Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-03-14
IRON FORTRESS MONROE.


days since for Ship Island.
On Friday morning last, the Mississippi
ran on Fryingpan shoal, staving hole in her
bows. She was hauled Of in the afternoon
by the Mount Vernon. and probably proceed
ed on Saturday afternoon. She probably
reached Port Royal safely, where her troops
can be disembarked and the damage repaired.
Her captain, named Fulton, is suspected OF
Intentionally running her ashore.
A flag Of truce from Norfolk brought down
the commandant Of the French steamer. He
represents great excitement in Norfolk. The
hotels are swarmng with officers, mostly from
the Gulf States. The Virginia troops are be-
ing all sent away. The people are in dread
Of the destruction of the city in case Of an
attack. A strong force was concentrating at
Suffolk to check Burnside, who reported
to have occupied Winton in force, and he
moving on Suffolk The reason given by the
rebels for not returning Corcoran is that
maps and drawings have been found concealed
on his person.
DESPERATE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.
ONE MAS-of-wAR SUNK, ANOTHER CAPTURED
by THE REBEL STEAMER aERRiMAo.
The dullness of Old Point was startled at
mysterious vessel, supposed to be the Mer-
imac, looking like submerged house with
he roof only above water, was moving down
rom Norfolk by the channel, in front Of Sew
dis Point batteries. Signal guns were also
fred by the Cumberland and Congress, to no.
ify the Minnesota, S. laurence and Roam
IKE of approaching danger, and all was ex-
element in and about Fortress Monroe,--
There was nothing protruding above the
water but flagstaff flying the rebel colors,
md a short smoke stack. She moved along
,lowly, and turning into the chanpe leading
20 Newport News steamed directly for the
ufga1es Cumberland and Congress. which were
ying at the mouth Of James river. As soon
e she came within range of the Cumberland
the latter opened upon her with her heavy
ms, but the balls struck and glanced OF,
b wing no more effect upon her than peas
tom pop-gun. Her ports were all closed,
she moved on in silence, but with full
I ad OF steam. As the Bierrimac was ap-
rroaching our two frigates on one side, the
u n-clad gunboats ,y0Restotun and Yorktown
me down James river and engaged our frig-
'',s on the other. Our batteries at Newport
Jews also opened fire on the Yorktown and
a'estoion, and did all in their power to as
lit the Cumberland and Congress, which, be-
Z sailing vessels, we're at the mercy of the
preaching steamer. The Merrimdc kept
,adily on her course, slowly approaching the
rmbeland, when she and the Congress, at
distance Of 100 yards, rained full broad
les on the iron-clod monster. The shots
* no effect flying upward and CHANGING
e having only the effect TO check her pro-
,,css for moment. After receiving the first
oadside Of the two frigates, she ran into
Gee Cumberland, striking about midships
nd literally laying open her sides. She
N drew off, fired a broadside into
~ c disabled ship, and again dashed against
with her iron-clad prov, and knocking in
Ter side left he. to sink, while she engaged
Congress, which lay about quarter of a
C distant. The Congress in the mesn
line kept up sharp engagement with the
,ktolcn and jamestown but having no reg
q + crew on board, and seeing the hopeless
q, OF resisting the iron-cad steamer, struck
,, r colors. Her crew had been discharged
eral days since, and three companies of
naval brigade had been put on board tenn
rarily, until she could be relieved by the
q laurence, which was to have gone up on
y nday to take her position as one of the
ID ckading vessels Of the James river
- the Congress striking her colors, the James |
m approached and took from on board all
officers as prisoners, but allowed her crew
re- escape in boats. The vessels being thus
&, ,red, were fired. The Merrimdc and her
b iron-clad companions then opened with
s...t and shell on the Newport News batter
who briskly returned the fire. In the
antime the steam frigate Minnesota, having
.ty got up steam, was being towed to
'''s relief of the two frigates, but did not
tor LAT ka ola 60 n,
hy the frigate ST. Laurence which was taken
iu tow by some of the small harbor steamers.
e Minnesota, either intentionally or from
necessity, engaged the three steamers at about
a miles distance, with only her two bow guns.
he 81. Laurence also poured in shot from all
he guns she could bring to bear. Fears of
course, were entertained for the safety of the
Minnesota and 81. Laurence in such an I'M
tqual contest. 1t was the intention of the
Minnesota, with her picked and gallant crew to
iun into close quarters with the Merrimac a
ourt her iron prov, and board her. This the
iierrinde seemed not inclined to give her an
opportunity to do, being afraid TO have the
Minnesota crew approach her at close quarters.
At eight o'cloca, when the Baltimore boat
eft, feet of steam tugs were sent up to the
relief of the Minnesota and 81. Laurence,
and endenvor was to be made to draw them
off from the bar upon which they had ground
ed. In the meantime the firing had been
suspended, whether from mutual consent, or
necessity, could not be ascertained
THE REFUSE OF THE MERRTMAo.
The Monitor, an iron-clad Ericsson steamer
arrived at 10 p. m. Saturday night, and went
Immediately TO the pro ection of the Minnesota
lying aground just below Newport News
ha