The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-25 00:00:00

THE CONFEDERATE STATES.

" I herewith transmit a letter of the Secretary of the
Navy, of this date, covering the official report of the naval
engagement between the James River squadron and the
enemy's fleet at Hampton Roads on the Bth inst. The
officers and men of the navy engaged in this brilliant affair
deserve well of the country, and are commended to the con-
sideration of Congress. The disparity of the forces engaged
did not justify the anticipation of so great a victory, and it
is doubly gratifying that it has been won upon an element
where we were supposed to be least able to compete with
our enemy. Special attention is called to the perfidious
conduct of the enemy in hoisting, •on the frigate Congress,
a white flag, and renewing fire from that vessel under the
impunity thus obtained.
" March 11. " JEFFERSON DAVIS.

" Confederate Screw Steam Battery Virginia
off Sewall's Point, March 8.
" Flag Officer,—ln consequence of the wound of Flag
Officer Buchanan, it becomes my duty to report that the
Virginia left the yard this morning at 11 o'clock steamed
down the river past our batteries, and over to Newport
News, where we engaged the batteries ashore and also
two large steam frigates, supposed to be the Minnesota
and Roanoke, and a sailing frigate and several small
steamers, armed with heavy rifled guns. We sank the
Cumberland, drove the Congress ashore, when she hauled
down her colours and hoisted the white flag; but she fired
upon us with the white flag flying, wounding Lieutenant
Minor and several of our men. We again opened fire
upon her, and she is now in flames. The shoal water
prevented our reaching the other frigates. 'Dais, with
the approach of night, we think, saved them from de-
struction. Our loss is two killed and eight wounded. Two
of our guns have the muzzles shot off. The prow was
twisted and the armour somewhat damaged, the anchor and
all flagstaffs shot away, and the smokestack and steampipe
were riddled. The bearing of the officers and men was all
that could be wished, and, in fact, it could not have been
otherwise after the noble and daring conduct of aw flag
officer, whose wound is deeply regretted by all on board,
who would gladly have sacrificed themselves in order to
save him. We were accompanied from the yard by the
Beaufort, Lieut. Parker, and Raleigh, Lieut, Alexander,
and as soon as it was discovered up the James River that
theaction had commenced we were joined by the Patrick
Henry, Commander Tucker; the Jamestown, Lieut. Bar-
ney; and the Teazer, Sergeant Webb, all which were ac-
tually engaged, and rendered very effective service. En •
closed I send the surgeon's report of casualties, etc.—l have
the honour to be, Sir,
" Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
" CATESBY AP R. JONES,
" Executive and Ordnance Officer.
" Flag Officer F. Forest,"
The official report of the naval battle in Hampton
Roads was read. The accompanying letter of the
Secretary of the Navy states that Flag Officer F.
Buchanan was disabled near the close of the engage-
ment by a painful wound, though not very dange-
rous. The report was made by the executive officer
upon whom the command devolved, Lieut. Jones.
The Confederate vessels engaged were the steam
sloop Virginia, of 10 guns ; the Patrick Henry, Com-
mander Tucker, of six guns ; the Jamestown, Lieut.
Commander Barney, of two guns ; the Raleigh,
Lieut. Commanding Alexander; the Beaufort,Lieut.
Commanding Parker; the Teazer, Lieut. Command-
ing Webb, each of one gun. With this force (20
guns) Flag Officer Buchanan engaged the enemy's
fleet, consisting of the Cumberland, 24 guns; the
Congress, 50 guns ; the St. Lawrence, 50 guns; the
steam frigate Minesota, 40 guns ; the enemy's bat-
teries at Newport News, and several small steamers,
I armed with heavy rifled guns.
The engagement commenced at half-past 3 p.m.,
: and at 4 p.m. Capt. Buchanan had sunk the Cum-
berland, captured and burnt the Congress, disabled
and driven the Minesota ashore, and defeated the
St. Lawrence and Roanoke, which sought shelter
under the guns of Fortress Monroe. Two of the
enemy's small steamers were blown up, and the two
transport steamers were captured.

The Cumberland went down with all on board,
her tops only remaining above water, but many of
her people were saved by boats from the shore.
The flag of the Congress and the sword of the
officer commanding at the time of her surrender are
at the Navy Department..
The report concludes as follows :
"To the dashing courage, the patriotism, and eminent
ability of Flag Officer Buchanan, and to the officers and men
of his squadron, our country is indebted for this brilliant
achievement, which will hold a conspicuous place among
the heroic contests of noval history.
"S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy,"

(From the Charleston Mercury.)

The iron-clad steamer Virginia cost 185,000 dols.
to fit her up,and in one day destroyed over 1,100,000
dole. worth of York property. She lost her prow
in striking the Ericsson a slanting blow, and not
by running against the Cumberland, This can be
replaced in two day, and then she will be in as
good, if not better condition than ever. We give
an extract from a private letter from Mr. John L,
Porter, the naval constructor of the Virginia. He
writes :

"I received but little encouragement from any one while
the Virginia was progressing. Hundreds—l may say thou-
sands—asserted she would never float. Some said she would
turn bottom side up ; others said the crew would suffocate ;
but the most wise said the concussion and report from the
guns would deafen the men. Some said she would not
steer; and public opinion generally about here said she
would never come out of the dock. You have no idea what
I have suffered in mind since I commenced her ; but I knew
what I was about, and persevered. Some of her inboard
arrangements are of the most intricate character, and have
oaused me many sleepless nights in making them ; but all
have turned out right, and thanks are due to a kind Provi-
dence, whose blessings on my efforts I have many times in-
voked. I must say I was astonished at the success of the
Virginia. She destroyed the Cumberland in 15 minutes,
and in 30 more the Congress was captured. The Minesota
would have shared the same fate, but she got aground, and
the Virginia could not get at her. The Virginia steers beau-
tifully, and her speed is three miles more per hour than it
ever was. She is very comfortable ; there is not the least
unpleasant sound from the guns, and all the officers are
highly pleased."