Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-03-18

ed In the killing Of four men on the latter We
Gel, which was aground. The Merrimac did mot
seem 70 like to 90 near her, perhaps on ac-
count OF her large armament of heavy guns,
out more probably because che was afraid oi
also getting aground, the water being quite
swallow In that neighborhood. The Minnesota
ls not much injured. She was of, and stearning
uo"n about elk o'clock Sunday night.
FioHT BETWEEN THE MONITOR AND mERafmAc.
Inc Monitor came In Saturday niRht, and
proceeded up past the Minnesota Tue rebel
steamers jamestown and yorktown were not
ironpiAteo, or at any rate, only partially 40.
ihey came down In the daylight, making for
tne Minnesota, but to their surprise found t6e
Monitor readyto receive them. On Sunday
morning the Monitor moved close nm 20 The
Merrimao, and, side by side, engaged her ior
four hours and twenty minutes. Once the Mer.
rImsc dashed her iron PROV equarely against
the Monitor, but did not injure that vessel in
tne least. The Monitor In turn determined to
try her force 10 similar operation, but 10 some
unaccouotable manner the wheel or other steer
ing apparatus became entangled, It is said, and
me Mooitor rushed by, just missing her aim.
Captain WoTden is confident that he put three
shot through the hull of his antagonist--probs.
bly, through the ports.
eight pound cast-iron shot. The wroueht-iron
shot were not used, because their great weight
and peculiar construction renders the guns much
more liable 10 burst. The Merrlmac fred about
iorty ehote on the Monitor, which replied rapid.
~ as possible, but, 20 far as is known, neitaer
vessel is damaged Those on board the Moni.
tor say that the balls ratified and rang upon
both vessels and seemed TO bound of harmless.
The Merrlmac Is probably not injured, at
least more than the starting of plate or 90 of
ner Iron covering, and her machinery being un
ioJured, che Is probab'y fl 10 come oat ssaia. II
70 tmpossibLe to keep the MeTrimGc from coming
out. She can sail three kRots an hour Gastsy than
TIE Monitor. From her evoiutons 1 should
Judge she can go at the rate of eight or nine
knois per hour. IL Ia impossible to board the
Merrimac. Should she come out again, she
will be obliged to pass within range of the
Union gun az the Rip.Rsps, and shot from il
might perhaps crush her sides; but 1t IL very
difficult to manage so heavy piece Of artille-
~, and the Union gun, in all probability, might
be hred Ely times without touching her. do
not think the Merrimac is calculated to carry
much coal, and that might have been a reason
for her retiring from the contest. The Monitor
perhaps might follow up tho rebel steamers and
disable them, but ii she gets among the rebel
batteries, heavy fire might be concentrated
on her from different points, and che be thus
injured. OF possibly she might be grappled to
and towed ashore. These and other reasons
may suffice to show why the Monitor did not
follow among the batteries OF Crauey Island
and Norfolk. Gen. Wool, understand, has
ordered all women and children away from
Fortress Monroe, in anticipation of the Merri.
macs re appearance.
During Sunday morning, while the battle
was raging between the two iron.clad vessels,
the high cliffs at Newport News and vicinity
were crowded with spectators, earnestly watch
ing the progress of the 6sht