The New York herald., 1862-03-10

70 assist them. She was also followed up
by the frgats u. Lawrence, which was taken
IN tow by several Or the small harbor steamers
Il 10, however, rumored that neither of these vessels
had pilots ON board, and after . short engagement
both Of them seemed to be, In the opinion Of the pilots
on the Point, aground.
The Minnesota, either Intentionally or from necessity,
engaged the three steamers, at about mile distance,
with only her two bow guns. The 81. Lawrence also
poured in shot from all guns she could bring to bear
and il was the impression Of the most experienced naval
officers the Point that both had been considerably
damaged.
These statements, Il must be borne h mind, are all
based on what could be by glass; At distance
nearly eight miles, and . few panic stricken CON-
batants, who 1ed at almost the first gun from Newports
News
In tho mean timo darkness approached, though tho
moon shone out brightly and nothing but the occasional
flashing Of guns could be The Merrimac also
believed to be aground, she remansdl stationary at
distance Of mile from the Minnesota, making at
tempt to attack or moest her.
Previous the depar ture steamer for Baltimore
no guns had been fred for half hour. the last
beng nred from the Minnesota. 8ome persons declared
that, Immediately after this last gun fred, dense
volume Of smoke TO rise from the Msrrignao,
indicating the explosion Of her boiler. whether this is
go or not cannot be known, but II the unanimous
opinion that tho rebel monster was hard aground.
Fears Of course, entertained for he safety Of the
Minnesota and st. Lawrence In such unequal contest
but If the Merrmac really ashore she could do no
moro damage II was the intention Of the Minnesota
with her picked and gallant crew. close quar-
tsrs with the Morrimac. avoid her iron PROV and board
her. This the Merrimac seemed not inclined give
An opportunity to do.
Al eight O'Clock, when the Baltimore boat loft,
feet Of steamtugs were being sent up 10 tho re-
lief Of the Minnesota and tho St. Lawrence, and
an endeavor 10 be made TO draw them of the bar
which they had grounded In the time the firing
had suspended whether from mutual
ty could not be asoertained.
The rebel battery at Pig Point also enabled 10 join
IN the combined attack the Minnesota, and several
guns fred at her from Sewalls Point a. she went
up. None Of them struck her, but two of them
passed over her.
The Baltimore boat left Old Point eight O'Clock last
night In about half hour after she left the
wharf the clad Ericsson steamer Monitor passed
her, going in, towed by large steamer The Monitor
undoubtedly reached Fortress Monroe by nine O'Clock.
and may have Immediately gone into servceK not she
would be ready to take hand early Sunday morning.
Tho foregoing all tho facts far at present
bs asoeraned and probably the wosrt possible
sion Of the affair.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
FORTRESS MONROE, March 8, 1862.
About noon to-day the rebel steamship Merrimac and
two gunboats coming around Cransy Island,
headed Newports News Half hour after the naval
lookout boat in tho Roads sgnazed the fact to the MIN
nesota and Roanoke the latter Capt Marston being the
flagship.
The Minnesota had steam up. The Roanoke having lain
four months with a broken shaft, takcn
TO tow her, II was time before they were under
way, tho Minnesota leading. The Roanoke, when near
the RipRaps caught BY the tide, and half hour
was spent in getting her head right again.
The gunboat whitehall also got under way. Meanwhile
the Msrrimac making good time for Ncwports News
whore the sailing figats Congress and tho Cumberland
the only naval vessels. As the Minnesota passed
within range at sewals Point. that battery opened
her. Its fire returned vigorously. Tho nring being
ct long range, no perceptibls effect was produced.
In . little than hour from getting under way,
tho Nsrrimas was within half mile Of Newports Nows
when the firing commenced. simultaneously with these
came down James river and joined their fire with tha. Of
tho Msrrimac upon the Congress and the Cumberland
The Merrmae seemed proceed past the Congress
engage tho which also undor the nre Of
the Yorktown and Jamestown Our battery at Newports
News opened vigorously on tho iron clad enemy
In about half An hour the mass Of the Cumberland,
which visible the point Of land, 70
list and finally 60 over, proving that she had sunk.
About this time the Congress- with sails spread seen
come down short distance and stop tho Point ap
parently aground.
Soon after the Nerrmae rsappsared and engaged her
short range and aer keeping up the contest nteon
twenty minutes the white flag Of surrender
70 float the Congress- deck. Meanwhile. ~ the
day fated 10 DO Of successive disasters
ships the Minnesota had grounded about two miles from
81 Law
vors 10 get clear.
Tho Roanoke, by this tme, had reached within two
miles Of her. but seeing The current Of events turned
back. The gunboat Mystic, which had also gone up,
being in disabled condition account Of her boiler
giving out, also turned back, towsd by tug.
Having accomplished this much, the Merrac and the
two rebel gunbOats commenced shslling camp u
Nswports News, with what effect 10 Of course, impos
sble 70 say now.
The Cumberland had . crew Of about 500 men,
nearly ba Of whom perishsd whom she wont down.
As yet the Congress has NOS beon boarded, and II Is
supposed that General Mansfield Shore prevents the
rebels from doing II.
Tho Roanoke is also aground half way between the
fortress and Newports News.
The Cambridge has just In towing the 81. Law
renee, and both will 60 10 the conflict
General Wool has despatched two regiments BY land
to Nswports News.
It Is reported that the Yorktown 10 on Gre up James
river.
One Of the guns Of the Msrrmac was disabled early In
the action. The Merrimac and Cumberland were en-
gagged at slose quarters when the latter commenced
sinking.
The Msrrmao now lies half . mile below NswpertS
Newsrand the firing between her and the Minnesota,
at about two miles, 10 kept up brsky The Congress has
not been boarded.
Six companies Of Harlans cavalry and the Mounted
Rifles have been (sx o'clock) despatched 70 support
General Mansfield should he be attacked BY land. The
st. Lawrence has gone into action and 10 engaging the
Jamestown The Msrrimac does not feel disposed 10
come down 10 the Minnesota while the Minnesota can
opposite the fortress.
A negro Just in (sevsn oclock) from Nswporrs News
states that the Merrmsc square INTO the Cumberland
whieh uaunedistaIx dayn Iha s4s4as