Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-03-22
THE NAVAL battle.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF TIE FEDERAL COM.
M3NDER
UNITED STATES STEAMER ROANOKE, I
HAMPTON ROADS. March Y. 1852.



HAMPTON ROADS. March 9, 1852.
To Hon. Gideon WlLes Secretary Of tie Nary,
have the honor to inform You shat yester-
day at one o'clock Of the LOCKOUT vessels reported
by signal that the enemy coming out Immediately
ordered the Minnesota 10 get under weigh and soon
the two tug7 appointed this ship came alo1g-ide
slipped our cable.
The Mprrmac was soon discovered passing out bv
SeEelIs Point, standing toward Newport News sc-
companied by several small gunb0ats Evefy exertou
was made by Us to get all tie speed the Roanoke that
the tugs capable Of giving her but in corss-
queuee Of our bad stesrsgs did get ahead as
rapidly desired to-
The Nerinac went Up and Immediately attacked the
Congress and Cumberland, but art!ruiarly the lstrr
ship, which was hid from rs By the land When about
seven eight miles from Fortress Monroe the Minnesota
ground We continued 70 stand in ard when we "a e
in sight Of the Cumberland that sbe had caraened
over apparently fun Of water. The enemy who had
been joined by two or three steamers from James river
devoted themselves exclusively 10 the Congress but
she being aground could bring bur 6ve guns bear
thr and az minutes before four o'clock had tho
modification Of seeing her haul down her flag
continued 10 stand Till found ourselves in three
aud one hlt fafhoms of wr. and were on the ground
one Of the tugs 10 tow und and the Roam
Ckes ht al ,Vss pointed down the BAY found she
aoat again, directed the tugs go the assist
anoe Of the Minnesota under the hope that with the two
hers which had accompanied her they wen be aa.s
ts get ner off Bu' mp to he time now write they have
not succeed d In doing
At five oclock the frgate St Lawrence in tow Of the
Cambridge, passed US, and not long sf1er she also
grounded; but by ths aid Of the Carbrfgs size has got
20 the Minnesota came down the harbor
In passing the batreries Sewalts Point, both going
and returning the rebels opened fire Us, which WaA
returned from pivot guns; but the range too
great for them while the enemy shot feN FAR beyond
us. One shot went through fore SAIL cutti away
Z two Of shrOuds, aud sever. shells burst sud
under the ship scattering their frGgneRts the deck
Between seven and eight o'clock discovered the
rebels had SET FIRE to the Congress and she continued TO
burn until one o'clock. when she bew up This was a
melancholy sstactOu 10 for she he'd fallen into
the hands Of the enemy It far better to have her
destroyed than thai she hould be Employed against at
some future Y.
Il the impression Of Of my officers that the
rebels hci,ted the French flag heard that the Monitor
had arrived and soon after Lieutenaut-J & JOmmBndiug
Worden came board, and i mediaJeiy ordered him
10 70 up TO the Minnesota hoping she would be
able keep of attack the Miuues0ta I'll. had
got her ahost again
This morning the Herrimac renewed the attack the
Mmuesota but she fouad doubt greatly 10 her sur
prise anew opponent ia the Mentor Tire contest has
been going during the day between these two armed
vessels and most beautifully has the little Monitor sus
tanned herself showing herself capable Of the geast
endurance have not received any OtCil accounts Of
the loss Of the Congress and Cumberland but doubt
shall have them Oon when they will be transmitted 20
you
should do injustice TO the military department did
not inform you tha, every assistance freely rendered
to US They FIVE Of their tugs to the relief of the
Mnnesota, and offered all tbs aid in their power. l
would also beg leave 10 BAY that Cpsin Poor, OF the
ordnance department. kindly volunteered 90 do duty
Temporarily aboard this ship, from whom received much
assistance.
Your obcdiont servant. JOHN HARsI0N.
Usptail and Senior Officer.