The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-03-15

the point end vas lost 70 view from the Fortress.
The frat shot Was fired from the ftigate Cum.
berland 1t little past o'clock. The SeFaiPs
Point battery then opened on the Minnesota,
which was passing, and the Sawyer gun from the
Rip Raps replied with few 1hots at SeyslPs
Point A thick smoke was now sesn 20 rise
above Newport News point, indicating that the
battery there a. well - the Cumberland and
Congress were engaged.
The action could not Be seen from the Fort. but
q telegraph dispatch was received in the nomsag
that the Cumberland and Aersimac wsfs 10 Gloss
quarters After firing two guns q the Cu4oef-
land the Nerrimac closed, her sharp bows ma
king hole in her At the water line some seven
feet in extent. The Nerrimac backing short
distance ran into her Q second time, making
another terrible hole in her, causing the water
to run In At furious rate. The Cumberland
confined firing till the water entered her port.
holes, when she careened over slowly and finally
sunk about three O'Clock. The Newport News
battery and the Cumberland fred continuously
apon the Herrimac. but no apparent ehect was
Produced upon her.
The Minnesota got aground upon her way up
md could afford but little assistance.
Shortly before o'clock the Yorktown and
Jamestown arrived from up the James River
The former WAS disabled early in the p. N. and
put in shore for repaira After sinking the
Cumberland the Mcrrimac turned her attention
70 the Congress and in less than an hour A.
rewards . white flag was hoisted on the Con-
press. A rebel gunboat Immediately went
llongside and took the officers and marines pris
,ners. The seamen were allowed to escape to
,hore. The frigate st. Lawrence arrived in the
D. M, and without delay at once proceeded up
The river and followed the example of the Min
ncsota and Roanoke in firing on the battery At
Eewall's Point, but, like the rest, her shot fell
short. The gunboat Mystic was also towed up
in the p. M, but soon the Roanoke, ST. Lawrence
and Mystic all returned. The Herrimac CONT
nued 70 throw shells into the camp at Newport
News, while the jamestown and other rebel gun.
boats commenced firing on the Minnesota. The
latter replied as vigorously a. possible and the
conflict was continued without any apparent ef-
feet until dark. During the evening the Con-
gress was set on FIRE. At midnightshe was blown
up, making terrible explosion. During the
evening the Monitor arrived and at once pro-
ceeded to take part in the action. During the
night only an occasional gun was fred. Rein
fOrcements and men and ammunition were sent
to Newport News early in the p. m. Little &c
rions damage was done and no one was killed
This morning the Confederate was near until
the presence of the Monitor was known to the
Merrimac. The latter was engaged with the
Minnesota, and but for the fortunate arrival Of
the Monitor the Minnesota might have been lost.
The Monitor and herrimac engaged each other
for two or three hours at long and short range
without peraeptible effect upon either. They
went slongside of each other once or twice and
seemed almost to run each other down, but they
soon appeared again to renew the action. The
battery finally succeeded in forcing . long
hole in the port side of the Merrimac, and she
retired with the whole rebel feet to Norfolk.
At about o'clock the United States gun.
boat Oregon was struck by the Merrimac in her
boiler and was blown up. This morning the q.
s. gun boat Scioto was also seriously damaged
and was obliged to return.
The principal loss of life was on board the
Cumberland, where it is thought as many as one
hundred and fifty must have been killed or
drowned. But few lives were lost on board the
Minnesota according to account Of her officers.
rebel gun. boat was cut in two yesterday by
the Cumberland.
The Merrimac is understood to have been un.
der Commodore Buchan, late Of the Navy Yard.
Further Particulars.
WASHINGTON, March lO.-Licut Wise, COM
mander Of the Potomac aotilla, in his official
report to the Navy Department, confirms the
rumor of the abandonment Of the rebel batteries
at Cock Pit, Shipping, and other points along
the Potomac, and also the burning of the steam.
er Page, and other rebel craft.
Lieut.. Wise arrived this p. M. bringing dis
patches from Fortress Monroe. But few par
ticulars have yet transpired, - his interview is
not closed. The following items are reliable:
Capt Rodford was engaged on . court mar.
tial, and not on board the Cumberland.
Lieut.. J. B. Smith, son Of Com. Smith, was
OH board the Congress, and is killed.
The loss in killed, drowned, wounded and
:a - H.. l.
Lieut.. WOrden, who handled the Monitor so
skilfully, is here in the hands Of Surgeon
He was in the pilot-house Of the Monitor when
the Merrimac directed whole broad.side at her
and received his injuries from the minute frag
mcnts of shell end the powder, which we're dri
ven through the lookout holes.
Lieut.. Worden was stunned by the concus-
sion and was carried away. On recovering, he
asked: "Have saved the Minnesota ?" the cry
was 'yes, and whipped the Nerrimac !" TO which
he replied: "Then don't care what becomes
of me-" His injuries are not supposed to be
dangerous.
The Minnesota was eventually got OF and
towed under the guns Of Fort Monroe.
The loss Of 100 killed, given you in former
despatch, was on board the Cumberland. The
crew Of the Congress is acattered and there are
no means Of ascertaining her loss at present
that the Merrimac is disabled and that the Non.
itor is adequate to her In every respect
There 10 no longer any doubt that the rebels
have evacuated Centrevllle, Winchester and 9th
er important points, indicating general falling
back Of their forces ~ a4t
The telegraph to Fortress Monroe has been
fully occupied on Government business all day
which has prevented the Associated Prcss dee
patches. There has been no change in the state
Of affairs at that point rs
Every effort will be made to give the names
Of the killed and wounded at the earliest mo-
ment. JlS
Fr MosRoE, March lO.-With the assistance
Of the steamer Spalding, the Minnesota has been
got oil, and she is now on her way here. She
has received several shots but NO serious dam,
age. s
The Congress is supposed to have lost over
100 men, including but one officer. The releas
ed crews Of the Congress and Cumberland have
arrived here. 3dH5 as
The Monitor has come up to the expectations
that were formed Of her, and has proved herself
impregnable to heavy shot ct close quarters. -
She behaved remarkably we'll on her passage
from New York. She did not seem to be atall
disabled. To her presence may be attributed
the safety Of the Minnesota and other vessels
in port, aud FINAL disabling Of the Merrimac,
which had previously been proof against every
thing.
Capt Worden Of the Monitor, was wounded
in the head. No other accident Of any kind &C.
Cured to the battery or crew, who have an &C.
curste list Of the killed aud wounded.
-
Desperate Daslie In New MexSco.
DENVER CRY, March S.-By military express
the following news was received here to-day.
A desperate and terrible battle, lasting all
day, took place At Valverde, ten miles south Of
Fort Craig on the 2lst ult. The loss was great
on both sides Both parties claim the victory.
regiment Of Mexicane ran away from fright,
but probably returned on the 22d. The regiment
that ran was commanded BY Col Psnon. He
started first. and bis entire command followed
Capt HcRae, who had charge Of the artillery,
and every one of his command we're killed as
their post. The cannon was taken By the en-
envy. eaa
Kit Carson was within ffteen miles Of Fort
Craig. Firing was heard from his direction. Il
y not known what was the result Of his fight.
& Cen. Pnlew,s yssce = sam Eee war.
g. Lows, March 7.-henphis papers Of ~
zSsn. say 0sa. Pillow, ia rsspoass 10 The ureept
call On him, made - interesting md slooSeot
spe:ch last night sxplainlDe he circumstsnces
Of the battle OF Fort Doooloon and the caree a