Weekly standard., 1862-03-19
The Grand Naval Battle.

The early hour at which we went to press on
Tuesday last, prevented giving full particulars
OF the splendid naval victory Of the Merrimac and
-other vessels, over the Yankee fleet in Hampton
Roads. Our readers who take no other paper. will
doubtless expect further particulars, and We there
fore condense them below for their qualification.
On the morning of the 9Th inst, at II o'clock,
the Merrimac, commanded by Flag goficer Buchan-
ah, accompanied BY the steam tugs Beaufort 1t.
Parker, and the Raleigh, Lieut.. Alexander, left
the navy yard at Gosport, and steamed down the
river and over to Newport News The Yankee
frgates Cumberland and Congress were lying there
apparently dreaming of no danger, with the clothes
OF the crew drying in the rigging and all hands in
fine spirits. A gun from Fortress Monroe warned
the frigates of the approach Of the dreaded Merri
mac, but to no purpose They stood as if in mock
cry, the Captain of the Congress saying, addressing
the crew, "Well, my hearties, you see before you
the great Southern bugaboo, got up to frighten US
out of our wtsl Stand to your guns, and let me
assure you that one good broadsde from our gal
liant frigate, and she is ours" The Cumberland
and Congress as the Merrimac neared them poured
in L.AL--,-----.-.t.rr1urr IS
ridge and portion of the town. Campbell's, it
ances, and Averys regiments, We learn, were cut h
from, Newbern by the burning of the bridge,
ind they were compelled to retreat up the south
ade of Trent We state these things as we have
beard them.
One of the most unaccountable things in the
whole matter, is the failure on the part of the Com
banding General to notify the defenceless inhabit
lnts of Newbern to leave on Tuesday evening when
the Yankee vessels first appeared. But lulled to
,est as many of them were, no warning was given
hEtil Friday morning when the retreating troops
fnshed through the town without stopping to warn
them of approaching danger. Hundreds of de-
!enceless, respectable females were left there,
while others too fearful of the consequences of re-
plaining started on loot or by any means they
tould ge: off, carrying their helpless children along
With them.
/ The Yankees did not attempt to pass fort until
hey found our forces had been routed. About
tidday, or perhaps as late as one o'clock, they
nne up without hindrance. After all the talk and
hmmon about sawyers and Instructions in the river
elow Newbern, and Of forts, and torpedoes, &c.
hat would blow the YANKEES up after the rout of
FUR little army they came right along, just IN the
rack uhich had strangely BEEN LETT open for our
Ron ressels without encountering single obstruc-
ion. At once they commenced shellins the town.
" hat damage done by that we have not learn
d. 1t is also charged that they shelled the cars
With women and children in them. We understand
he square on which stood the old Washington Ho
el, near the Court House. was all consumed, ex-
;ept the mansion of the late John Stanly then &C.
npied by Mr.. Harrison. This We learn was done
" citizens or the military by order of Gen. Branch.
fhe enemy, is said, after taking possession, arrest
the progress of the fire in the town, and also
aevented the entire destruction of the Railroad
sidge
tCol. Sinclair it is said, determined to make
and this side of Newberp but the ~ecsyr 'laurrent
poured shot into her severely but the Merrima
getting off put fall head of steam on and ran he
bow into the Erricson, doing her much damage
This has been denied by some-the Norfolk Da
Book, however, repeats the statement. The Mon
tor put off for Old Point after the severe but
of the Merrmac, and there being no enemy left O
the field, our feet returned to the navy yard
is said that no life was lost on our side on Sur
day. The damage to our fleet is represented t
have been slight, and can be easily repaired in
few days. The Minnesota was towed to Old Pon
after our fleet retired
Our force consisted Of the Merrimac, ten guns
the Patrick Henry, six guns, the jamestown, tw
guns and the Raleigh, Beaufort and Teazer, one gu
} each-making in all % guns These encountere
the enemy with the following force and metal:
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