Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-03-11
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IPariicnIarl Sf 5Es EHE EhGsi1ent q
Newport Newss
FoRTREss MoNRoE, March 9.-The long !ex
pected Confederate steamer Mefrifnae made he
appearances and Yesterday afternoon, with th
assistance OF two gunboats which came ou
with her from Norfolk, made an attack upo
Newport News and the naval vessels stationed
at that plaoeauaftgH rtligr asa ~ tSt-
The Merrimac was first seen from the ram
parts Of Fortress Monroe on her way to New
port News, at about quarter before one
o'clock Two rebel gupboats followed her
They all carried srebel flag al the stern,D and
had French flag at the masthead. The Mer.
rimac had flag at her bow (which was de-
scribed by'some as q Commodore's blue flag,
and by othersas a black Asg. The sides, bows
and atern Of the Merrimac were covered with
sloping iron plates, extending about two feet
below the wator line, and meeting above like
the roof Of a house. On her bows on the wa
ter line are two sharp iron points, resembling
ploWs, about six or seven feet apart. The
number Of guns 10 stated at twelve, but she
might not have had so many AT her bows
were seen two guns, projecting from long, el-
llptical port-holes. ',1 ~ 4He 1go
The design Of the enemy did not become ap-
parent till between one and two, and by that
time the Minnesota had got under way TO the
scene of action. Tho Roanoke, the flagship,
being disabled BY the breaking Of her ehaft
come time since, was taken in tow by two gun
boats About tho same time the alarm gun
was fred at Fortress Monroe,and the whole gar
rison promptly turned out. The rebel boats
steadily pursued their way to Newport News,
and The Merrimac soon turned the Point, and
was lost to view from the Fortress. The first
shot was fired from the ffigate Cumberland, OF
q little past two o'clock The SewalPs Point
battery then opened on the M nnesota, which
Was passing, and the Sawyer gun from the Rip
Raps replied with few shots at Sewall's Point.
A thick smoke was soon seen TO rise above
Newport News Point, indicating that the bat
terry there, as well as the Cumbellsn and Com
gress, were engaged.
The details of tho action could not be seen
from the Fort, but Telegraph dispatch was
received announcing that the Cumberland and
Mefrimac were In close quarters. After firing
two guns at the Cumberland, the MeIrmRe
struck her sharp bows, making hole in her at
her water line seven feet in extent. The Cum
berland commenced sinking, when the Merri
mac, backing o short distance, ran into her a
second time, making another terrible hole in
her, causing the water to run in at a furious
rate. The Cumberland continued firing till
the water entered her port holesJ when che ca
reened over slowly, and finally sunk. zt..5.V
About three O'Clock the Newport News bat
terry and the Cumberland fred continuously
upon the Merrimac, but no apparent effect was
produced upon her. The Minnesota got aground
on the way up, and could afford but little assist
ance. sI -H -" l
Shortly before O'Clock the yorktown and
jamestown arrived from up the James River
The former was disabled early in the afternoon,
and put to shore for repairs.
After sinking the Cumberland, the Merri- |
mac turned her attention to the Congress, and
In less than an hour afterward a white flag was
hoisted on the Congress. A rebel gunboat i'm
mediatey went alongside, aud took officers and
marines prisoners. The seamen were allowed
to escape to the shore. t,.
The frigate St. Lawrence arrived here during |
the afternoon, and, without dropping her On
chor, proceeded up the river and followed the
example Of the Minnesota and Roanoke, in fir
ing on the battery at SeWel's Point; but, like
the rest, her shot fell short. The gunboat Mys-
tic was also tOged up in the afternoon, bat at
sundoWn the Roanoke, St. Lawrence and Mys- |
tic all returned.
After four o'clock the Merrimac continued |
to throw shells into the camp at Newport News,
while the jamestown and other rebel gunboRts |
firing on the Minnesota. The lat |
ter replied as vigorously as possible, and the
conflict was continued without any apparent ef-
feet until dark.
During the evening the Congress was set on
fire. At midnight she was blown up, making q
terrible explosion.
During the evening the Monitor arrived, and
at once proceeded to take part in the action.
During the night only au occasional gun was
fred.
Reinforcements of men and ammunition were
sent to Newport News early in the afternoon
But little serious damage was done, and noone
was killed. Hr
This morning the conflict vas renewed. Un.
I'll the presence of the Monitor was known to |
the Merrimsc, the latter was engaged with che
Minnesota, and but for the fortunate arrival of |
the Monitor, the Minnesota might have been
lost.
The Monitor and Merrlmac engaged each
other for two or three hours, at long and short
range, without percepsible effect upon either.
They went alongside of each other once or
twice, and seemed almost to run each other
down; but they soon appeared again to renew |
tho action.
The Ericsson battery finally succeeded in fore |
ing a long hole in the port side of the Merr- |
mac, and sbe retired with the whole rebel feet
to Norfolk. ..'.
At about one O'Clock the United States gun
boat Oregon was struck by the Merrimsc in her
boiler, and was blown up this morning The
United States guuboat zOuave was also serious
ly damaged, and was obliged to return.
The principal loss Of life was on board the
where it is thought as many as one
hundred and fifty men must have been killed
and drowned. Bat six lives were lost on board
the Minnesota, according to the report Of one Of
her officers.
A rebel guDbost was cut in two yesterday by |
the Cumberland.
The Merimac is understood to have been
under command of Com, Buchanan, late Of the |
navy yard.