Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-13
TINE MERRIMAC FIGHT.
OFFICIAL REPORT.

WASHINGTON, March 12.-The official re.
port of Lieut. PendergIast of the Congress,
addressed to Commander Marston, has been
forwarded to the navy department. The re.
port says AT ten minutes past O'Clock the
Merrimac opened fire with her bow gun, with
grape, passing us OH the starboard side at a
distance of about 300 yards, receiving our
broadside and giving one IN return. After
passing the Congress she ran into and sank
the Cumberland. The smaller vessels then
attacked us, killing and wounding many of our
crew. Seeing the fate of the Cumberland, We
set the jib and topsail, and with the assistance
OF the tug-boat ZOuave, ran the vessel ashore.
AT q o'clock the Merrinac took position
astern of us, at the distance OF about $50 yards,
and raked US fore aud ait with shells, while
one Of the smaller steamers kept up fire on
our starboard quarter.
In the meantime the Patrick Henry and the
Thomas Jefferson, rebel steamers, approached
from up the James river, firing with precision
and doing US great damage Our two stern
guns were our only means Of defence. These
were soon disabled, one being dsmounted and
the other having its muzzle knocked away.
The men were knocked away from them with
great rapidity and slaughter by the terrible
fire OF the enemy. Seeing that our men were
being killed without prospect of any return
from the Minnesota, which vessel had run
ashore, not being able to get single gun to
bear upon the enemy, and the ship being on
fire in several places, upon consultation with
commander VIM, Smith, we deemed it proper
to haul down cur colors, without any further
loss OF life Oh our part
We were soon boarded by an officer of The
Merrimac, who said he would take charge of
the ship. He left shortly afterwards, and q
small tug came alongside, whose captain de
manded that We should surrender and get out
OF the snip. as he intend ed TO burn her mme.
datey. A sharp fight with musketry ard
artillery was maintained from our troops
ashore upon the tug, having the effect OF div
ing her of. The Ierrimac again opened
upon us. although we had peak to SHOW that
We were out OF action. Alter having fired sew
eral shells into us she lett us and engaged the
Minnesota aud the shore batteries, after which
the wOun 0 were taken ashore in sma boats.
The ship was on tiie from the beginning OF the
action from hot shot fired by the Merrimac.
The following is an extract from the report
of Commodore Purviauee Of the United States
trigate st Lawrence :-"The Merrimac direct.
ed Der attention to firing several prejectiles of
formidable dimensions, one OF which, an eight
pound shell, penetrated the starbOard quarter
about four inches above the water line, passed
through the pantry of the ward room and into
the slate room of the assistant surgeon on the
port side, completely demOIishiug the bulk
head, and then struck against strong iron
bar which secured tine 's-eye of the port.
1t returned into the ward room expended. 1t
fortunately did not explode, and no one was
injured"
Fleet Surgeon Wood of the Minnesota re-
ports the following list OF killed and wound.
ed :--KIlle Alexander Mushon, captain OF
the maintop Henry Smith, coxswaln; and
Dennis Harrington, captain Of the mzzen top.
Wounded-John Green, second master, Sc.
riously; Henry Leland, second gunner, Sc
riously; Charles Dunlap, ordinary seaman,
MORALLY Samuel ii. Hitler, ordinary seaman,
slightly; Christopher Sewell, coaheaver NOR
tally; Charles Thompson, seaman, seriously
Joseph Augustus, musician. seriously; S. w.
Thomas, musician, slightly; Al"ell Kean.
landSman, slightly; John Clark, seaman,
slightly Patrick Royce, ordinary seaman,
slightly; julius Bartlett second master,
slightly; Joyce Moure, colored, slightly Eli
Paris, colored, slightly Ansel Rlcnchurch,
seaman, slightly.