Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-03-12
PETERSBURG, Monday, March 10, S P. NJ.

T, the Elitor Of the Standard;
H., uorrimac went out from Norfolk on Saturday
-. ,.o o,,Iock and sunk the Federal ship Cumber-
land burnt the Congress, and shelled Newport
Mus until dark The Minnesota came to the aid
oftbe Cumberland and Congress, and the Merrimac
cot ber ashore and peppered her terribly, until
eleven o'clock, P. NJ
Tho f,bt WAS renewed on Sunday, the Patrick
Harry and Jamestown running the blockade at the
u,,o,b If James River and taking part with the
u.rrmac The federal frigate ST. Lawrence, and
rrricson IRON propeller came up from Old Point and
engaged the McTrimac
\ terrific battle ensued until two P. N. The
Errcson battered away at the Merrmac at only for
~ wards distance for one hour, when the Erricson
made 4 plunge at the Merrimac's propeller and rud-
dor The latter evaded the blow and plunged full
tijt at the Ericsson causing the Yankee iron mon
ster to head instantly for Old Point with all hands
at pumps, in a supposed sinking condition
The Merrimac fired rifed shots through the large
steamer sent to assist the Minnesota, and blew
her up.
The Merrimac then took the Patrick Henry and
Jamestown in tow, and proceeded to Norfolk. The
Merrimac lost her iron bcak in the plunge
at the Ericsson. and damaged her machinery and is
leaking little.
The battle was altogether terrific, resulting in
the destruction of first class rgaes of the enc
my, the supposed loss of the Minnesota and serious
damage to the Ericsson also, the death OF many
Yankees, and the annihilation of three guntoats.
Our loss was four killed and ten wounded
H., of he
rimac The Patrick Henry was shot through the
boiler and four killed and three wounded by scald
ing.
The Merrimac is a perfect success. She is a
terror to the Yankees, and will visit them again
soon.
No news from the West
President Davis has made call on the Governor
ofvirgnia for forty thousand additional troops
Gov. Letcher's proclamation appears in the Rich
mond papers of this morning. These troops are to
report at Winchester, Williamsburg, Manassas, and
Norfolk The enemy is closing on us at Winches-
ter and Manassas. e.
P S. The Petersburg Express and Richmond
papers give fuller accounts Of the battle near New
port News but the above contains the cream Of that
brilliant affair.
The Cumberland and Congress, both of which
destroyed by the Merrimac, or rather the Vir-
ginia, which seems to be her new name, were we'll
armed. The Cumberland carried % nine inch guns,
eleven inch, besides rifle pieces. The Congress
was armed with 80 FOUNDERS The Minnesota,
which is believed to be literally rddled one Of
the best appointed war steamers in the U. S. Navy.
The Ericsson propeller was monster of her class
she was not only damaged by the severe butt of the
Virginia, but she put ball through her. Com.
Buchanan and Lieut. Minor of the Virginia, were
slightly wounded, and two men were killed at her
port bow-gun. One shot passed through the boiler
of the Patrick Henry, killing two and woundng
three. The jamestown came off unhurt
The loss Of life on the Congress was awful, and
many must have been killed on the Cumberland
Minnesota and the Propeller