Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-07-25

and some fell into the enemy's works finely.
The Monitor in the first Of the engagement
ran close in and fired few rounds and then
steamed out and lay looking on. The en-
gagement continued until we fred the signal
gun Of recall as the Merrimac was reported
coming down. The feet steamed away from
the Merrirnac and came towards us. At the
same time 6 p. N.Y. we slipped our cable
and stood in close to the Rip-raps There
we remained twenty minutes waiting for the
Merrimac's fire. Why she did not omen up-
on us do not know. We were within rood
range Then we began circling around and
soon the Merrmac retired behind the Point
We failed to draw her out As We were So
near to her thought VIC were in for it. All
came off to my entire satisfaction as far as
this ship was concerned though was anx
ious to see the Merrimac drawn out within
reach Of the Monitor. thought the Commo-
dore was rash in going as far as he did but
an, willing to try the Mcrri,nacS sooner than
allow her to get to sea. suppose we must
have fight before we get through with her,
All together we can finish her though be-
lieve we shall lose the Minnesota in the un-
dertaking, there not being room enough for
US to range about, the channel being too mar.
row for this ark of a ship. The view of the
engagement with the batteries was fine-the
smoke and the report of the guns, the burst
ing shell, sometimes high in air, again close
to the Point, and again descending into the
works. -......t..-E .. s...., .~..H 80
lOth,-The Head of the Army and Navy
came on board this morning at eight O'clock
Upon this first sight take him to be a quiet,
lively sort of man. Tall, plain dress, black
and dusty, hat dusty with Grape on it, turned.
down collar, black handkerchief, dusty boots,
long face, very dark skin, dark brown hair,
neither curly nor straight but dry. When
or deck, he sat careessly on the spanker.
boom. AS he came alongside the Commodore
invited him to come on board. He was sit.
ting at the time on the rail of the tug with
legs crossed. lie requested the Commodore
to come down to him which the Commodore
did very quick. The President shook hands
with him without rising from his seat. He
came on board a few minutes afterwards,
You see how they have to pay homage to the
Jolly Raftsman. In the afternoon, the Pres.
idcnt sailed all over the roads in a yacht eyi.
dently taking observations. ..-..
llth.-This A. NJ. the Merrimac, living on
the other side Of Sewels Point, was blown
up. We heard the report and saw the smoke.
That winds up the Mcrrimac. No more beat.
ing to quarters in the night, and hurryinc up
hammocks, and the Boatswain's mates sum.
moning all hands ....n 01.
l6th.-This r. NJ. the Secretary of the Ma.
Wy and Capt Dahlgren and several other
gentlemen, accompanied by four ladies', came
on board. The Commodore and officers in
full uniform received them. Yards were
manned and salute fired We afterwards
beat to quarters and the visitors, attended by
the Commodore, Captain and other officers
went through the ship. AS they passed the
several divisions the men presented arms.
The Commodore added little toit to day by
making us take off our caps (not usual except
by those who have no arms). not hearing
him give the order, he looked at me, and il
was: Take off your cap, sir" I have
known people who thought themselves com
plmcnted when spoken to by Commodore
but couldn't see it. Nothing peculiar about
the Secretary. Large whiskers, head well
covered with long hair, hair and whiskers
perfectly white The ladies appeared to be
quiet, genteel sort of bodies, plain, respectable
looking, and would pass anywhere.
The going up the Mississippi by Farragut is
the bravcst affair as yet done by the Navy.
| did not believe they could get up with
wooden vessels. With us, just now, there is
little going on, and since the Merrimac is
gone and Norfolk is ours do not know what
| shall be able to find for letter.
l9th.-Eight contrabands came on board
yesterday haying left their master the nigh,
before. They came down the James River
The Galena hailed them: .-..s. .s-..rs
"Wherc bound?" ..
"To find the Yankees" ..,, -...-
albright. Goahead." .., ~,
They fell in with one of our tugs on the
river and were brought alongside of US. Ono
man had his wife and two children who are
now at the Fortress. They tell me that their
master had one hundred negroes and that he
told them the Yankees would be driven off
Understanding that they were to be taken
South the next day they hurried up. The
only difficulty they had in getting away was
the toting Of the boat from their masters
house to the river, she having been hauled
up to prevent any getting away. They tel,
me that ali the negroes who can are running
Formerly each man Of them was allowed on,
peck Of meal and six pounds of beef fort
night, now one peck of meal and three pounds
Of beef. Of clothing they were allowed ont
suit a year. .a.t-s -.. All. se s....sr
22d.-Tarrcd down the rigging yesterday
Painted ship and spars to-day. This is done
every three or four months Each one ha,
to assist in painting his own part Of the ship
23d.--Yestcrday afternoon and last nigh
it rained, spelling some of the pant to tn,
delight Of Batcman, who always wishes t
see heavy shower after the painting. Iii.
great delight is to see the black run dowr
on the white on the sides Of the ship.
27th.-Day before yesterday man fel
overheard. Was picked up Immediately, a.
we do not allow them to drown If il can b,
helped. He came aboard all right and laugh
ing. IL you ever go on board manof wa
and fall overheard yon must alway laugl
when you get on board again and lie read,
to answer all questions put by your ship
mates, as What did you fall overheard for
What made you come back! Was the wa
ter wet? When do you calculate to fall over
board again. &C. 1t was reported
yesterday that Banks was defeated Bate
man "knew it, knew it we'll" 1t is n pit,
he did not give MS this information before
He is one of them who are as the wint
blows. r 4,e
Goth. Hove short and got breakfast at
4. II. Turned the hands to and hove up an
chor at u A. NJ. and steamed toward Norfolk
At8i a. NJ. got aground three-guartcrs Of
,l.. from Doipt II, u;phf or tla e.,