Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-27
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
THE MER RIMAC REPAIRED AND
COMING OUT-PREPARATIONS
TO MEET HER,

TO MEET HER.
Especial Correspondence Of the Baltic American i
.FoRrREss MONROE, March ss-We have q
clear and bright sunshine to-day, which Is quite
reviving after siege Of storm and cloud.
THE MERRIMAc AGAIN.
Two contrabands were picked up at daylight
this morning In an open boat, and carried on
board the Minnesota. They were both quite in
telligent, and had been at work In the Navy
Yard.
They state that the Merrimac. or Virginia, a.
she IL now called, came back to Norfolk from her
conflict with the Monitor leaking badly, and
with six feet Of water In her. Az she came up In
front Of Norfolk six steamers were towing her, and
II was feared at first that she would 60 down be.
fore extra pumps could be rugged on board Of her
iineuished by the water shortly after hauling OF
from the Monitor, which was the reason the
smaller yes sells took her In tow.
These contrabands also positively assert not
only the death OF Commodore Buchanan, who had
charge Of her when she sunk the Cumberland and
burnt the Congress, but also thst the Lieutenant
who was In command Of her on Sunday, when
she had the encounter with the Monitor, was
killed, along with seven seamen, and quite a
number were wounded. They are positive in
their assertions TO the death and burial Of both
Buchanan and the Lieutenant, but whether II
was Lieutenant A. c. Jones or Lieutenant Miner
They also state that the Merrimac, having been
fully repaired, was brought out Of dry-dock on
Monday morning, and that her crew was on
also been placed on board Of her, Of heavier
metal than those she before had. The Rebel
steamers jamestown and Yorktown they repre-.
sent to have been greatly strengthened, and fully
flag Of the latter, with the Commodore's pennant,
was flying when they left
The impression here il that IL is Lieut. Minor,
her second officer, who is dead, and not Commo-
dore APP Catesby Jones, as the negroes represent.
HOW SHE WILL BIB RECEIVED
The Monitor stands out in the road this side
Of sewell's Point, with steam up ready for action
at any moment. She looks az calm and serene as
II nothing depended on her, and her gallant Com.
mander Jeders and officers are anxious for the
moment to arrive when her powers will be again
| tested. They are conadent Of entire safety as II
on land and will follow the Merrimac upon
her way to Norfolk if she should again attempt
| to retreat,
AS to other arrangements that have been made
by the Government to meet the iron.clad monster
II would not be proper for me to speak, but that
they are deemed ample and sui cient no one here
for one moment doubts. The ereatest confidence
10 felt as to the result, and warm time 10 an.
ticipated.
Whilst on board the Monitor to-da, had the
pleasure Of witnessing the revolving of the tower
1t moved as smoothly and rapidly as floating
In oil, and moving as 1t does on pivot, no hard
condition, and ready for action at moments
warning. The pilot-house 10 made to rise frsm
the deck in the form Of a cone and will check
| the force OF the balls and cast them of without
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Among the most interested Of spectators here to.
day was the Prince de JOinville. He stood upon
the wharf for several hours, viewing the move.
ments Of the military and the array of shipping in
the harbor.
In the Roads, almost alongside the Monitor,
lays the French war steamer. Her commander
and officers were spectators Of the previous great
naval engagement, and from the advanced POSI-
tion she has now taken II Is evident that the OBI.
Gers on board are anxious to have good view of
| the anticipated coming conflict. She lays mile
| and half further up the Roads than any Of our
naval vessels The English ship Rinaldo 10 also
here, but she remains in the background
The French steamer Catnet arrived TO- day and
dropped anchor In the Roads.
There 10 a rumor here that Yorktown, or con-
siderable portion Of II, has been burnt heavy
fire was visible In that direction on Sunday night
which was thought to be something more than
the burning Of brush.
There was also heavy FIRE day In the neigh.
borhood Of New Market bridge. It seemed to be
quite extensive, and heavy volumes Of smoke rose
for several hours IL was beyond the r ederal
lines. and the character Of the fire could not be
ascertained.