The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1862-03-29
rmE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.

There are several items connected with
the performance Ut the Monitor on the 9th
inst. which are worth remembering, show
ing rs they DO the fearle>sness Of her com
mander, and the confidence be has in his
liuls .ea-iursle. After firing cont,nuau,ly
and very rapidly for four hours. the NJ ME
tor hauled of from the contest for the pur-
. ,se Of cool,ng her guns. An eye witness
thus relates the closing scene Of the contest:
s.Ilaving given her guns IN hour to cool,
the Monitor returned to the contest, and the
Nlerrimac was apparently ready for her, for
she did rot retreat hut stood her ground.
Nothing could exceed the accuracy Of the
firing on both sides. After keeping up the
contest for half an hour Mt u range 81 halt
or three quarters Of mile, the Monitor be-
gan to advance. on her antagonist. who
awaited her with apparent confidence. DE.
livering her FIRE with elaboration ard un.
erring precision. the Monitor went straight
ahead and ut full speed for the Merrimac,
till the men on both boats, II they had not
been hidden by the iron covering. might
have engaged in hand u hand hsht.-
Nav followed .one of the mast remarks.
BILE and exciting scenes ever witnessed in
naval warfare. The vessels touched, and
delivering their broad.ides simultaneously,
tho shot crashed upon the sides Of both,
either CHANGING OF and falling into the w.
ter, or crumh.,ng into atoms. As it deter
mined that the combat shou d have an end,
the Monitor moved around the M-rrimao NJ
a distance Of only a lev ys'd. plugging her
shots into her sides. With we'll directed
aim che planted one into her hull below her
iron costing, and helou her water line
Three gaping holes now appeared in her
iron coating. Passing deliberately round
the stern Of the Mefmac, the Mentor ann
ed shot at her screw. and several others
AZ vital points. The Merrimac now began
to make OF to~aSd the cove, fanking era.
ney Island, and ayit became apparent that
she was disabled, cheers vent up from the
ramparts and the share. The NJ inter did
not pursue, probably on account Of the
heating OF her guns, or some other equally
good reason. After lying for a short time
near the ehare, the Merrimac slowly round.
ed out, and turned her prov toward the
place she was seen in the morning, where
the other re el beats we're assembled, spec.
tators OF the Fight. They gathered around
her like the hackers Of whipped bully.
A. this time il vas the general opinion Of
thase Who had the best means Of observing.
that shs Nsrriass bod sunk at Ieast tso
.fess, ord hat ne was last gong down.
Her deck vas shronged with her crew. She
gave 10 signs Of steam or smoke. Small
boats put OF from her, and tug boats
came 10 her sides, ~ IL to render assistance.
As soon ~ ar. angemen,s could be made for
doing %, the boats took her 10 taw, ard
aooas three quarters past IL, the AIerrimac,
the Yorktown, the JsmesfowD aud the asher
rebel craft, either towing OF pulling The
former. might be seen, constituting Z
Daurnfsl procession, ~ they passed into
the dim distance under Craaey Island.
Thu. ended probably the most remarka-
bic naval eneaxeme.s On record; certainly
the 6rss between tva iron clad antagonists.
The timely appearances OF the Mentor
vas the sslsation Of the Minnesass. srd
p ohahly N ,ss OF the shrcpiag IN the Roads,
and perhaps other property beside Had
she cone . day soencr. she would have
ssvsd tee of the nshless Irisates 10 the
service, .sd hendricks Of htcs."