The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-03-20
The Naval Bnttic-OficiaI Report OF Lieut.
Pendergast.

w y,
THE official report of Lieut.. Pcudergast, of The
Congress, addressed TO Commander Marslon has
been forwarded to the Navy Department. Lieut.
Pendcrgast stat that owing to the death of the late
commanding officer, JAS. b. Smith, ii brcOmhs his
painful duty t. make Il report TO Won OF the part
which the Q. 5. Iigac Congress took in the efforts
of our vessels at Newport News to rcpc the attack
of the rebel ilotlu ON the Sh inst. The report
says that when the Mcrriniac, with three gunbuas,
were seen stcamrG down from Norfolk, aal had
the ship was cleared Tor action.
At ten mi' uus past two the Mcrrimac opened
with her bow gun with grape, passing us on the
starboard sid at distance of about 300 wards, re
c.iv,ng our brnadsilc and giving one IN return.
After passing the Congress She ran into and sunk
the Cumberland. The smaller vessel th IN attack
ed us, killing @nl wonnlinS many of our crew.
Seeing the fate of the Cumberland we set the iib
AMI topsal, AMI with the assistance Of the gunhuat
IOuavc ran the vessel ashore.
At halt-pas two the Murrinac took position
astcrn of us, 1T distance of about 100 yards and
rakcd fore and aft with shells, while one of the
smaller steamers kept up fire on our atarbDlrl
quarter. In the meantime the Patrick Henry and
the Thomas Jefferson, rebel steamers, approached
from up the James River, firing with precision, and
doing us Prelt dumagc. Our two stern guns We're
our only means Of defense. These were soon dis.
ablcd - one hcng dismountcd, and the other had
its muzZle Knocked away. The men were knocked
away from them with great rdpidity and slaughter
by the terrible fire of the enemy.
Lieut., Icnu'rEaSt HrSt learned Ol the death O
Lieut.. Smith at half past 4. The death happened
10 minutes previous.
Seeing that our men were being killed without
the prospect Of any relief from the Minnesota
which vessel had run ashore in attempting to ge
up to us from Hampton Roads, rot being abl, tc
get single gun to bear upon the enemy, and tn,
ship being fire in several places. upon consulta
ton with Commander VIM. Smith, we deemed i
proper to haul down our coors without any turthe
| loss of life ON our part. We were soon boarded by
an officer of the M5rrimHc, who said he would tax,
charge of the ship. IL LETT shortly aftarwarA, an,
! a small tow came alongside, whose Captain lie
manded that we should surrender and get out o
the ship. a lac intended TO burn her Immediately
/ A sharp fire with muskotry and artillery main
tanned from our troops ashore upon the tug, having
4 the effect of driving her of. l..I..
4 The Merrinac again opened upon us, although
/ we had flag apeak IN show that we were ont o
action. After having fred several shells into us
/ she left us and engaged the Minnesota and shcr
/ batteries, after which Lieut. Pcndcrgas states th
wounded were taken ashore in small boats, the shil
! having been on fire from the beginning Of tic ac
/ tion, from the hot shot fired by the Nerrimac IL
reports the death of the following officers: Lieut.
james li. Smith, acting master, Thomas Moore am
I VIM. Rhodes.