steamer Yorktown and captured the Jamestown in the James River.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 3

The Advance upon Richmond – Treasure from California

NEW YORK, May 14. – A Fort Monroe letter of the 12^th states that McClellan’s pickets were within 16 miles of Richmond, that the Monitor and Naugatuck had passed City Point towards Richmond, the Galena following.  The rebel steamers Yorktown and Jamestown were at Rockets, near Richmond.  These are only rumors.

The Champion, from Aspinwall, brings $484,000 in specie.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p.

The Iron-Plated War Steamer “New Ironsides”

This large Warship was launched at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on Saturday.  The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin speaks of her as follows:

The New Ironsides is the first iron-plated sea going war steamer of large size built by the U. States Government.  She is constructed from plans and specifications presented to the Navy Department last summer by Merrick & Sons, of this city, who are the sole contractors with the Government.  They in turn have contracted with Messrs. Cramp & Sons, of Kensington; also with the Bristol Forge and Brown & Co., of Pittsburgh, for the 4 ½ inch plating, reserving to themselves the construction of the machinery and the general arrangement of the several parts.  The contract is dated October 16^th, and the vessel is to be ready for steam July 15^th.  Chief engineer, W. W. Wood, of the Navy, superintends the machinery and plating; and Naval Constructor, Henry Heover, the hull.

She is 240 feet long, 58 feet 6 inches wide, and 25 deep, being 3,250 tons, and having a berth, gun and spar deck, the latter being shot proof.  Her frames are of white oak, filled in solid and caulked, and the average thickness of her sides is 20 inches.  The iron plating commences at a point four feet below the water line, and extends to her spar deck.  The lower course is 3 inches, all the rest 4 ½ inches thick.  A.. the plates are 15 feet long, the width varying from 25 to 30 inches; each plate is fastened to the vessel by 2 ½ inch screw bolts, 23 inches long, which secure the several thicknesses of timber to the plates, thus tying all together.

The machinery consists of two horizontal direct action steam engines, with cylinders of 50 inches diameter and 37 inches stroke, intended to make 85 revolutions per minute, and drive a brass four-bladed propeller of 18 feet diameter and 18 feet pitch.  The boilers are four in number, (horizontal tubular,) each 17 feet front, 11 feet deep, and 11 feet high, of a collective force of 1,600 horses.  The armament will consist of 16 11-inch Dahlgreen guns on the gun deck, and two 200-pound Parrott guns on the spar deck.  The port holes will be closed by iron shutters five inches thick worked from the inside.

As this is a seagoing steamer, intended to sail as well as steam, she will have three masts and be bark rigged; her top masts and yards being so arranged that in action they are lowered and leave simply three lower masts in view.

When in action, all the men on board are protected from shot or shell, and are below the spar deck; the commander only is above that deck, and he occupies a shot proof look-out, which rises above the spar deck, and from which he can see all surrounding objects, and by signals, communicate with the officers below.

Unlike the Monitor and the Galena, this vessel can carry a large crew, sufficiently so to board and capture, any vessel.  Impenetrable to shot and shell, she will seek close action, and by means of her iron prow sink, or by her heavy guns capture her opponent.  Her light draught of water, 16 feet, will enable her to enter all our Southern harbors.  Even Moultrie and Sumter can be visited by her, and she may be able to make an impression on these forts before they are re-possessed by the United States.

The country is mainly indebted to Com. Jos. Smith, of the Bureau of Yards and Docks at Washington, for the construction of this vessel, as well as the two which have preceded her.  It was by his exertions that the money was appropriated by Congress, and as President of the Board of Naval Officers on iron clad steamers, he as devoted much time to their construction.

It will be two or three months before her plating is all done and she is ready for service.  But if, by that time, the rebellion is not ended, she will be knocking at the doors of Fort Sumter, or helping herself to other forts and towns along the coast.  When the rebellion is over she will be a useful agent of the Government in settling difficulties with foreign powers.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly-Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 2

The New Iron Clad Steamer Galena

The news that the Galena had received her armament and gone to Fortress Monroe has been known for several days, but not allowed to be made public by those controlling the telegraph. As several newspapers in New York and elsewhere have given publicity to the fact we may venture to print the following description of her from the New York Evening Post:

Some very important alterations have been made, by which the strength and power of resistance will be rendered much greater than was at first deemed practicable. The most important of these alterations are, first, the extension of the heavy iron mail over the bow and stern of the boat, instead of common plates, according to the original design; and second the increase to three and a quarter inches in thickness of the mail on the upper wall or shot proof covering of the fighting deck which protects the batteries. This covering slopes inward at an angle of forty-five degrees, and the sheeting was to have been but two inches in thickness. The changes, it is believed, will effectually protect the gunners, and render the vessel impregnable to ordinary projectiles.

The object which it was designed to secure in the construction of this vessel has hitherto been deemed impossible of accomplishment, and the project was therefore, like the building of the monitor, an experiment. The novel proposition, and one that seems whole inconsistent with itself, was made by a citizen of Boston – the well known naval architect, Samuel H. Pook. It was substantially as follows:

That a vessel could be built, two hundred feet in length, thirty-six feet breadth of beam, and of one thousand tons burthen – the size and description of a war vessel of the ordinary construction, which would require a depth of water of about twelve feet – and yet the boat should be strong enough to sustain a shot proof covering, have a draft of water but ten to twelve feet, and contain engines and machinery which would give her a speed of twelve knots per hour – in short, that she would be entirely seaworthy, as perfectly adapted to the purposes of cruising as the “wooden wall” in common use, and, in addition be impenetrable.

To accomplish these objects a hull of peculiar model, designed to effect a greater displacement of water than is ordinarily secured, was built, and upon it four hundred tons of armor have been placed, with entirely successful results. – Experiments have been made with the machinery which justify the expectation that the speed of the vessel will be equal to what was originally anticipated – twelve miles per hour.

At a little distance the appearance of the Galena is smooth and regular, her curve lines and rounded form diminishing her apparent size. A close inspection reveals the joints of the longitudinal plates with which she is covered, but not a bolt head is visible. This is one of the peculiarities of her mail, which is of a new design. By means of flanges and tongues the heads of the bolts are entirely covered and thus a source of weakness in the iron plating generally in use is obviated.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 1

The Galena

The iron-clad sloop-of-war Galena was put into commission at New York on Monday afternoon of last week. She has a picked crew, selected from the crews of the Cumberland, the Congress, and the Roanoke, and her officers are said to be all young, active, and intelligent. Commander John Rodgers, it is stated has been ordered to take command of her. All the qualities and equipments of this ship are of the first order, and we shall, we think, before the lapse of many days, learn of her presence in other waters than those of New York.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 1

Surrender of Fort Pulaski

BALTIMORE, April 15.

The Savannah Republican of the 12th announces the unconditional surrender of Fort Pulaski, in the previous day. Seven large breaches were made in the walls by our batteries of Parrott guns at King’s Landing, and all the barbette guns on that side and three casemate guns were dismounted. – Three balls entered the magazine.

Col. Olmstead, the rebel commander, signaled the day previous to the surrender that our fire was so terrible that no human being could stand upon the parapet for even a minute.


FORT MONROE, April 14.

A flag of truce went up to Craney Island this p.m., and brought back two Norfolk papers. They were taken to headquarters and although containing the important information of the unconditional surrender of Fort Pulaski, an effort was made in accordance with the policy that prevails here, to keep even good news from the representatives of the press. I am, however, able to give you the substance of the glorious news published in the Savannah Republican. The Republican says substantially that it learns with deep regret that after a gallant defense against guns mostly superior, Fort Pulaski surrendered at 2 p.m. yesterday, the 11th.

Corporal Law, of the Pulaski Guards, who did not leave Fort Thunderbolt until after the flag was hauled down, brings the intelligence of the successful event. The surrender was unconditional.

Seven large breaches were made in the south wall by the Federal battery of eight Parrott guns, at Knight’s Landing.

All the barbette guns on that side were dismounted, and also three casemate guns, leaving but one gun bearing on that point. A clear breach was made in the magazine. The balls used were conical, and were propelled with such force that they went clear through the walls at nearly every fire. Col. Almsted [sic], who was in command, telegraphed the previous evening that no one could stand upon the ramparts for a single moment, and that over 1,000 large shells had exploded within the fort.

The Republican publishes the above as a postscript to a part of its edition and makes comments, nor gives any particulars as to the number of men and officers in the fort at the time of the surrender. It says however, none of it’s defenders were killed and but four wounded.

A Richmond paper contains and editorial exhibiting considerable fear for the safety of that city. It intimates that the Monitor may attack, and the Galena and all armored vessels might easily come up James river, and by their invulnerability and powerful guns, take and keep possession of the city. To prevent such a result it proposes that the channel of James river shall be obstructed by stone, which it says is abundant for the purpose and should be used at once.

The Merrimac has not come out, and nothing has been seen of her to-day. The tide has been low and this may have kept her in.

Early in the morning a rebel tug ran out from behind Sewall’s Point, but soon returned.

Later in the day there was a large fire in the woods on the Point, apparently from the burning of the brush, and gave rise to some speculations that the rebels were building a new battery there.

– Published in the Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862, p. 1

A Richmond Editor Alarmed

FORTRESS MONROE, April 14. – A Richmond paper contains an editorial exhibiting considerable fear for the safety of that city. It intimates that the Monitor, Naugatuck and [Galena], all armored vessels, might easily come up the James river, and by their invulnerability and powerful guns take and keep possession of the city. To prevent such a result, it proposes that the channel of James River shall be obstructed by stone, which it says is abundant for the purpose, and should be used at once.

The Merrimac has not come out, and nothing has been seen of her to-day. The tide has been low, and this may have kept her in.

Early in the morning a rebel tug ran out from behind Sewall’s Point but returned. Later in the day there was a large fire in the woods on the point, apparently from the burning of the brush, and gave rise to some speculation that the rebels were building a new battery there.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862