Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-12-18
ERON-CLAD VESs RLs-THE FIGHT
EN HAmP TON ROADS.

IRON-GLAD VEss RLs-TME FIGHT
EN HAmP Ton ROADS.
We copy below from Gideon Welles' late re-
port to the Yankee Congress, that portion refer
ing to the engagement in Hampton Roads be-
tween the MeTrimae and the Yankee fset. It
will be seen that with his characteristic unfair
ness, the Connecticut Blue Light omits to men
ten the duplcity and treschery with which the
officers OF the Congress acted in firing upon our
vessels aud small boats after they had hoisted
the white flag, and also in refusing to return,
after Com. Buchanan had magnanimously
allowed item to 60 to the disabled vessel for the
purpose of aiding the Yankee wounded and
dying. But meanness is of such common oc-
cuuence with the enemy that we have long
since ceased to be surprised at anything of the
kind: Welles' repOr. says:
The attention Of this department was turned
to the subject Of iron-elad vessels Immediately
after the commencement Of hostiliEes, aud the
adoption of measures for the enlargement of the
navy. 1t was 4 subject full of difficulty and
doubt. Experiments upon large scale of ex-
pense both in England and France, if not re-
sVlting in absolute failure, had achieved but
limited and questionable success. Yet it was
evident that a new and material element in
maritime warfare was developing Itself, and de-
manded immediate attention. In this view, 1
recommended to Congress, at its extra session
on the 4th of July, 1861 the whole subje Ct and
asked authority to organize commission for
investigation.
Thirty days after this action on my part, Con-
gress conferred the authority requested, and ap-
propriated fifteen hundred THOUSAND dollars for
the construction Of one or more irOn-clsd yes
sells, upon such models as should receive the
approval Of the department. On the day after
the law had been approved the commission was
constituted, and the department advertised fer
proposals. Otthe various plans and propositions
submitted, three vessels of different models were
| recommended by the board, which received the
approval OF the department. Contracts were
! forthwith made for constructing the Monitor,
| the GalsRs, and the Ironsides. All of these
vessels are now in the service 1t was the in
tention and constant effjrt of the department
and the contractors that the MoRitor should be
| completed in the month of January, but there
was delay in consequence of the difficulties in
cident to sn undertaking Of such novelty and
magnitude aud there were also some slight de-
| fects which were, however, promptly remedied
and she left New York early in March, reaching
| Hampton Roads on the night of the 8.h.
Her arrival, though not as soon as anticipated,
was most opportune and important. For ssms
time the department has heard with great So
Hcitude Of the progress which the insurgents had
made in srmoTing and equipping the large war
steamer Msrrimsc, which had fallen into their
hands when Norfolk was abandoned Ga the
| afternoon Of the 9th Of March this formidable
/ vessel, heavily armorsd, and fully prepared to
| opersts both as ram and q war steamer, came
/ down the Elizabeth river, accompanied by sew
| eral smaller steamers, two of them partially ar
/ mored, to attack the vessels Of the blocksdmg
/ SQUADRON that were in and about Hampton
| Roads When the Merrimss and her attendants
made their appearance, the Congress and Cum
berland, two sailing vessels, were anchored Of
| Newport News, the remaining vessels were il
the vicinity of Fortress Monroe, some siK miles
distant. The Minnesota, the Roanoke, and the
! St. Lswrance got Immediately under way and
! proceeded sowards the scene Of action.
The Congress being nearest to the Meyrimsc
wss the first TO rees We her FIRE, which wa,
promptly replied to by full brosdside, tie shots
falling apparently harmlessly, of from the ar
mored sid S Of the aSssilant. Passing by th'
Congress, the Merrimac dashed upon ths Cam
/ berland and was received by her with heavy
well DIRECTED and vigorous fire, which, like thai
of the Congress, produced, unfortunately, bu
lst,le effect. A contest SO unequal could not D.
of long continuance, and it was closed wheI
the Merrimsc, avsilng herself Of her power a
q steam ram, ran furiously against the Cumber
land laying open her wooden hull ard causin.
her almost Immediately to sink.
AS her guns approached the waters edge, he
vousg commander, Lisutenant Morris, and to
gallant crew, stood firm at their posts, deiivere'
a parting FIRE, and the good ship won't down he
roically, with her colors flying. Having thu
destroyed the Cumberland, the Mslrimsc tuTne,
again upon the Congress, which had, in tn
mean time, been engaged with the smaller rebe
steamers, and, after heavy loss, in order t
guard aesinst such fate as that which had be
fallen the Cumberland, had been ran aground
The MerTimac now selected a Taking positio
sstern of the Congress, while one of the smalle
steamers poured in a constant fire on her stal
board quarter Two other steamers of the eE
, emy also approached from James river, friS
upon the unfortunate frigate with precision an
I severe effect.
The guns of the Congress were almost entire
ly disabled, and her gallant commanding Officer
Lieutenant Joseph r. Smith, had fallen at hi
post Her decks were strewn with the dead an
q diving the ship was on fire in several place.
9 and not gun could be broughtt To bear upon th
f assailsnts In this state Of things, and with I
g efsctaal relief a. hand the senior surviving of
0 Ger, Lieutenant Pendergrast, felt it his duty
L save further useless destruction of life by hau
b ing down his colOrs. This was done about foV
o o'clock, P. NJ The Congress continued TO bUl
If till about eight O'Clock in the evening, and thG
S blew up.
r From the Congress the Merfiinse turned b
attention 10 the remaining vessels Of the squs
J. ron. The Roanoke had grouaied on her w'