Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-03-13

such an unequal contest, but if the Merrimac
was really ashore she could do no more dam
age. n was the intention of the Minnesota,
with her picked and gallant crew, to run into
close quarters with the Merrimac, avoid her
iron prov, and board her This the Merrimae
seemed not inclined to give her an opportunity
to do.
At 8 O'clock, when the Botimore boat left,
feet of steam tugs were being sent up to the
relief OF the Minnesota and the ST. Lawrence,
and an endeavor was to be made to draw them
off the bar, on which they had grounded. In
the mean time, the firing had suspended,
whether from mutual consent or necessity
could not be aScertained. r
The rebel battery at Pig Point was also
enabled to join 10 the combined attack on the
Minnesota, and several guns were fred at her
from SewaEs Point as she went up. None of
them struck her, but one or two OF them pass
ed over her.
The Baltimore boat left Old Point at eight
o'clock last night. In about half an hour after
she left the wharf the ron-clad Ericsson
steamer Mentor passed her. going in, towed
by large steamer The Monitor undoubted-
ly reached Fortress Monroe by O'Clock, and
may have Immediately gone into service if
not, she would be ready to take hand early
on Sunday morning.
FORTRESS MONROE, March 3, 1861
The Monitor arrived at 10 P. N. yesterday,
and went Immediately to the protection of the
Minnesota, lying aground just below Newport
News
At A. n today the Merrimac, accompa'
MED by two wooden steamers, the Yorktown
and Jamestown, and several tugs, stood out
toward the Minnesota, and opened FIRE. The
| Monitor met them at once, and opened fire,
when the enemy's vessels retired, excepting
the Merrimac. The two iron-clad vessels fought,
part of tie time touching each other, from eight
d. m. tiU noon, when the Me:rimac retreated
Whether she is injured or not it is impossible
to say.
Lieut.. j. L Worden, who commanded the
Monitor, handled he with great skill, assisted
by Chief Engineer Stuners The Minnesota
kept up continuous fire, and is herself some.
what injured. She was moved considerably
to-day, and will probably be off tonight.
Tne Monitor is uninjured, and ready at any
moment to repel another attack
WASHINGTON, March 9, 1862.
The following was received tonight by Ma
jor- General Mcclellan from Gen. Wool dated
Fortress Monroe at o'clock this evening:
1.-TWO hours after my telegraphc dispatch
for the Secretary of War last evening, the
Monitor, arrived She Immediately went to
the assistance of the Minnesota, which was
aground, and continued so until few moments
since. Early this morning she was attacked
by the Merrmac, jamestown, and yorktown.
After fvn hours contest, they were driven
off, the Merrimac in a sinking condition. She
was towed by the jamestown, yorktown, and
several smaller boats, toward Norfolk, no
doubt, if possible, to get her in the dry dock
for repairs The Minnesota is aaoat, and be-
ing towed toward Fort Monroe"
The Merrimac is understood to have been
under the command of Commander Buchanan,
late OF the Navy Yard.
The principal loss of life was on board the
Cumberland, where, it is thought, as many as
one hundred and fifty men must have been
killed or drowned.
But six lives were lost on board the Mime
sofa, according to the report of one of her
officers.