Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-10

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
The correspondent Of the Philadelphia Inqxiysy
says:
FORTRESS MONROE, March S.-The dulness OF
announcement that mysterious vessel supposed
TO be the rebel steamer MerrImac, and looking
like submerged house, with the roof only above
water, was moving down from Norfolk by the
channel In front Of Sewalls Point. Signal guns
were also fred by the U ) sloop vf-waf Cumber-
land and the frigate Congress, TO notify the Min
nesoia, st. Lawrence and Roanoke OF the ap-
preaching danger, and all was excitement In and
about Fortress Monroe.
There was nothing protruding a bove the water
but the flag stat, flying the rebel flag, and short
smoke-stack. She moved along slowly, and turn
Ing Into the channel leading to Neport News,
steamed direct for the Cumberland and Congress,
which were lying at the mouth OF the James liver
As soon as the Merrimac came within range of the
Cumberland, the latter opened on her with her
heavy guns, but the balls struck and glanced off
having no more effect on her than peas from a
pop-gun Her ports were all closed, and she
moved on In silence, but with full head of
steam.
In the meantime as the Merrtmac was an
preaching the two frigates on the one side. the
iron-clad steamers Yorktown and Jamestown
came down the James river and engaged our
frigates on the other side. The batteries al New
port News also opened on the jamestown and
Yorktown and did all In their power TO assist the
Cumberland and Congress, which being sailing
vessels, were at the mercy Of the approaching
The Merrimac In the meantime kept steadily
on her course, and slowly approached the Cum
berland, when the latter, as well al the Congress-
at the distance CT one hundred yards, rained full
broadsides en- the iron. clad monster The shots
took no effect, CHANGING upwards and fying of.
having only the effect Of checking her progress
for a moment.
frigates she ran into the Cumberland. strikinS
her about the midships and literally LAYING opef,
her side. She then drew Off fred a broadside
Into the disabled ship, aud again dashed spainst
her side left her to sink, while she engaged the
distant. " 'iie
The Congress had, In the meantime, kent ND
snaIP engagement with the Yorktown and James
town, and having no regular crew on board OF
her and seeing the helplessness of resisting the
lIon-cad steamers, at once struck her colors
Her crew had been discharged several days
ade had been put on board temporarily until s6e
could be relieved by the ST. Lawrence, which
was 70 have gone up on Monday to take her posi-.
ton as one OF the blockading vessels at the james
River. .'
On the Congress striking her colors the James,
town approached and took from on board ali the
e omeefs as prisoners, but allowed the crew to
cleared It was fred by the Rebels WHEN thus dbs
Merrimac and her two iron-clad companions
oPehea Win shot and shell on the Newport News
batteries: The firing was briskly returned.
from frightened suffers clerks Some Of them
represented that the garrison had been Compelled
to retreat from the batteries to the woods Another
report 10 that the two smaller Rebel steamers had
batteries s Va NJ
In the meantime the steam fr.gats Minnesota.
t nss,eg Partly got up steam wa. being towed to
until too late to asss, them She was no sls gel
lowed by the fiigate St Lawrence, which wa.
@ken 10 tow by several Of the small harbor steam.
ers. ~ Is, however, rumored that neither Of these
Vesses mad pilots on board, and after short en-
gagement both seemed to be, In the opinion N
the pilots on the Point, aground
Inc Minnesota, either Intentionally or from me-
cessiy' engaged the three Rebel steamers at about
q a. mile distance, with only her two bow guns
Inc ST Lawrence also poured In shot from ali
her guns she could bring to bear, and II was tha
Impression Of the most experienced naval oeacers
damaged. q - ~-""o1y
IL was the intention of the Minnesota. with
ner picked and gallant crew, to have run into
Close Close quarters with the Merrmac, avoid her iron
seemed not inclined to give her an opportunitv
20 90, being afraid to approach her at close quar-
tiers when aground. f~"'-
abled to join in the Combined attack on the MI
nesota, and several guns were fred al her for
Sewalis Point, az abe went up; none of thsm
however, struck her, but one or two passed over
The LATEST FROM OLD POINT.
ArytUdl 81 ths Federal Iron. clad Gssboat Mo.,.
tor-SAofs attacked By the Merytrae, ya,Sr :.
totos dxd Yorktors-5Ae Msyyirpae Dyte,. ~
and pat Back to Norfolk IN a Sisksng Coal
toETlciAL
march y, p. m.-The telegraph line TO Fort.
ress Monroe was com pleted this evening ana m.
following dispatch has just been received by the
FoHfRxss Mormon, March Q, p. m.--The Er.
lc.on Ion-clad gunboat Monitor arrived here
last night. Early this morning she was attaeIsS
oy the three vessels, the Merfimac, Jameetown
lnd fotktown. After ave hours contest thew
we're J ,s driven of-the Merrimac In sinking con.