The New York herald., 1862-03-10
THE DETAILS.
FoR1RRss NoSnos, March 8, ]

FoR1REss NosaoR. March 8, 1852.
M dulnsss Of Old Point startled to-day by the an.
nsosment that suspicious looking vessel supposed TO
- The Merrmac. looking like submerged house. with
- roof only above water moving down from Nor.
Ten BY the channel in front Of the sswas Point bate
~. Signal guns also fred by the Cumberland and
Congress 70 notify the Minnesota st. Lawrence and Roam
80 sf the approaching danger and all WAS excitement in
md about Fortress Monroe,
There nothing protruding above tho water but o
nasstaG flying the rebel nag, and short smokssack
~ moved along slowly and turned into the channel
jsading 70 Newport News and steamed direct for the
isAtss Cumberland and Congress- whsh were lying at
~ mouth Of james river.
~ soon - she came within range Of the
Cumberland the latter opened her with
~ heavy guns; but the balls struck and
0ianesd Cd. having more eject than peas from pop
gum Hsr ports were all closed, and she moved on In
onaes, but with full head Of steam. In the meantime
- Ne Asrrimae approaching the two frgates
Dide, the rebel sn-csd steamers Yorktown and James
oown down James river and engaged frigates
the other sids The batteries at Newpors News also
opened on the Yorktown and jamestown, nd did all In
lhsr power 10 assist the Cumberland Congress- which,
Being sailing vessels, were II the mercy Of the ap-
proashing steamers. Tho Msrrmas In the meantime
ksps steadily her course and slowly approached the
Cumberland, when she and the Congress- at distance Of
~ hundred yards ra,nsd full broadsidss the iroa
sad monster that took effect, glanong upwards and
oyns on having only the eject Of checking hsr progress
eog . moment.
After receiving the nrst broadsids OF the two
fsatee shs ran on TO he Cumberland, striking her
sbox midsAips, and literally laying open Av side,
Gs Nsx dre~ of and fired a broads;ds into tAs
6isaessd sAip, and again dashed against her ,cin
AW irsw sad proW, a~d knocking IN her side,
ecN M 10 sink, sSAds ~ engaged As Cbrcrsu.
ssAicA laid about a quarter g NILE disams Tho Con.
Usss had In the meantime kept up sharp engagement
With the Yorktown and Jamestown and having no reeu
As board Of her. seeing the hopesssness Of rs
Dting the roncad steamer, 81 once struck her colors
Her crew had been discharged several days since,
and three companies of the Naval Brigade had
been put board temporarily until she could be re-
issvsd by the s. lawrence which 70 have gone up
n Monday 70 take her position 40 one Of the
vessels Of the James river.
On the Congress striking her eolors the jamestown
approached and took from board Of her oil her officers
sprisoner but allowed The crew 70 escape In boats
me vessel being thus cleared. was fred by the rebels
when the Msrrimac and her two ironclad companions
sDencd with shell and shot the Nswpors News BATE
siss- The firing was briskiy returned.
various reports have been received, principally from
frightened sutlers clerks Some OF them represent that
ehs garrison had been compelled TO retreat from the bat
oerss 70 the woods. Another was that the two smaer
rebel steamers had been compelled TO retreat from THAR
guns.
ln shs mean time hs steam rigats Minnesota bsvins