, 1862-04-10
THE LATE NAVAL EAGAGEMrNr.

The San FrancScn BUiIetH Of the % nltmo
gives the following particulars Of the late naval
engagement in Hampton Roads, winch has afford.
ed practical test Of the value Of some Of the
recent improvements in the art oG naval warfare,
and established beyond doubt the superiority Of
iron.clad vessels: -
Ii seems that TO the NsrrimJe the rebels are
at last ind, btcd for new sensation; If not for a
victory, SIIll { good fight and gallant de-.
neanOr in the must considerable lIaVa engage me NJ
Of the present war.
On Saturday, week ago to-day, she was towcd
out from Nnifnlk by two eunhOatS, ard up IIamI..
ton Roads until opposite Newport News From
Fortress Monroe she was seen by ~ AN n black
giant, covered with mail uf iron scalrs anr from
her bows two sharp iron rams prutrulc,l. By /
o'clnck it was aPparen which way she would 90,
aud two Of our vessels started after her.
The scene OF the engagement Whirh enSued
was Hampton Roads, through which the waters
Of james River empty intn the Chesapeake. On
the north side, for ling the eas,rrnrnnst cape, l.
Old Point Comfort, with Fortress Monroe upon il.
Also to the north, hut Erming the western cape
Of the Roads, is Newpnrt News Point, where q
few Of our vessels arc Stationed. Midway between
these two points, On the south Sihc If the Roads,
the land opens FIR Elizabeth River tO rmpty its
waters, and a few nils up the river are Norfolk
aud Portsmouth. The rebel batteries at Scwa'S
Point command the entrance to the river, and are
the prime defense Of Norfolk fum Union as.
Saut by ships FROM the north.
The first gun was fired about 2 O'Clock. At
that time the parties I" the conflict were on the
rebel side, the Merrmle alone; on ours, the
slOop-of war Cumberland, % guns, (sailing vessc)
and the steam filgatr Minnesota OF 40 guns, then
opposite Sewall's Point. The Cumberland got
pf the first gun at the .Her1'mae. The Sewall's
| Point battery answered with harmless shots ut
the Minnesota. Our batteries frOm the Rip Rais,
at the mouth Of the Roads, responded, ard then
the engagement became general. The CUmJer-
tdnd got another shot against the tough sides 0l
the Nerr'mae. and then the monster came down
upon her-twice with the heathenish ram on her
prov iniilcting ugly gaShes under the water line.
The Cumberland was mortally wounded, but died
game She kept firing at her iron enemy until
the water poured il at her port.holcs, then slowly
carreniug, sunk, with some 13U myn IN board,
| EhO went with her to the bnttnm. Size was u
Charlestown built ship, Of 1925 tons, andtSenly
years old.
The rebel MeTrimGe now turned to annther ine,
the old Congress, which has been leailing an hon
orahle life these 81 years, and was notable az
Stncktuns dag ship when the conquest Of Cali
G,rnia was effected. II was nm unequal contest.
The r bel steamer, imperVious ~ shot, had the
sailing vessel at her mercy. Ia half an hour the
CoRgres. surrendered; her officers aud marines
we're taken prisoners, hut the seaIneh went fre.
By midnight the Congress vas set on fire by The
rebels and burned
Thus far the rebels had the day; but there
were BY this time other parties t. The fight.
The MinnssOtd wis having lively time With
sundry rebel guRboats until dark, when appaf-
emily neither party was much damaged The
gunboat Mystic, the iriga,e 81 laurence, and
The screw irigate Rodhoke were busy lor our
cause, but what destruction they brought on tie
enemy gunboats Is unknown NJ
During the night only occasional discharges
were heard, but early Sunday morning work
was resumed Il was not long bsEire the Msr-
riBiae found th6ea new champion bad arrived,
the Aonitor, ErceDn's iron clad steamer, Just
81 the klocks. and but that week arrived at for-
tress Monroe frnm New York on her trial trip
The two gave sole attention TO each 9TH r--it
was not mutual endeavOr to run each other
down snd cut each other II pieces The Monitor
bad got little practice by the feat OF cutting a
rebel guiib,iat IN two before her quail les were
Uncovered BY the colnhatants The new conner
had several narrow escapes from her foe, but in-
ally managed 10 get aterrtic blow on the port side
u the NeFTinlde leaving there wound 20 great
that Che Phixtine FASTENED out OF the contest,
and into Norfolk for repairs
The Merrimds was good enough Morgan
till tho Monitor cane. Tie battle was spirited,
ana the rebels tlout,less gained great sclat b,
their Saturday job, destroying iwa of our sail
ing vessels aud causing considerable nss of life.
The issue of Sundays work isaurs The rebels
viii make the most Of the only show Of victory
they have bad these many months, but It Is not
considerable enough to cninlait hen, over onctay
of he wrel that followed. which ems 10 have
been crowded thick with Federal victories.