The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-03-10
q. the water line ! feet in ex.

hole in her q. the water line feet in ex-
tent
The Cumberland commenced sinking, W hen
the Merrimac backed a short dlstance,ran into
her asecond time, making another terrible hole,
causing the water TO run in at furious rate.
The Cumberland continued firing till the wa.
ter entered the port holes, when she careen-
ed over, slowly and finally sunk about three
o'clock,
The Newport News batteries and the guns
of the Cumberland fired continuously on the
Merrimac, but no apparent effect was produc
ed upon her,
The Minnesota got aground on the way up
aud could afford but little assistance
Shortly before three o'clock the Yorktown
Nnd jamestown arrived from up the James
Nyer. The former was disabled early in the
afternoon, and put in shore for repairs.
After sinking the Cumberland, the Merri,
mae turned her attention to the Congress and
in less than an hour after, white flag was
hosted on the Congress. 4 rebel gunboat
went alongside and took officers and marines
prisoners, but the seamen were allowed 10 es.
cape to Newport News.
The frigate st. Lawrence arrived during
the afternoon, and without Dropping her an
chor proceeded up the river, and followed the
example Of tho Minnesota and Roanoke in
firing into Sewalls Point, but like the rest
her shot fell short The gunboat Mystic was
also lowed up in the afternoon, but at sun.
down the Roanoke, st. Lawrence and Mystic
all retired.
The Merrimac continued to throw shells
into the camp at Newport News, while the
jamestown and other rebel gunboats com
menced firing on the Minnesota The latter
replied Us vigorously as possible, and the con
tlict was continued without any apparent eff
feet, until dark.
During the evening the Congress was set on
fire. At midnight she was blown up, making
Il terrible explosion.
During the evening the Monitor arrived
and at once proceeded to take part in the nc.
ton
During the night only an occasional gun
was fired.
Reinforcements Of men and ammunition
were sent to Newport News early in the af-
ternoon.
But little serious damage was done and no
one was killed at Newport News
This morning the conflict was renewed un.
Ill the presence Of the Monitor was known 10
the .Merrimac while the latter was engaged
with the Minnesota, and but for the fortunate
appearance of the Monitor the Minnesota
might have been lost.
The Monitor and Mcrrmac engaged each
other for two or three hours ut long and short
range, without preciptible effect upon either.
They went along side of each other once or
twice, and seemed almost to run each other
down, but they soon appeared again to re-
new the action.
The Ericsson battery yfnall succeeded in
forcing n long hole in the port side of the
Merrimac, and she retired with the whole
rebel feet to Norfolk at about o'clock
| The gunboat Oregon was struck by the
Merrimac in her boiler and was blown up
this morning.
The United States gunboat Xouave was al.
50 seriously damaged, and was obliged to re-
turn.
The principal loss of lives was on board the
/ Cumberland
/, is thought that as many as $50 Of her
crew must have been killed or drowned
But six lives were lost ON board the Min
nesota, according to the report Of one Of her
othcers.
\ rebel gunboat was cut in two yesterday
by the Cumberland.
. The Merrimac is understood to have been
| commanded by Com. Buchanan, late of the
navy yard
New YORK, March l0.-Flour market dull.
S5,35aj, 10 superior state; 5,jOa5 go extra
state; 5,3ja5, IS superior western; j,j0a5, 90
common to medium extra western: J, jOaj, 90
-hipplnI brands extra X II q.
Wheat dull and nominalIy unchanged
Corn heavy. j9a6lc mixed western, in
store and delivered