The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-14
A Terrible Battle.
GREAT LOSS OF LIFE.
AN EXPENSIVE VICTORY,


frigate Merrimac and gunboats Yorktown
and jamestown attacked Ericsson's battery.
After five hours in the contest they were
driven of, the former in sinking condl-
ton. This is official.
In the naval engagement the Merrlmac
sunk the Cum oerland, captured and sunk
the Congress, and took the officers prison.
FRS.
She afterwards opened fire on the Mime
sofa, when the Ericsson steamer Monitor
met them and opened fire On the enemy
vessels, returned, except the Merrimack.
These two iron clad vessels fought from
8 o'clock till noon-part of the time touch
ing each other.
The Merrimack retreated in sinking
condition. Nearly half the Cumberland
crew of 500 were lost.
PARTICULARS OF THE FIGHT.
The long expected Confederate steamer
Merrimac made her appearance yesterday
P. NJ. and with the assistance of two gun
boats which came cut with her from Nor
folk and made an attack upon Newport
News and the naval vessels stationed at
that place.
The Merrimac was first seen from the
ramparts of Fortress Monroe, on her way
to Newport News.
At about a quarter before oDe O'Clock
two rebel gunboats followed her.
They all carried rebel flag at the stern,
and French flag at the masthead. The
Merrimac had 3 Tag at bel bows which
was described by some as commodores
blue flag, and by others as black flag
The side, bows and stern of the Merrmac
were covered with iron plates, extending
about two feet below the water line, ard
1lseting above like the root Of house Oh
her bow.
On the water line are two sharp iron
points, resembling plows, about six or seven
feet apart.
The number OF guns is stated at twelve !;
but she might not have had so many. At
her bows were SEN two guns projecting
from long, eIiptital port holes The de
sign of the enemy did not become apparent
I'LL between one and two O'Clock, and by
that time the Minnesota had got under way
10 the scene of action.
The Roanoke, the flag ship, being disa.
bled by the breaking OF her shaft some time
since. was taken in tow by two gunboats.
A bout the same time the alarm gun was
fred at Fortress Monroe, ard the whole
garrison promptly turned out The rebel
boats steadily pursued Their way to New
port News and the Merrimac soon turned
the point, and was lost TO view from the
fortress,
The first shot was fred from the frigate
CUNT erland, at little past two O'Clock.
The Sewall's Point battery then opened
on the Minnesota, which Was passing, and
the Sawyer gun from the Rip Raps replied
with few shells at Sewall's Point.
A thick smoke was seen to arise above
Newport News point, Indicating that the
battery there, as well as the Cumberland
and Congress, we're engaged.
The details of the action could not be
seen from the fort, but telegraph dispatch
was received announcing that the Cumber-
land and Mearimac were in close quarters.
After firing the guns at the Cumberland
the Merrimac struck her sharp bows max
ing hole in her at the water line seven
feet in extent.
The Cumberland commenced sinking
when the Merrimac backing q short distance
ran into her second time, making terri
BILE hole in her causing the water to run in
at furious rate.
The Cumberland continued firing till the
water entered her port holes, when she Ca
reered over slowly and finally sunk.
About o'clock the Newport News bat
terry and guns of the Cumberland fired con
tinuonsIy upon the Merrimac but no appa-
rent effect was produced upon her.
The Minnesota got aground OF her way
up, and could afford bnt little assistance.
Shortly before 3 o'clock the Yorktown
and Jamestown arrived from up the James
River. The former WAS disabled early 10
the forenoon and put in shore for repairs.
after sinking the Cumberland the Merri-
mac turned her attention to the Congress,
and in less than an hour afterwards a white
flag was hoisted On the Congress.
A rebel gunboat Immediately went along
side and took officers ard marines prisoners
The seamen were allowed to escape to the
shore.
The irigate st. Lawrence arrived here
during the afternoon, and without drop
ping her anchor, proceeded up the river
and followed the exemple of the minnesota
and Roanoke, in firing On the battery at
Sewai's Point /; but like the rest her shot
fell short.
The gunboat Mystic was also towed up
10 the afternoon but at SHUTDOWN the Roano
oke, st. Lawrence and Mystic all returned
After O'Clock the Merrimac continued
to throw shells into the camp at Newport
News while the jamestown and other rebel
gunboats commenced firing into the Minne-
sofa. The latter replied as vigorously as
possible and the conflict was continued
without any apparent effect until dark.
During the evening the Congress was set
on fire.
At midnight she was blown up makinga
tsrribe EXPEDITION.
During the evening the Monitor arrived
and at once pr0ceeeed to take part in the
action.
During the night only an occasional gun
was fired. Reinforcements of men and
were sent to Newport News