Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-03-14
EVACUATION Of CENTREYIIILE
A General Failing Back Of the
Rebels.
FIT. MONROE. March

FIT MONROE, March 9.
Tho Merrimac was signalled this morning,
down the channel from Norfolk, in front OF
S.well's Point Battery. All was excitement
about Fortress Monroe at the news, and the
anoke exchanged signals of danger.
The Merrimac had nothing above water but
her flagstaff flying the rebel flag, and smoke
stack. She moved slowly, and steamed di-
rectly for the Cumberland and Congress, ly-
ing at the mouth of James River. The Cum.
berland opened on her with heavy guns, but
the balls glanced of, having no effect.
At the same time the rebel iron-clad boats
Yorktown and jamestown came down James
River and engaged our frigates on the other
side.
Our batteries at Newport News opened on
the gun-boats to assist the Cumberland and
Congress, which being sailing vessels, were
at the mercy of the steamers. They both
raned heavy broadsides on the Merrimac
which was slowly approaching but all effect
visible was to slightly check her progress
She then ran against the Cumberland, s,rik-
ing her about midships, literally laying open
her side. She then drew off and fired into
the disabled ship, and again dashed against
her with her iron clad PROV and knocked in
her side and left her to sink, and started for
the Congress, laying a quarter of mile dis
rant, which was engaging the Yorktown and
jamestown. She having no regular crew
ABOARD, and being only partly manned by 3
companies Of the naval brigade, seeing the
hopelcssness Of continuing the fight, struck
her colors. The jamestown then took from
her all her officers as prison ers, her crew es-
capped in boats. The vessel was fred BY
rebels.
After this the Merrimac and 2 gun-boats
opened with shot and she'll on Newport News
batteries. Some accounts say the garrison
have been compelled to retreat to the woods.
Others say the gun-boats were obliged to re-.
treat. The Minnesota did not steam up in
time to aid the two frigates. She Was follow
ed by the st. Lawrence, and from necessity
engaged the rebel vessel q. distance of q
mile.
1t was the impression at the Point that
both were considerably damaged, but these
staten ants are based on what could be seen
with glass at q distance Of miles.
AS the Merrimac left Old Point, at o'clock,
she met the Ericsson steamer Monitor going
in.
LATER.
FIT. MONROE, March 8.
The Monitor arrived at 10 o'clock last
night, and immediately went to the protection
of the Minnesota, aground below Newport
News.
ATT o'clock, to-day, the Merrimac, James,
fOUn Vnrk
wards the Minnesoti and opened fire. The
Monitor met them and opened fire. when the
enemy's vessels retired. except the Merrimac
These two iron-c!ad vessels then fought from
5 o'clack till nom; part Of the time touching
each other, when the Merrimac retreated.
The Mcrrimac was also believed to be
agrouad. When the boat left she was mile
distant from the Minnesota, making no at
tempt to modest her.
After the last gun was fred from the Merri-
mac persons declare they saw dense volumes
Of vapor RE from the Melrimac, indicatin9 an
explosion of some sort. 1t is not known if
his is so, but It IS believed she is aground.
1t was the intention of the Minnesota to
run to close quarters or avoid the iron prov
of the Merriinac and carry her by boarding.
TO this the Merrimsc did not seem inclined to
give opportunity.
The Monitor was commanded bv Lieut..
Worden and handled with great skill, assist
I'd by Chief Engineer Steners. The Union
vas somewhat injured, but kept up q contin-
lnus fire. The Manitor is uniniured and
'eady for another attack.
WARRINGTON, March 9.
Gen. Mcclellan received dispatch from
on, Wnn1 lot
he above also stating that the Minnesota
lad got off and the Merrimac was driven off
n sinking condition, towed by the James
own, Yorktown and other boats, towards
Norfolk probably to get her in dry dock.
A dispatch was also received by the Sec
'etary efthe Navy from Assistant Secretary
Fox, saying, in addition to the above, that
he Mcrr'mac retreated but it is impossible
o say whether injured or Of
Lieut.. Worden, commander of the Monitor
vas injured by cement from the pilot house
'eing driven into his eye, but probably not
seriously.
NEW YORK, March. 8.
The 7ribune's Fort Monroe special states
hat the frigate Cumberland had q crew of
i've hundred and nearly halt were lost. A
legro who swan ashore reports the loss about
me hundred.
WASHINGTON, March 81 N.
BY telegraph from Fortress Monroe. The |
Ericsson arrived last right or early this
morning. She was attacked by the Merrmac,
JAMESTOWN and Yorktown. After an hours
ontest they were beaten off-the Merrimac in
sinking condition. This is official,
Fl. MONROE, March 9.
The long expected steamer Merrimac made
er appearance yesterday afternoon, and with
he assistance of two gun boats, which came
ut with her from Norfolk, made an attack
pom Newport News and the naval vessels
tstioned at that places.
The Neruimac was first seen from the ram
arts Of Fortress Monroe, on her way to
ewport News. at ! to o'clock Two gun
bats followed her. They all csrried rebel
ags at the stern, and had q French flag at the
ast-head. The Nerrimsc had flag at her
ows. which was described by some as
blue Gag, and By others as
ack flag. The sides, bows and stern were {
'vered with iron plates extending about two :
ct below the water line, and meeting above
l.