Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-03-18

this moment, the larger Of tue. three, which pre-
sents the singular appearance of floating house
submerged to the eayes, is seen underway, head,
ing directly for u.s. The officers are ordered
Immediately to their stations Lieutenant Green
to command the gunners; Chief Engineer Sti-
mers to control the movements of the turrei
during the action, and to witness the behavior oil
the Monitor, which is TO form part OF his report
to the Government. Just as we are approaching
the turret hatch 10 retire below, the Merrimac
opened the action with shot that struck the
water between the Minnesota and Monitor, and
glanced far astern. Capt. Worden Immediately
took his position in the pilot house, where, ably
seconded by MIR. Howard, from one Of the U. 5.
steamers who volunteered as Pilot, assisted by
Quartermaster Williams, he directed the move
ments Of the Monitor and gave his orders during
the entire action An hands, officers aud crew,
are now at stations waiting in breathless sus-
pense for further orders. Capt. W. placed the
Monitor in position, forwarded the bearing of
the Merrimac to Lieut., Green in the turret, and
gave the order to fire. The port apron swings
aside, the gunners, too, spring to the gun ropes,
u creaking OF pulles for a moment, and then a
laundering report broke the death like stiffness
that reigned along the dusty ranks of powder
passeTs on the magazine deck; the Monitor has
made her maiden speech. From this time the
MetrmaG, coming down to attack the Minnesota,
turned her guns on the Monitor, and we were
the recipients other compliments lheaoeforth-
She gave us few more shots, and then, as if
fren1ed at her failure to demolish us, ran head
on AT full till, as in her action with the Cumber-
land but in this instance with far different
result Capt. w. judged that, falling to run MS
down, her intention was to board US, but, II 90,
she changed her programme, probably not
pleased with tho expression Of the grim eye Of
our coumhad, which at this moment. at hint
from Lieut. Green, shot her iron glance (weight,
l1O lbs directly through the hlerrimae' b hnl At
" lttl line.
Now comes tho order from Captain W. To the
Lieutenant, Reserve your fire; will lay you
alongside the Nlerrimac then aim deliberately,
and do not lose n shot" In few minutea This
movement accomplished, and then from both
comhatants the firing was very rapidly executed
for some time until Merrimac, not liking her
position, retreated to longer range 10 Mr.
Green's occasional inquiry as to the effect Of our
shOts Captain W0rden answered in cool delhi
crate manner, that excited the admiration and
enthusiasm Of all within hearing AZ one time
while the vessels were lying side by side, Mr.
Green accurately trained his gun on the Alerri-
mac's water line, and after delivering the ahot
inquired of Captain WOrden the effect The
answcr came loud and clear, "splendd, sir;
you made the iron fly NOu cannot do better
but fire as rapidly M you can" The Nlerrimae
retreaed still further in the direction ni Sewall :
Point. Captain W., Judging the range too great
for effective firing. directed the Lieutenant to
wait for his order before giving her another shot
few minutes passed, and the order came it
was scarcely executed when percussion she'll
struck the corner Of the pilot house, and, ex-
plodng, injured the Captains eye.
A few seconds and another exploded in the
same neighborhood, and adding TO the previous
injury rendered for time our noble Commander
completely blind this occurred at twelve NJ,
and was, believe, the last shot the Merrimac
fired in the engagement.
The command now deyolved on Lieutenant
Green, who took the Captains position in the
pilot-house, and directed the closing movements
of the action. The Merrimac, proud and def
ant in the beginning of the action, now present
ed an entirely different spectacle She had no
doubt received a vital injury, and it is the opin-
ion of the fleet, that were anxious spectators of
the engagement that she retired in sinking
condition, The Monitor would have vigorously
followed up her overwhelming advantage, but
her orders were to act entirely on the defensive,
and not by any means to leave the immediate
vicinity of the fleet in the Roads. This imper-
feet sketch must suffice for the present writer ;
the story will be better told by those whose
privilege it was to witness the iron monster
foiled and driven back to his lair. D. O. j.