, 1862-03-17

own kfth and kin, cprcsented the deck OF the
vessel as being literally covered with tho dead
and dying. One Of them nasurss us that as he
went from for6 to aft his shoes were veil nigh
heads were found scattered in every direction,
while here and there, In the agoniea Of death,
would be found poor dcludel wretches, with
their breasts torn completely ont
OF the crew of the Cumberland but few
survived to tell the tale. As she went down.
Who were taken ns prisoners BY us, and few
Others who escaped to the shore Out OF the
five hundred aboard Of her, 1t Is estimated
that not over hundred at most escaped, the
remainder either being killed by our shot or
drowned as the vessel vent down.
OF cousse the greater part Of those on board
the gunboats were also drowned, as there was
not sufficient time for them to make their es-
cape. Added to this very many In the CAMPS
Of the enemy at Newport News were killed
by the shells which the Virginia threw among
them.
On our side the loss was indeed small, aud
when NC consider the storm Of shell to which
they we're at times subjected, we can but Won
der, while We rejoice, thai so few Of them suf-
fered injury. On the Virginia there were two
killed and eight wounded. Among the wound
ed we regret to mention Capt. Buchanan and
Lieutenant Minor. These wounds, however,
we are happy to say, are but slight. On the
Beaufort, gunner W. Robinson and two seamen
were wounded. This Is all the damage sustained
by this vessel among her men- Two Yankee
prisoners aboard Of her were struck By the
balls Of their friends, one Of them killed, and
standing In the door Of the wardrobe at the
time the Beaufort was alongside Of the Con-
greEs, and one Of the shower Of balls sent BY
the enemy On shore from their Mimic muskets
struck him on the forehead, Penetrating his
brain, and killing him almost instantly: On
AH.y IoI hY$rrl$
IT. On the Patrick Henry four men were
Killed and three wounded. While the loas of
the enemy is counted by hundreds, ours, as
will be seen from the above, amounts to only
seven killed and seventeen wounded.
The loss on our part, as small as It is, was
vessels, but the result, for the most part, Of
the fire Of muskets from shore.
During the contest the mainu1ast of the Ra-
leigh was carried away. The tidg stGTs Of The
FiTginja seere also cut domn.
The report that the Congress was fired by
the federals to prevent her falling into cu1
hands, is without shadow of truth. She was
into onr boats while she had q flag Of truce Al
the time flying after she had struck her coIors
and surrendered to us.
Among the prisoners taken off tho Congress
mond, Esq, Of this city, who escaped to the
enemy some time in October last. He isnow
safe, having reached his home sooner and
under different circumstances than he antici.
pated.
On the arrival Of the Virginia at the yard he,
men were mustered and addressed by the com,
marding officer in terms Of praise for thei,
noble bearing during the engagement They
responded with hearty cheers, and expressed
a desire to again re-enact the scenes through
which they had just passed whenever oppor
tunity presented
The injury sustained by the Patrick Henry
WIS not as great as at first supposed, being st
t1iAing that d few hour's repairs were sufn
cient to place her in readiness for action.
The officers Of the Viginia are represented
as having acted with the utmost courage AMI
bravery during the contest It is related o
Captain Buchanan that during the thickes
Of the tight he remained on the deck Of ths
Virginia, and that he discharged musket afte
muEket at the enemy as they were handed VI
to him. 1t Was while TINS exposed tl,at he re
celvcd the wound Of which mention is mad,
above.
It is said that all of the batteries on New
port News were silenccd except one, and ou
shot and shell were thrown with such uner
ring aim and precision among the enemy thu
great numbers Of them were killed ans
wounded.