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 Surrender of Norfolk - Raising flag over Custom House

SURRENDER OF NORFOLK - MAY 11, 1862

PAGE 9

OUR FLEET ASCENDING THE RIVER.

But here seems to be a vast fleet ascending the river.  Here is the Semiole steaming ahead.  She has a trusty pilot, for he directs her course around piles that are driven in the bottom of the river like a chevaur de frise.  She enters the harbor, and anchors in front of the city.  She is followed by the Susquehanna, Dacotah, San Jacinto and Flag.  And now we see a large lead-colored steamer called the Baltimore coming up the stream.  The sailors have dubbed her the Jumper as she was intended to run up on the Merrimac for the purpose of sinking her.  The Baltimore has on board many distinguished persons – the President, Secretary Chase, Secretary Stanton, Assistant Secretary Tucker, Major General Wool, Commodore Goldsborough, Captain Case, and many others.

THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET VISIT PRINCIPAL POINTS OF INTEREST.

Major General Wool is conveyed to the shore for the purpose of holding a conference with General Viele concerning the occupation of the city by the troops.  Commodore Goldsborough is taken to the sloop - of – war Susquehanna, which he makes his flag – ship temporarily.  The Baltimore then steams around by the President and Cabinet, and various points of interest are visited along the river.  Fort Norfolk is first approached.  This is a fine fort, well mounted, and left in perfect condition by the rebels.  The Tenth New York State Volunteers, National Zouaves, Colonel Bendix, are assigned to duty here.  The American flag now waves over the structures.  The batteries at Lanbert’s Point, Boust’s Point, Washington Point, and Craney Island come in their turn.  The latter is pronounced a superior position by competent officers, well mounted with heavy guns, and apparently designed by an able engineer.  Last comes the battery at Sewell’s Point, which is visited and found to contain nineteen heavy guns mounted, very strong in construction, and contains a sort of casemate protection from our shells.  After visiting these batteries, the Baltimore returned to Fortress Monroe.  Your correspondent steps from the Baltimore to the George Washington, an old Philadelphia boat, commanded by Capt. Ingram.  She is loaded with quartermaster and commissary stores, and is the first transport cleared for Norfolk harbor since the American flag has been raised over it.

THE ARRIVAL AT NORFOLK – RAISING OF THE AMERICAN FLAG

Landing at the wharf about 10 o’clock, I hasten to the custom house, but yesterday the headquarters of Major General Huger, now the headquarters of Major General Viele, the military governor of the city.  The general is down upon the pavement with the troops, who were drawn up in line to witness the raising of the first American flag over the city of Norfolk since the rebellion broke out.  The flag to be raised is the standard of the New York Tenth Regiment.  As it is thrown to the breeze and waved by a Zouave  in full uniform on the Custom House.   Major Dodge, commanding the mounted patrol, a gallant and experienced officer, addresses his troops briefly, as follows:

“Soldiers, let us improve the present opportunity to give a hearty three – times – three for the glorious stars and stripes.”

It is needless to say that her cheers were given with a will.

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Surrender of Nofolk Continued

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Source of Information

The Press, Philadelphia, PA Newspaper, Tuesday, May 13, 1862.

Image from Harper's Weekly May 24, 1862.