Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-12
VICTORY IN MISSOURI, ETC.

FORTRESS MONROE, March S.-The dullness
of Old Point was startled at 10 O'Clock to-day
by the announcement that mysterious ves-
sci, supposed to be the Merrimac, looking like
a submerged house with the roof only above
water, was moving down from Norfolk by the
channel in front of the Sewcll's Point bate
res. Signal guns were also fired by the Cum
beIland and Congress to notify the Mime sofa, ,
st. Lawrence aud Roanoke OF the approaching
danger, and all was excitement in and about
Fortress Monroe. There was nothing protru-
ding above the water but flag. staff, flying the
rebel flag, and short smoke stack. She NOV
ed along slowly, and turning into the channel
tending to Newport News, steamed direct for
the irigates Cumberland aud Congress, which
were lying at the mouth of James river. As
soon as she came within rsage, the Cumber-
land opened upon her W ith her heavy guns,
but the balls struck and glanced off, apparent.
ly having no more effect than peas from Il pop
gun. Her ports were all closed, and she NOV
ed on in silence but with a full head of steam.
In the meantime, as the Merrimac approached
the two frigates on one side, the rebel iron
clad steamers Yorktown and jamestown came
down James river and engaged our trigates
the other side. The Newport News batteries
also opened on the jamestown and Yorktown,
and did all in their power to assist the Cum
beriand and Congress, which, being sailing
vessels, were at the mercy OF the approaching
steamers. The Merrimac, in the meantime,
moved steadily on her course. aud slowly ap-
preached the Cumberland when she, at the dis
tance of one hundred yards, and the Con-
gress, rained full brvadsides on the iron clad
monster. The shot took no effect. glancing
upwards and tyiDg Oft, having only tie effect
OF checking her tor moment. After receiv-
ing the first broadside of the two frigates She
ran on 10 the Cumberland, striking her amid
ships and literally laid open her side. She
then drew off, fired broadside after broadside'
into the disabled ship and again dashed a.
gains. her with her iron clad prov, and knock
ing in her side, left her to sink, while she en-
gagged the Congress, which laid about a quar-
ter of mile distant. The crew on board OF
her, seeing the hopeessness of resisting the
lron-c clad steamers, at once struck heI colors
Her crew had been discharged several days
since, and three companies of the Naval Bri-
gadc had been put on board temporarily, un-
til she could be relieved by the St. Lawrence
which was to have gone up on Monday TO take
her position as our biockadng vessel of James
river. On the Congress striking her colors,
the jamestown approached and took from on
board Of her all the officers, but allowed the
crew TO escape in boats. The vessel being
thus cleared, was fired by the rebels, when the
Merrimac, with her two iron-clad companions,
opened with shot and shell On the Newport
News batteries. The fire was briskly return
ed. In the meantime the steam frigate Min
nesota having partly got up steam, was being
towed to the relief Of the two frigates but did
not get up until too late to assist them. She
was followed mp by the St. Lawrence which
was taken in tow by several of the small har-
Dor boats. 1t is, however, rumored that nei-
ther of these vessels had pilots on board them
and that after short engagement both of them
seemed to be, in the opinion of pilots on the
point, aground. The Minnesota, either inten-
tionally or from necessity, engaged the three
IL.
her two bow guns. The St. Lawrence also |
poured in shot from all the guns she could |
bring to BEAR and it was the impression OF the |
most experienced officers that both had been |
considerably damaged. Now darkness came |
on, though the moon Shone ont brightly, moth |
ing hut the occasional flashing OF guns could |
be seen The Merrmac was also believed to |
be aground, as she remained stationary at the |
distance Of a mile from the Minnesota. making |
no attempt to attack or modest her. These
statements are all based on what could be seen |
by the glass at the distance of nearly miles |
The Seweli's Point battery fired several guns
at the Minnesota as she went mp, and the Pigs |
Point battery was enabled to join in the gen
eral attack upon her. Fears were entertained /
for the safety Of the Minnesota and St. Law
renee In such an unequal contest. 1t is said,
that it was the intention of the Minnesota, with
her picked crew, to run into close quarters
with the Merrimac, avoid her PROV and board
hoi out IL SecinS tue TeOelS were not lDCiinea
to afford this opportunity, no doubt fearing
the result of such contest. Tugs were sent
Rp TO draw our vessels off the bar and when
the boat left for Baltimore firing had ceased,
whether from mutual consent or necessity was
not ascertained up to that time.
Received by Tuesday Evenings Mail.
By last nights mail we learn that the Merri-
mac engaged the Cumberland about one hour,
when the latter vessel was left in a sinking
and went down about O'Clock
rhe Merrimac then turned her attention to
he Congress, and in less than an hour after
yards white flag Was hoisted on the latter
4 rebel gnnboat then went alongside eff her,
md took the officers and marines prisoners
whilst the seamen were allowed to escape to
shore. In the evening the Congress was set
IN fire and blew up with a tremendous ex-
,losion.
After O'Clock the Merrimac continued to
hrow she'll into the Newport News camp,
whilst rebel gunboats opened fire on the Min
lesota. The conflict lasted until dark, when
he Roanoke, st. Lawrence and Mystic return
ID to Fortress Monroe. During the night on
y occasional shots were fred. The loss on
he Cumberland is estimated at $50, and on
he Congress near 100. The other causulties
re small. {
The Moniteur (the Ericsson iron-clad boat) /
rrived on Saturday evening and immediately {
mp the river. The next morning
ne two iron-clad vessels engaged each other :
Or bout three hours, at long and short range. !.
10 preceptibie effect was produced upon eth c
r. They went along side once or twice, and