The New York herald., 1862-03-29
Oar Fortress Monroe Correspondence.


Our Fortress Monroe Corrcspondence.
FoR1REss MONROE, March Is, 1862
Arrival Of the United States Gan,oat Cdpsbrid0e-TAs
Escape Of hs Nashcile-7Ae Burning Of the United
States Bark Glena in ne Hor5or Of Bed,or-TAs BritssA
Ship Auiance-7ae Cambridge and the Action between the
Iron 0un10ats-7As Cambridge Out Of Repairs. dc.
The Unitod States gunboat Cambridge, Commander
Parker arrived here this morning from Beaufort North
Cayolna Sho left there at six O'Clock p NJ Sunday the
Esd instant She left or Beaufort the State Of
Georgia. which had just arrived from here bark
Gemsbok and the gunboas Chippewa, which arrived on
the 10th instant Tho Cambridge brings the intelligence
of the escape Of the rebel steamer Nashville from Beau
fort had conversation with Purssr Canning OF the
Cambridge, who gave the following particulars relating
10 the escape Of the the night Of the
instant the sky being very dark the Cambridge and the
Gcmsbok were the only Union vessels bockading Beau
fort They in constant anticipation that the Nash
vile would attempt TO make her escape. Accordingly,
the Cambridge tsok up position to command ono OF the
three channels leading from Beaufort to the The
Gensbok guarded another, thus leaving chanaei
Open For several days prior, and the night Of The
17h instant bright lookouts kept for the Nashville,
the Cambridge under full head Of steam oil tho time.
At half-pas seven O'Clock in the evening rocket was
sent up from the Gemsbok-a prcconcered sigra that
tho Nashville coming. The crew Of the Cambridge
after opened FIRE at the fugitive craft, firing sevsral
rounds. Tho officers the Cambridge endcavored but
In van to the object against which the Gensbok
the same direction the Semsbok did. The Cambridge in
few minutes after slipped her snchor and steamed in
the direction Of the third and unguorded channel hoping
to cut the rebel craft or But, after some tino tho
chase given up and the Cambridge returned her
original position. The Cambridge being the flagship
ported TO Capt Parker Ho said he distinguished the
outline or tho Nashville from nrst observing moving
lights s the vessel progressed in her eeape The Nash
Vile steamed very fast and out Of range Of The
Gemsbok; but Capt. Csvendy is positive that the shot
from his vessel hit her several times, no doubt
doing some damage. IL was deemed futile by
Capt. Parker OF the Cambridge, 90 give chase the
Nashville as hs vessel only eight knots al
hour, while the Nashville IL s said can under full head.
way stoam fourteen or afoen II is Though. that tho
Nashville win go 10 Nassau, F., there to DO sold
the rebels account.
On SATURDAY night 22d inst, tho rebels burned tho
United States bark Glenn in the larbor OF Beaufort This
vessel IL will be remembered, prize 70 tho rehs
who captured II last summer Tho ship Alliance, with
British coors flying, was at Beaufort when tho Cam
bridge sailed
have been requested as an act OF justice, to make
brief statement OF the part which the Cambridge took ia
the aetiQp in Hampton Roads the sh Inst lhe Cam
bridge towed the frgata 81. Lawrence rom Lynn aysn
Bay when they heard ths firing in the direction OF New
ports News. The Cambridge steamed past Fortress
Monroe, and proceeded with the ST. Lawrence 10 Now.
ports News On the route sho passed the frgate Roam
oke, which ngroand between the Fortress and New
ports News As tho Cambridge and ST. Lawreuos passed
the rebel batteries al Sswas Point the latter opened
nre, but met prompt response from the Cambridge
One OF her sfbte distinctly seen 10
enter tho embrasure OF the rebel battery ard several
others struck in the interior Of the wcrk TheCambrdge
was hit under ths starboard bow Another shell iew
past Captain Parkers face striking the mast Of the vcs
sci, one OF the spnters from which wounded mdsbip.
man on board The Cambridge and st Lawrence tbon
passed tho Minnesota, which aground Horseshoe
par Shorty AFTER these two were hoily engaging
the onomy, doing some damage TO the rebel gunbeas
the 81 Lawrsncs grounded, and ths havser by which
the Cambridge towed the ST. Law parted during
the action, and at one time IL was thought that both
vessels would DC run down by The Merrimac. by the
perseverance, OF tho officers Of both shpe Inc aeioo
under these trying circumstances, was pairtained
against the enemy and AZ the same time bot vsssss
escaped serious Injury Both the Cambridge and the
ST. Lawrence were subjected 10 storm Of iron hail from
the rebel feet, and II seems almost miraculous that bev
escaped destruction or serious injury.
The Cambridge is very much olt Of repair HAVING
been active duty for several months. She will proha
bly bo sent 10 New York 10 reft.