Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-21

The Sur, con of the Congress writes to the
Philade. phia Press, some interesting facts
not before published, as follows:
The commander of the Merrimac, Buchan-
an, was placed in possession of the tact that
the Ericsson battery had left New York on
Friday. and he saw that the blow at our
fleet, which had been contemplated for some
weeks, must be struck at once.
The attack of the Merrimack was but
part of the rebel plah, which embraced a
simultaneous attack upon Newport News by
land. Gen. Magruder accordingly marched
out his forces, with the design of attacking
our camp. Fortunately for us, the creeks
had been swollen by recent rains, 50 that the
head Of his columns was not visible by our
officers, until | O'Clock on Sunday after
noon.
We could sec them as they halted at a
place called Lees House. Finally they
concluded to retire. They were supposed by
our pockets to be about ten thousand strong.
In the very commencement of the action
our vessel was set on fire by the shells of the
Merrimac Had the enemy hauled of i'm
mediately we could not have sailed our YES
sells after this occurrence. Ii was impossible
TO extinguish the flames, which leapt up
from every part of the hull.
In the reports Of the battle it was errOne-
ously stated that the officers OF the Congress
had been captured That we were not cap
tured, however, seemed almost prOyidential,
and occurred thus,-When the white flag
was displayed, the rebel tug boat came
steaming up to our side, when the sharp
shooters of the Indiana Goth Regiment,
who were stationed at Newport News, pour
ed volley of fire into it.
No doubt many of the rebel crew were
killed or wounded, for they at once hauled
of.
We had heard that the Merrimac drew
full twenty-three feet OF water. If her
draught had been so great she could not
have come near Us. In my opinion she does
not draw over fifteen feet Of water.
There is some doubt about the accuracy
Of the last opinion. Capt. Van Brunt Of the
Minnesota, in his official report, says the
Merrimac fortunately drew too much water
to come within a mile Of his ship.
INTERESTING To DISCHARGED SOLDIERS
We have received the following from Gen.
Washburn:
ADJUrAsI AND INSPECTOR GEN'L's OFFICE
WooDsTocA, March, Il, lst2. (
You viii confer favor upon discharged
soldiers. and the relatives Of deceased soldiers,
resident in the town where you reside if you will
communists to them that full instructions, and
a necessary forms, will be furnished, On aPpli-
cation to this Office, to any person entitled to az
rcarages Of pay and bounty from the United States.
The forms have been prepared in order to enable
the claimants to prepare their own papers, with
out the necessity Of employing and paying agents
for that purpose. Very respectfully,
PETER T. WAsHnURy,
adj. and ms General.
The following COPY OF correspondence has
been sent from the commander of the army
in Arkansas 70 the commander Of the De
partment at St.Louis, and by him published
HEAuqUARrERs TRANs-MIs sIssiPr1 DIsrElyr,
March q, lstl.
T. d, oHsandiag Ofser Of Usl,ei States Force
- Sugar Crssk, Ak;
sir-In accordance with the usa-es o,
permit the burial party whom l send from this
army with flag Of truce, 70 attend TO the duty Of
collecting and interring the bodies Of tie officers
and men who fell during the engagement Of the
eth and Sth inst.
Very respectfully your obedeat servant,
EARL Van DoRS,
Major General Commanding Army.
HEApeUARrERs, AREY-oF TEE SOUTHWEST. ,
PEA RIDGE, March 9, 1862.
Eari an Dom, Commanding CoaftdsTats F0rcss;
Sir-The General commanding is in receipt
Of yours Of the 9th, saying thatin accordance with
the usages Of war, you send party to collect and
bury The dead. l AN directed to say that all pos
sble facilities will be given for burying the dead
many Of which have already been inferred. Quite
s number Of your surgeons have fallen into our
bands, and are permitted 10 act under parole, and
under General Order from Major General Halleck
further liberty will be allowed them, if such &C
eommodltions be reeiProcated by you. The Gen
crai regrsfs thar fad The bIftis ks9 contrary
70 eirh ed rarfars, many Of flc federal dead tr6o
tomahainksd, alp,f and thar b0di,s shaulsfuy
maHglsd, AVID ,rPrssse, hope thar tbs important
struggle may not degenerate 10 a savage payfarc.
By order OF :. K. Curtis, Brigadier GenI.
T. J. McKNsEr, Actirg Assist Adj't Genl.