February 6, 1863, The New York Herald
Our Fortress Monroe Correspondence.
FORTRESS MONROE, Feb. 4, 1863.
Late Richmond advices have reached us this morning, from which I learn that (according to rebel statements) the blockade of Charleston harbor has been raised by two rams engaging our fleet, sinking the United States gunboat Mercedita and compelling the State of Georgia, or some other vessel, to strike her flag, but allowing her to escape in a sinking condition. Whether this story is true or not cannot be determined until official advices are received from Capt. Armstrong, commanding the State of Georgia. If, however, the rebels tell as much truth about this affair as that of Roger A. Pryor, on the 30th ult., near Suffolk, no fears need be entertained for the safety of our blockaders in Charleston bay. The Southern papers claim that Pryor was met by forces, numbering from ten to fifteen thousand, and that after a fight of ten hours he drove us from the battle field with heavy loss. While, however, admitting a considerable loss of life on the rebel side, the Petersburg Express publishes an official despatch from Pryor, estimating our loss at five hundred killed and thousands wounded, all of whom are accommodated in houses at Suffolk, which proving inadequate to contain them, compelled Major General Peck to seize the churches and to convert them into hospitals. While the official report of our medical director states our loss in this affair at twenty- four killed and eighty wounded, the rebel braggart, Pryor, endeavors to shield himself and his compulsory retreat by falsehoods. However, the character of this man is too well known, and no one therefore will believe any of his statements.
A number of the Suffolk prisoners were brought here and placed on board one of the transports, under guard. The majority of them are representatives of the trash of Dixie; but a few seem to be intelligent fellows. From the latter I learn that the cry of “Merrimac” is merely a bugbear, and calculated to deceive our government. While the Richmond – as this monster is called – is really ready for operations, and ready to pay us a visit at any moment, her advent in coming to Hampton Roads will be merely to convoy the Patrick Henry, late the Yorktown, past our fleet of the mouth of the James river.
The Patrick Henry is a fast side-wheel steamer, and took a prominent part in the engagement in Hampton Roads on the 8th and 9th of March last. After the defeat of the Merrimac No. 1, the Patrick Henry, Jamestown, Beaufort, Teazer and others, having free entree to Norfolk, got out of harmway by going to Richmond, where they still remain. One or two of the above named vessels were either captured or destroyed, and the remainder have been materially strengthened and made ready for sea service.
It, is therefore, highly probable that the Patrick Henry will very soon endeavor to make her exit from the James river to join her consorts, the Alabama, Florida and Harriet Lane in depredating on our commerce. The Navy Department is fully advised of these facts, and should take such precautions as will either destroy or effectually hem in these piratical craft with our largely increased and effective navy. The Patrick Henry mounts eight heavy gins, and is strongly iron-plated. Her speed is estimated at twelve knots, and if she once gains the high seas no vessel in our navy will be able to compete with her in speed excepting the Vanderbilt, and this vessel cannot pursue all the rebel privateers at once.
Affairs in Norfolk are almost at a standstill. Brigadier General Egbert L. Viele attends to his usual routine business, and beyond that nothing if any moment occurs. Owing to the late extensive smuggling operations, Major General Dix has determined to grant no more permits to introduce goods for wholesale trade. As soon as this fact became known, a number of speculators banded together to buy up all the flour then in Norfolk, in order to monopolize the trade and run up prices…..
It is but justice to say that the late heavy haul of contraband goods, amounting to upwards of $30,000, does not demonstrate that the goods came from Norfolk. A large lot of salt has been landed at Roanoke Island, and thence transported into the interior of North Carolina. The system adopted by General Viele is to the effect that no one man can take outside of our pickets more goods than is supposed to suffice for the use of his family. If any one exceeds his permit the pickets detain and send him back to Norfolk, to report to the Provost Marshall at once.
Yesterday morning Captain Edwin Ludlow, Assistant Quartermaster at Norfolk, received about $10,000 from Washington wherewith to pay off his employees; but this sum is not sufficient by one-half to pay arrearages alone. Captain Ludlow has had a great deal to contend against; but he has at all times administered his department to the satisfaction of his superiors and there is no quartermaster in the service whose record is as complete or economical as that of Captain Ludlow. If justice was done to this efficient officer his reward would be a pair of lieutenant colonel’s shoulder straps.
Captain Thomas A. P. Champlin, Commissary of Subsistence at Norfolk, is also deserving of more than a passing notice. Captain Champlin came to Norfolk almost immediately after its occupation by our troops, and was for a time Acting Quartermaster and Commissary. Since then he has established an extensive bake house and supplies good and wholesome bread not only to our troops and government employees, but also to the poor and loyal citizens of Norfolk.
Among one of the few luxuries found at Norfolk is a sleigh ride. The snow, which has covered the ground to the depth of about eighteen inches, is good and solid, and the streets, unlike the great metropolis, being unencumbered with railroad tracks, are resounding with the merry jingle of sleigh bells. The weather is cold and the sky overcast. The prospects for another heavy fall of snow are very bright.