The national Republican., 1862-04-11
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN.
Exploits OF the M, ,,nao In Hampton
llaE. ..

Exploits OF the m, ,,nac In Hampton
U.E. ..
OFFICIAL REPORTS 10 iiG REBEL CONGRESS.
From she Mobile Register Of March IS
We annex below communication sent into
Congress on Thursday By the President, with
reference to the victory, and covering the
official report of the engagement:
rREsTpENTs MESSAGE.
To The Senate and House Of Representatives
ofhe Confederate STATES:
herewith transmit letter Of the Secretary
Of the Navy, Of this date, covering the official
report OF the naval engagement between the
James river squadron and the enemy's feet at
Hampton Roads on the Sth Instant The Off
ceS and men Of the navy engaged In this bril-
liant AFFAIR deserve well OF the country, and
are commended to the consideration Of Con
gress.
The disparity Of the forces engaged did not
Justify the anticipation Of 40 great victory,
and II il doubly gratifying that IL has been won
upon an element where we were supposed |"
be leest able to compete with our enemy. Spec
ial attention Ia called to the peridious condue
Of the enemy In hoisting, on the irigate Con
gress, white flag, and renewing fire from that
vessel under the impunity thus obtained
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
March IL, 1862.
C.S. STEAM BATTERY VIRGINIA,
Orr SEwAIL's PoiNr,
March 8, 1862
FLAG OFFICER: In consequence Of the wound
Of Flag Officer Buchanan, II becomes my duty
to report that the Virginia left the yard this
morning, at eleven a. m, steamed down the
river past our batteries and over 10 Newport
News, where we engaged the batteries ashore,
and also two large steam frgates, supposed to
be the Minnesota and Roanoke, and a sailing
frigate and several small steamers armed with
heavy rifled guns.
We sank the Cumberland, drove the Con.
Qress ashore, when she hauled down her colors
and hoisted the white flag; but she fired upon
rs with the white flag flying, wounding Lieut..
Minor and several OF our men. We again
opened FIRE upon her, and she is now In flames.
The shoal water prevented our reaching the
other frigates. This. with the approach Of
night, we think saved them from destruction
Our loss Is two killed and eight wounded. Two
of our guns have the muzzles shot of. The
PROV was twisted and the armor somewhat
damaged. The anckor and all hagstans shot
away, and smokestack and sieampipc wsr,
riddled. The bearing Of the officers and mer
was all that could be wished, and in TACT i
could not have been otherwise after the noble
and daring conduct Of the flag officer, whos,
wound is deeply regretted by all on board, VIII,
would gladly have sacrificed themselves il
order to save him. We were accompanied iron
the yard by the Beaufort OIieut. Parker an,
Raleigh (Lieut. Alexander), and as soon as
was discovered up the James river that the nc
ton had commenced, we were joined by tn
Patrick Henry Commander Tucker, th
Jamestown (Lieut Barney, and the Tcsze
Sergeant Webbl all which were actually en-
gagged and rendered very effective service
Enclosed send the surgeons report Of casual
ties. have the honor to he, sir, very respect
fully. your obedent servant
CAIEsBY Ar X. JONpss
Executive and Ordnance Officer,
Flag Officer +. foRESr