PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY MORNING BY
A. H. BYINGTON & CO.,
3 group aneurysm», glacial to gown your retaliation, (neutral gunman, groom, Solicits, genuine, -muhauits, flu-e-fistalliishul is 181m.
NUMBER 750--NEW SERIES,
___-o
NORWALK, CONN, TUESDAY, MAY‘20, 1862.”
TvoLUME ‘XL' «NUMBEReo.
r - u- l * ' V ‘ : . . _ . , fl
NORWALK G- AZETT E . J , N, L 0 c K W 0 0 D & c 0, For the Gazette. they brought was of the most gratlfylng Some,of the females scowled at the [um-t- upon the fort, and with such efl‘ect that lanterns were hoisted upon the Hartford’s figgo'l‘ogmanjggggpotibuilt films at 8 costs!
, n , ZDTTD BUILDING West Side of the Bridge, T0 BEAN!) TO DO. character. The report was true. He file Ionizer, and some almost attempted the enemy slackened his fire. It is won- mizzen peak, and in a few moments the 'H:%§:i‘:.‘§°::§:°:l’.¥°§"nh°hmh-
OFFICE—{113*— ' L Y N E S’ N E W B L O C K, T0 ‘88? Whey dense“ threateninr rise. had met part of the floating wreck. to spit upon them. But there was a sub- derful that our vessels were not smashed voice of the boatswain rang clearly over ' ggifggdfifggggfizpfii
A'H'BYINGTON'g‘ 00., EEP constantly on hand, a large and '1': “d yield“ to” 31mm"; . All the earthworks at Craney Island dued quiet among the middling classes, to pieces. Solid shot struck the water the river ‘ U all hammocks” which The Troy Orphan “111135.
J B E G N varied assortment of Ladles’ Gents’ and “a“ if Chm“ ° "99"“ m 3km, - . . . , . v P l The Children’s Asylum.
A. H- BYINH - -ELLS' Children’s . v , . . ' Tm heavens are bright and clear; appeared to be abandoned, though the their countenances lmplylng a desrre to close healde them, wetting the men with meant that the men were to forego their ggeeggmfiggegomechnic Institute.
Subscription Rates. GAITERS, BOOTS, SHOES, &c., _ Tmlglr1eztllegznizsgl22$2gaggle my. rebel flag was still flying, Lieut. s, F, wait and watch for further developments. the spray, or lodging in the soft mud of sleep and get their ships under way.—- ,gggléelfizfedgletcmny School.
Aliviiégiferiiffegegmier’ mn’POSt macros; ‘33 lidhlngtghlgnllggtoliiatgilil 1330;? $32.22; To trust to fate and never pray. ’ Eldridge, from the Dragon, had landed The secessionists talked boldly of the the river bank, directly between the Immediately a furious fire was thrown in xupnlgtgnnnaif c352.
Tm“ “mg m“ °f any carrier’s Dismal if woi‘kmanlike-manner. Our assortment of “’9’ ”’5‘“ " ’0 0"“ with an armed crew and taken down the ‘ Southern Confederacy,” deflating the" schooners, throwing a thick column of the direction of the. forts from the whole or: Tioiyodnfildigm)’
paid one year in advance,
Clubs of six or more sent to one address, to be -
paid in advance,
Single copies 4 cents.
150
Advertising Rates.
Onl- Square, one insertion,
“ two insertions,
three insertions, ‘
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Two S uares, one year—with paper,
Each a ditional Square, per year,
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Fifteen lines, or 100 words,makea square. Fraction-
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fit
H
JDV—IrkaHHo-I
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88888888638838
- A
Ulca.
_ BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Norwalk Post Office. ~
NAILS CLOSE.
West 7.30 A. M.—2.30 P. M.
East 8.30 A. M.-—-5.00 P. M.
Danbury do Norwalk Railroad 8.50 A. M.
Weston, Bedding and Bedding Ridge, ‘1 nes-
duys, Thursdays and Saturdays, at 12 M.
MAILS DUE.
West 9.10 A. M.—6.00 P. M.
East 8.20 A. M.—3.30 P. M.
Danbury & Norwalk Railroad 8.00 A. M.
POST OFFICE HOURS.
From 7.00 A. M. to 8.00 P. M.
Cnannns Omrsrmn, P. M.
N. A. MOSMAN, M. 1).,
Homoeopathic
Physician and Surgeon,
Oflice-over C. J. Gruman’s Store,
NORWALK, CONN.
Office hours from 1 to 3 P. M.
New
HARDWARE &. PAINT STORE,
M a i n S t r e e t,
Opposite I. H. Campell’s Confectionery,
MARVIN a rhowrrr,
Wholesale and retail Dealers in Hardware,
Cutlery, Paints, Oils, Glass, Paper Hang-
ings, \Vindow Shades, &c.
ROOFING SLATE,
Prom Vermont,
‘VERY CHEAP,
At South Norwalk by
H. E. WING.
THE ALLIS HOUSE,
(formerly Union House,)
Opposite N. Y. & N. H. Depot. in Union-st,
New Haven, Conn.
L. P. ALLIS, Pnornmron.
E. W. & H. H. SMITH}: 00.,
Dealers ill
China, Glass & Earthen Ware,
Rerosene Oil and Lamps,
Wooden \Vare, Mats, &c.,
No. 4 PncENIx BLOCK,
Opposite .Ilie Post Ojfi'ce. 3m12
JAMES G. HARBOUR,
SURGICAL AND MECHANICAL
'D E N 'J'.‘ I S T,
Office at Residence, East Avenue, Norwalk,
Connecticut.
Architecture.
SIDNE if M. STONE,
ARCHITECT,
W ill furnish Plans, Specifications, Detail
Drawings, and superintend the erection of
public and private buildings. Office in Mar-
ble Block, Cllapel‘st, New Haven, Ct. ti52
E0. F. BELDEN, Norwalk, Conn.,Man-
ufacturer of Tin, Copper, and Sheet
Iron Ware; and dealer in Stoves, Ranges,
Furnaces, Cutlery, Brittannia, \Vooden and
Willow Witrc, Crockery; and a full assort-
ment of House Keeping articles generally.
' T E. BISSELL, Auctioneer, will give
a particular attention to sales by Auc-
tion, of Real Estate, Personal Property and
Household Furniture : terms low}.
WM. 0. STREET & 00.,
importers ; wholesale and retail dealers in
HARDWARE, IRON,
Steel Cutlery, Guns, Agricultural Imple-
ments, Oils, Paints, Window Glass, &c.
o. s. backwoon,
Fashionable Draper & Tailor,
and
. GENTLEMEN’S FURNISHING
EMPOBIUM 1
No. 8 Skiddy’s Block, Main-sh, Norwalk, Ct.
S. E. OLMSTEAD 6LCO.,.
Wholesale and Retail Dealers ill
Groceries. Flour, Feed, &c.,
14 and 1d Main-st, Norwalk, Conn.
Ladies’ Gaiters undoubtedly comprises—both
in extent and quality—a finer assortment than
can be found at any similar establishment in
the County. In Gent’s Boots, Gaiters, Shoes,
etc, we have a lure-er and better assortment,
we are confident, than was ever before offer-
ed in IZorwalk. We are prepared to manu-
facture, to measure any article in our line, and
at the shortest notice.
Misses’ and Children’s Shoes, Rubbers, etc.,
in endless variety. A fine article of Slippers
for Gents’ wear.
REPAIRING—in all its branches—done
neatly, quickly, and cheaply.
Whitney’s
Photographic and Fine Art
GALLERY,
NORWALK, CONN.
ATE E. B. Tnoad’sorl’s. E '1‘. Whitney
would inform the citizens of Norwalk
that he has established himself in the Gazette
Building, and will furnish them with Photo-
graps, Alnbrotypes, and all kinds of Pictures
taken by the sun, from Miniatures, to life
size; colored or plain; in the hi hest st r1e
of the art. E. T. WH TNE .
Important to owners of Horses.
WILLIAM B. SWAN,
Saddler 6L Harness Maker,
Adjoining Danbury & N orwalk R. R. Depot
N ORWALK, CONN,
‘ KEEPS constantly on hand and will make
to order every description of
Harness,
Horse Furniture,
Trappings or Clothing.
Also Saddler’s Hardware
and outfits.
Trunks, Volises, Carpet 'Bags, (S's.
All in want of anything in his iine,will do
well to give him a call. Orders for any kind
of work promptly executed. Repairing done
neatly and cheaply, and at short notice.
A. JACKSON 6!. BRO.
No. 1 Gazette Building.
“7 OULD respectfully announce to the
public and their old customers, that
they have recently made extensive additions
to their stock of goods. We are now prepar-
ed to offer an assortment not to be surpassed
in Fairfield County, in quality or price. We
would call particular attention to our stock of
Watches, which is lar er than ever before.—
We have a fine lot of ‘adics’ Swiss Watches,
in gold cases, at prices varying from $20 to
$75, which we can recommend as bein r cor-
rect time keepers. Also, Gentlemen’s atch-
es, in silver and gold cases, at any price from
$5 to $100. We buy of the best importers in
New York, and altogether for cash, so that
our facilities for sclllng cheap could not be
'eater. Our stock of Jewelry, Silver and
lateu Wares was never better than at pres-
ent, and comprises all of the latest styles that
are manufactured. A. JACKSON 8:. BRO.
NORWAIaK
Steam Sawing and Plaining
MILE.
THE subscriber has fitted up and is now
prepared to execute all orders for Pla-
ning; Scroll and other Sawinge; manufacture
of Doors, Sash, Blinds, &c., c., in the best
and most expeditious manner, and at satis-
factory prices. Orders by mail promptly at-
tended to. 1y17 TIMOTHY B. FITCH.
INSURANCE.
THE subscriber havin taken the agency
of the New England "ire and Marine In-
surance Go. of Hartford, is prepared to insure
all kinds of property against loss or damage
by fire, on as accommodating terms as any
other Company,
The New England Fire and Marine Insu-
rance Company has been recently established
with a paid in capital of $200,000 and has a
surplus of $6,295.00.
JOSEPH W. HUBBELL,
Agent for N orwalk and vicinity.
Norwalk, Feb. lst, 1831. tf"
DAVID Ii. PITCH,
Dealer in
Grain, Flour, Pead,.llieal, Hay,
&c., No. 2 Water-st,, third door south of ill
Bridge, has in store Flour and Meal, (fresh
ground) direct from the mills.
Grocers, Bakers 6!. Families
supplied as cheap as can be procured in New
York or elsewhere. Feed 0! every variety
constantly on hand. 01
SOUTH NORWALK
ladies and Gents’
Boot ck! Shoe Store.
'1‘HE subscriber, having taken the business
and stand of Stevens & Tristram, is pre-
pared to supply every article to be found in a
first class Boot and Shoe Establishment, for 1a-
dies, gentlemen, or children’s wear.
Our goods are manufactured expressly for
our own sales, and warrant all work sold by
us. Always on hand, or made to order at
short notice,
Gents’ Patent Leather Boots, Shoes, tfic. ;
Ladl'es’ Gaiters, (be, «be. ; Children’s
Gaiters, and Shoes, do, (26., (cc.
Rubber goods ; a large stock kept constantly
on hand. Ropairinp done neatly and expedi-
ently. IARVEY STEVENS.
South Norwalk (No. 3, Ely’s Block), April
7, 1860
Hardware and Cutlery.
Mechanic’s Tools, Farming Utensils, Guns,
Pistols, Iron and Steel, Window
Glass, Paints and Oils.
M. C. STREET 8: CO. have in store
and are constantly receiving direct
from the manufacturers, a large supply of
Foreign and Domestic Goods, under the above
denominationswhich makes their assortment
of articles suited to this market, equal to any
in the State, and which will be sold either
wholesale or retail on as favorable terms as
can be purchased ill New York.
WILLIAM C. STREET,
A. H. WILCOXSON.
JETNA INSURANCE comrauv,
0f Hartford.
Incorporated in 1819, Charter Perpetual.
Cash Capital $1,000,000
lllsurc against loss and damage by Fire,
on 'i‘crms adapted to the llazard,and
consistent with the laws of
compensation.
GEORGE it; e30WLES, Sole Agent
1y3 ,For Norwalk and vicinity.
r—_...
ROOPXNG.
7’ “HE subscriber is prepared to furnish par-
ties, .i;uilding, with'Warrcn’s superior
II’EL ,7 AND CEMENT 150.0 TING.
This article of Roofing is ill use upon the
fiorwalk Lock Company’s Building, and at
Lounsbury, Bissell do Co’s, where it gives en-
tire satisfaction, and is believed to be the
cheapest as well as the best rov‘ing in use.—
L [orders Will receive prompt ttention.
C. 1' LGOMIS.
Delightful 'New Books.-
SUTHERLANDs—by the author of “But- l
. ledge.” At BELLECK’S.
TIMBER! LUMBER!
Irath, Lime, Brick, Cement,
Paints, Oils, Glass,
BUILDERS’ HARDWARE, &C.. &C.
AT THE
New Lumber Yard,
’ NEAR THE RAIL ROAD BRIDGE,
SOUTH NORWALK.
Our Stock is new, bou ht for (lash, and
will be sold low. TOLLES do ELY.
South Norwalk, Oct. 15, 1860. tf42
House 8:. Sign Painting,
GILDING, GLAZING, &c., &c.,
SOUTH NORWALK.
IKE subscriber will execute all orders in
Plain Or Ornamental Painting in the
most satisfactory manner, and at reasonable
prices. .
Also, For Sale, his present residence (With
his business if desired), comprisin ahouse
nearly new, with garden, trees, s ubbery,
&c., and ashop thereon. Terms easy. Ap-
1y on the premises, opposite antard &
mith’s Carrie e Factor to
g ondhen HODGES.
May 7th, 1860. 1y19
To show no will and have no aim,
To shrink from every care,
To dream of honor, glory, fame,
But never do nor dare ;
To float like drift-wood onward swept,
Or helmless,ship at sea;
To live unloved, to die unwept,
This, this it is to 'be.
‘0
To crush out fear, if fear would come,
And triumph over foes,
To toil in light, to toll in gloom,
Till life’s short day shall close ;
’I‘o rush on error‘s bold array,
And cut one’s passage through,
To trust in God and ever pray,
This, this it is to do.
‘ To stand for God, and wisely plan,
01- go where duty calls,
To knock of? chains from brother man,
And watch on Freedom’s walls;
To hurl foul Treason from his throne,
And rout his blinded crew,
Then hear from earth and Heaven—“well done,"
, This, this it is to do. Rivuo.
Norwalk, May, 1862.
-<¢>.
For the Gazette.
“ CONTRABAND I”
What has brought about this strife,
Now within our country rife,
Aiming at its very life ?
’Tis the "contraband!”
From the pine-clad hills of Maine,
To the Rocky Mountain’s chain,
And throughout the South's domain,
List! the “contraband !”
What disgraced our Nation’s flag,
And at Sumter raised a rag,
In its stead, with coward's brag,
But the “contraband i"
Now within the ranks of those
Who have proved their country’s foes,
Armed to deal the deadly blows,
See the “contraband i“
In the Forts where white men quail,
From the storm of Ieaden hail—
Mark the gunners deadly pale,
Press the “contraband i”
Who the fields of Southrons till,
Build for them their breastworks still,
Forced to this against their will 7
’Tis the “contraband!"
But the "chivalry." they say,
Steal these blacks from home away,
Thus to learn them how to pray!
The poor “contraband 1"
Then pass laws as soon as brought,
That no one shall teach them anght.
Prayers we think are dearly bought.
For the “contraband 1”
Away we say with all this ”sham,"
The people‘s voice a battering ram,
Let us free these sons Of Ham,
Free the “contraband!"
Lon g enough we‘ve borne the shame,
All the land must share the blame,
With the :sword they’ve chose that same—
Free the “contraband l"
“Dovetail."
Norwalk. May, 1802.
.<.>p
From the Boo n Recorder.
To 5the Secession Sympathlzer.
N0 THANKS 'ro YOU.
"I‘will be no thanks to you, good sir!
’Twlll be no thanks to you,
When our troops come marching home from war,
The Red, the White, the Blue,
Still floating o’er them like a cloud
of glory as they come;
While a Nation's blessing long and loud,
Shall shout their welcome home!
0 then, ’twill be no thanks to you!
You frowned upon their toll!
At best ‘twas folly in your view—
Until you saw the spoil.
You sighed and looked amazing wise
At justice’s long delay;
And talked about a “compromise,”
To keep the bounds at bay.
0, yes, ‘twill be no thanks to you!
You never spoke a word,
Where hearts and hands and till were due.
As I have ever heard-—
One cheering word of sympathy,
One patriotic prayer—
One word of faith and hope, to be
A charm against despair.
‘Twill be no thanks to you, good sir,
’Twill be no thanks to you,
When our troops come marching home from war,
The Red, the White, the Blue,
Still floating o’er themllke a cloud
Of glory as they come;
While a nation's blessings long and loud
Shall shout their welcome home.
Yet you shall reap what they have sowed,
A country shall be yours :
For heroes’ blood in streams has flowed,
A richness that endures.
Go, eat the fat and drink the sweet
Bought by the brave and true—
And yet remember as you eat,
It is no thanks to you! M. A. W. C.
4 «.9!
Explosion of the Mérrimac.
A VISIT TO 'CRANEY ISLAND.
From Ike Reporter of the Associated Press.
FQRTRESS MONROE, May 11,—At 4
o’clock this a. 1L, a bright light was ob-
served in the direction of Craney Island.
At precisely half past four an explosion
took place that made the earth and wa-
ter tremble for miles. In the midst oi.
the bright flames which shot up in the
distance, the timbers and iron of the mon-
ster could be seen flying through the air.
No doubt was entertained that the ver-
itable Merrimac had ceased to exist.—
Flag ofiicer Goldsborough on receiving
this report ordered two armed naval tags,
the Zouave and Dragon, to proceed to-
wards Craney Island on a reconuoisapce
and ascertain the truth of the rumor.
Immediately after they had turned the
point the Monitor and E. A. Stevens
steamed up in the same direction, follow-
ed by the San J acinto, Susquehanna, Mt.
Vernon, Seminole, and Dacotah. It was
a most beautiful sight, and attracted
thousand of spectators along the whole
line of Old Point. Some were disposed
to discredit the announcement that the
Merrimac had been destroyed, and as the
vessels passed up to Craney Island the
excitement became intense.
Meantime two tug boats were seen
coming on towards the Fortress at full
speed, each apparently cudeavoring to
outrun the other, and when nearing the
wharf, the radiant countenance of Capt.
Case of the Minnesota told thot_tho news
, rebel flag, substituting ' the stars and
stripes, amid the hearty cheering of the
crew. Captain Case immediately re-
ported the fact to the President and Sec-
retary of War, who received the confir-
mation of the picket boats with great
satisfaction.
At the request of the President, Capt.
Case immediately proceeded to Craney
Island to ascertain if the works were
evacuated, in company with the fleet.
which was then advancing. Your cor-
respondent, with Mr. Farrel of the New
York Herald, and the paymaster of the
gallant little Zouave, Capt. Phillips,
which figured so nobly in the fight with
the Merrimac on her first appearance,
were courteously invited by Capt. Case
to accompany him on the expedition,
which was soon under weigh, and overtook
and passed all the vessels of war that
had started in advance of us except the
Monitor and Neugatuck, which were
moving ahead on their way to Norfolk,
having passed by Sewall’s Point and
Craney Island.
As we neared Craney Island, we found
this immense fortress apparently aban-
doned, though three rebel flags floated
from very tall stalls in different parts of
the works. Capt. Case, when within half
.a mile of the shore, ordered a shot to be
fired to test the fact of evacuation.
The only signs of life produced was the
appearance on shore of two negroes. A
boat was immediately lowered, and
through the courteous attention of the
commandant, we accompanied it to the
*shore to participate in the honor of low-
ering the rebel emblem and substituting
the pride of America in its place. The
forts on the island are in three sections.
They are constructed with the best engi-
neeriug skill and most admirable work-
manship. .
The forts were left in excellent condi-
tion, as were also the extensive barracks
which had accommodated during the win-
ter a garrison of over two thousand men.
Forty heavy guns were mounted in dif
ferent parts of the works, on the main
front of the island, the works command-
ing the approaches to the channel of the
river
Nine of these casematcs were finished,
in each of which were nine or ten-inch
Duhlgreens,aud the work of erecting five
more casemates was in progress at the
time of t‘ evacuation, in one of which a
gun was mounted. The fort at the head
of the island was called the “Citadel.”—
It was not casemated, but mounted five
heavy guns. The whole number of guns
mounted was thirty-nine, of which two
were Parrott’s and a number of rifled
Dahlgreens. There were also about six
guns in the works which had not been
mounted.
After spending an hour on the Island,
we proceeded to Norfolk immediately.—
At the upper end of the Island, we found
a mass of blackened wreck floating on the
water, some of it proceeding from the
sunken portions of the vessels.
We had also passed large quantities of
floating timber on our Way up, all of
which had been torn into splinters.—
From the men found on the island we
learned that the Merrimac had lain du-
ricg Saturday at a point nearly a mile
below the position from which the frag-
ments were observed. During the night,
however, she had been brought back and
run ashore. Her entire officers and crew
were landed on the island, and a slow
match applied to her magazine. She was
torn to fragments by the time the crew
passed out of her reach. A negro states
that the oificers and crew passed through
the adjoining country on the mainland,
about 8 o’clock in the morning, to the
number of 200. They said they were on
their way to Suffolk.
0n the line of the river leading from
Craney Island to Norfolk there are not
less than six heavy earthWOrks, mounting
in all about 69 cannon, all of which are
still in position except those near the na-
val hospital. These are said to have been
taken to Richmond during the past week.
On the opposite bank of the river is
another battery with two or three small
works. On all the works the rebel flag.
has been lowered by the fleet, and the
Stars and Stripes substituted. The
amount of powder found in the magazines
is estimated at 5,000 pounds, and the‘ fix-
ed ammunition taken can only be enu-
merated by the cargo.
After cruising for some time among the
fleet, We landed at the wharf and took a
stroll through the city of Norfolk. It
being Sunday, of course all places of bus-
iness were closed, and the city presented
a most quiet aspect. ' The wharves were
crowded with blacks, male and female,
and a goodly number of white working
people, with their wives and children
were strolling about. Soldiers Were sta-
tioned on the wharves and picketed
through ‘ the city, while the flag of the
Union floated triumphantly from the ca:
pols of the Custom House. The houses
through the city were generally closed,
especially those of the wealtier classes.—
iutention to receive nothing but Confed-
erate money, and saying they would have
nothing to do with Lincoln shiuplasters.
They were fully confident that in twenty
days Norfolk would be repossessed, and
the Yankees driven out. ,
True to the spirit of secession," the fire,
as I auéip‘ipeted on Saturday, and which
threw a blood red glare across the heav-
ens on Saturday night, proceeded from
the destruction of the Portsmouth navy
yard, which was done by order of the
rebel commandant, scarcely anything be-
ing left but black tall chimneys. Even
the immense stone dry deck was mined
and damaged, and it is said the engine
and pump belonging to it was removed to
Richmond. *
-———o«o
The Union Squadron up the
Mississippi.
The particulars of the brilliant naval
battle with the forts below New Orleans
are given in full and interesting letters to
the New York Times. We extract be-
low some of the more important portions
of them:
surname ron ran sonaununur.
Oui- fighting force consisted of six
sloops of war, sixteen gunboats, and
twenty-one mortar boats. Therewere
also a few ships, barks and schooners,
containing coal, ordnance and other
stores, hovering in the rear of our fleet.
This squadron was anchored on the 15th
ult., below forts Jackson and St. Phillip,
prepared for the attack.' The entire fleet
except three of the mOrtar schbouers,were
bound near the west shore, the more ad-
vanced vessels being less than a mile dis-
tant from the chain barrier, supported on
hulks, which the enemy had stretched
across the river. The vessels were ar-
ranged in parallel lines, the frigates and
gunboats on the outside, and the mortar
schooners inside literally moored to the
stumps and margin of the stream. The
mortar schooners afforded a small target
for the enemy to fire at, at the best, but
still further to secure them, their masts
were dressed with evergreens till they
looked as if fitted for a festival instead
of war.
FIRE SHIPS 01" THE REBELS.
On the morning of the 18th the rebels
sent down a large flatboat filled with
cards of pine wood on fire. Cables were
slipped and there was a season of general
excitement among the fleet, which feared
there might be torpedoes or other infer-
nal contrivances concealed in the burning
wood. But it did no injury. Before an-
other of the fire rafts had appeared the
Commodore had prepared the fleet to
receive them handsomely. Soon a col-
umn of black smoke was seen approach-
ing from the vicinity of the forts. Sig-
nal lights were made, and instantly a
hundred boats shot out towards the raft,
which now was blazing fiercely and cast-
ing a wide zone of light upon the water.
Two or three of the gunboats then got
under weigh and steamed boldly towards
the unknown thing of terror. One of
them, the Westfield, Capt. Renshaw,gal-
lantly opens her steam valves, and dashes
furiously upon it, making the sparks fly
and timbers crash with the force of her
blow. Then a stream of water from her
boss plays upon the blazing muss. Now
the small boats lay along side, coming up
helter skelter, and actively employing
their men. We see everything distinctly
in the broad glare—men, oars, buckets
and ropes. The scene .looks phan-
tom-like, supernatural, intensely inter-
esting, ~ extremely exciting, inextrica-
bly confused. But finally the object is
110ny accomplished. The raft yet fierce-
ly burning is taken out of range of the
anchored vessels and towed ashore, where
it is slowly consumed. As the boats' re-
turn they are cheered by the fleet, and
the scene changes to one of darkness and
repose, broken occasionally by the grad
hail of a sermon when a boat, sent on
business from one vessel to another, pas-
ses through the fleet.
We have a contempt for fire rafts.—
They have proved, like many other
things, to be “weak inventions of the
enemy.”
run nonnaamtnsr constructs.
Fire was opened on the morning of
Good Friday, April 18th. The engage-
ment was opened by Fort Jackson, and
the gunboat Orraco was the first to reply.
Presently the bomb flotilla commenced
throwing its shells, somewhat slowly‘at
first, but with increasing rapidity as the
sailors became accustomed to the work,
until a bomb was sent from each vessel,
on an average, once in five minutes.—
There were 79 shots fired from the fort
during the first hour and a half, the lar-
ger number of which came from Fort
Jackson. Most of them passed over the
masts of the schooners on the left, drop-
ping in range of those on the other shore
but from 150 to 200 yards short. After
a while. however, the rebels got the range
of these six vessels very accurately, and
the balls fell about them, capecially from
Fort Phillip, terribly thick and fast. In
destroyed all but two of the gunboats,
and these will have to surrender with the
forts.
down and attend to the forts, so you hold
Iish Turn, where they say they have not
jaded with their labors, without receiving
earth high up above the masts. But
only three of them were struck, and not
a soul was injured on board of them.—
In the meantime the enemy were busy
plotting mischief with their fire rafts,
which the fleet had learned how to dis-
pose lof. The brave follows on the schoon—
ers did not relax their fire. The quick,
sharp bark of the mortars was incessant.
Following each report is an awful rushing
whirr~r~r~rr, as though ten thousand hum-
ming tops were whirling in the air. Ev-
ery bomb plunged in and about the fort,
marking the place of its fall by throwing
up columns of gray earth, which looked
like fountains of muddy water, or, if ex-
ploding in the air, by the splashes which
the scattered fragments made as they
dropped into the river.
The war waged in this way all day.—
At intervals the fire of the enemy was
brisker than at others. As nearly as
we could judge, the rebels were unable
to stand long under our fire at their bar-
bette guns, but retreated to their case-
mates, where, having gained rest and a
fresh supply of courage, they would re-
turn only to be driven away again after
firing a few rounds. The forces ceased
firing at 5 p. 111., and the schooners ceased
operations at nightfall.
LETTER OF COMMODORE FARRAGUT.
The bombardment lasted six days and
five nights. The following letter, written
by commander Farragut, when, with a
large squadron, he had run the forts and
was hot from the conflict, has the ring
of the true metal ;
Dear Porter : We had a rough time
of it, as Boggs will tell you, but, thank
God, the number of killed and wounded
is very small, considering. This ship had
two killed and 8 wounded. We destroy-
ed the ram in a single combat between
her and the old Mississippi, but the ram
backed out when he saw her coming at
him so rampantly, and he dodged her and
ran on shore, whereupon Smith put two
or three broadsides through him and
knocked him all to pieces. The ram
pushed a fire raft on me and in trying to
avoid-it I ran the ship on shore. He
again pushed the fire raft on me and got
the ship on fire all along the side. I
thought it was all up with us, but we put
it 0‘“ and 80t Off “Elli“. proceeding nP pauy of Reed’s and one company of Du
the river, fighting our way. We have
I intend to follow up my success
and push for New Orleans, and then come
them in statu qua until I come back. I
think if you send a flag of trace and de-
mand a surrender they will yield, for
their intercourse with the city is cut OH.
We have cut the telegraph wires above
the quarantine and are now going ahead.
I took 300 or 400 prisoners at quaran-
tine. They surrendered, and I paroled
them not to take up arms again. I could
not stop to take care of them. If the
General will come up to the bayou and
land a few men, or as many as he pleases
he will find two of the gunboats there to
protect him from the gunboats that are
at the forts. I wish to get to the Eng-
placed a battery yet, but have two above
nearer New Orleans. They will not be
idle, and neither will I. You supported
me most nobly. Very truly yours,
D. C. FARRAGUT,
To Capt. D. Porter, commanding mor-
tar flotilla.
run rams or ran mama FLEET.
Returning-to the scene of action below
the forts. The mortar fleet, worn out with
unceasing toil, were greatly dissatisfied
because the large vessels took no part in
the action. The men were completely
much as to the advantage which had re-
sulted therefrom. It was really a pitiful
sight to go on board the schooners and
look at them. I have seen them when
relieved from duty so exhausted that they
did not attempt to go below, but, drop-
ping upon the deck, seek sleep, amid the
infernal din of the firing. At each dis
charge the vessels shivered and vibrated
as if each plank and timber ware hung
upon hinges, making everything movable
dance and clatter, the lateral concussion
of the atmosphere being forcible enough
to shatter, as it did, bulwarks and other
light wood work, and striking upon the
tympaunm with a painful ring, productive
of headache and deafness. It required
heroes to endure this long continued
strain upon the physical organization,
and as such 1 shall always look upon
these mortar men. I verily believe that
if the forts could not have been reduced
except through their agency, that every
man would have continued at his post
nnmurmnringiy ; but it was tantalizing
to see those large vessels quietly at an-
chor, when it was plain to understand
that they must eventually take part in
the conflict. There seemed to be no ex-
cuse for the delay. The chain barrier
had been out three nights before, and
the old hulks which supported it were
trailing along the river bank, where the
tide had swept them. When it became
known positively on Wednesday night
that Com. Farragut would certainly
move his squadron at 2 o’clock the next
morning, everybody was made happy,and
the wearied men looked eagerly for the
moment which was to bring them relief.
novmc or ran IQUADRON.
_ return the bombs were directed spiritedly
line of mortar vessels, which seemed to
shake the very waters, and at times I
could count nine bombs at once in their
flight, as they twinkled through the air,
radiantly as falling stars. The rebels
seemed cognizant of their coming, for the
foremost of the fleet had scarcely got
abreast of the line of the fire from the
forts, when signal rockets were made
from St. Phillip, and shot began to fall
rapidly upon them. For a time .there
was no reply ; but soon we could hear
the noise of the broadsides which sounded
in comparison to the bombs, like a pack
of Chinese fire crackers. For a half hour
the din was terrible. Pandemonium
could scarcely have been more awe im-
posing. The mortars, at 5 o’clock, which
had kept up their fire incessantly, were
signalized to cease. Then a report was
spread that the larger part of the squad-
ron had passed beyond the forts, and
cheers upon cheers of exultation made the
welkin ring.
ARRIVAL or can. BUTLER.
Gen. Butler had been compelled to'
await the opening of the bombardment,
and promptly at its commencement he
camewith a force of 9,000 troops to
await the result, and if opportunity ofi‘er-
ed, take a hand in the fight. He em-
barked his forces at Ship Island on the
16th inst, in the following ships 2
On the transport steamer Mississippi,
Maj. Gen. Butler and staff ; 26th Mass.
regiment, Col. Jones; 3lst Mass. regi-
ment, Col. Gooding’; Everett’s 6th Mass.
battery.
On the transport steamer_ Matanzas,
Brig, Gen. Phelps and staff; 9th Conn
regiment. Col. Cahill ; 2d Vermont bat-
tery.
‘ On the ship Great Republic, towed
down by the United States steamer J.
P. Jackson, Brig. Gen. Williams and
stnfi'; 2lst Indiana regiment, Col. Mc-
Millan ; 4th Wisconsin regiment. Col.
Paine, and the 6th Michigan regiment,
Col. Cortenas.
0n the ship North America, towed
down by the steamer Mississippi, 30th
Mass. regiment, Col. Dudley ; one com-
rivage’s cavalry.
On the ship E. Wilder Farley, towed
by the steamer Matauzas, 12th Conn,
Col, Deming.
The expedition sailed on the 16th and
arrived 011' Penn l’Outre on the morning
of the 17th, but not finding water enough
for the large ships to cross the bar, Gen.
Butler proceeded to Southwest l’ass,and
thence to the head of the passes with all
the ships and steamers, with exception of
the Great Republic, whlch was unable to
get over the bar. Gen. Butler had a
conference with the Commodore after the
fleet passed the forts, and immediately
proceeded with several regiments, inclu-
ding the 26th Mass, to the rear of Fort
Phillip, where he expects to effect a land-
ing and storm that work.
——--°«O»o———-
DESTRUCTIVE CONFLAGBA-
TION IN TROY.
A very destructive fire occurred in this
city, commencing on Saturday at noon,
and raged until sundown. The fire orig.
inated in the covered wooden bridge
which crosses the Hudson at this point,
and the property of the Reuselaer and
Saratoga Railroad Company. About
1,000 feet of the structure was destroyed.
The wind at this time was blowing a furi-
pus gala from the west, and fire-brands
of the burning bridge were carried in the
direction of the wind to various parts of
the city.
Wooden dwellings and brick dwellings
with shingle roofs and wood cornices were
set on fire in several directions, and com.
municatcd the fire to adjoining buildings.
0n the west side of the bridge several
stores were set in flames while there were
dozens of buildings burning at a half and
quarter of a mile distant. There was
fire in so many directions that the fire
department could not make much prog-
ress, and the high wind continued to
spread the flames.
After the fire had burned about half a
block on both sides of River street south,
its progress was arrested at that point,
but in the meantime it had made fearful
progress in the Fourth, Third, and, to
some extent, in the Second Wards.
Most of the buildings destroyed were
private residences, in the wards named,
many of them the best in the city'. The
whole number of buildings burned is be-
lieved to be between five and six hun-
dred. The total loss approximates $3,-
000,000. The total insurance is not far
from $1,400,000, in London, Liver-
pool, New York, Boston, Philadelphia,
Springfield, Hartford, and Troy compa-
nice.
The losses are well distributed, both
among individuals and Insurance Compa-
nies.
Considering the extent of the fire, the
business portion of the city has'snfi'ered
comparatively little. The following pub-
lic property and buildings were destroyed:
7 . The heaviest sufferers among the man-
ufacturers are the Gurleys, mathematical
instrument makers, and Sheldon and
Greene, stove founders. 'Their estab-
lishments were entirely destroyed. The
area burnt over is about 50 acres. The
number of persons thrown out of home-is
very large, and private and public meas-
ures are being taken to render them eve-
ry assistance.
There is much sufi'ering'aud destitution.
several of the Churches have thrown
open their doors to the homeless and the
citizens have sent food in large quanti-
ties. But the melancholy part of the
disaster is the fact that several persons
are known to have lost their lives, and
the remains have been found. Most of
them remained in the houses trying to
save the goods, and were suddenly envel-
oped in flames. Others were infirm per-
sons. »
The following dead have been found}.
Dr. Carey, physician; Ransom Knight,-
merchant ; Mrs. Dnulop and child, aged
20 months ; Mrs. Catharine Murray ;
Mr. O’Donnell, a blind man; a child
named Dooley. There are some ten or
more. persons missing.
———-<oo-o*———
Woods on Fire, Long Island;
A‘most destructive couflagration 553‘
out on Friday week in the woOds at
Mills’ Pond, Smithtown, Long Island,ra-
ging for three days, and overrunning a
tract of country 30 miles in lengthwby
5 in breadth. The fire originated in an
old field which had been fired for thopur-
pose of consuming the rubbish on it, and
communicated to the adjoining woods, .
where the ground was covered withvdry ‘
leaves, and the flames were soon beyond
control. A strong wind was blowing
from the north-west and the course of
the fire under its influence was towards
the centre of the island. The popula-
tion set back fires to arrest its conrse,but
without avail. The fire reached New
Village on Friday afternoon, when the
wind changed to the southwest, and the
course of the flames was directed towards
Sweezytown, and a large extent of wood-
land was destroyed, together with hun-
dreds of cords of cut wood. The grand
column of flame, two miles in breadth,
moved on across the railroad to Mastic ‘
and Fire-place, and another fire from
Bellport met the grand advance. The
damage by the flames cannot be compu-
ted, bnt a little idea can be formed from '
the extent of country burned, and the
fact that one man at Manor Station lost
not less than $75,000. Several barns
and a number of dwellings were consu-
med in the general conflagration.
.-.-.
16‘ General Mitchell bids fair to car-
ry off the honors of the campaign for
dash. Difficulties are sport to him, not
obstacles. His ingenuity in overcoming
them was well shown in his late dash to
Bridgeport, Alabama. Arriving at a
little stream which bears the name of
Widow’s Creek, he found that the bridge
across it had been burned by the retreat-
ing rebels. There was no time to be
lost, as the enemy were flying at their
best speed. Instead of waiting for his
engineers to come up, he improvised a
bridge in the following manner .- Two
cotton bales were placed end to enc', and
then firmly bound together by ropes, ,
rails being run and or them to main: their '
union more secure. Two others were.
bound in the same way, and placed ten .
feet distant ill the stream, and attached , .
to a portion of the old bridge which had
escaped the flames, while the former
Were attached to trees on the banks—e
Boards were then placed from one pair
of bales to the other, and so on until
thirty-six bales were fixed in position,the
whole forming a bridge of great strength. ,
Over this Gen. Mitchell led his army and ‘
surprised the retreating rebels, who had
made no calculations upon the improvi-
sation of such a pontoon. “Old- Stars”
is as good a general as astronomer.
—-——o-‘.
SLIGHT MISTAKE.—AS the last of tho' '
rebel prisoners were entering the jail, on
Tuesday, a big mulatto fellow from a
neighboring slaughter house, who was
making his way through the crowd of
spectators, was somewhat jostled in his‘
undertaking. A lady present, with more
age than wisdom, in the exuberatiou of her
traitorous commiseration, and supposing
the darkey to be one of the prisoners. 4
rushed towards him with open arms, ex-
claimiug, “Let me kiss him for his moth-
er.” The darkey, with a look of sur-
prise, cried, “Lor’, missus, you needn’t do.
dat ; my mudder jes libs roun’ dc corner.
If you’d said fadder, I’d be thar, has I ' ‘
never could find am.” The secesh dame
struck a bee-line for the Washington
Monument amid the cries of the byé
Renders—Baltimore Clipper.
.9-
E‘Dr. Evelyn L. Bissell, son of Capt
Lyman Bissell of the regular army,on Wedo
nesday the 7th, received the appointment of
ticut, formerly Col. Ferry’s regiment. '
—-—-—o~<..o.———-
——Our own hands are heaven’s favorite in-
struments for supplying us with the nails“.
Part of the Beusselaer and Saratoga bridge; inau-
Precisely at 2 o’clock a. m., two signal
rod for ammo.
ill I
ties and luxuries of life. ,
i 1
First Assistant Surgeon to the Fifth Courteo- .; .
Norwalk Chronicler