Newbern weekly progress., 1862-03-18

I'D point to their assistance o"0 .a', |
YER to Ncwport's News, but rot entirely ou'
the range of our batteries on SeweiFs poin''
,h;ch opepcd on her with what effect we are
nable to say, but she replied to them without
Nv d,mooe whatever. nc Minnesota got
Ground when within mile or two OF New
,orl's News Point. There she stuck unable
q ret off. while the Confederate steamer pat'
ick Henry and jamestown peppered her win
heir batteries, while the Virginia was attcn'
ling to tho shore batteries at Newpor's
News.
The frigate St. Lawrence then came up 70
.he assistance of the Minnesota, ana she a'so
ret aground, and steam irlgate supposed 10
be the Roanoke, put off from Old Point with
the same intention, it was supposed, but see
inp the sad havoc which the Virginia was play
inc with the federal vessels, she put BACK 10
Old Point.
The Minnesota and ST. Lawrence, We learn,
are hard aground and in the power OF the N'r'
yinia at high tide, as the latter vessel was al
SeweIrs Point, after the engagement, where
she remained on Saturday night, ready tc
commence on them on Sunday morning Shc
il between them and all assistance from Old
Point
The igate CongasSab Sun Mqs Crew re- from some %
our vcsstIhss.. e. she ilumined the whole Roads
and river, and about midnight, her magazin,
exploded with tremendous noise. Her con
llagration afforded rare sight to many thou
sands of spectators who Lined the shores o.
our harbor to Witness the spectacle Of a ship
on fire. Many articles value we learn wer,
removed from her by our gunboats before be
ing fired.
Tugs and steamers were sent to the assis,
tancc of the Minnesota and St. Lawrence frou
Old Point after they grounded but their efforts
to hanl them of, were unavalling.
The first gun fred in the engagement is sGit
to have been fired by the Conledcr
ate gunhoat Beaufort A. the fr;gate Congress-
All Of our steamers and gunboats are said t,
have been managed with the utmost skill and
dexierity, rendering great assistance to tht
Virginia in this magnificent and successful en-
gagemcnt.
We arc without means Of getting at the loss
Of the enemy in killed and wounded, though II
it is believed to have been very great. Oul
can learn, is nine killed and twelve wounded
inOSt Oh lncin SlISNlly.
Twenty three prisoners were brought up to
this city on Saturday night. These were al
taken off the lrgato Congress by the gunboa'
Beaufort, whilst our other gunboats took of
others. One of these prisoners died while on
his way to the city. He and another onC
wounded were shot by their own forces while
being saved from the sinking lrigate Congress
The wounded prisoners were carried 10 the
hospital.
The Virginia had two men killed and some five
or six wounded. A shot entered the port hclc
and struck the g1n on the muzzle knocking
off piece nine inches loug. This disable the
gun which was immediately replaced by
another Of the same callbre
Capt. Buchanan, and Lieut.. Minor Of the
-Nirss'.i-.Ass- said 10 be wounded, the former
slightly, thr latter severely
On eosrd the Patrick Henry sh,t cnterca
one OF her nor!s VIC underslan3. and passed
through ono oF uer -uoIcrs, d'rat''"- H.
She was compelled to haul off temporarily lo'
repairs. Thcie were four ncn killed and three
wounded, on board of her. Other damage moi
material
On board the gunhoat Raleigh. pidshirmar
Huttcr was killed, we understand though We
lid not learn OF any other casualties.
The James River steamers arrived at th'
scene Of actiqii Il is SAID, about one holr after
the cnga cement commenced. They easily
passed the Ncwport's News batteries, ant
after joining in the fight rendered very cticen
aid.
By this daring exploit we have raised TIT
James River blockade, without foreign asSis
lance and are likely with the assistance o
the Virginia, TO keep open the communica
tion.
Several small prizes were said to have beer
taken by our gunboats from the Yankees, on'
of which, the schooner Reindeer, was brough
up to the Navy Yard on Saturday night Tw'
others were said TO have been carried over Il
Pig Point On Saturday.
Another report we hear says that but twt
persons were killed on board the Virginia.
Andrew j. Dalton, a printer, who left ou
Office few days since to join the Virginia, AM
who was at the bombardment of Sumter ant
participated in several other engagements dur
ing the war, we learn was one of the wounde,
on board that vessel on Saturday.
The engagement was renewed again on Sun
day morning abot 81 O'clock, by the james
town, and several of odr gunboats, firing int
the Minnesota, and ST. Lawrence. At hig
water we expect the Virginia, will pay her r,
spects TO these vessels.
Since the above was written we have bcc
enabled to gather some additional particu
lars.
Some detention occurred on board the Vii
ginia on Sunday morning, we learn, or sh
would have commenced the engagement muc
earlier than st o'clock; at which time sh
together with the Patrick Henry, JamcStow
and other gunboais, opened fire on the Mime
sofa, which still lies hard and fast aground. =
The tide being at the ebb, the Virginia did nc
take the channel where the Minnesota lay
probably for fear of grounding, but gettjn
within good range of fer, she opened fir
with terrible effect completely riddling hcl
and rendering constant exertion at tn
pump necessary to prevent her from fiji
ing ..
Early in the morning, the Erriccson Battery
now called the Monitor was discovered o
Newport's News Point, she having gone u
there during the night. A sharp encounte
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