Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-03-11

Meri ilnac aud her ireu clad companions opened
with shell and shot 90 The Newport News pAs'e'
ries The firing was brisky returned. various
reports have been rec,isel, principally from |
frightened suffers clerk. some Of them repre-
4eui that The garrison had been compelled to
retreat from the battefi,s 10 the wnols Another
report IS that the two smaller rebel steamers had
been compelled TO retreat f., IA the guns Of the
batteries.
In the meantime, the steam frigate Minnesota,
hAyng partly got up steam, was being toEed up
to the relief Of the two frigates, but did not get
up until tOo late 10 assist them. She was also
followed by the frigate St. Lawrence, wuch was
taken in tow by several Of the small larb0r
steamers. ltis, however, rumored that neither
Of these vessels had pilots on board them, and
after a short engagement both seemed TO be- ~
the opinion Of the pilots on the point, aground
| The Minnesota, either Intentionally or from
necessity, engaged the three ebel steamers at
about a mile distance with ouly her two bow
guns. The ST. Lawrence also poured in shot
4 from all her guns she could hrtng to hear aud
it WAS the impression nt The most experienced
naval officers On the point that both hal been
considerably damaged.
These statements, il must he borne in mind,
are all based on what could be seen by the glass
at distance Of nearly eight miles, and by
nearly the first gun from Newport News.
ln the meantime darkness approached, though
the moon shone out brightly aud nothing hut
the occasional flashing Of guns could be seen
The Merrimaa was nlso believed to he aground,
as she remained stationary ut tie distance ot
about mile ilom the Minnesota, making M
attempt 10 attack or nolesi her
Fears were Of course entertained for the safe
ty of the Minnesota and ST. Lawrence, in such
an unequal contest, hut if the Merrmac was
really ashore she could do no farther harm To
them. II Was the intention Of Minnesota with her
ii sel and gallant crew TO have run into close
quarters with the Mnimac, avoid her iron
Irow and board her This the Merrimac seem
ed not inclined to give her au opportunity to do,
being afraid to approach her when aground
e AZ eigbt o'clock when the Baltimore boat left,
, a Aset Of steam tugs were being sent up to the
Il relief Of the Minnesota and the St. Lawrence,
aud an endeavor wns to be made 10 draw them
OH ir ON the bar, on which them had grounded
3, The firing had been suspended, whether FROM
u mutual consent or necessity could not be ascer
4 tainel.
The rebel battery at Pigs Point was enabe'
g 10 on IA the combined attack On the Mime
ii sofa, aud several guns were nrcd ut htr irun
e Sewehs Paint as she went up none Of them
/, however, struck her, but one Of two passed owe
le her.
ye OFFICIAL ptsPATcnrs From FORTRESS moSHok
wAsnsGroa. March . The following ies
patch WAS Tonight received by Maj9r Den. Nc
q, Cellan from Gen. Wool;
81 "FoRrREss, March &c O'Clock. +. M..-Iw
e hours later by telegraphc despatch u the Secf'
h. tary of War Inst evening, the steamer Monte
arrived She Immediately went 10 the assistAnc
"A of the Miunesota which was aground and col
"a tinued SO until II few minutes since Earl
~ this morning she was attacked by the Merrimai
10 and Nntttfmn ham
l,o contest they were driven oil. and the Mlerrima
q is in q sinking condition She Was towed by Il
az jamestown, Yorktown aud several smaller boa
Il towards Norfolk, no doubt for the purpose,
N possible to get her III the dry dock for repairs
,w "lhe Minnesota is atoat and being towed Il
~ wards Fortress Monroe"
ed DESPATCH TO THE SECRETARY or 1nR navy.
10 FoRrREss MosRoG, March I'd 45 P. MI
M Il. Melles, Secretary Of tue Navy The steam
M Monitor arrived at 10 o'clock L. NJ. last nigh
he and won't Immediately 10 the projection OF Il
of Minnesota, lying aground just below Newpo
b4 News. AT, O'Clock A. NJ the Merrimac, u
t.a compunieI hy two wooden steamers and sever
Ia tug, stood out towards the Minnesota al
ma opened tre
60. The Monitor met them at once, aud open
in her fire, when nil the encmy's vessels relir
r.i excepting tue Merrimac, These two iron cl
ihn vessels fought, part vi the time touching ea
NV other, from o'clock A. NJ. till uoon when I
M Merrmac retired. Whether she is injured
not il is impossible to say Lieut. J. s Word,
aon who commanded the Monitor, hanll, her wi
nr great skill, assisted hy Chief Engineer Steiner
a. Lieut. Wotdeu was injured by the cement fr,
ere Tue pllol mouse neing ut'en mo ms eyes hn
cnn trust not seriously.
ing The Minnesota kept up continuous fire a
nce is herself somewhat injured She wns mos
one considerably to day, and will probably he off
ery night. Tue mouitor is uuipiureI aud ready
~ any moment to rtpei another attack.
ept (Sgnedl q. v, Fox.
md Assistant Secretary Of the Navy