The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-03-19
FORTRESS MONROE, March s.-The

FORTRESS MONROE March s.-The
Tong expected rebel steamer Merrimac
has at last ads her appearances, and yes
terday afternoon, with the assistance of
two guhboats, which came out with her
from N o-folk, and the Jamestown and
Yorktown, which cams down the James
river, made an attack upon Newport
News and the naval vessels stationed at
that place. The Merrimac was first seen
from the ramparts of Fortress Monroe,
on her way to Newport News at about
quarter before one to'clock. The. rebel
gunboats followed her. They all carried
the Confederate flag at the stern. The
gnnboats had French flag at the mast
head, and the Merrmsc had flag a. her
bows which was described by some as
commodore's blue flag, and by others as
aablack fag.7e She appeared to- be very
low in the water. Her sides, bow and
stern were covered with sloping iron
plates, extending two feet below the wa
ter line, and meeting above like the roof
two sharp1iron points resembling plows,
about six or seven7feet apart. Her mum
Der Of guns is stated at twelve, : but she
might not have had so macy At her
tbows two guns were seen projecting from
her elhptical lportholesp The design of
fthe enemy did not become apparent until
between zone and two O'Clock, and by
that time the Minnesota had got under
fway for the sceue of action. 'asd as'is9
F. The Roanoke, flag ship, having been
disabled by the. breaking Of her shaft
some time since, was taken in tow by the
tug boats Dragon and Young America
At the same timeathe alarm Aguh' Of the
Fortress was fred, aud the whole garrison
'urned out under srms The 10th New
York was briefly addressed by Col. Ben
dix. ard all testified the greatest delight
at the prospect Of an action: After be-
ling under orders for some time, the gar.
rison was dismissed until they should be
wanted. TIE rebel Boats steadily puur-
sued their. way TO Newport News, and the
Merrinac soon turned the Point, and was
Host to view from the Fortress. Tie frst
tahot was fred from the frigate Cumber.
land at a little past O'Clock The Sew.
ell's Point battery then opened upon the
I Minnesota, which was passing. and the
4 Sawyer gun at Rip Raps replied, with a
''Ifew shots at aSeweil's Point. A thick
smoke was seen to arise above Newport
News Point, Indicating that the battery
there as well as the Cambsrland and
Congress were engaged - 80 - go.
Details Of, the action cosld not be
seen from the Fort, but q teTegraphic
dispatch was received announcing thai
the Cumberland aud Merrimac were il
close quarters. AS the latter approached
the Cumberland did no, pay any atten-
tion to the Congress, but after firing ewe
guns, struck her., the Cumberland, with
her sharp bows, making o Jagged hole in
her siie at the water, line, seven feet il
extent. The Cumberland Immediately
commenced to sink, when the Merrimac
backing a short distance. ran into her g
second time, making another terrible
hole which admitted water at furfou,
rate. She continued firing until the wa
ter began to enter her port holes. and
soon after she .careened over slowly, anC
finally sunkat about three CLOCK.
The Newport News sbattefya and the
guns of The Cumberland fired e On tinually
upon the Merrimac, but 20 apparent. eff
feet was produced The Minnesota un
fortunately got aground on the way up
and could afford but little assistance
( Shortly before three o'clock, the James
town and Yorktown arrived from the
James River" Tie latter was disabled
early in the afternoon By the Cumberland
and put in to shore for repairs.
Aftsr sinking the Cumberland, the Nj
agara turned her attention to the Con,
gress, and in less than an hour afterwardl
a white flag was hois,ed on board the lat
ter: The Confederate gunboats immedi.
ately went along side Of her, the officers
and marines being taken prisoners. the
sesmen were allowed to escape to shore
:" The u. S. ,frigate st. Lawrence ar
rived here during !h6' afternoon, and
without dropping anchor, proceeded up
the river. She followed the example ei
the. Minnesota and Roanoke in firing up
on ,Sewefl's Point. but, like theirs, her
shot fell short The gunboat Mystic was
also towed up in the afternoon. At sun
down the Roanoke. ST. Lawrence and
Mystic all returned. y -, n'.a - '','s ~.
At four o'clock, the MeIrrrihmnuanc c,ontin-
'ued to throw snell into, the camp at New
! port News, while the jamestown and 9th
er Confederate gunboats commenced fr-
ing upon the Minnesota. The latter re-
piled as vigorously as possible. and the
Econlict was continued without spparent
effect, anlil dark baa e1euiiila eaT
During. the oevening the Congress was
set on Gre, and made a brilliant spec tacle.
4 At midnight she was biownup with a1tre.
mendous erashaolfisaoa sdj sseea ,gasq
During the evening itheai iMoaitor ar
rived very oppor rtunsly lind eat once pro
ceeded up the river although not prspar.
ed for action, to take her part. During