Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-03-13
II II T. w A r..
FROM FORTRESS MONROE
CIR EAT NAVAL FIGHT,
THE REBEL STEAMER MERRIMAC
MAKES AN ATTACK.
One Federal Vessel Sunk and another
Captured.
OFFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

OFFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
The government has received information
from Fortress Monro,, that on Saturday the
rebel non clad steamer Mcrrimac, and the run
boats jamestown and Yorktown, attacked our
fleet, sunk the Cumberland and took the frigate
Congress. The Minnesota was aground when
the Fortress Monroe loat left.
Arrival Of the Monitor.
THE MERRlMAC DRIVEN OFF IN A SINKING
CONDITION.
The telegraph to Fortress Monroe was work
ing on Sunday, and the following official inei-
gence was received at Washington: The Moni-
tor arrived at Fortress Monroe Saturday night,
and early Sunday morning she was attacked b,
the three vessels, the Merrimac, the James
town and the Yorktown, but after five hours
hard fighting, they were driven off, the Merri-
mac in sinki g condition. The Monitor is
sometimes called the Ericsson steam battery.
LATER DESPATCH.
The following dispatch was sent from For
tress Monroe late Sunday evening The Noni-
tor arrived at 10 o'clock Saturday night. and
went Immediately TO the protection OF he Min
nesota lying aground just below Newport News.
At I a. IN. on Sunday, the Merrimac. accom-
panied by two wooden steamers, the Yorktown
and the jamestown, and several tugs, stood
out towards the Minnesota, and opened fire.
The Mo"itor met them at orce, and opened fire,
when the enemy's vessels retired. executing the
Merrmac. The two iron-cad vessels founht
part of the time touching each other, from a.
NJ. till noon, When the Merrimac II treated.
Whether she is injured or not it is impossible
to say. Lieut. j. l.. Worden, who commanded
the Monitor, handled her with great skill, as
sisted by Chief Engineer Stuners. The Min
nesoa kept up continuous fire, and is herself
somewhat injured. She was moved considera-
bly, on Sunday, and would probably be off Sun
day night. The Monitor is unniured, and ready
at any moment to repe another attack.
The Merlimac is understood to have been
under the command of Commandant Buchanan
late of the Norfolk nav; yard.
THE LATEST OFFICIAL REPORTS.
The following was received Sunday night, by
Gen Mcclellan, from Gen Wool, dated Fortress
Monroe at G o'clock Sunday evening 1.-Two
hours after my Geographic dispatch to the secre-
tary of war last evening, the Monitor arrived
She Immediately went to the assistance of tho
Minnesota, which was aground. and continued
so until few moments since. Early this
morning she was attacked BY the Merrimac,
jamestown and Yorktown. After five hours
Contest, tHCN were ut!Nen OIL the Merrlmac IN
sinking condition. She was towed BY the
jamestown, Yorktown and several smaller boats,
towards Norfolk, no doubt, if possible, to get
her in the dry dock. The Minnesota is aaoat
and being towed towards Fort Monroe"
The following despatch was also received
Sunday night:
FORTRESS MONROE, March 9th, 645 D. m.
To Gideon Welles, secretary of the navy The
Monitor arrived at 10 p. m. yesterday, and
went Immediately to the protection of the Min
nesota lying aground just opposite Newport
News AT seven n. m. to day the Merrmac,
accompanied by two wooden steamers and sew
eral tugs, stood out towards the Minnesota
and opened fire. The Monitor met them at
once and opened her fire, when all the enemys
vessels retired excepting the Merrimac These
two iron-clld vessels fought, part of the time
touching each other, from eight a. IN. to noon,
when the Merlimac retired. Whether she is
injured or not it is impossible to say. Lieut.
tnant J. ). Worden, who commanded the Mon
handled her with great skill assisted by Chief
Engineer sinners. Lieut. Worden was injured
by the cement from the pilot house being dri-
ven INTO his eyes, but trust not seriously
Inc Minnesota kept up continuous fire, and
Is herself somewhat injured. She was removed
considerably today, and will probably be off
tonight The Monitor is uninjured and ready
at any moment to repel any rttack.
G. V. Fox,