SURRENDER OF NEW ORLEANS

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 55, 17 July 1862, Page 1 (Supplement)

SURRENDER OF NEW ORLEANS

The telegraph operator at New Orleans telegraphed to the Mobile office that the stores were being emptied of sugar and molasses, which were thrown into the river. The city was to be surrendered, but the time was extended until some of the enemy’s vessels came up the river. Savannah, May 1. General Lawton has formally communicated to the City Council his determination to surrender. The City Council resolved to sustain General Lawton. Charleston, May 1. The Federals have captured a small battery of two guns near White Point, twentytwo miles from Charleston. General Evans has sent a force to look after the Yankees. Cairo, May 4. A refugee from Vicksburg, Miss., Avho left Memphis on Thursday, says the particulars of the fall of New Orleans produced great consternation. Vicksburg, Natchez, and other places are entirely deserted, most of the people having fled into the interior. The rebel gunboat fleet arrived at Memphis on Tuesday, and immediately went up to Fort Pillow. The Memphis papers do not believe that Commodore Farragut’s fleet would come up the river that far. (From the Bulletin , May 5.) As was anticipated, New Orleans was attacked on both sides at once. While Commander Farragut was shelling the forts on the Mississippi, the troops of General Butler were working through Lake Pontchartrain toward the rear of the city. At the latest advice his command was a few miles distant toward the lake, while New Orleans was held by a battalion of Farragut’s Marines. Whether there is open communication between them or not we are not informed. But that there is is probable, since the enemy on the 25th of April evacuated all the forts on the lake and burned their gunboats. Lovell, the rebel commander, and late fugitive from the New York Street Commissioner’s office, had gone northward to Camp Moore, on the railroad that leads through Jackson towards Memphis. Probably there is nothing to prevent General Butler’s moving in to the formal ocupation of New Orleans. THE TAKING OF FORT MACON. A special dispatch to the Tribune, giving on account of the capture of Fort Macon says that five of our batteries dismounted 13 guns, and of 1,100 shot and shell thrown by them at the Fort, 560 struck the works. The guns of the Fort were worked with skill and courage, but the sand hills, our position, afforded complete protection to our men. Washington, 3rd. According to reliable information from Richmond, the planters are determined to raise no tobacco this season, and the military had received the stock on hand, to prevent its faling into the hands of the Federal Army. Chicago, May 12. Norfolk, Portsmouth, and the Navy Yard are ours. The Menimae was blown up by the rebels. A naval engagement, lasting an hour and a half, took place at Fort Wright on Saturday. One rebel boat was sunk and two were blown up. Only two of our boats were engaged. Fortress Monroe, May 10.—Norfolk is ours also Portsmouth and the Navy Yard. General Wool, with a 'force of 5,000 men,

proceeded to Willoughby Point on Friday night, and effected a landing. This morning he commenced his march to Norfolk, five miles from the landing. A rebel battery was stationed on the opposite side of Tanner’s creek. After a few shots the rebels retreated, after burning the bridge, which compelled a march round of five miles further. At 5 o’clock in the afternoon, when within a short distance of the city of Norfolk, our troops were met by citizens of Norfolk, who formally surrendered the city. Our troops marched in, and now hold possession. General Viele commands as Military Governor. General Huger, commanding the rebel forces, withdrew without a fight. THE BLOWING UP THE ‘MERRIMAC.’ The following from fortress Monroe yesterday, the 12th, gives the only account received of the destruction of,the ‘Merrimac.’ It says: At four o’clock yesterday morning a bright light was observed in the direction of Craney Island, and half an hour afterwards an explosion took place which made the earth and water tremble for miles around. In the midst of bright flames, which shot up in the distance, the timbers and iron of a steamer were seen flying. One of our tugs was sent towards the island to reconnoitre and ascertain the cause of the affair, and discovered that all the earthworks had been abandoned and the Merrimac blown up. The forts on the island, which were constructed with the best of engineering skill, are left in excellent condition, as were also the barracks which had accommodated, during the winter a garrison of over 2,000 men. Forty heavy guns were mounted at different parts of the works. There were also six guns not mounted, on the main post of the island. The works commanded the approaches and the river channel. Four men were found on the island. It was ascertained that the Merrimac was run ashore during the night by the officers. The crew lauded, a slow match was applied to the magazines, and she was torn to fragments by the time the crew were out of danger. On the line of the river, from Craney Island to Norfolk, are not less than six heavy earthworks, .mounting.in all 69, cannon, all of which are still in position. Two or three tons of powder were found in the magazines. Fixed ammunition can be enumerated by the cargo. The Secession spirit was true to itself, and on Saturday the Navy Yard was destroyed by order of the Rebel commandant. Scarcely anything was left but black walls and chimneys. Even the immense dry dock was ruined. It is said the engines and pumps belonging to it were removed to Richmond. ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. New York, May 16. General Hunter’s proclamation is as follows : That the three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, comprising the military department of the South, having declared themselves no longer under the protection of the United States, it becomes a military duty to proclaim martial law. This was accordingly done on the 25th April. Slavery and martial law in a free country are altogether incomputable. Persons in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina heretofore held as slaves, are therefore, for ever declared free.