The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-10

minutes past twelve the Dacotah got within range Of tho
rel battery and opened FIRE from hor splendid red
cannon. At drs the shot fell short. but few more sx-
detrimental shots got the range Of tho rebel works. tho
otaer vessels subsequently got another range, and in
twenty minutes the engagement became general, tho
booming Of the cannon making the very earth trem-
BILE for miles around. Tho rebels promptly replied
10 the FIRE OF fleet but II at'onco apparent that
their guns though of heavy cabro, no. equal to
ours and vessels kecr y Of range Of the rebel
guns had tho play all then twn ray. At quarter be-
fore O'Clock p n. the Notor lad got in position in the
Elizabeth river. between Craney Island and Sewalps
Point aud within one mile OF the rsbel works. From
there she opened fire the rebels sending her eleven
inch compliments with precision and accuracy Of
that no doubt made tho rebels believe that they had
ordinary war machine to contend against The rebels
dircc,d furious cannonade at the Monitor, the shot
striking thicy around nsr and OF them appeared
10 STRIFE her nyulnerable walls The other vessels OF
the feet kept respectful distance yet throwing SHOT
and shell directly into the rebel works, with, doubt
considerable effect The Of artillery for hour
VAS most terrific, vessels pouring broadsde after
broadsde upon the enemy. Tho little steamer Nauga
tuck with her hundred FOUNDER PARROT. was not
idle her shell going directly into the cnemy's work.
past two vessels slowed their Grs and fred
only at Intervals. At this time . signal made from
thu ship Of the senior officer
At eighteen minutes past two a dense smoke arose
from the rebel camp. II doubt tho result OF the
effect of Of the ncendary shells thrown from OF
our vessels. The black smoke arose In dense column
betimes envsloping the rebel camps. The rehes, TO
their credit be said Atood TO their manfilly and
re o,ied 10 the cannonade OF vessels In manner
worthy OF a better at halfpast two r. N. tho
rebels appeared be getting the worst OF the bernhard
ment as their fire for minutes entirely ceased This
cess tion improved by our vessels who sent shell
BY the dozen in and near the rebel camps The report
the Rip Ras also took part in tho engagement from the
FIRST and with an accuracy O. range kert up rapid
cannonade, the shot exploding in the encmys
works. Tho harbor By this time presented Q
scene OF unusual actvtysean as carrying orders
IL he different vessels running hiter and thither
the ters of tho French English and Danish vessels
~ r.rt we're the tanks or vessels enjoying
grand sight o. tho bolnbardnent ard frequently gayS
evidence OF their enthusiasm by cheering the good prac-
tee vessels engaged The faparts of the folr
covered with sodics gazing on tho scene ard |
Wool Secretary stanton and other distinguished person
ages u was decided upon by Secretary stanton
the point OF the bayonct. Ads-dc-cainp were soon |
e,s route 70 tho commanders OF brigades TO pre- |
pare TO move. neet o. canal boats We're soon |
lowed TO the government docks. General Webers bri.
gade sting OF the First Delaware Twentieth New
York Tenth New York and sixteenth 5iassachus -,
were soon under arms their camps struck and all
- move. The naval engagement still continued but
with no apparent our vessels were II such
heavy raght as to for bid their closing On tho rebel
works. Az three O'Clock dense smoke in the
direction OF Norfolk, and In lew minutes the rebel bat
terry Merrmac hove in sight Tho Flag officer hereupon
obeycd and our vessels in returning gave the rebel
works parting salutes with their iron hail The Monitor
with the others took up the rerosrad movement ths
evident In ion being no doubt coax the Merrnac
into deep water, whore lair light might be had. The
Mcrrnac steamng down the Elizabeth river very
rapidly, the black smoke coming out Of her Pipe. show
ing they using tar some other c0mbuslts ma
tefal IN boiler furnaces TO accelerate her speed
At ten minutes past three the flagship Minnesota and
by twenty minutes past three the Nsrrmac, had at
tanned position at point about two miles west Of sew
als Point COZ erng the rebel works there Our wooden
hndf them
fort. Tho Monitor remained at point about milo |
astcrn OF her consorts, and within mile Of her ad.
apparent that she Was merely acting on the de- |
lensise she turned around and got hor bow headed
FOR Norfolk, and subsequently,. backed down half mile
the Monitor all this time remained stationary aud al.
though the vessels within easy range, not shot
exchanged at her. the apparent design Of tho command
the opposing vessels being not 10 Ire except at
closs quarters. AZ forty-hve minutes past three tho
Merrimao started In ths direction Of Norfolk clossy
followed by this Monitor the San Jacnto aud the other
vessels OF tho feet who appeared determined 10 have
another dash al the rebel works. Shortly after four
sclocx n. Merrlmas ss.rpsdI va. on sne north end q
onists cycling each other with the deepest ia.
terest. by this time the Arago, Vanderbilt and
Illinois, which were to take part In any subsequent
ton should the rebel c-aft give them chance came
s,eamng up tho Roads until they reached point be-
nazsd BY the nag ocsr TO return the Mcrrimac was
not likely TO leave her cover Nsfos Cancy Island The
Laghp Minnesota also wore around and returned toher
anchorage. The result OF the engagement far
practically nil tho rebel batteries replied with
celebrity whom vessels retired than they did al 10
first Of the engagement All Our vessels came out 81 tho
4 fight unscsthed and nos man on side hurt.
Al halfpast Ave o'clock r NJ the Monitor and all tho
! vessels returned TO their anchorage. But the end
| Ia rot yet; the battery ~ 5swaPs Point must
30 ours III Merrimac Is the only defence loft tho
city Of Norfolk; che Is out Of the way the city Is
| ours.
During ils whole Of this affair, which have 80 hastily
detailed thu rebel batteries al Craney Island
,reIy SILENT although vessels wero in range " en
\ during creator part Of the engagement This con-
firms the report thai the enemy are eyseuatins their
\ works et that poiut.
THO rebel refugees who arrived here to-day report that
a. last resort the Morrmac IL 10 up the James
river and oppose gunboats, AZ circumstances may
pcrmIt and last resort, when a measures 10 keep
4 her safe fail, she 10 70 DO blown up.
| FoRrnwss Moxaox, May ., 1901
tn crew or the steantue which deserted from tho
u a. =. go. sr.u, =, Nfo.sotu