The Nevada Democrat., 1862-03-18
9Erada 9flnutrat.
GREAT NAVAL BATTLE.


are from the dispatches to the Associated
Press:
FORTRESS MONROE, March 9th.-The Con-
federate steamer Merrimac made her ap
pearance yesterday, and with the assistance
of two gunboats from Norfolk, made an
attack on Newport News aud the vessels
stationed at that place. The Merrimac was
first seen from the ramparis of Fortress
Monroe at ten O'Clock. Her sides, wheel
houses and stern are covered with sloping
iron plates, extending two feet below the
water line, and meeting above like the roof
of house. On her bows, above the water
line, were two sharp iron points, resembling
plows From the boat were seen two guns
projecting from long, eliptical port holes.
The design of the enemy did not become
apparent until after one o'clock, by which
time the Minnesota got under way for the
scene of action. The Roanoke, flagship,
being disabled, was taken in tow by two
gunboats.
The first shot was fred at two O'Clock,
from the frigate Cumberland. Sewelfs
Point battery then opened on the Minnesota,
which was passing, and fired several guns.
The Rip-Raps replied, and the engagement
became general. After firing two guns the
Cumberland was struck twice by the Mer-
rimac's sharp bow armor, making terrible
holes in her below the water lines. The
Cumberland continued firing until the water
entered her port holes, when she careeDed
slowly and finally sunk. No apparent eff
feet was produced on the Merrimac by the
continuous firing from our batteries aud
vessels The Minnesota having got aground
on her way up. could afford but little assis.
tance. Shortly after three o'clock, the
rebel gunboats Yorktown and jamestown
arrived. The former being disabled carly
In the afternoon, put ashore for repairs.
After sinking the Cumberland, the Mer-
rimac turned her attention to the frigate
Congress, and in less than an hour after
wards she surrendered. Her officers and
marines were taken prisoners, but the sea-
men were allowed TO escape. The frigate
st. Lawrence arrived here during the after
noon. and Immediately proceeded up the
river, following the example of the Mime
sofa aud Roanoke, firing on the battery at
Sewel's Point, but, like the rest, the shots
fell short. The gunboat Mystic also turned
up. but at sundown the Roanoke, Mystic
and st. Lawrence returned. The conflict
between the Minnesota and rebel gunboats
continued without apparent effect till dark.
AT midnight the Congress was burned by
the rebels. During the evening, the IRON
clad steamer Monitor arrived here and pro-
ceeded TO take part in the action. Rein
forcements of men and ammunition were
sent yesterday afternoon to Newport News.
This morning The conflict was renewed,
until The presence Of the Monitor was known
to the Merrimac, when they engaged each
other for two or three hours, at long and
short range, without perceptible effect on
either side. They seemed almost to run
each other down, once or twice. The Mon
itor's battery finally succeeded in forcing a
large hole in the port side of the Merrmac,
when the latter returned to Norfolk. About
one o'clock, Federal gunboat was struck
by a shot from the Merrimac, in the boiler.
The gunboat Houri was seriously damaged,
and obliged to retire. The principal loss
of life was on board the Cumberland, where
il is thought 1870 must have been killed or
drowned. According to the report Of the
officers Of the Minnesota, six we're lost on
her. One rebel gunboat was cut 10 two
yesterday by the Cumberland.
WAsHINGToN, March l0th.-A bearer Of
dispatches from Fortress Monroe arrived
this afternoon. Nothing has yet been
made public 10 regard to the naval engage
ment, except what has already been tele
graphed. Lieut.. Worden commanding the
Monitor, was Injured, but not dangerously,
IL Is supposed. During the action, all the
rebel guneoats and batteries in reach di-
reeted their fire at the Minnesota, doing
her some damage, and killing four or FIVE
OF the crew. With the assistance Of the
steamer Spaulding, the Minnesota eventu-
ally got off, and was towed under The guns
Of Fortress Monroe. The naval authorities
here are confident that the Merrimac was
disabled. The Monitor proved herself inn
pregnable to heavy shot at close quarters.
She behaved remarkably well on her pas
sage from New York, and although the sea
completely covered her decks at times, her
speed was not perceptiby diminished.
Fortress MONROE, March 9.--One rebel
gunboat was cut in two yesterday by the
Monitor, without her speed being percep-
tibly diminished. The Monitor is the new
irOn-clad vessel just cOmpletad by Ericsson.
Her first trip was made at the latter part
of last week from New York to FrOtress
Monroe.
FORTRESS Monroe, March I0.-The frig-
| ofo Hon0raaa IL annnoeod tn hasa lost aver