Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-10
prom Fortress Monroe.

FORTRESS MONROE, March 6.-1he dizziness of
Old Point was startled at 10 o'clock TO-DAY by
the announcement that monstrous vessel, sup
posed to be the MerrInac, looking like a sub
merged house with the roof only above water.
was moving down from Norfolk by the channel
in front of SewalPs Point battery.
Signal guns were also ordered bv the Cumber
land and Congress to notify the Minnesota, ST
Lawrence and Roanoke OF the approaching dan
ger and all was excitement about Fortress Mon
roe.
There was nothing protruding above the water
but the flag staff hyIng the rebel flag and a short
smoke stack. She moved along slowly and
turning into the channel tending to Newport
News, steamed direct for the frtgates Cumber-
land and Congress which were lying at the mouth
of James river.
As soon as she came within range of the Cum
berland she opeHed on her with her heavy guns,
but the balls struck and glanced off, having no
more effect her than peas from popgun.
Her ports were all closed, and she moved on i'm
silence. but with full head of steam.
In the meantime, as the Merrimac was ap-
preaching the two frigaies on one side, the rebel
iron. clad steamers Yorktown and jamestown
came down the james river and engaged our
frigates on the other side.
The batteries at Newport News also opened
on the jamestown and Yorktown and did all
in their power TO assist the Cumberland and Con
gress, which being sailing vessels, were at the
mercy Of the approaching steamer. The Mer-
rimac in the meantime led steadily on .Ier course
and slowly approached the Cumberland, when
she and the Congress at distance Of fifteen yards
rained full broadsides on the Merrimae-the
shot took no effect, CHANGING upward and flying
off, having only the effect of checking her mo-
ment. After receiving the first broadside of the
frgates she ran on to the Cumberland striking
her sides, then drew Off fired broadside into the
disabled ship and again dashed against her with
her iron clad PROV. knocking in her side and left
her to sink, while she engaged the Congress
which laid about quarter of mile distant. The
crew on board of her seeing hopelessness in re-
ssting the iron clad steamer, at once struck her
colors.
Her crew had been discharged several DAYS
since, and three companies of the naval brigade
had been put on board temporarily until she
should be relieved by the st. Lawrence. which
was to have gone up on Monday to take her posi-
ton our blockading vessel at James river.
On the Congress striking her colors, the James
town approached and took from on board of her
all the officers prisoners, but allowed the crew
10 escape in boats.
The vessel being thus cleared was fred by the
rebels. when the Merrimac and her two iron-clad
companions opened with shell and shot on the
Newport News batteries.
The firing brskly returned.
| Various reports have been received, principally
from frightened suffers clerks. Some of them
represent that the gHrrison had been compelled to
retreat from the batteries TO the woods. Another
was the two rebel steamers had been compelled
to retreat from their guns.
In the meantime the steam frigate Minnesota
having partly got up steam, was being towed up
10 the relief OF the two frigates but did not get
mp till too late to assist them. She also fol
lowed up by the irigate St Lawrence which was
likewise taken in tow by several Of TIE smaller
steamers. 1t Is however rumored that neither
of these vessels had pilots on board, and after a
short engagement both seemed to be, in the opin-
ion of pilots on the Point, aground
The Minnesota either Intentionally or from ne
ecessity engaged the three steamers at about a
mile with only her two bow guns The st Law
renee also poured in shot from all the guns she
could bring 10 bear, and il was the impression Of
most experienced naval officers on the Point thai
both had been considerably damaged.
These statements, il must be borne in mind
are all based ON what could be seen by the glass
at distance of nearly eight miles and by few
panic stricken non -c0mbatants who fed nc almos
the first gun from Newport News In the mean
time darkness approached though the moon showI
brightly, and nothing but occasional flashes o
the guns could be seen.
The Merrimac was also believed to be aground
as she remained stationary at the distance of I
mile Of the Minnesota, making no attempt L
attack or modest her.
Previous TO the departure Of the boat for Bal
tmore no guns had been fred for half an hour
The last was fired from the Minnesota.
Some persons declare that Immediately ate
this last gun was fred dense volumes of vapo
we're seen TO rise from the Merrimae, indicatin,
the explosion Of her boilers. Whether this Is .