The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1862-03-13
Naval Battle.
Presidents New War Order.
LEESBURG TAKEN.
VICTORY IN ARKANSAS.
Great Loss on both Sides.
MANASSAS EVACUA TED.
FORTRESS MONROE. March 0.

with the assistance Of two gun
boats which CAME out with her
from Norfolk, made an attack upon
Newport News and the naval YES.
sells stationed at that place,
The Merrimac was first seen
from the rumpnrts of Fortress
Monroe, on her way to Newport
News. at about a quarter before
one o'clock two rebel guE.bOats
followed her.
The sides, bows and stern of the
Merrimac were covered with slop-
ing iron plates, extending about
two feet below the water line, and
meeting above like the roof of IL
house.
On her bows ON the water line
are two sharp mon points, rcscnl-
bling plows, about six or seven feet
apart. The number of guns is
stated at twelve, but she might not
have had so many.
At her bows were seer two guns
projecting from long elipticaI port
holes.
The rebel boats steadily pursued
their way to Newport News, aud
the Merrimac soon turned the
Point and was lost to view from
the Fortress.
The first shot was fired from tie
frigate Cumberland, ut u little past
two o'clock.
After firing two guns at the
Cumberland the Merrimac struck
her.
Her sharp bows making a hole
in her ut the water line, seven feet
in extent. The Cumberland com
mcnced sinking, When the Merri-
mac backing II short distance, ran
into her II second time, making
another terrible hole in her, aus.
ing the water to run IN ut furious
rate.
The Cumberland continued firing
till the water entered her port
holes, when she careened over
slowly, and finally sunk about
three o'clock.
The Newport News battery and
guns fired continuously upon the
Merrimac, hut. no apparent effect
was produced upon her.
The Minnesota got aground OF
her way up, and could afford bu'
little assistance.
After sinking the Cumhc land
the Merrimac turned her attention
to the Congress, and in less than
. an hour atterward IL white flag wu'
hoistel ON the Congress.
a rebel gun boat immc'liatcl,
went alongside and took the officer
and marines prisoners. The sea
men were allowed to escape t,
shore.
After fonr o'clock the Merrima'
continued to throw shells into til,
camp at Newport News, while til,
jamestown and other rebel gul
boats commenced firing on til,
Minnesota.
The latter replied as yigorousl.
az possible, and the conflict Wa
continued without any apl'aren
effect until dark.
During the evening the Congress
WAS set on fire, aud at midnigll
she was blown up, making Il terri
bic explosion.
During the evening the Monito
arrived, and at once took part il
the action. During the night onl.
: an occasional gun was fired.
This morning the conflict wa
renewed. The Monitor and Mer
: rimac engaged each other Tor tw'
! or three hours at long and slor
range, without perceptible etfcc
upon either.
; The Ericsson battery finally suc
,! cec;!ed in forcing IL long hole i
! the port side OF the Merrimac, AN
: she retired, with the w'i2!e rcb,
fleet, to Norfolk. At about Oh
o'clock. the United States gun boa
: Oregon was struck by the Mcrri
-, mae IN her boiler, and was blow
l up this morning. The Un t!
: States gn boat Zouave WAS ais
seriously damaged, and was oblige
to return. The principal loss c
life WAS on board the Cumborlan'
where it is thought Us many u
: one hundred men must have bee
# killed or drowned. But six Iivt
were lost on board the Merrima
i according to the report of ono {
her officers.
q The Minnesota eventually e
:. off, and VAS flowed under the gul
IF of Fortress Monroe.
- The Congress Is supposed {
have lost over one hundred mel
including but one officer. I'll
escaped crews Of the Cunlbcrlan
"a - 49, -I -