The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-03-14
" AR n B VI :.
A Severe Naval Engagement.


The steamer Adelaide Captain Cannon, ar
rived at half-past nine o'clock yesterday morn
ing, from Old Point, having left the latter place
at eight o'clock on Saturday night. She brought
the important intelligence Of an engagement be-
tween several United States and Confederate
vessels in hampton Roads, between the mouth
of james river and Sewalrs Point The news,
soon after the arrival Of the Adelaide yester-
day morning, created quite sensation, and an
endless variety of exaggerated reports were put
in circulation.
1t appeared, after careful inquiry, that pas
scngers who came up III the Adelaide, and SEEM
ed to be intelligent, stated that the Confederate
steamer Merrimac came out at one o'clock on
Saturday afternoon, while the Federal frigatcs
Congress and Cumberland were lying off New
port Newspoint. She headed for the Congress,
which opened broadside on her without any
perceptible effect. She passed the Congress
when the Cumberland opened a broadside on
her, but that likewise had no injurious effect,
and in a few minutes more the SIerrimac struck
the Cumberland amidsIip, and so crushed in
her side that she sunk in few minutes.
1t was reported that one hundred and fifty
of those on board were known to have been
saved, but how many were lost was not known.
The MerTimac next turned her attention to the
Congress, which had not ceased to fire ON her,
and after a short engagement captured her and
all on board. The officers and crew of the
Congress were sent to Pigs Point and the Con
gress was Immediately manned by Confederates.
The frigatc St. Lawrence was engaged by
the Confederate steamers jamestown and Pat
rick Henry and is said to have been disabled
and run ashore in sinking condition.
The steam frigate Minnesota left Old Point
to join in the engagement, when the Confeder-
ates turned the guns of the Congress against
her, but she grounded, aud was still aground
when the Adelaide left Old Point. The Con-
eress, after her capture, was found to be in
sinking condition, and her captors fred and
burned her.
The steam frigate Roanoke also started to
take part IN the engagement, but the battery at
SewalPs Point opened against her and so dis
abled her that she was obliged toput back un-
der canvas. Several smaller gunboats also
started towards the scene OF action from Old
Point, but withdrew. Capt Buchanan. for
merly Of the United States navy, and a native
of Maryland, was in the command of the Con-
iederate feet. 1t was said by persons who came
up in the Adelaide that the conflict was to have
been renewed yesterday morning.
The Congress and St. Lawrence were first
class sailing frgates, each carrying fifty guns.
The Cumberland was a first-class sloop-of-war,
carrying twenty-five guns, and the Minnesota
and Roanoke are first class steam frigates. each
carrying forty guns, besides which the Mime
sofa carries two heavy pivot guns The whole
engagement was of but few hours duration.
We have a list of the names of the officers
attached several months ago TO the U. S. yes
sells which participated in the engagement, but
since it was made out so many changes have
taken place that we omit it until we are able to
give it in a more correct form.
The Congress, which carries so guns, is of
1867 tonnage, and was built at Kittery, Me-,
in 1871.
The Cumberland carries "a guns; was built
At Charlestown, Mass, in 1912. She is of
|, 1926 tonnage.
The St. Lawrence was built at Gosport, Va,
in 1917. She carries so guns, is of /, 1926 tom
mage. She is commanded by Capt Hngh Y
Purvance, of Baltimore, and some time since
engaged and sunk the Confederate privateer Sa-
vannah, off Charleston harbor. She was engag-
ed for about six months in blockading Southern
ports, but returned to New York on the 9Th ult,
for temporary repairs.
The Roanoke was also built at Gosport in
1855. She is OF 400 tonnage.