The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-03-25

OF water to penetrate to the engine-room
where coming in contact with the straps
which revolve the blowers on either sid,
OF the engine, snapped them asunder
and left the furnaces without draft. Ii
consequence Of this, the engine room
soon became filled with coal gas from
the furnaces, which in short time pros
trated Mr. Newton, the Senior Engineer
He was brought up and placed on the
deck of the turret, where he remained in
an unconscious condition for fifteen min.
utes. Mr.. Sinners, Chief Engineer, who
superlntended the construction of The
Monitor for the Government, and who
was a passenger on her to Fortress Mon.
roe, repaired to the engine room at this
Juncture, where he found Cd Assistant.
Engineer Campbell and Sd Assistant
Hands, with four fremen, in a state oil
total Inconsistencies on the floor of the
fire-room. They were Immediately re.
moved to the turret deck where restora-
tives were applied successfully. About
2 P. m, we passed Cape Charles Light
house, making about five knots, with
steady breeze from the northwest. The
sea has moderated slightly, aud the YES
sci has as little motion as when running
down New York harbor At this time
Cape Henry Light comes in view. The
atmosphere is remarkably clear, and ev-
cry eye is directed with curious interest
to the low line of sandy coast that forms
the southern border of Chesapeake Bay.
We are approaching our destination rap
idly, and, il we have continuance of
our present weather, three hours from
this time will tiud us anchored safely in
Hampton Roads.
cANNoNADING HEARD.
5p. m.-Mr. Stodder, lst Master, from
the tower, reports heavy firing in tie dis.
tance. AT first, Capt. Worden attributes
the reports to artillery practice at Fort
Monroe, but an hour later, the flash OF
bursting shells is plainly visible We
are now certain that an engagement IS in
progress, and our interest becomes IN.
tense fearing that the rebel steamer Mer
rimac may be raining her iron hail on
the comparatively deienseess vessels At
anchor in the roads. But one desire an
mates our crew, officers and men, and i,
plainly visible in their compressed lips
and anxious faces, and that is to play
their part in the fray. p. M.-The re-
port Of heavy artillery is becoming more
and more distinct, and in range of the
bursting shells, in the direction of Fort
Monroe the vivid light of burning YES
sci is plainly seen. AT this time The
Congress was set on fire by bursting
shell, aud continued to burn until 10 p.
NJ, when her magazine exploded with
tremendous report, and the doomed frir-
ate, one sheet OF flame from water line 10
main truck, was apparently lifted entire,
ly out Of the water. For some minutes
after, the sky was all aglow with burn
ing fragments of tattered cordage and
other light rigging. An hour later, and
but few fliekering spires Of flame were
visible, where, in the morning, lay Que
OF the finest frigates Of the navy. Flush
ed with her sudden success, the Marri-
mac paid her attention in the next place
to the frigate Minnesota, which had un-
fortunately run aground earlier in the
day. However, whether from the late
ness OF the hour, or from fear of getting
aground, the Merrimac, after few shots,
retired for the night, under the cover OF
the batteries off Sewall's Point. conf
dent, no doubt, of an easy victory in the
morning In this. however. she was
doomed TO bitter disappointment We
will now return to the Monitor. After
casting anchor, Capt. Worden reported
to the flag ship Roanoke for orders
lie returned in short time, being order
ed to lay along side the Minnesota to de-
fend her against the Merrimac, who, il
was feared, would renew the attack dur
ing the night, In short time we were
snugly anchored alongside but no boat
swain piped all hands TO hammoeks"
that night Exciting thoughts of the
long wished foe fight with herproper en-,
emy drove slamber from the eyes of each
hardy Monitor" But the night pass
ell, and the Merrimac did no, come.
Saaday March 9.--The sun rose in a
clear, unclouded sky. and revealed to the
anxious watchers on the tower. three YES
sells apparently at anchor off Sewall's
Point but the distance was too great to
distinctly observe their outlines No
doubt, however, is felt but that one Of
Il T.