The New York herald., 1862-03-11

terribly saucy She closely followed by two or three
smaller vessels but OF sufficient size and appearance to
make them prepared for mischief The Merrmac and
her consors closely followed by the Union vessels
The Union feet consisting Of the vessels already named
after reaching point several miles from the fortress
struck the channel in which the rebel fleet had
already preceded them. When the rebel feet within
mile two from Newport's News they opened fire on
the United States sailing frgates Congress and Cumber
Land, which bockading of that point. The rebel
vessels then up their colorsa black flag at the
and the rebel ensign at their peak The Union vessels
seeing the rebels approaching beat oquarers every
gun was shotted for action Tho rebel battery Merrmac
opened the engagement by directing its attention to the
frigate Cumberland At this juncture, it being about
halfpast two O'clock two other rebel steamers, which
subsequently proved be the Patrick Henry and York
town, came steaminl James river, from the
urection OF Rich They soon joined the
heet from Norl -,, and both fleets became
hotly engaged the air reverberating with the booming
OF cannon and the Kissing and bursting Of shells The
Merrinac, from her formidable armament, was more
Dod han her compeers who kept long range distance
enc hrst directed her attention to the frgate Cumber
iahd which was anchored about half mile from and
under the Union water battery at Newports News. The
Merrimac steamed boldly up to the Cumberland until
within an eighth Of mile, when she turned her side to
the Cumberland, firing broadsde of five heavy guns,
every shot taking effect. The Cumberland, meanwhile,
was not idle. but gave broadside for broadsde with
her antagonist several times No perceptbe impression
was made on the Merrimac the balls from the Cumber
land glancing of as If they were India rubber The
Union water battery at Newport's News consisting Of
heavy coumbads assisted the Cumberland against her
formidable antagonist but with no better result than
before mentioned. Tho Merrmac after while ap-
w or tho
land, and parallel with her. and fred another broadsde,
completely ridding the Cumberland, and killing and
wounding over fifty sixty She then backed Off
several hundred yards, and pointed her bow for tho
Cumberland and, under full head of steam, directly
into the side OF the Cumberland, driving the immense
ram, twelve or fifteen feet long, into the side of the
Cumberland below the water mark, perforang the lat
ter vessel and crushing the planks and timbers with
apparent ease Tho Merrimac then disengaged herse,
backed off sufficient distance and then repeated sim
lar operation but in tho waist of the Cumberland The
shocks from the collisions TERRIBLE the
tum such as to make the topsail yards of
the Cumberland touch the wator. The crew Of the
Cumberland such had not beon put hors du combat,
after having fought nearly two hours with the most de-
termined bravery seeing that tho ship disabled
sinking, sought such means Of safety were q.
hand. The boats, such of them as wero not
themselves by swimming, those from the bwer deck
jumping out OF the portfolios. Tho Cumberland com
menced sinking after the Merrimac had collided
with her. and those OF the that did attempt
save themselves by the boats swimming took refuge
in the rigging after the hull had disappeared beneath
tho water. The steam propeller Whden which was at
the wharf at Ncwport's News at the time. immed-
atey despatched to rescue these men, by order Of Brga
dier General Mansfield Out Of two hundred and ninety
one men on board the Cumberland it is reported that
one half wero either kilek. drowned or wounded.
Tho Merrmac. after completing the destruction Of the
Cumberland turned her attention to the water battery
Shore throwing shell with great rapdity into the Union
camp. Some Of these missiles went mile over the
camp Ono shell exploded in the light artillery stables
back o the camp shvering them to atoms Fortunately
the horses were absent with their battery. The Merri
mac, in engaging tho water battery, posted herself
under the bluff and the guns Of tho battery
could not be sufficiently depressed to have any
effect the rebel battery After sheing the camp for
about half hour with little effect, and with no
considerable list Of wounded the Merrmac then pro
ceeded towards the frgate Congress-which was thon
engaging tho rebel gunboats Patrick Henry and York
town-which was anchored few hundred yards from
where the Cumberland The first shot fred by tho
rebel steamer at the Congress struck her in the stern
passing through the cabin killing Lieut. Joseph Smith,
tho executive officer Of the ship, and three sailors The
two vessels then became hoty engaged which continued
for thirty minutes when the Congress. being rddled
with solid shot and she'll, struck her colors,
and hoisted the white flag. The Morrimac then
turned her attention the other vessels of
gagng them all sridtn. After the Congress surrender
cd, rebel steamer, the Jamestown came alongside anu
took all the Union officers prisoners but allowed the
to go free, they having board for thom
The rigate Minnesota had early got shore at place
called the Horse Shoe BAR about two miles from New
ports News The Morrimac hoty engaged the Minnesota
after destroying the Cumberland and Congress- but
account Of the support given by other vessels Of tho
Union fleet, tho Merrimac gave her wide berth. The
fight continued with particular results except those
before mentioned, until long after dark.
AS the night approached the flashing of the guns and
bursting bombs terrific At O'Clock p. NJ the
rebel cet, with tho addition Of the Patrick Henry and
Yorktown, which had come down from Richmond. pro-
ceedcd Norfolk. During the day from the time the
naval battle commenced, Major General Wool made the
perfect preparations In land attack mad
by the rebels from the direction Of Yorktown. What
those preparations it would not be permissible
state The frigcte st. Lawrence, in tow OF tho gnboa
both Of which had just come in from
aftor the battle commenced, proceeded directly
for the scene Of action. She remained hotly
gagged until the fight ccased and returned
and anchored off the fortress at nine O'Clock p. NJ
Tho Roanoke which LETT her anchorage off the fortress
the time the Minnesota did got aground midway
Newports News and Fortress Monroe, ard did not
participate in the main engagement. All the Union
vessels their passage from Fortress Monroe to
Newpors News wont within range the rebel batteries
Sewalls Point Both sides opened fire with rapidly,
but no material damage was done either side but
the fact was disclosed that rebel masked battery
OF six guns the extreme portion of the point The
troops the Rip Raps, under the command of Major
Halliday, engaged this battery, using large rined
cannon, throwing the Sawyer proectie The rebel bat.
terry completely silenccd after spirited cannonade
both Sides The frgate Roanoke got afoa about
ten O'Clock P. and returned to her anchorage Off the
Rip Raps She received three shots from the rebel
terry, but doing no injury to the crow.
The Minnesota remained still aground after the engage
mont several tugs to her as
sstance Captain Grior Talmadgc the efficient Quarter
master at this post subsequently proceeded by special