The New York herald., 1862-03-14
THE REBEL ACCOUNT OF the FIGHT.

(From the Norfolk Day Book Of the 10th yarch.l
THE JAMES RIVER BLOCKADE oPENED-Two YANKEE
FIRST CLASS FRIGATEs DEsTRoyED-THE HATED
CUMBERLAND sUNK-THE CONGRESS BURNED TO
THE WATERS EDGE-THE MINNESOTA AND ST.
LAWRENCE AGgouND--GREAT SUCCESS OF THE
CONFEDERATE IRON CLAD STEAMER VIRGINIA
LARGE NUMBER OF YANKEES SHOT AID DROWNED,
ETC., ETC.
Al quarter past eleven o'clock on saturday the iron
clad steamer Virginia east loose from nee moorings at
the Navy Yard and made her way lrwn 10 Hampton
Roads towards tho blocksdng feet lying on Newports
News She reached their nc hbo hood, after some de-
teLtion the distractions below at o'clock. Here
she fund the two rst class sailing lrgaes Cumberland
and Congress With determination 10 pay her respects
% the Cumberland st the Virginia bore down for that
vessel, and while passi: the Congress she gave her
broadsidc by way OF alute Her operations the Cum
time at ne ed y which The Cumberland sunk Just rher-
she had bcea fyiag.
The Virginia on approaching her and getting within
point blank fred her bow several times and
ran iuto her, striking her fairly with her ram, which
made her reel to and fro and sent her speedily TO the
bottom: but while going down. understand the after
gun of the Cumberland was discharged at tho Virginia.
with what injury we know not.
Tho object In first getting rid Of the Cumberland
probably 20 destroy the very heavy armament which
that rigatc carried, bcing The hedriea in the fankec
adry. The officers aud crew Of tho Cumberland made
their escape best they could many OF them being
tured by ginboats, Tho wounded on board Is be-
lievcd won't down with the vessel.
Tho Virginia ncx turned her attention 10 the Congress
which vessel IL said Taantly resisted her inevitable
fate for nearly hour, Out nally finding the ship
pidy sinking she hauled down her cocrs and made for
the boach where sho as high aground as posi-
bic. Ter officers aud were taken OF by our nboats
and while sho had her flag Of truce hosed ad was being
relieved o her killed and wounded ~ our boats the yam
KEGS on shore nj NewpOrts News disfegardng the nag
OF truce with Mimic muskcts fred into her and killed
several OF their own men and slightly wounded in tho
arm ar John Hopkins Of our pilots, attached TO the
Beaufort. 49,.
While the Virginia ongaged with the Congress with
her how n she poured brosdsdo aftor broaisdc into
the shore haitc ies cf tho enemy at Nowports News.
one discharge from the bow gun of the Virginia. says
ono of the prisoners colSi,ed jtco o e S Of the Con-
.ss t,sC siir,ef of her ami taking ~ The head Of
- IieH Ss,iih aRd btDdi'y tore N, shtp 10 peres.
The enemy seemed entirely unaware OF our intention
to attack incrn and, II s sad, completely ullci
INTO security that the Virginia had got dowh to Scwals
Point befure they took the alarm.
While tho cncas seinsnt going on between the
rriratrg md the Virginia lhe onomy's steam frgate Min
ncsna nut from Old Point 20 their assstancc. She
laid well over towards NoNpors Nows, but not entirely
out OF the range batteries on Sewas Point which
opened ON her. with what effect vo arc unable say
hut she raps TO them without any damage whatever
The MINI sofa sa rgrUund when within milo two OF
Nuvuort a News Point Thcrc she stuck unable get
off while the tuncdcrntn steamers Patrick Henry and
jamestown pcprefcd her with their batteries who the
virginia attending 10 the shore batteries ut New.
ports News.
Tac rrigtrc 81. awrenco then up 10 the assist
nucc of the Minnesota aud she also CU aground ana
rtaU, frgnlc supposed bo the Roanoke. put of fron
ud loint with The intention 10 is supposed, but
seeing lic sal lGyOc Whioh Tho Nrgi R was rla! ug
With q federal vosscs, sle put back t. Oid Point
The Minnesota and 81. Lawrence, W. learn, are ~ n
az olnd lnd iu the power cf TIC Viz uu 90 lsh tile,
as ttc Latter vessel at Eewa s FONT Htsr the en-