[42]
who had come over from Newport News, at Gen. Wool's request, to join the expedition, thought this indicated an intention to resist the further progress of our troops, and that nothing could be done without artillery and a larger force.
He accordingly started back to hurry up the batteries and to provide for bringing over a portion of his command as a reinforcement.
Gen. Wool, however, meantime decided to push forward.
The column marched back about two miles and a half to a point where a diverging road led around the head of Tanner's Creek, and took that route to Norfolk.
Nothing further was heard from the party that had fired upon our column, and it was evident that the demonstration was merely intended to protect them in the destruction of the bridge.
They fired about a dozen shots, none of which took effect.
Our troops pushed rapidly forward in spite of the heat of the day, and at five o'clock reached the entrenched camp, some two miles this side of Norfolk, which had been very strongly fortified with earthworks on which were mounted twenty-nine pieces of artillery.
No troops were in the place, and our forces passed through it on their way to the town.
Just before reaching it they were met by a flag of truce, to which an officer was at once sent forward to enquire its object.
Receiving the information that it was to treat for the surrender of the city, the officer returned, and Gen. Wool and staff, with Secretary Chase, advanced to meet the Mayor of the city, who had come out under the flag.
Both parties dismounted and entered a cottage by the roadside, when the Mayor informed the General of the evacuation of the city and of the object of his visit.
It seems that a meeting was held at Norfolk some days since — not long, probably, after the evacuation of Yorktown was resolved upon — by the rebel Secretary of War, Gen. Huger, Gen. Longstreet, and some others of the leading military authorities, at which it was determined not to attempt to hold the city against any demonstration of the National forces to effect its capture.
This decision was followed by the withdrawal of the main body of the troops.
The Mayor said he had come to surrender the city into the hands of the United States, and to ask protection for the persons and property of the citizens.
Gen. Wool replied that his request was granted in advance--that the Government of the United States had not the slightest wish or thought of interfering with the rights of any peaceable citizen, and that all should have full protection against violence of every kind.
The first thing he had done on setting out in the morning had been to issue an order, prohibiting under the severest penalties any interference whatever with the private property or rights of any citizen, and this prohibition should be enforced with the utmost rigor.
He begged the Mayor to rest assured that everything he had asked should be granted.
A general conversation then took place between the officials on each side, in which their sentiments and opinions were freely interchanged.
The party then broke up to go to the City Hall for the formal inauguration of the new military authorities.
The Mayor invited Gen. Wool and Secretary Chase to ride with him in his carriage, and they proceeded together, followed by the General's body-guard and the troops.
After entering the City Hall the Commanding General issued the following:
Immediately after issuing this order Gen. Wool with his staff and Secretary Chase withdrew, and rode back in the carriage used only this morning by Gen. Huger, across the country to Ocean View, the place of debarkation, which they reached at a little after eight o'clock. Gen. Viele at once entered upon the discharge of his duties. His first act was to issue the following, which was freely posted and circulated throughout the town:
Immediately after Gen. Wool left the City Hall, a large concourse of citizens assembled around the City Hall and called loudly for a speech from the Mayor. Mayor Lamb came forward and addressed them briefly, confining himself mainly to a recital of the incidents of the day. He said he had nothing to do with deciding the result; that had been done by the superior authorities. The citizens of Norfolk had been deserted by their friends, and all the city authorities could do was to obtain the best terms possible for themselves and their property. He was happy to assure them
headquarters, Department of Virginia, Norfolk, May 10, 1862.
The city of Norfolk having been surrendered to the United States Government, military possession of the same is taken in behalf of the National Government by Major-Gen. John E. Wool. Brig.-Gen. Viele is appointed Military Governor for the time being.
He will see that all citizens are carefully protect d in all their rights and civil privileges, taking the utmost care to preserve order and to see that no soldiers be permitted to enter the city except by his order, or by the written permission of the commanding officer of his brigade or regiment, and he will punish any American soldier who shall trespass upon the rights of any of the inhabitants. John E. Wool, Major-General.
Immediately after issuing this order Gen. Wool with his staff and Secretary Chase withdrew, and rode back in the carriage used only this morning by Gen. Huger, across the country to Ocean View, the place of debarkation, which they reached at a little after eight o'clock. Gen. Viele at once entered upon the discharge of his duties. His first act was to issue the following, which was freely posted and circulated throughout the town:
Norfolk, May 11, 1862.
The occupancy of the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth is for the protection of the public laws and the maintenance of the public laws of the United States.
Private associations and domestic quiet will not be disturbed, but violations of order and disrespect to the Government will be followed by the immediate arrest of the offenders.
Those who have left their homes under anticipation of acts of vandalism may be assured that the Government allows no man the honor of serving in its armies, who forgets the duties of a citizen in discharging those of a soldier, and that no individual rights will be interfered with.
The sale of liquor is prohibited. Egbert L. Viele, Military Governor.
Immediately after Gen. Wool left the City Hall, a large concourse of citizens assembled around the City Hall and called loudly for a speech from the Mayor. Mayor Lamb came forward and addressed them briefly, confining himself mainly to a recital of the incidents of the day. He said he had nothing to do with deciding the result; that had been done by the superior authorities. The citizens of Norfolk had been deserted by their friends, and all the city authorities could do was to obtain the best terms possible for themselves and their property. He was happy to assure them
