Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-05-24
CAPTAIN BUCHANAN WOUNDED.

CAPTAIN BUCHANAN WOUNDED.
A the Beaufort Was approaching the
Congress the viAemen on shore opened
FIRE on her, and also on small boat be-
longing to the Merzimac, containing the
Flag Omcor, the result Of which was
that Lieutenant Minor was badly woun-
ded, and another had bis eye shot out.
The Commodore then became very
much excited, ran down among the men
and said 1.-THE scoupdreIs have
surrendered and are firing on our boats ;
direct your batteries on the Congress
again" She then steamed close up to
the Congress, and fred terrific broad
side, white flag being displayed oil the
time from the Congress, and an ofhcer
waving a white handkerchief from the
deck Of the vessel. The command was
then given, "Sharpshooters, away;"
when they ran up on the spar deck to
return the FIRE OF the sbarpshooters on
shore. 1t was just then Commodore
Buchanan got wounded in the left thigh
by riAeman from the shore; he was
then carried below without making any
remark. Before being wounded be 10
reported to have said II have broth
er on the Congress, and would like to
get him in my power,
At this time the Minnesota and st.
Lawrence we're seen approaching, and
commenced firing on the gunboats Pat
rick Henry ard jamestown. Just then
Lieutenant Jones came on deck and
said: "Boys, l am sorry to say the
brave old Commodore is wounded, but
the Doctor Gays not mortally; and he
says continue fig Citing, as be hopes to be
with you before the fight is over yet"
The Merrimac then advanced to meet
the approaching vessels-the Minnesota
and St. Lawrence-and all three vessels
opened fire. AT this time the firing was
very general and terrific from directions.
She received the broadsides of these
vessels, and passed on to her destination
at Sewall's Point.
THE MONT AFTER THE FIGHT.
On arriving at Sewalps Point, the
CONNIE dore expressed desire to be
carried on deck, to see the burning Of
the Congress, which vessel was then on
fire, but the doctor refused. By this
time night was fast setting in. Du'ing
that night all the rebel gun boats
anchored around the Merrimac, and q
continued travelling backwards and tor
wards took place. Much jolli6cation,
drinking, &C., was kept up all night.
All the officers and many Of the crew
we're drunk. Grog was set out tor the
men, and every license given for them
to do as they pleased, and get as drunk
as they liked. The next morning the
dead and wounded, including the com.
modore we're taken ashore. The Com
modore sent word to the men to behave
that day just as they had the day be-
fore.
THE MERR1MAC DISCOVERS THE MONITOR.
About 10 o'clock the signal was given
to all the gun boats to weigh anchor,
and the deck was cleared for action.
The Merrimac, followed by all the
other vessels, proceeded to the scene of
the previous days fight. About the first
thing she observed. was the Monitor
approaching her. No one on board
bad any knowledge Of the character of
the Monitor, but, after a few shots had
been fired, some of the gunners remark
ed that the turret on the opposing YES
sci was made Of iron. The order then
came not to fire at the Monitor when
they could get shot at the Minnesota.
While trying to take position near
the Minnesota the Merr;mac got aground.
Tie Monitor then came up and sailed
around the Merrimac, both vessels fir.
(! ing at each other, the MerrimAc endeav.
oring to get afoat and the officers be.
coming greatly detected.
After she got off she ran out to the
Monitor and commenced leaking, her
bows becoming sh,vered. Shots from
the Monitor went nearly through her.
The engineer told the Lieutenant in
command that the two last shots she
received had injured her, and if she re-
ceived one more in the same place it
would come into the engine room. 1T.
Jones then concluded to return. She
was badly dented, and, though not
placed hors du combat, sustained
enough injury to take long time to re.
pair.
NEW PREPARATIONS TO ATTACK THE
After the fight she was taken to the
navy yard, and next morning went into
the dock for repairs, remaining about
one mouth. Her bows were protected
with wrought iron casing-thc guns in
jured We're replaced. Great prepara-
tions were made to board the Monitor,
in case of another engagement with
her. Scaling ladders; iron and wood
en- wedges, to wedge the turret Of the
Monitor, SO that her guns could not be
brought to bear; chopping axes, to de.
stroy the gutta percha pipe that sup.
plies the Monitor with air j; balls satur-
ated with turpeptine and oil, to throw
into the turret; bottles with the same
ingredients; chloroform in bottles, were
placed on board to throw down the tur.
ret of the Monitor, and three other
boats we're furnished with like ingredi-
ents.
The tug White was furnished with
chains to run around the turret of the
Monitor to fastcn her to the Merrimac.
and wet blankets and boiler iron plate
to cover the grating supposed to be on
the Monitor, in order to prevent the
men from firing up at them, and also to
smother the men on board the Monitor.
/ &c boarding party was to be led by