Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-03-14
THE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.
A Visit to the Monitor.
Interesting I'articuiors.
M \. y Thhuns. sneeIal 0urLesn.naeni-

From the n, y Tribune. Special Conespouient.
kuKtHtss Moss T., ON ruisr Cuafukr.
Monday March 10. lsG2 I
visited the Monitor to-day Two shots OF
the enemy struck her On the edge, above the |
surface, aud tore up few inches OF the deck
plating and penetrating about half the diameter |
Of the bait ahorling complete illustration Of |
her impregnability. As the worst the enemy, |
with the most powerful guns Aloat could do, the
fact, settles h question on that point. The |
shots referred to are as mere scratches % u pu-
gilist utter his antagonist has done his best for
four hours to knock him down. Tn her tower, |
where the Merrimacs shots struck square and
with full force, there ure three Or four in1euaious
not exceeding three inchts in depth. Her deck
is blazed in several places wheic the shots struck
and glanced of. The wheel house has several
similar indentatiOns, though uot as deep. These
are all the marks the Monitor bears us the result
/ of the uctiun. The officers and men declare
that they are perfectly willing to take her any
/ where tor all that the enemys guns can do,
no matter with what skill they may be served,
The Merrmac undertook TO run the Monitor
down, and ran bows on, her PROV projecting
over her deck. The shock tnat cut the Cum
beilahl and Congress down, nude an indenlation
scarcely percepuhle, and produced no extraordi-
nary effect In this attitude the two ships eXchau-
ged shots, the mouth, OE their guns being but
few yards distant and il was nere that the Merri-
mac was penetrated, though the Monitor was
scarcely scratched. II Was dOubtlea the inten-
tion Of tue euelny To board her unl some Of the
Murrimacs men actually jumped aboard ot her.
But there was no opening OF place Of entrance to
be found, nor were there any men 10 be seen-
At this moment the tower began 10 feYOlye and
the ports TO open, and the men scampered back,
and the MeIrnac drew OF, probably confuunded
at the results oil her hnsy visit.
The Monitor fred between fifty Rnd sixty
shots. The Aerrlmnc must have fired at least
| Hya a .tu In, on,
that the Monitor withdrew from the action for
time to allow her guns 10 cool. Such was not
the fact, as no Inconvenience was felt from that
cause. The temporary withdrawal was occA.
STONED by shot getting fast in Of the guns
before it was honu, which it required some time
tO eXiricate.
In the confusion, some of the circumstances
attending the catastrophe Of the Cumberland and
Congress were not correctly given. From vari-
Gus sources | gather the following leading par
ticulars The Merrimac made her appearance
at Newport News about o'clock. She steamed
directly past the Congress- the two exchanging
broadsldes as she passed Without decreasing
her speed, which appeared to be at from to 10
miles au hour, she made direct for the Cumber
land, which lay above. When within about 100
yards of her she delivered broadside, and with
out slowing, ran into the Cumberland port bow,
piercing her with her prov several feet below
water line, aud letting food instantly into her
hold Delivering another fire, the Merrimac
drew round to the Cumherlands bow and plan
ted several shells in her, causing great loss Of
life. Indeed, the Cumberland which was sink.
ing, now became perfect saughterpen. As
she careened the men that could, crawled up her
decks and down the opposite side into the water,
and what could do so, took TO the small boats
the others undertaking to swim ashore, which
was but few hundred yards distant. In this
way good many were drowned. The tug
Whildin, lying at the dock ,.eame TO the rescue,
and picked up a number. good many went
down with the ship.
Meantime the Yorktown and jamestown had
come down the James River, and opened fire on
our land battery, which returnedit The Merri.
mac having accomplished this work made for the
Congress, which seeing the Cumberlands fate
had slipped her anchor, dropped down, and
grounded near the points Aa the Merrmuc APP
preached she opened fire, which the Congress
returned, but soon raised the signal to surrender
The Yorktown and jamestown sent officers aboard
to receive the surrender, and arrange for the
transfer OF the prisoners. When some rs of the
crew of the Congress had been taken to the
Rebel boats Capt Howard of the 4th Artillery
brought the guns of his light battery to bear On
them, and fairly beat them OIL and compelled
them to draw oil and give up the transfer of the
prisoners One of his shells entered the steam
chest OF the Yorktown. Therefore, all but the
twenty-five, or so, that had been previously
taken, the crew aud officers Of the Congress not
killed made their escape Great praise is ac
corded on all hands to Capt. Howard, as well as
to the Fire Zouaves and others who lay down in
the sand and picked off the Rebels with small
arms.
Out of 376 on the Cumberland, 12O are miss
ing All the officers escaped except John Ham
dngtOH, Masters mate, whose head was shot off,
and John Lenhart Chaplain, supposed to be
drowned.
The loss on the Congress- is not SO great as was
at first supposed. The number will not probably
exceed fifty but whether this includes the pri
sOners am not informed, and no one seems 10
know at present. An her officers are safe ex
oept Lieut. Joseph b, Smith, Acting Master
Thomas Moore, aud Coast Pilot VIM. Roods all
killed.
The Congress the same evening was set on fire
BY order Of Gen. Mansfield, to prevent her fall.
lug into the hands Of the enemy.
Last night the gunbOat Whitehall, lying under
the fortress, caught fire u short time after mid.
night and was consumed. Her guns which were
shotted, exploded and sent their shells into the
fortress. Her magazine exploded with a great
All nm nard mad nit al al.