The New York herald., 1862-03-11
Outside Appearance Of the
Monitor and Merrimac.
All Honor to Ericsson, Worden
and Stin ers.
SKETCHES OF THEIR SERVICES,
&C., &c, &c.
THE DETAILS OF THE AFFAIR.
What Our Own Correspondent Saw OF
the Terrible Navel ConAict.
OUR FORTRESS MONROE CORRESPONDENCE.

what Our Own Correspondent Saw OF
the Terrible Navel Conhict.
OUR FORTRESS MONROE CORRESPONDENCE.
FORTRESS MONROE, March o, 1862
The peace and tranquility which ordinarily reign at
this point have been broken in the twenty four hours
ending at twelve O'Clock to-day by the terrific naval
engagements both yesterday and to-day. The famous
rebel iron battery, the Morrnac, about which so much
speculation, pro and has been aaoat has last
revealed herself and has left indoble marks OF her
superiority vessel, by the summary manner in
which she attacked and destroyed two of the
finest sailing vessels in the American many
materially injuring several Others and killing and
woundng many gallant fighting in defence of their
flag
In the excitement and hustle here, commencing on
Saturday and ending to-day 1t was impossible to glean
any accurate details OF the two naval engagements Of
yesterday and to day and it will be days yet
fore full particulars of the life and property can be
fully ascertained.
The rebel ron-clad Merrimac, about which
30 much has becn written, and by many thought
to bo failure machine has proved
not only Success but of tho formidable naval
engines OF destruction the events OF the twenty
-four hours have shown.
The advent OF the Merrimac on her hostile mission
although unknown to the outside world not uncx
pected 10 those in authority here About week ago
Major General Wool received authoritative information
that the Merrmac ahoat and nearly ready
for service and that she might bo expected at
any moment among the largo Union fleet OH Fortress
Monroe. General Wool, with that promptitude
which has heretofore characterized his ocia duties at
once despatched OF his aids MAJOR W. F. Jones' to
ahe temporary terminus of the army telegraph at
Earlvie, thirty miles distant from here, across the
Chesapeake Bay From there telegraphic despatch
ent to Secretary OF War Stanton giving the information
regarding the anticipated advent of the rebel bat.
terry Merrmac, and urging tho department to
hasten forward all available aid to repel any depre.
dations that 1t might attempt. Secretary Stanton hid
an immediate with the Secretary of the Navy
and Ericsson battery, the Monitor, and the rgae
st. Lawrence despatched forthwith from this port
60 Hampton Roads to cooperate with the other naval
vessels at that point.
AS no further notice is seemingly necessary, will
briefly state facts they under my and others
OBJ servation.
Yesterday the 9Th inst, the day broke fair
and clear, the morning parados and drill in
the fortress and adjacent camps wore gone
shrough with In their usual manner. The day was
clear and warm, tho water in Hampton Roads quite
smooth and thing appeared usual quito unnoto
worthy.
At noon, thereabouts tho signal officers the look
outs at Fortress Monroe simultaneously deserted several
rebel steamers moving from Norfolk by the Elizabeth
river They were first discovered by the black smoke
ourng out Of their pipos. The approach Of
the rebel feet at communicated to
General Wool, the commandant OF tho military
departmcnt and subsequently to Captain Marston,
tbe Flag officer Of the station then board the steam
frieato Roanoke. The troops in the fortress and
Camp Hamilton, few miles distant, were Immediately
caed TO arms; the flagship Of the Union fleet In port
WAS sippaled to get the naval vessels under weigh. In
aeen minutes after the ong rol was beaten the troops
WARE In line ad the arerists the fortress manned
The guns ready for action The frgae Minnesota, Cap
tain Van Brunt, having steam up when the signal for
moving was given, hoised anchor promptly and
steamed in the direction Of Newports News, where
attack ON the Union vessels there by the rebels was
ticpated, closely followed by the gunboat Whitehall
The flagship Roanoke, having her shaft broken, was un
able TO move by her power Owing to this fact sh,
was taken in tow by the little gunboats Dragon anC
Young America BY the time she under way sh
was preceded by the gunboats Rescue, Ranger, Relief
Mystic and Rover The Mount Vernon was in port, bu
did not move from her anchorage.
1t now being past o'clock, the rebel feet by thi
time had followed the OF the ship channe
out from Norfolk, proceeding in n zigzag for
few miles, and then running in straight limo parable
with tho rebel batteries sewalls Point Reaching tn
latter locality they made turn in the channel, an
stesred in direct line for Newports News The inten
Sss now apparsnt A the hsrrmac showed her hug