The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-03-11

BY TELEGRAPH.
Afternoon Report.
Great Naval Battle.

Fort Monroe, Mafcn o.
The Merrimac was signalled this morn
ing moving down the channel, from Nor
folk, in front Of SewalPs Point battery.
All was excitement about Fl. Monroe at
this news, and the Cumberland, Congress,
Minnesota, St. Lawrence and Roanoke ex-
changed signals of danger. The Merri-
mac had nothing above water but flag
staff, flying the rebel flag, and smokcstack.
She moved slowly, steadily and directly
for the Cumberland and Congress, lying
at the mouth of James River. The Cum
berland opened on her with heavy guns
but the balls glanced, having no effect
At the same time the rebel iron clad boats
Yorktown and jamestown came down
james River. and engaged our frigates on
the other side. Our battery at Newpor.
News opened on the gunboats to assist the
Cumberland aud Congress, which being
sailing vessels we're At the mercy Of the
rebel steamers They both rallied heavy
broadsides on the Merrimac, which was
stifly approaching. but all the effect visi-
BILE was to slightly check her progress
She then ran against the Cumberland
striking her about midship, literally lay
ing open her side. She then drew OF
and fred into the disabled ship and again
dashed against her with her iron PROV and
knocking in her side left her to sink, and
started for the Congress quarter of a
mite distant, which was engaging the
Yorktown and jamestown. She having
no regular crew abord, being only partly
manned by three companies of the naval
brigade and seeing the HOPELESS condition,
struck her colors. The jamestown then
took from her all her officers as prisoners.
The crew escaped in boats. The vessel
was fred by the rebels. After this, the
Merrimac and two gunboats opened with
shot and shell on Newport News batteries.
Some accounts say that the garrison was
compelled to retreat to the woods. 9th
ers say the gunboats were obliged to re-
treat. The Minnesota did not get steam
up in time to aid the two frigates. She
was followed by the St. Lawrence and
from necessity engaged the rebel vessels
at distance Of mile. l. was the i'm
preston at the Point that both were con-
siderably damaged, but these statements
were based on what could be seen with a
glass at the distance Of eight miles. The
Merrimac was also believed aground
When the boat left she lay mile distan,
from the Minnesota. making no attempt
to modest her. After the last gun was
fred from the Minnesota persons declared
they saw dense volume of sapor rise
from the Merrimac, indicating an explo
sion Of some sort. It is not known II thi,
| is so, but it is believed she was aground
1t was the intention Of the Minncsota. Il
run into close quarters, avoid the iror
prov Of the Merrimac, and carry her BY
boarding. This the Merrimac did no
seem inclined to give an opportunity Il
do. As the Baltimore boat left Old Poin
at o'clock, she met the Erricson ant
Monitor going in.
Of6cial-Washington, March 9, I p. m.
by telegraph FROM Fortress Monroe.-Th
Erricson arrived last night. Early thi
morning she was attacked by the Merri
mac, jamestown and Yorktown, and III
ter an hours contest they were beate
off. The Merrimac is in q sinking con
dition. This is official
/ The Stars and Stripes wave on Cockpi
Point. About g o'clock to-day the rebel
! tcgan burning their tents and other prop
erty difficult Of removal, and afso barne
the steamer Page and all other crafts
the creek. Our gunboats opened FIRE 0
the battery at 3 and II landed and toe
possession.
L 4
CORPS D,Armee.