Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-10
8g 0I.e'.lI1graph,
From Fortresh Monrna.

| tuB' 4ue feuuAlum sank While passing
the Light Ship. All hands were saved.
The steamer SWanee, which sailed for
Hatteras with stores, on Thursday, return
ed on account of the bad weather, but
will sail again Tonight. s -.
The wind is changing.to the northwest.
A flag of truce from Norfolk brought
down the commandment of the French
steamer. He represents that great excite
ment exists at Norfolk. The hotels are
sWarming with officers, mostly from the
Gulf States. The Virginia troops are be-
ing all sent away. The people dread the
destruction of tue city in case of an at
tack. - (.
strong force is concentrating ut Suf-
folk to check Gen. Burnsides, who was
reported to have occupied Winston in
force, and was moving on Norfolk.
The reasons given by the rebels for not
returning Col. Oorcornn is, that maps and
drawings have been found concealed ON
his person. ~
No further communication has been re-
ceiVed as to the release of the Federal
prisoners at Richmond.
The Richmond papers of Friday contain
no military news, except the arrest of
Union men, principally Germans. The
tectiVes broke into the room of the Ger
man Turner'S, aud found two American
flags, with painting on the wall of the
Goddess OF Liberty, with the words under.
meath, "HGts off," The painting aud the
flags were confiscated. t
The House of Representatives, in session
at Richmond, has adopted, by vote of II
to II, resolution directing the military
commanders to destroy all the cotton and
tobacco that is in danger of falling Into
tue hands of the enemy.
resolution was adopted, asking the
President to inform the House what the
foreign vessels of war are doing in IIamp-
ton Roads. y
The Richmond Dtspatch says that a ycs-
sci drawing l6 feet of water, recently
passed out of Charleston harbor.
Charles Palmer arrested for disloyalty n
few days at Richmond, has been discharged.
Specie is quoted at Richmcnd Mt 40 to
90 cents premium.
a dispatch from Atlanta, Georgia, says
that the Federal troops have occupied
Murireesboro, Tennessee, and that Gen. A.
Sidney johnson has retreatcd to Decatur,
Alabama.
The Rev. David Wilmer, late of Phila-
dolphin, was consecrated at Richmond ON
Thursday, as Bishop of Alabama.
Bishop Andrews has postponed indefi-
nltely the general Conference of tho Meth.
odist Episcopal Church South, which was
to meet at New Orleans, on the LIST of April.
The steamer Merrimac was lying near
the Navy Yard yesterday morning, with her
flag flying and a crew on board. She
draws % feet water, and was described to
your correspondent rs looking like the roof
of a sunken house with smoke stack pro.
trudinR from the water
FoRTREss MONROE, March s.-Tbe dull-
ness OF Old Point was startled at 10 o'clock
to-day, by the announcement that a uyste-
rtous vessel, supposed to be tho Merrimac.
looking like submerged house with the
root only above water, was moving down
from Norfolk by the channel, in front of
Sewalls Point batteries. Signal puns
were fired by the Cumberland and Con-
gress, to notify the Minnesota, st. Law
renee and Roanoke of approaching dam
ger. and all was excitement in and about.
Fortress Monroe. There was nothing nro-
trnding above the water but a flag staff
flying the rebel flag aud short smoke
stack. She moved along slowly, a nd turn.
ing into the channel leading to Newport
News, steamed direct for the frigates Cum
berland and Congress, which were lyingnt
the mouth of james River As soon as
she came within range, the Cumberland
opened on her with her heavy guns. but
the balls struck and glanced off, having no
more effect on her than peas from a pep
gun. Her ports were all closed, and she
moved on in silence, but with q full head
of steam.
In tue meantime as the Merrimac was
approaching two frigates on one side. the
rebel iron-clad steamers Yorktown and
jamestown came down James River and
engaged our frigates on the other side.
The batteries at Newport News also opened
on the jamestown and Yorktown and did
all in their power to assist the Cumberland
and Congress, which being sailing vessels
were at tue mercy of the approaching
steamer. The Merrimac in the meantime
kept steadily on her course aud slowly an.
| proached the Cumberland, when she and
the Congress, ut IA distance of 100 yards,
rained full brOadsides on the iron-clad
| monster. The shot took no effect, glnncing
upwards and flying off, having only the
effect of checking her for a moment. AZ
ter receiving the first broadside of. the two
frigateU she ran on to the Cumberland,
striking her about midships and literally
laying open her sides. Shethen drew of,
fired broadside into the disabled ship
and again dashed. against her with her
iron clad PROV and knocking in her side,
left her 10 sink, while she engaged the
4 Congress, which laid about quarter of a
mile distant. The crew on board of her,
seeing the hopelessness of resisting the
iron clad steamer, at once struck her colors.
Her crew had been discharged sever
al days since and three companies Of
the naval brigade had been put on board
temporarily until she should be relieved
by the st. Lawrence, which was to have
gone up on Monday TO take her position
us our blockadiug vessel, at jamestown
river. On the Congress striking her colors
the jamestown approached and took from
on board her all officers as prisoners hui
allowed the crew TO eseafe H. boats; the
vessel being then cleared was fired by the
rebels when the Merrimac and her tive
iron-clad companions opened with shot
and shell on Newport News batteries, the
; firing was briskly returned. Various re.
ports have been received, principally from
frightened suffers clerks, some OF them re-
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