Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-03-13
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
Particulars Of the Attack OF the
Merrimac ON our Fleet.
THE CUMBERLAND AND CON.
GRESS DESTROYED.
FINAL REPULSE OF THE REBEL
FLEET BY THE MONITOR.


FORTRESS MONROE, March 9, P. NJ
The long expected and talked of Rebe
steamer Merrimac, has at length made
her appearance in these waters. Yes.
terday afternoon, with the assistance of
two wooden gun boats, which came out
with her from Norfolk, and the James
town and Yorktown, which came down
the James River, she made an attack
upon Newport News and the naval yes
sells stationed at that place.
The Mcrrimac was first seen from the
ramparts of Fort Monroe, on her way to
Newport News, at about quarter to one
o'clock. The gun-boats followed, all
carrying the detested Rebel flag at their
stern. The guD-boats had French flag
at their masthead, by way, as is sup
posed, of cOmplimenting the French
mcn-of-wa in the Roads.
The Merrimac had flag at her bows,
which was thought by some to be a
Commanders blue flag, and by others it
was set down to be black flag, but
most likely the first opinion was correct.
She appeared to be very low in the wa
ter. Her sides, bows and stern were
covered with sloping iron roof, extend
ing about two feet below the water line,
and meeting above like the roof of a
house. At her bows, on the water line,
were two sharp iron points, about six or
seven feet apart. Her number of guns
has been stated at twelve, but she might
not have had so many. At her bows
two guns were seen projecting from a
long, cIiptical portfolio.
The precise design of the enemy did
not become apparent until between one
and two o'clock, and by that time the
Minnesota had got under way for the
scene of action.
The Roanoke (Aagship), having been
disabled by the breaking of her shaft
some time since, was taken up in tow by
the tugboats Dragon and Young Ame-
rca.
At about the same time the alarm sig
nal gun of the fortress was fired and the
whole garrison promptly turned ont un-
der arms, eager for the anticipated fight.
The Tenth Regiment of New York
Volunteers were drawn up and briefly
addressed by Col Benedix, and all tes-
titiel the greatest delight at the prospect
of getting into action After being I'M
der orders for some time the garrison
was dismissed until ch"y were needed.
The Rebel boats steadily pursued their
way TO Newport News, and the Merri-
mac soon turned the point and was lost
to the view of the eagor spectators at
the Fortress.
The first shot was fred from the fri
gate Cumberland, at little past two
o'clock. The Sowell's Point battery
then opened upon the Minnesota, which
was passing up. and the Sawyer gun
from the Rip Raps replied with few
shots at the Sowclls Point Rebels.
A thick cloud of smoke as soon seen
t. arise above and hang over Newport
News, indicating that our batteries there,
as well as the sloop-of-war Cumberland
and the frigate Congress, were engaging
the enemy.
The progress of the action could not
now be seen from. the Fortress, but the
Geographic line thither kept Gen. Wool
advised of the progress of events.
A dispatch was after time received
announcing that the Cumberland and
the Merrimac were in close quarters.
As the latter approached the Cumber-
land she did not pay any attention to
the Congress, but after firing two guns
struck the Cumberland with her sharp
bows, making a jagged hole in her side,
at the water line, about seven feet in
extent. The Cumberland Immediately
commenced to sink, when the Merrimac,
backing a short distance. run into her a
second time, making another terrible
hole, which admitted the water at fu-
rious rate. She continued firing, how
ever, her brave crew working at her
guns until the water began to enter her
port holes. Soon after she careened
over slowly, and finally sunk at about
three o'clock.
The Newport News Battery and the
guns of the Cumberland fred continually
upon the Merrimac. but no apparent
effect was produced.
The Minnesota unfortunately got
aground on the way up and could offer
but little assistance.
The Yorktown was disabled by the
Cum bar'and and bad 10 pu. 10 sh,rs for
ren,,rs