Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-03-14

SemOllng plOwS, about b or feet apart. The
lumber Of guns Is stated at -, but she might
not have had so many. At her bows were
seen two guns projecting from large eliptical
portfolios.
The design of the enemy did not become
apparent until between and Q o'clock. By
that time the Minnesota had got under way
to the scene Of action. The Roanoke, the
flag ship, being disabled by the breaking Of
her shaft. come time since, was taken in tow
by two gun -boats.
About the same time, the alarm gun was
fired at TT. Monroe, and the whole garrison
promptly turned out The rebel boats steadi-
" pursued their way to Newport News, and
the Merrimac soon turned the point and was
lost to view from the Fortress
The first shot was fred from the frigate
Cumberland, at a little past 2 o'clock. The
Sewalps Point battery then opened on the
Minnesota, which was passing, and the Saw
yer gun, from the Rip Raps, replied with a
few shots.
At SewalPs Point thick smoke was OBJ
served to rise above Newport News point,
indicating that the battery there as we'll as
the Cumberland and Congress, were engaged.
The details Of the action could not be seen
from the Fort, but telegraph dispatch was
received announcing that the Cumberland and
Merrimac were in close quarters After firing
two guns at the Cumberland, the Merrimac
struck her with her sharp bows, making a
hole in her, at the water line, 7 feet in extent
The Cumberland commenced sinking, when
the Merrimac, backing short distance, ran
into her a second time, making another terri
BILE hole in her, and causing the water to rush
in at q furious rate. The Cumberland con-
tinued firing till the water entered her port
holes, when she careered over slowly and
final y sank about o'clock.
The Newport News ba terry and the guns
of the Cumberland fired continuously upon
the Merrlmac, but no apparent effect was
produced upon her. The Minnesota got
aground on the way up and could afford but
little assistance.
jamestown arrived from up the James river.
The former was disabled early in the after.
noon, an put in shore for repairs. After
sinking the Cumberland the Merrimac turned
her attention to the Congress, and in less
than an hour afterwards a white flag was
hoisted on tho Congress. A rebel gun boat
Immediately went along and took the officers
and marines prisoners. The seamen were al.
lowed to escape to the shore.
The frigate St. Lawrence arrived here du.
ring the afternoon, without dropping an.
Choir proceeded up the river to follow the exam.
pie Of the Minnesota and Roanoke in firing on
the battery at Sewall's Point, but, like tn,
rest. her shots fell far short. The gun-boa,
Mystic was also towed up in the afternoon
but at shutdown the Roanoke, st. Lawrence
and Mystic all returned After 4 o'clock
the Merrimac continued to throw shells into
thu camp at Newport News, while the James.
town and other rebel gun-boats commenced
firing on the Minnesota. The latter replied
as vigorously as possible, and the conflict was
continued without any apparent effect until
dark. During the evening the Congress was
set on fire. At midnight she was blown up
making terrible explosion.
During the evening the Monitor arrived
and at once proceeded to take part in the q;
ton. During the night only an occasional
gun was fired. Kenforcements of men and
ammunition were sent to Newport News ear.
ly in the afternoon. But little serious dam
age was done, and no one was killed.
This morning the conflict was renewed
When the presence of the Monitor was made
known to the Merrimac, the latter was en-.
gagged with the Minnesota, and but for the
fortunate arrival of the Monitor, the MINES
ota might have been lost The Monitor and
Merrimac engaged for two or three hours; at
long and short range, without perceptiole ef-
feet upon either. They went alongside of
each other once or twice, and seemed almost
to run each other down. but they soon ap-
peared again to return the action.
The Ericsson battery finally succeeded in
forcing long hole in the port side of the
Merrimac, and she retired. with the whole
rebel fleet, to Norfolk
At about one o'clock the U. S. boat
Oregon was struck by the Merrimac in her
boiler and was blown up.
This morning the U. S, gun-boat Zouave was
also seriously damaged, and was obliged to
return.
The principal loss of life was on board the
cumberland, where it is thought as many as
$50 men most have been killed and drowned.
But SIX lives were lost on beard the MINES
ota According to the report of one of her
officers, gun boat was cut in two yesterday
by the Cumberland.
The Merrimac is understood to have been
under command of Com. Buchan, late of the
Navy Yard
FORT MONROE, March 10.
With the assistance of the steamer Spaul-
ding. the Minnesota has been got off, and
she is now on her way here. She has re-
ceived numerous shots, but no serious dam
age.
The Congress is supposed to have lost
over 90 me-, il Guiding but one officer.
The escaped crews of the Cumberland and
Congress have arrived here.
The Monitor ha- come up to The expecta-
tons that were formed Of her, and has proved
herself impregnable to heavy shot at close
quarters. She behaved remarkably we'll on
her way from New York, and although tn
sea covered her decks completely at times,
her speed did not seem to be at all dmin-
ished. To her presence here may be astrib-
u;ed the safety OF the Minnesota and other
vessels in port and the final disabling of the
Merrimac, which had previously been
proof against everything.
Capt. Worden, of the Monitor, was voun-
ed in the head, while he was looking out OF
the wheel house. No other accident of any
kind occurred to the battery or crew.
We have no accurate list of the killed
and wounded.
FORTRESS MONROE, March 10.
The Minnesota yesterday returned to her
usual station, at the entrance to Roads. She
Is again ready for action.
The Monitor came down carly this morn
ing, and was greeted with enthusiastic cheers
by the various vessels in tire harbor. Gen.
Wool and staff, and Assistant Secretary Of
the Navy, Fox, went on board this morning.
She was found not to be damaged in the
slightest degree, and is as we'll prepared as
ever she cou be for another attack. Her
performance was perfectly satisfactory to her
officers and men, and they all speak of her
IN the highest terms of praise
The gun-boat White Hall took fire this
and was totally destroyed.
The British sloop of war Rinaldo arrived
here this morning. She Is from off CHARLES