Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-03-12

Mr.. JONES, from the sams Committee, reportsd
resolution authorizing the Clerk - have the services OF
Of his assistants during the secret sessions Of ,he
House, which was adop'ed.
instructions from the Committee Foreign Affairs. the
House resolved itself into secret session. 10 consider
some matter to be submitted from that Committee.
orfs SESSION.
Afler some time spent In secret session, the doors
again opned fer the purpose Of reading the fol-
lowing message sent in BY the Presdcn. this morning.
MESSAGE OF TIE PRrsIDExr.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the
Confed rate States:
herewith transmiI letter Of the Secretary Of the
NAVY OF this date covering the official report Of the
Naval engagement between the James River Squadron
and the euemys fleet At Hampton Roads on the sh lust
The officers and men OF our Navy, engaged 10 TINS
brilliant flir deserve well OF their country, and are
recommended to the consideration Of Congress.
The disparity Of the force engaged DID not Justify
the anticipation Of great victory, and Is doaoy
Gratifying that has been won upon an element where
We were supposed be least able to compete with our
enemy.
Special attention Is called to the perfdious conduct Of
the enemy, in hosting, on the frgste Congress- ~e
dag and renewing IRE from that vesss under the inn
punity thus timed JEFFERSON DAVIS.
March llth, 1862.
RrPoRr OF THE NAVAL EseAGrNEsT.
The following report OF the engagement referred 10 10
the Presidents message was next read.
CONFEDERATE STATES STEAM BAITEH VIRGINIA
on Sevells Point, March sth, 1854
Flag Officer In consequences Of the wounding OF Fig
Officer Buchanan, Il becomes my duty 70 report that
he Virginia lf the Yard this morning at ii o'clock Il
scanned down tie river past batteries and over
10 Newport News, where engaged the batteries Oh
shore and also two large steam gates supposed 70 Os
the Minnesota aud Roanoke and sailing irigate and stV
eral small steamers armed with heavy rhed gus we
sunk the Cumberland and drove the Congress ashore
where she hauled down her coors and hos,ed the whe
e; but she fred upon us, with the white hB hyog,
| rounding Lieutenant Minor and some OF our men. we
again opened Ere upon her. and she noS In names
the shoa water prevented reaching the other ieaes
Thi, with The approach Of night, we think saved tnem
| from destruction. .
| O. loes is two killed and eight wounded. Two OF
orr qdns h.d the muzE shot of The prov was twist
ed, IN the armor somewhat damaged. The anchor and
all the Y stats shot away and the smoke stack and
steam p'pe were riddled.
The bearing of the officers and all that could
be wished aud in fact it could not have been olhe-
wise after the noble and daring conduct Of the Dag ON
GER whose wound Is deeply regretted by all on board,
who would gladly have sacrificed themselves in order
| to save Lim.
We were accompanied from the Yard by tho Beaufort,
Lieut. Parker and Raleigh Lieut. Alex inder and a.
ron as il was discovered up tie James River that tho
| action had commenced, we're Joined by the Patrick
henry, Commander Tucker the jamestown, Lieutenant
Barney and the Teiz r. Lieutenant Weob, all OF which
we're actually engaged AID rendered very Efficient GER
| vie.
Enclosed send the Surgeons report Of casualties.
| have the honor TO be- cir,
very respec folly, your obedt serv't,
| CAIESBY AP. X J0NE',
| Tx. and Ordnance Officer.