The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-03-13
Great Naval Fight !!

mac was hIgnalled this morning moving down
the channel from Norfolk in front of SewelPs
Point Battery. All was excitement about Fort
Monroe at this news, and the Cumberland, Con
oress, Minnesota, ST. Lawrence and Roanoke
exchanged signals OF danger The Merrlmac
had nothing above water but her flag staff flying
the rebel flag, and her smokestack. She moved
slowly and steamed directly for the Cumber-
land and Congress, lying at the mouth of James
River. The Cumberland opened on her with
heavy guns but the balls glanced off, having no
effect, at the same time the rebel iron clad boats
Yorktown and jamestown came down James
liver and engaged our frigates on the other side.
Our batteries at New Port News opened on the
gunboats to assist the Cumberland and Congress
which being sailing vessels were at the mercy
of the steamers They both rained heavy broad
sides on the Merrimac, which was slowly ap-
preaching, but all effect visible was to slightly
check her progress. She then ran against the
Cumberland striking her about mid-ships liier,
allv LAYING open her side She then drew off
aud fred into the disabled ship, and again dash
ed against her with her iron clad PROV and
knocked in her side, left her to sinh, land started
for the Congress, laying Il quarter OF mile
distant, which was engaging the Yorktown and
jamestown. She having no regular crew aboard,
and being only partly manned by three compan-
les of the Naval Brigade, seeing the hoplessness
of continuing the fight. struck her coors. The
The Jamesto En then took from her ali her Off
GERS as prisoners. Her crew escaped in boats.
The vessel was fired by the rebels. After this
the Merrimac and two gunboats opened with
shot and she'll on Newport News batteries. =
Some accounts say the garrison have been COM
polled TO retreat to the woods. Others say the
gunboats were obliged to retreat The MINES
ota did not yet have steam up i'll time to aid the
two frigates She was followed by the st Law-
renee, and from necessity engaged the rebel
vessels at the distance of q mile. 1t was the
impression at the point that both were consid-
orabiy damaged, but these statements are based
on what could be seen with glass at a distance
of eight miles. The Merrimac was also believed
to be aground When the boat left she lay q
mile distance from the Minnesota, making no
attempt to modest her. After the last gun was
fired from the Minnesota persons declare they
saw dense volumes of vapor rise from the Mer-
rimac, indicating an explosion of some sort. 1t
is not known if this is so, but it is believed she
was aground. 1t was the intention ofthe Min
nesota to run to close quarters and avoid the
iron PROV of the Merrimac and carry her by
boarding To this the Merrimac don't seem in.
clined TO give opportunity. As the Baltimore
boat left Old Point at O'clock, she met the
Ericsson and steamer Monitor going in.
LATER.
FORTRESS MONROE, March 9.-The Monitor
arrived at 10 clock last night and Immediately
went to the protection of the Minnesota, aground
below Newport News At I o'clock to-day the
Merrimac, jamestown, Yorktown, and several
tugs, went towards the Minnesota and opened
FIRE. The Monitor met them and opened fire,
when the enemy's vessels retired, excepting
the Merrimac. These two iron clad vessels then
fought from eight o'clock till noon, part of the
time touching each other, when the Merrimac
retreated The Monitor was commanded by
Lieut. Worden, and was handled with great
skill, assisted by Chief Engineer Steiners The
Minnesota was somewhat injured, but kept up
a continuous fire. The Monitor is uninjured and
ready for another attack.
WASHINGTON, March 9.-Gen. Mcclellan re-
ceived dispatch from Gen. Wool dated this
evening confirming the above also stating that
the Minnesota had got of, and the Merrimac was
driven off in q sinking condition, towed by the
Jamestown, Yorktown and other boats towards
Norfolk, probably to get her in dry dock A
dispatch was also received by the Secretary Of
the Navy from Assistant Secretary Fox, saying
in addition to the above, that the Merrimac re-
jured or not Lieut.. Worden, Commander of
the Monitor was injured by cement from the
pilot house being driven into his eye, but proba-
bly, not seriously.
NEW YORK, March 9.-The Tri6une's Fort
Monroe Special, states that the frigate Cumber-
land had crew of 500 and nearly half were
lost. A negro who swan ashore reports the loss
about 100.