The New York herald., 1862-03-10

new xork, monday, March 10, 1864.
THE SITUATION.
We have to record to-day slight reverse, COM
bined with reactionary success of the Union
Navy, at Newports News, on the James river.
The reverse recounts the destruction of two of our
old wooden sailing frigates by the rebel naval
monster, the Merrimac, and two iron-clad rebel
gunboats. The success includes the subsequent
defeat of the whole rebel force and the disabling of
the Merrmac by our new Ericsson battery iron.clad
gunboat, the Monitor. The facts, as officially
reported are these. The Merrimac. which is said
to be commanded by Captain Buchanan late of the
Washington Navy Yard, came out of Norfolk on
Saturday morning, and together with the rebel
iron clad gunboats Yorktown and Jamestown,
steamed down towards Newport's News where
che frigates Cumberland and Congress were lying.
Signals were at once displayed for assistance from
the steamers Minnesota, Roanoke and St. Law.
renee. The frigates being sailing vessels were
completely at the mercy of the monster Merrimac
snd her attendant iron mailed gunboats. The
Herrimac made an attack on the Cumber-
Ind with her iron PROV, and fairly
but her open (; then drawing of she
gave her broadside and dashed into her
again. The Cumberland immediately went down
under this terrific shock, and it is said that about
hundred of her crew of five hundred were lost.
The Merrmac, Yorktown and jamestown then en-
gagged the Congress with a heavy fire. our bate
ries from Newport's News playing briskly on the
rebel boats meanwhile, and the enemy returning
with shell. The Congress, though she fought gal
lanty had to succamb to the superior force of the
enemy, and surrendered. Her officers were taken
prisoners, the crew were allowed to escape in
boats, and the frigate then burned by the ene-
my. The steamer going up to assist the frigates,
although they opened . severe fire on the enemy,
unfortunately were unable to approach near
enough to disable them. The Minnesota also went
aground. Darkness coming on the progress of the
fight could not well be observed.
The following morning, however, changed the
features Of the conflict, for the Ericsson battery
day, arrived at Fortress Monroe at ten O'Clock Sa-
turday night, and at daylight yesterday morning
she went gallantly into action with the whole three
rebel steamers, having herself only two heavy
guns. The fight continued for five hours. Part of
the time the Monitor and Merrmac were actually
touching each other. that is to say, from eight
O'Clock in the morning until noon when the Merri
mac drew Oh and was towed towards Norfolk in a
sinkins condition. The little Monitor is said to be
uninjured and ready to repel another attack at any
moment. She went to Fortress Monroe merely on
On experimental trip and it would appear that the
experiment proved quite successful.
The telegraph line from Fortress Monroe was
completed yesterday just in time to enable the in.
teuigence TO reach Washington, and Assistant
Secretary Of the Navy Fox, who had gone down to
examine the little gunboat Monitor, availed him
sek Of the opportunity to telegraph the glorious
feat Of the new gunboet, which he was fortunate
enough to witness. General Wool also sent a
despatch to General Mcclellan, detailing the as.
fAir. We publish both dispatches to-day.
IL is to be presumed that the War Department
viii at once avail itself Of the means now at ia
disposal TO reinforce our naval squadron at For.
tress Monroe. The steamers San Jacnto and Da.
cotah are now lying at Boston, ready for sea. The
frgate Sabine II s said viii leave this port to-day
and the steam gunboat Oneida sailed yesterday
for the South, and will probably receive a
despatch in time to run into Fortress Monroe.
We give an excellent map In another page Of the
vicinity Of this remarkable naval engagement.
! As setoff 10 the loss of our ships of New.
ports News, we have Intelligence Of the clearing
out Of the troublesome rebel batteries at Aouia
Creek by our troops yesterday and the destru.tion
Of the notorious rebel steamer Page, which has
been running about occoquan and ouan,ico
crooks % long. and. 90 often succeeded IN a.
,sepisg ~ ~ q ~ bastsrisa Our suabosh
r.