Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-03-11
FORENOON DISPATCHES.
From Fort Monroe

roRI AOSho6y N1Ycn ..
The Merrimac was signalled this
morning moving down the chanueI from
Norfolk, in front Of ScwelI's point bat.
terry. Great excitement prevailed at
Fort Monroe at this news and the Cum.
bsrland, Congress, Minnesota, St. Law
renee and Roanoke exchanged signals Ct
danger. The Merrimac had nothing
above water, but her flag staff flying,
the Rebel flag and smoke stacks. She
moved slowly and steamed directly tor
the Cumberland and Congress-, lying at
the mouth OF the James river. The
Cumberland opened on her with heavy
guns, but the balls glanced off, having
no effect.
AT the same time the rebel iron clad
boats Yorktown and Jamestown came
down the James river aud engaged our
fIigates on the other side.
Our batteries at Newport News
opened On the gnn-boa,s to assist the
Cumberland and Congress, which being
sailing vessels, were at the mercy Of the
steamers.
They both ra'ned heavy broadsides
on the Merrimac, which was slowly ap.
preaching, but oil the effect visible was
to slightly check her progress.
She then ran against the Cumberland.
striking her about mid ships, literally
laying open her side. She then drew of
and fired into the disabled ship, and
again dashed against her with her IRON
clad prov and knocked In her side,
left her to sink, and started for the
Congress, laying off mile distant,
which was engaging the Yorktown and
Jamestown. She having no regular
crew aboard, and being only partly
manned by three companies of the bri-
gadc, seeing the helplessness Of contnu-
ing the fight, struck her colors. The
jamestown then took from her all her
officers IS prisoners, and her crew es-
capped in boats. The vessel was fired
by the rebels after this.
The Mcrrimac aud two gun boats
opened with shot and shell! on the New
port News battery. Some accounts say
the garrison have been compelled to re-
treat to the woods, others say the gun
boats were obliged to retreat.
The Minnesota did not yet have
steam up in time to aid the two frigates.
She was followed by the St. Lawrence,
and from necessity engaged the rebel
vessel at distance Of a mile. 1t was
the impression at the Point, that both
were considerably damaged, but these
statements were based on what could
be seen with glass 1t q distance Of 8
miles.
The Merrimac was also believed to
be aground when the boat lett. She Law
a mile distant from the Minnesota, max.
ing no attempt to molest her. After
the last gun was fired from the Mime
sofa persons declare that they saw dense
volumes Of vapor rise from the Merri-
mac, indicating IN explosion Of some
sort. 1t is not known if this is so, but
it is believed she was aground. l. was
the intention of the Union to run to
close quarters and avoid the iron prov
of the Merrimac and carry her by
boarding. To this the Merrimac did
not seem inclined. As the Baltimore
beat left she met the Ericsson
steamer Monitor going in.
LATER.
The Monitor arrived at one o'clock
last night, and Immediately went to the
protection of the Minnesota, aground
below Newport News. AT seven Q o'olock
to-day, the Merrimac. jamestown, Y ork
town and several tugs, went toward.
the Minnesota aud opened FIRE. The
Monitor met them and opened fire, when
the euemy's vessels retired, excepting
the Merrimac. These two iron clad
vessels then fought from eight o'cloch
till noon, part of the time touching
each other, when the Merrimac retreat.
ted. The Monitor was commanded by
Lieut.. Worden, and was handled with
great skill, assisted by Chief Engiuee,
Steiner. The Minnesota was some wha,
injured, but kept up continuous FIRE,
The Monitor 10 uninjured, and ready FOL
another attack.
Hsw Yoax, Nassh.s.
The zsibune's Fort Monroe special
statss that the frigate Cumbe,land had I
crew of 500 and nearly halt we're lost.
A negro vho SWAN ashore reports
| the loss about 100.
WAsuuosoS, MassA ..
Gen. Mcclellan received dispatch
ftom Gen. Wool, dated the 9th, cos.
1eniag the abeve, asd also statisg thsl