Henry William Ravenel, 1814-1887: Private Journal 1862: Page 63

May 1862 Home

telegraphs to Richmond thus -
"Vally District May 9th 1862
God blessed our arms with a victory at McDowa11 yesterday". T J Jackson M. G."
We hear news also of the evacuation of Norfolk & Portsmouth on Saturday. The Navy Yard was burnt & the Dry Dock blown up in sections effectually. All the cotton on hand was burnt, also the guard ships Plymouth, Germantown & Bethel The Merrimac was got down the river safe

T. 13 By the papers of yesterday the Presdts proclamation is published, declaring Martial law over that part of South Carolina between the Santee & the South Edisto, & the writ of Habeas Corpus is suspended. All civil jurisdiction is also abolished except in certain specified cases - Gen. Pemberton is charged with its enforcement.
5. PM. The Merrimac has been burnt! burnt by our own people. It seems that she was of too heavy draught to ascend the James river, & after lightening her as much as it was possible, Com. Tattnal was obliged to destroy her. This was in consequence of the evacuation of Norfolk & its occupation by the Yankees.