Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-03-18
MARCH1l, 1862
@. S. STEAM BATTBRT VIRGINIA.
OFF SEWELL's POINT, March 3. I56l.


OFF SEwELLs POINT March 8, 1901.
FLAG OFFICER: In consequence Of the wounc
Of Flag Officer Buchanan It becomes my duty t,
report that the Virginia lefs the yard this morn
ing az II, A. NJ steamed down the river past oul
batteries, and over TO Newport News, where VI
engaged the batteries ashore, and also two lsrgt
team frigates, supposed to be the Minnesota anC
Roanoke, and a sailing frigate and several small
steamers, armed with heavy u6ed guns. We
sunk the Cumberland, drove the Congress
ashore, when she hauled down her colors and
hoistsd the white flag, but she fired upon us with
the white flag flying, wounding Lieut. Minor
I and several OF our men. We agsin opened fire
upon, her ssd she Is now N flames The shosI
water prevented our reaching the other frgates
This, with the approach Of night we think, saved
them from destruction Our loss is two killed
and eight wounded.
Twoof our guns have the muzzles shot of.
The PROV was twisted and the arnor some what
damaged. The anchor and all hag-staff5 shot
away, aud smOke-stack and steam pipe were nd
died. The bearing of the officers and men Wss
all that could be wished, and IN fact II could not
have been otherwise after the noble and daring
conduct OF the flag officer, whose wound is deep
ly regretted by all on board, who would gladly
have sacrificed themselves in order to save him
We were accompanied from the yard by the
Beaufort (Lieutenant Parker,) and Raleigh,
(Lieuteuant AlexandeT,) and as soon as it was
discovered up the James River that the action
had commenced, we were Joined by the Patrick
Henry Commodore Tucker,) the jamestown, !
(Lieuienant Barney,) and the Teaser, (SeTgeant'
Webb All Of which were actually engaged, and
rendered very effective service Enclosed l send
the surgeons report of casualties
have the honor 70 be- sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
CATEsBY AP R. JosRs,
Ex. and ordnance officer
Flag Officer F. Forrest.
The official report of the naval battle in
Hampton Roads was read. The accompanying.
letter of the Secretary of the Navy states that
Flag Officer T. Buchanan was disabled near she.
close OF the engagement by a painful wound.
though not very dangerous. The report was
made by the executive officer, upon whom the
command devolved, Lieut. Jones. The Con-
iederate vessels engaged were the steam sloop
Virginia, ten guns the Patrick Henry, Com
mander Tucker, six guns; the Jamestown,
Lieut.. Commanding Barney, two guns; the Rail
eigh, Lieut. Commanding Alexander; the Beau
fort, Lieut. Commanding Parker; The Tsaser,
ntCommsnding Webb, each ofone CUR.
With this force (twenty guns) Flag Officer Bu-
chanan engaged the enemy's heet consisting of
the irgate Cumberland, Of twenty-fOur guns
the Congress, Of fifty guns the st. Lawrence, Of
fifty guns and the steam frigate Minnesota, of
forty guns; the enemYs batteries ct Newport
News and several small steamers, armed with
heavy rihed guns.
This engagement commenced at $50 P. NJ,
and at P NJ Captain Buchanan had sunk the
Cumberland, captured and burnt the Congress,
disabled aud driven the Minnesots ashore, and
defeated the st Lawrence and Roanoke, which
sought shelter under the guns Of Fortress Mon
roe. Two of the enemy's small steamers were
blown up, aud the transport steamers were cap
ured
The Cumberland went down with ell on
board, her tops only remaining above water, but
many Of her people were saved by boats from
the shore.
The flag of the Congress, and the sword of
the officer commanding at the tins of her sur
render, are at the Navy Department.
The report concludes as follows;
To the dashing courage, the patriotism and
eminent ability of Flag Officer Buchanan, and
to officers and men of his squadron, our country
is indebted for this brilliant achievement, which
win hold a conspicuous place among the heroic
contests of naval history
Signed S. B. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.