Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-03-22
U. s STEAMER ROANOKE,
Hampton Reads, NJ arch o, ls62.

the Navy have the honor to inform
you that yesterday, at l o'clock, one of the
lookout vessels reported by signal that the
enemy was coming out. Immediately
ordered the Minnesota to get under way,
and as soon as the~two tugs appointed to
tow this vessel came alongside, / slipped
, our cables. ----@"'
The Merrmac-was soon discovered pass.
ing out by Sewell's Point, standing up
towards Newport News, accompanied by
several small gunboats. Every exertiea
was made by us to get all the speed on the
Roanoke that the two tugs were capable Of
giving her; but in consequence of cur bad
stec age, we did not get ahead as rapidly
as we desired to do.
The Merrimac went up and Immediately
attacked the Congress and Cumberland,
bat particularly the latter ship, which was
hid from us by the land. When about
seven or eight miles from Fortress Mon
roe, the Minnesota grounded. We Con-
tiuued to stand on, and when we came in
sight of the Cumberland, we saw that she
had careened ever, apparntly full of water.
The enemy who had been joined by two
or three steamers from James river now
devoted themselves exclusively to the Con-
gress but she being aground, could bring
but five guns to bear on them, and at ten
minutes before four o'clock, we had the
modification of seeing her haul down her
flag.
continued to stand on till we found
ourselves in three and half fathoms of
water, and were Oh the ground astern.-
Finding that we could 60 no further or
dered one of our tugs to tow Us round, and
as soon as the Roanoke's head was pointed
down the bay and | found she was afoat
again, directed the tugs to 90 to the ass
istance of the Minnesota, under the hope
that with the two others which had ac.
companied her, they would be able to get
her off. But up to the time now write,
they have not succeeded in doing SO.
At five 0 clock, the frigate ST. Law
renee, in tow Of the Cambridge, passed US,
and not long after she also grounded, but
by the aid Of the Cambridge she was got
. afoat again, but being unable to render
: any assistance to the Minnesota, came down
the harbor.
In passing the batteries at Sewells
Point, both going and returning, the rebels
+, opened their fire on US, which was return
: ed from our pivot guns; but the range
was too great for them, while the enemy
: shot fell far beyond US. One shot went
through our foresail, cutting away two Of
: our shrouds, and several shells burst over
, and near the ship, scattering the frag-
ments on the deck.
, Between seven and eight o'clock, we
discovered the rebels had set fire to the
Congress, and she continued to burn until
one o'clock, when she blew up, This was
a melancholy satisfaction to me for as she
: had fallen into the hands Of the enemy, i
was far better to have her destroyed thar
that she should be employed against US a
some future day.
1t was the impression of my officers tina
the rebels hoisted the French flag.
= heard that the Monitor had arrived, and
soon after Lieut.. Commanding Worder
came on board, and Immediately order.
: ed him to 60 up to the Minnesota, hoping
that she would be able to keep off an at
tack on the Minnesota till we got her aaoa
G again, This morning, the Mcrrimac re-
i newed the attuck on the Minnesota, bu
II she found, no doubt greatly to her sur
=; prise, new opponet in the Monitor. Th'
| contest has been going on during the mos
n of the day between these two armored YES
d sells, and most beautifully has the littl
|, Monitor sustained herself, showing herse
10 crdable Of great endurance.
II have not received any official account
ie ofthe loss Of the Congress and Cumberland
but no doubt shall them soon, when the
j. will be transmitted to you.
le Should do injustice to the Military De
er partment, did not inform yon that ever
lc assistance was freely rendered to us. The
10 sent five of their tugs to the relief. of til
n Minnesota, and offered all the aid in thei
power, / would also beg leave to say th'
Captain Poor, of the Ordance Department
kindly volunteered to do duty tamporaril
aboard this ship, and from whom 1 hav
- received much assistance Your abedisl
ed seryapt, JOHN MARsToN,
rs Captain and Senior Officer.
IarThe lowest price offered for any al