The Nevada Democrat., 1862-04-10
NErada 9etnufrat.
The Naval Duel Between the Monitor
and the McrrimRc.

The Naval Duel Between the Monitor
and the McrrimRc.
The annexed account of the remarkable
naval engagement between The Monitor and
Merrimac, the first between two iron.clad
vessels, is from the Fortress Monroe cores
pondence of the N. Y. Tribune. After de-
scribing the first days fight, in which the
Cumberland was sunk and the frigate Con.
gress captured aud burned, the writer
says:
At early dawn this morning, the Merri
mac, jamestown, Yorktown, and a number
of other rebel craft were seen drawn up off
Sewalls Point, apparently waiting for the
haze and smoke to lift before resuming the
contest. The Monitor had taken her station
to the left and in advance of the Mime sofa,
aud onr other gunhoats were in the neigh
bOrhood of the frigate. Shortly after 8
o'clock the Merrimac began to move up TO.
ward the Minnesota, about three miles dis
tant. Her path lay across the bows of the
Monitor, whose presence or real character
! il is probable she was not then aware Of
| When within about mile, the ball was
opened by the Monitor firing shot, which
struck the side Of the iron.hided monster,
the Merrimac at the same time slackening
her speed. Her intention evidently was 10
make directly for the Minnesota. and serve
her as she had served the Cumberland and
Congress. But suddenly she found lion
in her path. The firing was kept up for
some time at the distance OF about one mile
when the Monitor began TO move toward her
antagonist, delivering her fire deliberately
and with precision. The Merrimac, six
/ times her size, and with an armament
equally out of proportion. awaited her at
rest. AT the distance Of a quarter of mile
or less, both opened their terrible batteries
the Merrimac firing much the 0ftenest of
course. 1t was the first trial of an expert
ment in fearful ordeal. The scene was
witnessed by those who crowded the ram
parts and lined the docks with almost
breathless interest. II would not have dis.
appointed many Ri that moment had IL be-
come apparent that the unpretending Moni-
tor was unequal to the contest. BY this time
| the two iron-clad combatants seemed 10
touch, fighting at close quarters, delivering
their shots seemingly into the muzzles of
each others guns. But so far from being
unequal TO her adversary, the Monitor
moved around her, planting her shots where
she would. The contest was so bot that for
time the smoke obscured both the Monitor
and the Merrimac. AS If realizing that she
bad found OF least bcr match, if not her SUI
perior, the Merrimac drew off toward Cra-
ney Island, the Monitor pursuing. planting
her shot with the same deliberation which
had characterized her movements from the
outset. After keeping up the pursuit for
half an hour, the Monitor returned toward
the Minnesota. should have mentioned
that shortly after this engagement COM
menced, one of The rebel gunbOats, appar.
emily the Yorktown. steamed out and boldly
engaged the Monitor. A shot through her.
which must have done serious injury, sent
her back again, and she did not venture
within range Of the guns Of the newcomer
during the day.
AS If having rested from the first round,
and recovered from the bewilderment re-
sulting from finding such terrible antago-
mist 10 so small a one, the Merrimac re-
turned to the contest, and, as before, was
met fearlessly by the Monitor. The Merri
mac now being within range Of the Mime
sofa, delivered several of her laundering
broadsides, and showers of solid shot went
crashing against the side Of the iron NOM
ster. The gunbOats also went into The fight
gallantly. Though the Monitor again sought
| close quarters, the Merrimac having already
bad taste of that sort of thing, kept pru-
dent distance. For more than an hour the
battle was kept up without either side show
! ing damage. when. at about ii A. NJ, the
Monitor retired beyond the Minnesota to
allow her GYMS to cool. The contest now
ragged between the Merrimac and Minnesota
and the gunbOats. The terrible broadsides
Of the frigate. chained TO the bottom as 1t
were, shook the earth, and The solid shot
glanced 10 every direction from the side Of
| the Merrimac.
Having given her guns an hour to cool,
| the Monitor returned to the contest, and the
Merrimac was apparently ready for her, for
| che did not retreat but stood her ground.
Nothing could exceed the accuracy Of the
firing on both sides. After keeping up the
contest for half an hour at a range of half
or three quarters of mile, the Monitor be-
gan to advance on her antagonist, who
awaited with apparent confidence. Deliv-
ering her Ere with deliberation and unerriDg
precision the Monitor went straight ahead
aud at foil speed for the Merrimac, till the
men on both boats, If they had not been
hidden by the iron covering, might have
engaged 10 band-to hand fight. Now fol.
lowed one Of the most remarkable and ex-
citing scenes ever witnessed in naval war