Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-11

/ aud Is finally beaten by the Federal
lost.
my TSlegn7h-to the Int, llissDe.t.l
FoRrREss MoxROE, March e.-The long
expected rebel steamer Mefrimac has at
last made her appearance, aud yesterday
afternoon with the assistance of two gun
boats which came out with her from Nor
folk, and the Jamestown and Yorktown,
which came down from the James river,
made an attack upon Newport News and
the naval vessels stationed at that place.
The Merrimac was first seen from the ram
parts of Fortress Monroe, on her way to
Newport News at about quarter before
one o'clock. The rebel gunboats followed
herr they all carried the Confederate flag at
the stern, the gunboats had u French flag
at the mast head, and the Merrimac had a
flag at her bows which was described by
some as a Commodore blue flag and by
others as a black flag. She appeared to
be very low in the water; her sides bow
and stern were covered with stapling iron
plates extended two feet below the water
line and meeting above like the roof of q
| house.
At her bows on the water line, were two
sharp iron points. resembling ploughs,
about six or seven feet apart. Her number
OF guns is stated at twelve, but she might
not have had so many. At her bows two
| guns we're seen projecting from her clip
teal port holes. The design of the enc
my did not become apparent until between
| one and two o'clock, aud by that time the
Minnesota had got under wsy for the scene
of action. The flag ship Roanoke, having
been disabled by the breaking of her
shafts sometime since, was taken in tow
by the tug boats Dragon and Young
America. At about the same time the
alarm gun of the fortress was fired, and
the whole garrison turned out under arms.
The 10th New York was briefly addressed
by Col. Bendix, and all testified the great
est delight at the prospect of an action.
After being under orders for some time,
tue garrison was dismissed until they
should be wanted.
The rebel boats steadily pursued their
way to Newport News, and the Merrimac
soon turned the point and was lost to view
from the frigate Cumberland, at little
past two o'clock. The Sewell's Point bat
terry then opened upon the Minnesota,
which was passing, and the Sawyer gun
at the Rip Raps replied with few shots
at Sewell's Point.
thick smoke was soon seen to arise
above Newport News Point, indicating
that the battery there as well AS the Cum
berland and Congress was engaged. De-
tails of the action could not he seen from
the Fort, but tclegraPhic dispatch was
received, announcing that the Cumberland
and Aerrimac were in close quarters. As
the latter approached the Cumberland she
did not pay any attention to the Congress.
but after firing two guns struck tue Cum
berland with her sharp bows making a
jagged hole in her side at water line, seven
feet in extent. The Cumberland immedi.
Ately commenced TO sink, when the Merri-
mac backing a short distance ran into her
a second time, mixing another terrible hole
which admitted water at furious rate she
continued firing until water began to en-
ter her port holes and soon after she
carreened over slowly; and finally sunk at
about o'clock. The Newport News bat
terry and the guns of the Cumberland fred
continually upon the Metrimac, but no ap.
parent effect was produced. The Minueso-
ia unfortunately got aground on the wav
up and could offer but little assistance
Shortly before o'clock the jamestown and
Yorktown arrived from up the James river.
The latter was disabled early in the alter
noon by the Cumberland, aud put in shore
for repairs. After sinking the Cumberland
the Merrimac turned her attention to The
Congress, and in less than an hour after
wards white dag was hoisted on board
the latter.
The confederate gunboats Immediately
went alongside her. The officers aud ma
rines being taken prisoners, the seamen
were allowed to escape to shore.
The U. s. frigate st. Lawrence arrived
here during the afternoon and without
cropping anchor proceeded up the river.
She followed the example of the Minnesota
and Roanoke in firing upon SeweIrs Point.
but like theirs her shot fell short. TIE
gunboat Mystic was also towed up in the
afternoon. At shutdown the Roanoke, St.
Lawrence and Mystic all returned.
After four o'clock the Merrimac con-
tIuued to throw she'll into camp at New.
port News, while the jamestown and other
confederate gdubOats commenced firing
upon the Minnesota. The latter replied
as vigorously as possible and the conflict
was continued without any apparent effect
until dark. During the evening the Con
gFess was set on FIRE and made a brilliant
spectacle. At midnight she was blown mn
with a tremendous explosion.
During the evening the Monitor arrived
very opportunity aud at once proceeded nm
the river, although not prepared for action.
TO take her part. During night ONLY An o.
casional gun was fired.
Reintorcements of men and ammuuitio,
were sent to Newport News early in The AZ.
ternoon. But little serious damage VA.
done and no one was killed. This NOR
ming the conflict was renewed until The
presence of the Monitor was known 10 tbs
Merrimac, and but fos the fortunate arrivs
al OF the Monitor the Minnesota might hay.
been lost. The two iron.clad vessels en-
gagged each other for two or three hour1 At
long and at short range; no perceptibIe ef.
tect was produced upon either: they went
along side once or twice and seemed al
most TO rpn each other down, bat they soon
ceeded finally in forcing q large hole IL
the portside of the Nerrimac, aud Win The
whole Confederate feet she retired 10
At about one o'clock the U. s. Runboa.
Oregon was struck by the Merrimae h h.,
| boiler, and was bloyn mn TL. s,,st.