Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-10


FoRrREss MoNRoK, March s-1be dulness Of
Old Point VAS startled az 10 o'clock TO-DAY by
the announcements that monstrcus vessel, sup
posed to be the MerTimac. looking like sub
merged house with the roof only above water
was moving down from Norfolk by the channel
in front of Sewall's Point battery. q Az
Signal guns were also ordered by the Cumber
land and Congress 10 notify the Minnesota. ST.
Lawrence aud Roanoke OF the approaching dan
ger and all was excitement about Fortress Mon
roe
There was nothing protruding above the water
but the flag staff hylng the rebel flag and short
smoke stack. She moved along slowly and
turning into the channel tending 10 Newport
News, steamed direct for the frtgates Cumber-
land and Congress which were lying at the mouth
of James river.
As soon as she came within range of the Cum
berland she oPesed on her with her heavy guns.
but the balls struck and glanced of. having no
more effect on her than peas from popgun.
Her ports we're all closed. and she moved on in
silence. but with full head of steam.
/ In the meantime. the Merrimac ap-
preaching the two friya'es on one side. the rebel
iron, clad steamers yorktown and jamestown
came down the James river and engaged our
frigates on the other side. rr.-...
The batteries at Newport News also opened
on the jamestown and Yorktown and did all
in then power 10 assist the Cumberland and Con-
gress which being sailing vessels, were at the
mercy oil the approaching steamer The Mer-
rimac in the meantime led steadily on her course
and slowly approached the Cumberland, when
she and the Congress at distance of fifteen wards
rained full broadsides on the Merrimac-the
shot took effect, CHANGING upward and flying
of, having only the effect of checking her mo
ment. After receiving the first broadside OF the
frgates she to the Cumberland striking
her sides, then drew off, fired broadside into the
disabled ship and again dashed against her with
her iron clad prov. knocking in her side and left
her 10 sink, while she engaged the Congress
which laid about quarter of a mile distant. The
crew on board of her seeing hopelessness in re
sisting the iron clad steamer, at once struck her
coors.
Her crew had been discharged several DAYS
since, and three companies of the naval brigade
had been put on board temporarily until she
should be relieved 10y the St. Lawrence. which
was TO have gone up on Monday to take her posi-
ton our blOckading vessel at James river
On the Congress striking her colors, the James
town approached and took from on board OF her
all the officers prisoners, but allowed the crew
To escape In boats.
The vessel being thus cleared was fred bv the
rebels, when the Merrimac and her two iron-c clad
companions opened with shell and shot on the
Newport News batteries.
The firing was briskly returned.
Various reports have been received principally
from frightened suffers clerks. Some of them
represent that the garrison had been compelled to
retreat from the batteries To the woods. Another
was the two rebel steamers had been compelled
to retreat from then guns.
In the meantime the steam frigate Minnesota
having partly got up steam was being towed up
TO the relief of the two frgates but did not get
up till too late To assist them. She was also fol
lowed up by the frigate St Lawrence which was
likewise taken in tow by several Of the smaller
steamers. Ii j. however rumored that neither
of these vessels had pilots on board. and after n
short engagement both seemed to be- in the opn-
ion OF pilots on the Point, aground.
The MINI. esota either intentionally or from ne
eccSsty engaged the three steamers at about a
mile with only her two bow guns. The st. Law
renee also poured in shot from all the guns she
could bring to bear. and il was the impression of
most experienced naval officers on the Point that
both had been considerably damaged.
These statements, il must be borne in mind
are all based on what could be seen by the glass
nj a distance of nearly eight miles and by few
panic stricken non -combatants who fled at almost
the first gun from Newport News. In the mean
time darkness approached though the moon shown
brightly. and nothing but occasional flashes OF
the guns could be seen.
The Merrmac was also believed TO be aground
], as she remained stationary at the distance of a
mile of the Minnesota, making no attempt TO
attack or moieSt her.
Previous to the departure of the boat for Bal
timore no guns had been fired for half AN hour
The last was fired from the Minnesota.
Some persons declare that Immediately after
this last gun was fred dense volumes OF vapol
were seen to rise from the Merrimac indicating
the explosion of her boilers. Whether this is So
or not cannot be known. but it was the universal
opinion that the rebel monster was hard aground
Fears entertained for the safety of the
contest, but if the Merrimac was really ashore
she could do no further harm TO her.
II was the intention Of the Minnesota with heI
picked and gallant crew to have run into close
quarters with the Merrimac. avoid her iron brow
and board her. This the Merrimac seemed moi
inclined TO give her an opportunity to do. being
afraid TO approach at close quarters when
aground.
At eight o'clock when the Baltimore boat left
fleet of steam tugs were being sent up To ia,
relief of the Minnesota and ST. Lawrence, and az
endeavOr Was To be made to draw them of from
the bar on which they had grounded. In Tn,
: meantime firing had been suspended, whethe
from mutual consent necessity could not b,
ascertained.
The rebel battery at Pig Point was also Ell
abled To join in the combined attack on the Min
l. nesota, and several guns were fired at her from
Sewalfs Point as she went up none Of them how
ever struck her, and but one two OF then
passed over her.
The Baltimore boat left Old Point about eigh
j., O'Clock last night. About half am hour after she
lett the wharf the iron clad Ericsson steamer
Monitor passed her going in towed by larg'
steamer.
The Monitor undoubtedly reached Fortres
Monroe by nine clock and may have imme
dately gone into serve. If not she would lie read,
to take a part early on Sunday morning.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9-The following telegram
t was received from Fortress Monroe last night
The Ericsson arrived at Fortress Monroe earl
n this morning She was attacked by the tire
e vessels the Merrimac, jamestown and York
town. and after five hours contest they wer
driven off. the Merrimac in sinking condition
The above is official.
FoRTREss MoNRoE. March 9-The Monitor ar
i, rived at 10 last night, and Immediately went 4
: the protection of the Minnesota
The Merrimac, Yorktown, jamestown am
several tugs went towards the Minnesota am
:, opened fire
:, The Monitor met them and opened fire, wher
: the enemy's vessels retired excepting the Meri
mac
The two iron clad vessels fought from I'll
/. noon, part Of the time touching each other whe
the Meuimsc retreated.
The Monitor was command by Lieutenan