GLORIOUS NEWS: Norfolk and Portsmouth Captured Without a Battle; THE MERRIMAC BLOWN UP (5/12/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 5/12/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Sunday, May 11.

The following was received at the War Department this morning:

FORT MONROE, Saturday, May 10 -- Midnight.

Norfolk is ours, and also Portsmouth and the Navy-yard.

Gen. WOOL, having completed the landing of his forces at Willoughby Point, about 9 o'clock, this morning, commenced his march on Norfolk, with 5,000 men.

Secretary CHASE accompanied the General.

About five miles from the landing-place a rebel battery was found on the opposite side of the bridge over Tanner's Creek, and after a few discharges upon two companies of infantry that were in the advance, the rebels burned the bridge.

This compelled our forces to march around five miles further.

At 5 o'clock in the afternoon our forces were within a short distance of Norfolk, and were met by a delegation of citizens.

The city was formally surrendered.

Our troops were marched in, and now have possession.

Gen. VIELE is in command, as Military Governor.

The city and Navy-yard were not burned. The fires which have been seen for some hours proved woods on fire.

Gen. WOOL, with Secretary CHASE, returned about 11 o'clock to-night.

Gen. HUGER withdrew his force without a battle.

The Merrimac is still off Sewall's Point.

Commander ROGERS' expedition was heard from this afternoon ascending the James River.

Reports from Gen. MCCLELLAN are favorable. EDWIN M. STANTON.

DESTRUCTION OF THE MERRIMAC.

DISPATCH TO THE NAVY DEPARTMENT

FORTRESS MONROE, Sunday, May 11.

To Hon. J.H. Watson, Assistant Secretary of War:

The Merrimac was blown up by the rebels at two minutes before 5 o'clock this morning. She was set fire to about 3 o'clock. The explosion took place at the time stated. It is stated to have been a grand sight by those who saw it. The Monitor, E.A. Stevens (Naugatuck)

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4062290/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Capture of Norfolk and the Advance Upon Richmond – 1
Glorious News: Norfolk and Portsmouth Captured Without a Battle – 2-3
The Mountain Department: The Defeat of Guerrillas by Gen. Kelley – 3
From Gen. M’Clellan’s Army: The Advance Only 22 Miles from Richmond – 3-4
Another Naval Victory: Commodore Foote’s Flotilla Attacked by the Rebel Fleet – 4
Department of the Rappahannock: Deserters from the Rebel Army – 5
Department of the Shenandoah: Outrages of the Rebels on Unarmed Soldiers – 5
News from Washington: The Conservative Movement in Congress – 5-6
Major and Brigadier-Generals – 6
The Rebel Rams and the Fight at Fort Pillow – 6-7
Editorial: The Closing Act of the Drama – 7
Editorial: The Reoccupation and Repossession of Norfolk-The Fate of the Merrimac – 7-8
South Carolina and New-England – 8

[Conan the Librarian]

I guess this was before they announced that Lincoln was involved in the capture of Norfolk.

He couldn’t believe that no officer had already taken the town.

[Paal Gulli]

GLORIOUS NEWS: Norfolk and Portsmouth Captured Without a Battle; THE MERRIMAC BLOWN UP (5/12/1862)

#1, the correct spelling is Merrimack,

... and ...

#2, it wasn't the Merrimac (sic), it was the CSS Virginia,

... and ...

#3, she was scuttled, not "BLOWN UP" by enemy action.