Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-13

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(FrOm Correspondence of New York sxcbanges.)
FORTREss MONROE, March 9.
Atuoon, or thereabouts, the signal officers
on the lookouts at Fortress Monroe stimuli.
taneously deserted several rebel steamers
moving out from Norfolk by the Elizabeth
river. They were first discovered By the
black smoke curling out of their pipes
The approach of the rebel fieet was at once
communicated to Gen. Wool, the com.
mandant of the military department, and
subsequently to Captain Marston, the flag
officer of the station, then on board the
steam frigate Roanoke. The troops in the
fortress and at Camp Hamilton, few miles
distant, were Immediately called to arms;
the flagship of the Union fleet in port was
signalled to get the naval vessels under
weigh. In fifteen MINUTES after the s'lonE
rOll' was beaten the troops we're in line
aud the artillcrists on the fortress manned
the guns ready for action. The frigate
Minnesota, Captain Van Brunt, having
steam up when the signal for moving WAS
given, hoisted anchor promptlyllnd steam
ed in the direction of Newport News,
where an attack on the Union vessels there
by the rebels was anticipated, closely fol
lowed by the gunboat Whitehall. The
huauOhGS SudlL OTOhe0,
was unable to move by her own power
Owing to tho fact she was taker in tow by
the little gunbOats Dragon aud Young
America. By the time she was under way
she was preceded by the gunboats Rescue,
Ranger, Relief, Mystic and Rover. The
Mount Vernon wRs in port, but did not
move from her anchorage. lte
1t now being past ono o'clock, tho rebel
fleet by this time had followed the course
of the ship channel out from Norfolk, pro-
ceeding in a zigzag course for few miles,
and then running in u straight line paral-
lei with the rebel batteries at Sewalls
Point. Reaching the latter locality they
made turn in the channel, and steerel in
q direct line for Newport News. The in
tent was now apparent. AS the Merrimac
showed her huge dimensions, as she made
the turn described, she looked terrible
salIcy. She was closely followed by two
or three smaller vessels, but of sufficient
size and appearance to make them seem
prepared for mischief. The Merrimac and
her consort were closely followed by the
Union vessels. rEa3 tlfrE5
The Union fleet, consisting of the vessels
already named, after reachinga point Sc
veral miles from the fortress, struck the
same channel in which the rebel Zee had
already preceded them. When the rebel
fleet were within a mile or two from New
port News they opned fire on the United
States sailing frigat Congresse and Cum-
berland, which were blockading off that
point. The rebel vessels then ran up! their
colors-a black flag at the fore and the
rebel ensign at their peak. The Union
vessels, seeing the rebels approaching,
beat to quarters, and every gun was shot
ted for action, The rebel battery. Merri-
mac opened the engagement by directing
its attention to the frigate Cumberland.
AT this juncture, il being about hSlf-past
two O'Clock, two other rebel steamers
which subsequently, proved to be the
Patrick Henry and Yorktown, came steam
ing down the James river, from the direc-
ton of Richmond. They soon Joined the
feet from Norfolk, and both fleets became
hotly engaged, the air reverberating with
the boomingof cannon and the kissing and
bursting of shells. The Merrimac, from her
formidable armament, was more bold than
her cemPcers, VINO kept at a long range
distance. She first directed her attention
to the frigate Cumberland, which was
anchored about half mile from aud under
the Union water battery ut Newport News.
The Merrimac steamed boldly up to the
Cumberland until within an eighth of q
mile, when she turned her side to the Cum
UGIlhuub uNps .hGtAp1
guns, every shot taking effect. The Gum.
berland, meanwhile, was not idle, but
gave broadside for broadside with her an
tagonist several times. No percepu-
BILE impression was made,,On the Merri-
mac, the balls from the Cumberland
glaucing off as if they were India rubber.
The Union water battery at Newport
News, consisting of heavy columhiads, Rs-
sisted the CumbeEland against her formid-
able antagonist, but with no better result
than before mentioned. The MeZimac af.
ter a while approached within fifteen or
twenty yards of the Cumberland, and par.
alIel with her, and fired another broadside,
completely riddling the Cumberland, and
woundirg over fifty or sixty men. She
then backed off several hundred yards, and
pointed her bow for the Cumberland, and,
under full head of steam, ran directly into
the side of the Cumberland, driving the
immense ram, twelve. or fifteen feet long,
into the side OF the Cumberland, belowth
water mark, perforating the latter vessel
and crushing in Planks and 'timbers with
apparent ease. The Merrimsc then disen-
i gagged herself, backed off a sufficient dis-
/ lance, and then repeated similar opera
tiou, but in the waist of the Cumberland,
/. The shocks from the collisions were terri
1 bic. the moment1m such as to make The
topsail yards ot the Cumb berland touch the
water. ; The crew Of the Cumberland, OF
such as had not been put kors dt 7eoBa6qt
after having fought nearly two hours with
l the nrst determined bravery, seeing that
! the shin was disabled and sinking, sought