Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-14
FnRrRrss NinSRnE- Nlar.h

MONDAY
FORTRESS MoNRoE, March
The Merrimac made her appearance e
terday with two gun-bOats from Nortl
and the jamestown and Yorktown on @
James River.
The Merrlmac was first seen from the az
parts Of Fortress Monroe, on her way 70 w
port News, about a quarter before o'cci
The vessels all carried the rebel Tag a: :,
stern. The gunboats had the French Ia
masthead, and the Merrimac had i4,i
her bows, described by some as the C0u-
dOre's blue flag and by others as black *
She appeared very low in the water. Z
sides, bow and stern were slOpIns and c.Tr
ed with iron plates extending about : .s
below the water line, and meeting ar
like the roof OF q house. At her oows Oh -
water line were two sharp iron plows ao--
o or feet apart. Her number OF gus
stated at u, but she might not have hs-,
many. At her bows two guns were -
projecting from long eliptical port-hl.1
The design Of the enemy did not bec1-'
apparent until between l and ? clock. Z
Minnesota was then got under way fol g
scene of action. The Roanoke having blliz
her shaft, was taken in tow by the gun.ol1
Dragon and Young America. The s-a-
gun of the Fortress was fred, and the W.
garrison was promptly under arms. The l.-
n. Y. Regiment was briefly ADDRESSED =
Col. Bendix. All testified delight ., q.
prospect of an action. After being u1-z
orders for some time, the garrison Wss =
missed until wanted. The rebel boats s,ss.
ly pursued their way 10 Newport News. 3
the Merrimac soon turned the Point an y
lost TO view from the fortress.
Inc FIRST shot was fired from the CG-5E
land at little past 2. The Sewalls P1,'
battery then opened on the Minneso5, T--i' :
was passing, and the Sawyer "a =; Tue
Rip Raps fred few shots at SewalsPon'
4 thick smoke was soon seen 10 arse sc'
Nswport News Point, indicating that :
battery there, as well as the Cumbsf.ani -
Congress, were engaged. The details o. :
action could not be seen from the ioiIS
but telegraphic despatch was received :
nouncing that the Cumberland and MsEfi1i
were at close quarters. As the lsi'eI ..
preached the Cum berlanG, she paid no 3
tention to the Congress, but after hrls
guns, struck the Cumberland with her soI
bows, making jagged hole in her Hds
the water line of about feet IN eA'sl
The Cumberland commenced to sink, VIZ
the Merrimac backing a short distance a
into her a second time, making another %
rible hUle, which admitted the water ..
furious rate. She continued fixing un-
the water began to enter her por tho :
and soon after she careened over slow!
and finally sunk at about O'Clock.
The Newport News Battery and the s-I
If the Cumberland were fred continually W
IN the Merrimac, but no apparent effect "
Produced The Minnesota, getting ssrouI-'
.Ould render but little assistance. The l~s
own was disabled early by the Cumoerisl-
md pot in shore for repairs. After 'lnAH-
he Cumberland the Merrimac turned q
ttention to the Congress, and IN less u:
IN hour white flag was hoisted on 10.
ne latter. The officers were taken on oy y.
ebel gunboat, and the crew were all0Se-
scape. The frigate St. Lawrence SIR
ere during the afternoon, but vltheu'uiS
ing anchor proceeded W tie ri'ef'
DllOwei the example OF the Minnesota =
,Oancke in firing upon Sewall's Point
Ike them her shot fell short. The suuNs
Iystic was towed up this afternoon al
own. The Roanoke. st. Lawrencs =
Iys;ie all returned after O'eloeS'
Ierrimac continued 70 throw shell iu.J
IMP at NEWPORT News, while tbs 'i-
wn aud the other rebel gunbOats colnn5'.
ing upon TIE Minnesota. The later
led as vigorously as possible, and the =. ~,
ct was continued without any ssP'.-s
feet until dark During the eysninS
-ngress was set on fire. aud made 8
It spectacle. At midnight she e'sN =
it'll tremendous explosion.
During the evening the Monitor a.
~ OPPORTUNITY, and at once proees9-
G river to take her part in the acnol,.
ough not fully prepared. During ne
" an occasional gun was fired. ReiaIe''