Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-13
From WaAhingfOn.

WASHINGTON, March IA special dispatch
to Post SAYS:
The Naval Committee of the Senate this
morning agreed to report bill at once for the
appropriation of $4,000, 600 foriron clad vessels
of war.
Senator Grimes has Just received dispatch
from Assistant Secretary of War Fox. Fortress
Monroe, declaring his confident belief that the
Monitor in her next engagement will sink the
Merrmac.
Mr.. Fox confirms the report that the Merrimac
was injured in the fight. He expresses the opn-
ion that another contest between the two vessels
is certain. and that the conflict will be terrible.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-The official report
of Lieutenant Pendergast. OF the Congress, ad
dressed to Commodore Msrston. has been for
wandered to the Navy Department. Leutenat
Pendergast states that owing TO the death OF the
late commanding officer, James b. Smith, il be
comes his painful duty to make a report 10 you
of the part which the United States frgate. Con-
gress took in the efforts of our vessels at New
port News to repel the attack Of the rebel fotil-
la, on the 9Th instant
The report saws that when the Merrimac with
three gunboats were seen coming down from
Norfolk, and had approached near enough to dis
cover her character, the ship was cleared for &C
ton
At ten inmates past two. the Merrimac opened
with her bow gun with grape. passing on the
starboard side at a distance of about 800 yards,
receiving our broadside, and giving one in re-
turn.
After passing the Congress, she ran into aud
sunk the Cumberland
The smaller vessel then attacked US. killing
/ and woundng MANY OF our crew.
] Seeing the fate of the Cumberland, we set the
/ ib and topsail. and with the assistancoof the
gunboat Louave, ran the vessel ashore
/ At half past two. the Merrimac took position
astern OF us ut distance OF about 100 wards.
and raked Us tore and ait with shells, while one
of the smaller steamers kept up fire on our
starboard quarter. In the meantime the Patrick
Henry and Thomas jefferson rebel steamers sp-
preached from the James River. firing with pre-
csion, and doing great damage Our two
stern guns were our only means OF defense.
These were soon disabled, one being dismounted
and the other its muzzle knocked away. The
men were knocked from them with great rapidity
and slaughter by the terrible ire OF the enemy.
Lieut.. Pendergast first learned of the death OF
Lieut. Smith at half past four.
The Minnesota had ashore attempting 10
&c, to u, not being able TO get a single gun TO
bear upon the enemy. and the ship being on fire
! in several places, upon consultation with Com
mander Smith, we deemed IL proper TO haul down
our coiors, without any further loss OF life on our
part
We were soon boarded BY officer OF the
| Nerrlmac who SAID ne would take cnaree oi Tue
ship He left shortly afterwards, and q small tug
came along whose Captain demanded that We
should surrender.
A sharp FIRE with musketry and artillery was
maintained from our troops ashore where the tug
lay, having the effect Of driving her of
The Merrimac again opened upon US although
we had fsg apeak to show that We we're ont OF
the action. After which Lieut. Pendergast states
the wounded were taken ashore ia email boats
the ship having been on FIRE from the beginning
from hot shot fred BY the Nerrimac.
He reports the death of the following officers:
Lieut.. J. b. Smith. Acting Master Thos. Moore
and Wm. Rhodes.
dispatch from Fortress Monroe reports all
quiet.
Parties who accompanied the rebel flag of truce
admit that the Monitor severely wounded the
Aerrimac.
Information from Winchester to night indicate
that our forces in possession there
Nothing valuable TO army was found Al
Manassas.
Nothing new At Manassas.
The rebels have retired toward Gordonsvilie
; The. rest with their advance at Pope Dam river
their camp extending back 70 Gordonssii'e, some
t~elve miles.