The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-03-25

deck presents clear sweep, unbroker
except by the turret and pilot,house.
$50 a. m.-The crew are sent TO sta
tons on the berth deck from magazine tc
turret ladder, and at the guns. Capt
Worden, Lieut.. Green, and several of th
other officers are standing on the turret
deck looking anxiously at the mysterious
movements of the vessels in the distance.
AT this moment, the larger Of the three,
which presents the singular appearance
OF floating house submerged to the
caves, is seen under way, heading direct
ly for us. The officers are ordered i'm
mediately to their stations Lieut.. Green
to command the gunners Chief Engi-
neer sinners to control the movements
OF the turret during the action, and to
witness the behavior of the Monitor.
which is to form a part of his report to
the Government. Just as we are ap-
preaching the turret-hatch TO retire be-
low. the Merrimac opened the action
with a shot that struck the wafer be-
tween the Minnesota and Monitor, and
glanced far astern. Capt. Worden i'm
mediately took his position in the pilot
house, where ably seconded BY Mr.. How
ard, from one Of the U. S. steamers, who
volunteered as pilot, assisted By Quarter
master Williams, he directed the move
ments of the Monitor and gave his Or
ders during the entire action. All
hands, officers and crew, are now at sta
tons, waiting in breathloss suspense for
further orders. Capt w. placed the
Monitor in position, forwarded The bear,
ing of the Merrimac to Lieut.. Green in
the turret, and gave the order to FIRE.
The port apron swings aside. the gun
ners, too, spring 10 the gun ropes, n
creaking Of pulies for a moment, ami
then laundering report broke the
death like stiffness that rei.psd along
the dusty ranks of the powder ps.ser-
or tie magazine dcck-tbc Monitor ha.
msde her maiden speech Fram his
time the Merrimac, c-niuy down TO ut
tack the Minues3,a, turned her guns ON
the Monitor, ana we were the recipients
OF her compliments thenceforth. She
gave us few more shots, aud then. AZ
ii frenzied at her failure to demolish US.
ran head on at full tilt, as in her action
with the Cumberland but in this instace
with far different result. Capt. w.
judged that, failing to run US down, her
was TO board us, but, if so, she
changed her programme, probably not
pleased with the expression Of the grim
eye of our columbisd, which at this
moment, at hint from Lieut.. Green,
shot her iron glance (weight 10 lbs)
directly through the Merrimsc's hull at
water line. Now comes the order from
Capt. w. TO the Lieutenant, i" Reserve
your FIRE | will lay you alongside the
Merrimac then aim deliberately, and do
not lose a shot" In few minutes this
was accomplished, aud then
from both combatsn;s the firing was
very rapidly executed for some time,
until The Merrimac. not liking her posi-
ton, retreated TO a longer range. To
Mr., Green's occasional inquiry as 10 the
effect Of our shots, Capt. Worden an
swegaa in cool, deliberate manner, that
excited the admiration and enthusiasm
of all within hearing. At one time,
while the vessels were lying side by side,
MI. Green accurately trained his gun on
the Merrlmac's water-line, and after de
liyering the shot, inquired of Captain
Wolden the effect The answer came
loud and clear. 4" splendid. Sir; YOU
made The iron fy You cannot do bet
ter, but fire a. rapidly as you can
The Merrimac retrealed still further in
the direction of SaNal's's Point. Can't
Worden Judging the range too great for
effective firing, directed the Lieutenant
10 wait for his order before giving her
another shot. \ few minutes passed,
aud then the order came, it was scarcely
executed, when a percussion she'll struck
the corner Of the pilot house, and exploi
ing. injured the Captains eye. A few
seconds and another exploded in the
same neighborhood, and adding to the
previous injury rendered for time our
noble commander completely blind dis
occurred at II p M, aud was believe,
the last shot the Meuimor tieed ia the
engagement fhe command now de-
volved on Lieut. Green, who taak the
Captain position in tho pilot house and
directed the closing movements of the
action. The Merrimac, proud and def
ant in the beginning Of tho action. now
presented an entirely different spectacle.
She had no doubt received vital nju-