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

WAsniNdToN, March 9.-'rhe government has
received information from Fortress Monroe that
Yesterday, the iron clad steamer Mcrrimuc nnd
the gnubu4ts jamestown and yorktown attnokt d
our lee and sunk the u. $. soop-of war Cum
berlan1 aud took the Congress The U. $.
steamer Minnesota was aground when the
Fortress Monroe boat lett,
THE REBEL ATTACK UPON THE u s.
FLEET-DETAILs OF THE DISASTER,
FoRrngss MosRog, March s-rhe dullness Of
Ol Point was startled at 10 o'clock to-day by
the announcement that mysterious vessel,
supposed to be the rebel steamer MerTimac, md
locking like submerged house, with the root
only above water, was moving down from Nor
folk by the channel in front Of Sewal's Point.
Signal guns were also fired by the U s. sloop VI
war Cumberland and the frigate Congress Ia
notify the Minnesota 81. Lawrence and Roanoke,
Gi the approaching danger, aud all was exGile
1 neui in and about Fortress Monroe,
There was nothing protruding above the water
but the nag staff, flying the rebel flag, and a
short smoke stack. She came along slowly, and,
turuiug into the channel leading to Newport
! News. steamed direct for the Cumberland and
Congress, which were lying at the mouth of tht
James River As soon as the Merrmac came
within range OF the Cumberland the latter open
ed on her with her hea'y guns, but the balls
struck and glanced oil, having no more effect OF
her Than peas from pop-gun. Her ports were
all closed, and she moved on in silence, but will
full head Of steam.
la the mean time as the Merrmac was mp
proaching the two frgates on the one side, I'll,
iron clad steamers Yorktown aud jamestown
came down the james river and engaged ou
frigates on the other side. The batteries al
Newport News also opened tn the jamestown
aud Yorktown aud did all III their power to assis
the Cumberland and Congress, which beinl
sailing vessels, were at the mercy Of tn
approaching steamers.
The Merrmac in the meantime kept steadily
on her course and slowly approached the Cum
berlAnd, when the latter as well as the Congress
at tie distance Of about one hundred yard
rained full broadsides on the iron clad monster
The shots took no effect, glauciug upwards an'
Tying off, having only the effect Of checking he
progress for moment.
After receiving the first broadsides Of the tw
, iiigateB size run into the Cumberland, strkiD
her about md-hips and literally laying open he
side She then drew of, fired Lroadsde int
the disabled ship and again dashed Against 10
with her iron clad PROV aud knocking in he
, side, left her 10 sink, while she engaged til
Congress, which lay about quarter Of a mil
distant
3 The Congress had, in the meantime, kept up
sharp engagement with the Yorktown an
jamestown, having no regular crew on board
j Of her, and seeing the hOpelesaness Of resistin
the iron-clad steamers, at once struck her cul0rs
Her crew had been discharged several day
> since, and three companies OF the Naval Brigad
0 had been put on board temporarily until sh
I could DC relieved by the st. Lawrence, whic
r was to have gone up on Monday, to take he
! position as one Of the bockaling vessels at tll
James river.
On the Congress striking her colors tn
= jamestown approached aud took from on boar
/ all the officers as prisoners, but allowed th
crew to escape in the boats, The vessel bein
, thus cleared it was fred BY the rebsls, when lh