Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-03-11
From Fortress Monroe.

tOATREes MONROE, March 6.--The Merrimnc
was aignaled this morning, moving doSn the
channel from Norfolk, In front Of the Sewell IS
Point battery. All was excitement about Fort
ress Monroe at this news, and the Cumberland
Congress, Minnesota, st. Lawrence and Roam
Oke exchanged signals Of danger. The Merri.
mac had nothing above water but flagstaff
flying the rebel flag, and the smoke-stack She
moved slowly, and steamed directly for the
Cumberland and Congress, lying az 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
ron-clad gunboats Yorktown and jamestown
came down James River, aud engaged our frig-
ates on the other side.
Our batteries at Newport News opened on
the gunboats, TO assist the Cumberland and
Congress, which, being sailing vessels, were al
the mercy OF the rebels. They both rained
heavy broadsides on the Merrimac, which was
slowly approaching, but all the effect visible
was to slightly check her progress. She then
ran against the Cumberland, striking nor about
mdships, literally laying open her side
She then drew off and fired into the disabled
ship, and again dashed against her with her
iron clad prov, and, knocking in her side, left
her to sink and started for the Congress, lay
ing quarter mile distant, which was engaging
y III
regular crew aboard, being only parity manned
by three companies of the NavHlir Brigade, and
seeing the hopelcasness Of contendlug, struck
her colors. The jamestown then TOOK Yom her
all her officers as prisoners. The crew escaped
in boats. The vessel was fred by the Sapels
After this the Merrmac and two Hunboats
opened with shot and shell on Newport News
batteries. Some accounts say the garrison was
compelled to retreat to the woods; others cay
the gunboats were obliged to retreat. The
Minnesota did not get steam up'in time to aid
the two ftlgates. She was followed by the st.
Lawrence, and from necessity engaged the reb-
el vessels at distance of one mile. II was the
impression at the Point that both were consid-
erably damaged, but these statements are based
on what could be seen with glass at q distance
Of eight miles. ,s.y T, lal.itss. o /.
The Merrimac was also believed aground
When the Baltimore boat left, che lay mile
distant from the Minnesota, making no attempt
to modest her. After the last gun was fred
from the Minnesota persons declare they saw q
dense volume Of vapor rice from the Merrimac
indicating an explosion of some sort. IL is not
known that this is go, but It is believed she was
aground. II was the intention of the Minnesota
to run in close quarters to avoid the iron Prov o
the Merrimac, and carry her by boarding. The
| Merrimac did not seem inclined to give her an
opportunity. AS the Baltimore boat left Old
| Point at eight o'clock, she met the Ericsson
The steamer Monitor is going in.
| FORTRESS MONROE, March 9.-The Monitor
arrived at 10 O'Clock last night and immediate
| ly went to the protection of the Minnesots
aground below Newport News.
Att o'clock the Merrimac, Yorktown, James
| town and several tugs went toward the Min
nesota aud opened FIRE. The Monitor met them
and opened fire, when the enemy's vessels re
tired excepting the Merrimac. These two iror
clad vessels fought from s O'Clock till noon
part of the time touching each other. The Mer
rimac retreated. sass,s
| a. The Monitor was commanded by Lieut. Wor
den, and was handled with great skill, asSlstet
by Chief Engineer Sinners. The Minnesota
was somewhat injured, but kept up contlnu
Gus fire. era..s 4
The Monitor is uniDjured, and ready for an
other attack. ,55 ia s.
WASHINGTON, March 9--Gen. Mcclellan hs
received dispatches from Gen. Wool, dated si1
O'Clock this evening, confirming the above, ant
also stating that the Minnesota had got off, ant
that the Merrimao was drawn of in sinking
condition, towed by the Jamestown, yorktown
and other boats, toward Norfolk, probably Il
| get her in dry dock.
A dispatch was also received by the Secreta
ry of the Navy from Assistant Secretary Fox
saying, in addition to the above, that the Mer
rimac retreated, but it was impossible to ga.
whether she was injured or not. Lieut. Wor
den, commander Of the Monitor, was injurel
by the cement from the pilot-house being dFiv
en- into his eyes--probsbly not seriously.
Gen. Hooker reports all the enemy's batter
les in front Of his line abandoned and the gun
Ispiked--some valuable pieces among them :
This virtually opens the Potomac and raises tn
blockade. m7 ~