The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-03-10
About 200 Sailors Killed anu Drowned


Tclegraphtchod to Rock Island Argus
FoRr monroe, March 9.-The Mcrrimac
was sgnaled thi, morning down the channel
from Norfolk, in front of Sewcll's Point bat.
tery. All was excitement about Fort Monroe
a, this news and the Cumberland, Congress,
Minnesota, St. Lawrence and Roanoke ex.
changed signals Of danger,
Tho Merr'mac has nothing above water but
her flag staff, flying the rebel flag, and smoke
stack She moved slowly and steamed direct
ly for the Cumberland and Congress, lying at
the mouth Of James river.
The Cumberland opened on her with heavy
guns, but the balls glanced of having no eff
feet. At the same time the rebel iron clad
boats Yorktown and jamestown, came down
James river and engaged our trgates on the
other side.
Our batteries Mt Newport News opened on
the gunbUats to assist tho Cumberland and
Congress, which being sailing vessels were
at the mercy Of the steamers. They both
rained heavy iron broadsides on the Merri
mac, which was slowly approaching, but all
| the effect visible was to slightly check her
progress She then ran against the Cumber
land, striking her about midships, literally
! knocking open her side. She then drew of
and fired into the disabled ship, and again
dashed against her with her iron clad prov,
and knocking in her prov, left her to sink
and started for the Congress, lying about a
quarter Of mile distant, which was engag-
ing the Yorktown and jamestown. She hav-
ing no regular crew on board, and being only
partly manned by 8 companies Of the naval
brigade, sreing the hopelessnoss Of continu-
ING the fight struck her colors
The jamestown then took from her all her
officers rs prisoners. Her crew escaped ir
boats
The vessel WAS fred by the rebels.
After this the Merrimac and gunboat
opened with shot and shell on the Newpor
| News batteries.
Some accounts say the garrison have beer
compelled to retreat to the woods. Other
say the gunboats were obliged to retreat
The Minnesota did not have steam up il
time to aid the two frgates. She was follow
cd by the st. Lawrence, and from necessity
engaged tho rebel vessel at u distance OF 4
mile.
1t was the impression at this point tina,
both vessels were considerably damaged, but
these statements are based on what could be
seen with glass at n distance of miles
me IlcITllllNC was ulTb DclltNtu 10 DC
aground when the boat left She lay mile
distant from the Minnesota, making no at
tempt to modest her.
After the last gun was fired from the Min.
nosota, persons declare they saw dense vol
umes Of vapor rise from the Merrimac, indi
catvo of an explosion of some sort. 1t is no,
known if this is so, but it is believed she was
aground.
1t was the intention OF the Minnesota u
run to close quarter, and avoid the iron prov
of the Merrmac and carry her by boarding
| To this the Merrimac did not seem ncinec
to give opportunity.
As the Baltimore boat left Old Point, sh,
met the Ericsson steamer Monitor going in.
LArKR-Fort Monroe March 9.-The Mon
tor arrived at 10 o'clock last night, and i'm
mediately went to the protection Of the Min
nesota, which was aground below Newpor
! News. Att O'Clock to-day the Merrimac
Jamestown, Yorktown, and several tug.
went towards the Minnesota and opened fire
Tho Monitor met them and opened fire, wher
| the enemy's vessels retrcated except the Mer
| rmac. These two iron vessels fought from
o'clock till II, part of the time touching zach
other, when the Merrimac retreated.
The Monitor was commanded by Lieuten-
ant Worden, and was handled with great skill
assisted by Chief Engineer Steiner.
The Minnesota was somewhat injured, but
kept up a continuous fire.
The Monitor is uninjured and ready for
another attack
A dispatch was also received by the score.
tary OF the navy, from assistant secretary
Fox, saying. in addition to the above, that
the Merrmac retreatcd, but it is impossible
to say whether injured or not.
Lieut.. Worlen, commander OF the Monitor
was injured by cement from the pilot house
being driven into his eye. but probably not
seriously.
New YORK, March 9th.--The Tribune's
Fort Monroe special, states that the frigate
Cumberland had a crew of 500, and nearly
half were lost.
A negro who swan ashore reports the loss
about one hundred.
WASHINGTON, March Citizen. Mcclellan
received dispatch from Gen. Wool, dated
this evening, confirming the above. Also
stating that the Minnesota had got off, and
the Merrmac was driven off in a sinking con
diton. towed by the Jamestown, Yorktown
and other boats, towards Norfolk probably
to get her in the dry dock.
WASHINGTON, MarCn stn p. Hn.,-Dy tele-
graph from Fort Monroe:
The Ericsson arrived last night, or early
this morning She was attacked by the Mer
rimac, jamestown and Yorktown, and after
an hours contest they were beaten off, the
Merrimac in sinking condition. This is
official.
LFEsBuRG, Va. March S.--COl. Geary has
taken Lsesburg, and driven Gen. Hills away
from the town and surrounding forts
The American flag flies over this, one ofthe
greatest strongholds ofthe enemy. We took
many prisoners, stores, the bank. post-otice,
and other public buildings.
Ibis brilliant achievement is Of the utmost
Importance.
;. A detachment of the lst Michigan cavalry
did good service.
CHARLrsrowS Va, March 9.-The occupa.
ton OF Leesburg by our forces is officially
confirmed. The enemy evacuated the town
on Friday morning taking all their supplies
and baggage to Middlesbury.
1t is Tot known il the rebels have gone to
Winchester.