Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-03-11
From Fortress Monroe.
GREAT NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.
The Rebel Steamer Merimac sinks the
U. 5. Frigate Cumberland and
Burns The Frigaie
Congress.
Fortress Mnnroe. NIarnh 5

FORTRESS Monroe, March s.
The Merrimac was signalcd this morning
moving down the chanuei from Norf TX. in
front Of Sewel's poirt battery. All was
excitement about Fortress Monroe at this
news, and the Cumberland, Congress. Min
nesota. ST. Lawrence, snd Roanrke
exchanged signals of danger. The Merri-
mac bad nothing above water hut a flag
staff, fyiag the rebel flag, ana smvke
stack. She moved slowly, and steamed
directly for the Cum berland and Congress.
lying AT the mouth of james River. The
Cumberland opened on her with heavy
guns, but the balls glanced, having no ef,
feet. Atihe same time the rebel iron clad
buats Yorktown and James,on cana down
James River ard engaged our frirates on
the other side. Oar batteries at Newuoft
News opened on the gunblats 70 assist the
Cumberland and Congress, which. beine
sailing vessels, were at the mercy Of the
rebd steamers. They botl, rained heavy
bruadsides on the Merrimac, which was
slowly approaching, but all tho effect yisi
BILE was too slightly check her progress -
She then ran against the Cumberland
striking her about midships, literally laying
open her side. She then drew off and fred
into the disabled ship, and again dashed
against her with her iron clad PROV, and
knocking in her side, left her to sink, and
started for the Congress, laying Il quarter
OF mile distant, which was engaging the
1orstoyn and jamestown. She, having
no regular crew aboard, being only partly
manned by three companies of the Naval
Brigade, and seeing the hopelssness Of cons
tending, struck her {, l,rs The jamestown
then took iron her all her officers as pris>
| oners. The crew escaped in boats. The
vessel was fired by the rebels.
After the Merrimac aud the two gun
boats "nened with shot and shell on tie
Newport News batteries. Some accounts
say that the garrison were compelled 10
retreat to the woods. Others say that the
gunboats were obliged 70 retreat.
HE Minnesota did not get steam up in
time to aid the two rrigates, She was
| followed by the ST. Lawrence, ard. from
necessity, engaged the rebel vessels at the
distance of "A mile. 1t was the impression
at the Point that both were cCnsideraily
damaged, but these statements are based on
what could be seen with u glass at d dis
( lance of eight miles.
The Merrimac was also believed aground
/ When tho boat left. she lay mile distant
/ from the Minnesota, making no attemet to
modest her. After tie last gun was fired
/ from the Minnesota, persons declare that
That they saw dense volume of vapor rise
! from the Merrlmac, indicating an explosion
! Of some sort. 1t Is not known If this is so,
1 but 1t is believed that she was aground.
1t was the intention of tho Minnesota to
/ run INTO close quarters, avoid the iron PROV
/ OF the Merrimac and carry her bv boarding
/ This the Merrimac did not seem inclined Ia
/ give an opportunity lor
As the Baltimore boat left Old Point nj
8 o'clock, she met the Ericsson steamer
Monitor going in.
/ Washington, March 81 p. NJ.
by telegraph from Fortress Monroe We
have intelligence that the Ericsson arrived
last night. Early this morning she was
attacked by the Merrimac, jamestown and
Yorktown. After an hours contest, they
were beaten of-rhe Merrimac in sinking
condition. This is official.
! For ress Monroe. March 9.
The Monitor arrived at 10 o'clock last
night, aud immediately went to the pro-
/ lection Of the Minnesota, aground below
Newport News. At I O'Clock this morning
: the MerrImac, Yorktown, jamestown, and
several tugs went towards the Minnesota.
( and opened fire. The Monitor met them
and opened fire, when the enemy's vessels
/ retired, excepting the Merrimac. These
two iron clad vessels Sought from s o'clock
until noon, part of the time touching each
other. The Merrimac retreated. The
Monitor was commanded By Lieut. Wor-
den, and was handled with great skill. as
sisted hy Chief Engineer Steners.
. The Minnesota was somewhat Injured
but Kept 10 continuous fire. The Moni>
tor is uninjured and ready for another at
tack.
Washington, March 9.
Gen. Mcclellan received dIsratch from
Gen. Wool, dated this evening, confirming
the above also stating that tile Minnesota
had got off, and the Merrimac was driven
OF In sinking condition, lowed by the
jamestown. Yorktown, and other boats 20
wards Norfolk, probably TO get her in drv-
dock
a dispatch was also received by the Sec
rotary Of the Navy from Assistant Fox,
saying, IN addition to the above, that the
, Merrimac retreated, but it was impossible
to say whether injured or not.
Lieut.. Worden, commander of the Mon.
itor, was injured by cement FROM the pilot-
house being driven into his eve, but rroba.
bly, not seriously.
New York, March 9.
The TTiJune's Fortress Monroe snecial
states that the frigate Cumberland had n
crew of nearly 500, and nearly half were
lost. negro who swan ashore renorts