Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-03-13

ted at twelve but she might not have had so
many. AT her bows two guns were seen pro-
Jecting from long eliptical port-hoe. The
design of the enemy did not become apparent
until between one and two o'clock. The Min
nesota then got under way for the scene of nc.
ton the Roanoke, having broken her shaft.
was taken in tow by the gunboats Dragon and
Young America. The alarm gun at Fortress
Monroe was fired, and the whole garrison was
promptly under arms. The 10Th New York
regiment were briefly addressed by Col Bendix.
All testified their delight at the prospect of ec
ton. After being under orders for some t;mc
the garrison was dismissed until wanted.
SINKING THE CUMBERLAND.
The first shot was fred from the Cumber.
land, at little past two o'clock. Sewolls
FONT battery then opened on the Minnesota
which was passing, and the big SAWYER gun AZ
the Rip Raps fired few shots at Sewolrs
Point a thick smoke was soon 10 rico obo,o
Newport News point indicating tina the battery
there, as well as the Cumberland and Congros:
were engaged. The details of the action oould
not be seen from the fort, but telegraphic dis.
patch was received announcing that the Cum.
berland and the Merrmac were in close quar-
iers. as the latter approached the Cumber-
land, she paid no attention to the Congress.
but, after firing two guns, struck the Cumber.
land with her sharp bows, making n Jagged
hole in her side, at the water line. seven teet in
extent The Cumberland commenced TO sink
when the Merrimac, backing around ran into
her the second time, making another terrible
hole, which admitted water at a furious rate.
She continued firing till the water began to en-
Ter her PORTFOLIOS, and soon after she careened
over and finally sunk, at about 3 o'clock The
Newport News battery and the guns of the
Cumberland fred continuously upon the Merri-
mac, but no apparent effect was produced.
The Minnesota getting aground, could render
little assistance. The Yorktown was disabled
early by the Cumberland and put in shore for
repairs.
SURRENDER OF THE CONGRESS.
After sinking the Cumberland the Merrimac
turned her attention to the Congress, and in
less than an hour the white flag was hoisted a.
board the latter. The officers were taken off
by rebel gunboa:, and the crew allowed TO
escape. During the evening the Congress was
set on fire and made brilliant spectacle At
midnight she was blown up, with tremend-
Gus explosion.
OTHER VESSELS ENGAGED.
The frigate ST Lawrence arrived at Fortress
Monroe during the afternoon and, without drop-
ping anchor, proceeded up the river. She
followed the example of the Minnesota and
Roanoke in firing upon Sewals Point but,
like theirs, her shot fell short. The gunboat
Mystic was towed up in the afternoon at sum
down, and the Roanoke, 81 Lawrence and Mys-
tic returned. After 4 o'clock the Merrimac con-
ttnued TO throw shell into the camp at New
port News while the jamestown and other re-
bpI Upp 81; Ia,
nesota. The latter replied IS vigorously as
possible, and the conflict was continued with
out any apparent effect until dark
ARRIVAL AND ENGAGEMENT OF THE MONITOR.
During Saturday evening the Monitor ar
rived very opportunely, and at once proceeded
up the river, although not prepared for action,
to take her part. During the night only an
occasional gun was fred. The conflict was re-
newed Sunday morning, the arrival of the
Monitor not being known to the Merrmac.
The batteries on shore we've engaged with the
Minnesota, and but for the arrival of the Moni-
tor the Minnesota would have been lost. The
Monitor and Merrmac engaged each other for
two or three hours at long and short range,
with no perceptibe effect upon either. They
went along side once or twice, and seemed al
most to run each other down, but they soon re.
appeared. The Ericsson battery succeeded
finally in forcing large hole in the port side
of the Merrimac and, with the whole rebel fleet
she retired to Norfolk about o'clock Sunday.
The Monitor came up TO the expectations,
and proved herself impregnable to the heaviest
shot at close quarters. She behaved remark
ably well on her passage from New York, and
although the sea covered her decks completely
at times, her speed did not seem at all dimin-
ished.
II Al. a. -. II