The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1862-03-14

The Navy department. has received the
following.
~ BALTIMORE, March 10.
To Hon Gideon WeUes, Secretary ofthe
Macy:
/ arrived this morning and will come on
in the next o'clock train. The enemy has
abandoned his heavy Notifications at ST.
Simon's and Brunswick, Georgia. Fort
Clinch, Fernandina and st. Mary's are al
ours.
(Siened) G. H. DAVIS.
Captain United States Navy.
Particulars of the Fight with the Mer-
rimac.
FoRT MONROE, March 9.-The long
expected Confederate steamer MeIrimac
made her appearance, and yesterday L.
NJ, with the assistance of two gunboats
which came out with her from Norfolk,
made an attack upon Newport News and
the naval vessels stationed at that place.
The Merrimac was first seen from the
ramparts of Fortress Monroe, on her way
to Newport News, at about quarter be-
fore one O'Clock. Two rebel gun-boats
followed her.
They all carried rebel flag at the
stern, and French flag at the masthead.
The Merrimac had a flag at her bows.
which was described by some as a Com
modore's blue. flag, and by. others as ii
black flag. The bows and sterns of the
Merrimac were covered with sloping iron
plates, extending about two feet below the
water line, and meeting above like the
roof of a house.
sharp iron points, resembling plows, about
six or seven feet apart. The number Of
guns is stated at twelve, but she might
not have had so many. AT her bow were
seen two guns projecting from long clip
tical port holes. The design of the enc
my did not become apparent till between
l and 2 o'clock, and by that time the
Merrimac had got under way to the scene
of action. Tie Roanoke, the flagship,
being disabled by the breaking of her
shaft, some time since, she was taken in
tow by two gun-boats. About the same
time the alarm gun was fired at Fortress
Monroe, and the whole garrison promptly
turned out.
The rebel boats steadily pursued their
way to newport News, and the Merrmac
soon turned the point, and was lost to
view from the fortress. The first shot
was fred from the frigate Cumberland at
"a little past two o'clock. The Sewall' IS
Point battery then opened on the Minnel
sofa, which was passing, and the Sawye-
gun from the Rip Raps replied with few
shots at Sewall's Point. A thick smoke
was soon seen to rise above Newport News
Point, indicating. that the battery there,
as well as the Cumberland and Congress,
were engaged. The details of the action
could not be seen from the Fortress, but
a telegraph dispatch was received an
nouncing that the Cumberland and Mer-
rimac were in close quarters.
After firing two guns at the Cumber
land, the Merrimac struck her-her sharp
bows making hole in her at the water
line, seven feet i'll extent. The Cumber-
land commenced sinking, when the Mer-
rimac, backing short distance, ran into
her second time, making another terrible
h Die in her, and causing the water to run
in at a furious rate. The Cumberland
continued firing till the water entered her
portfolios, when she careened over slowly
and finally sunk about three o'clock.
The Newport News battery and the
guns of the Cumberland fired continu-
ousiy upon the Merrimac, but no appa-
rent effect was produced upon her. The
Minnesota got aground on the way up,
and could afford but little assistance.
Shortly before three O'Clock, the York
town and jamestown arrived from up the
James river. The former was disabled
early in the afternoon, aud put ashore for
repairs. After sinking the Cumberland,
the Merrimac turned her attention to the
Congress, and in less than an hour after
ward white flag was hoisted on the
Congress.
A rebel gunboat Immediately went
alongside and took the officers and ma
rines prisoners. The seamen were allowed
to escape to the shore.
The frigate St. Lawrence arrived here
during the afternoon, and proceeded up
the river and followed the example of the
Minnesota and Roanoke, in firing on the
battery at Sewall's Point, but like the
rest her shot fell short. The gun-boat
Mystic was also towed up in the afternoon;
but at sundown the Roanoke, St. Law
renee, and Mystic all returned After
four O'Clock the Merrimac continued to
throw shells into the camp at Newport
News, while the jamestown and other
gun-boats commenced firing on the Min
nesola. The latter replied as vigorously
as possible, and the conflict was continued
without any apparent effect until dark.
During the evening the Congress was
set on fire, and at midnight she was blown
up, making a terrible explosion. During
the evening the Monitor arrived, and al
once proceeded to take part in the. action
During the night only an occasional gun
was fired. Reinforcements of men aud
ammunition were sent to Newport News
in the afternoon. But little serious dam
age was done, and no one was killed. This
morning the conflict was renewed until
the presence of the Monitor was known
to the Merrimac the latter was engaged
with the Minnesota, and but for the tortu.
nate arrival of the Monitor the Minnesota
might have been lost.
The Monitor and Merrinac engaged
each other for two or three hours, at long
and short rance without pnrcenfihIa affecl