The New York herald., 1862-03-25
The Naval Fight in Ham pton Roads.
10 THE KpIrOR or rHR HERALD.

The Naval Fight I'm Hampton Roads.
TO THE EDIroR or THE aHRALD.
In the main. Mr.. Editor the account Of ths aght IN
your issue Of tho 10th Substantially o,rrecs
There are some things, however. which have bsea omit
tod by your correspondent, not Intentionally, am
persuaded but because he had tho opportunity TO
make himself acquainted with the facts which shoud ba
published that justice may be done the gallant and mar
torious officers and OF the partially crippled
frigate. II OF deep aud heartfelt regret TO
our noble tars. and also Of the m,n who commanded
them that their noble ship could not got alongside tho
diabolicai Virginia. alias Merrimac TO try broadside OF
her nine inch solid shot upon the iron monster. They
we're confident that, il hoy could get shot at her at
short range hoy could shake and shater TOO her
roof as well her wooden timbers. Truer and do
votedly attached 10 tho Stars and StrpeI never
graced the quarter deck Of Of national ships than
tho captain, officers aud OF the beautiful Roanoke
On the day OF the memorable engagement which
suited In the destruction Congress and Cumberland
about ono oP M, by signals and smoke over Sewall's
Point It discovered that the long expected Merrac
was coming Two small tugs lnnediasely oams o6 10
take the Roanoke Ia tow her steam power being entirely
useless In consequence OF her broken crank shaft They
were made fast, and the ship swung In remarkably
short space Of timc and headed for Newpofts News
running flood lido tho tims and tho ship being
very largo and the TO work hor worry cootracted,
with the greatest and oxtraordina-y
agement that, after SOME delay, ESCAPED running
ashore on the Rip Raps or fouiing sSs sf tho smaller
difficulties. and escaping the dangers TO which wore
exposed, we got under way. when the tide and wind
turned agaiast Such the mpsdimcnt 10 pro-
gress, from tho change Of the wind and tide,
that, although ths small steamers which had
q tow wore doing their boa, 1t was scarcely dis
ovsrable that we we're moving. Each moment now
seemed like hour As neared Sewalls Point at
terribly slow pace the battery situated there opened Ore
Hrcft Follx Auco<
distance, almost every shot told striking IN
raj places cutting away two shrouds passing through
fJresa and bursting directly the Deck scatter
ing tho pieces all directions Here the spirit Of
gallant ars exhibited itsclf Although not permitted
gun il a beautiful sight to behold the order and
coOness displayed by the whole crow. Every man was
his proper station the samo and obedent as ncvey
day drill In consequence of the slowness OF
subjected TO this fire about
hour with but occasional return, were de-
rous TO reserve all our sold shot for close quarters with
the rebel monster. -
AS we approached Newport News We discovered that
Cumberland sunk, hull down, and carsenng to
and Jamestown, after sinking the Cumberland turned
their attention TO the Congress.
Il was discovered that h1c grounded, and the
Minnesota surely hard and fast. The COugresJ hay
Ing been raked fore and aft with her decks presenting
essness and despaing Of any help reaching her. struck
her flag but not, however, until her guns were dis
mounted and the mangled remains Of their crews lay
scattered tho docks.
Every effort was made 70 get the Roanoke aaoat ,
which finally accomplished by the aid Of the tugs
aud our sas Seeing it impossible for the Roanoke
reach the Minnesota tugs were sent TO her assist
ance while drirted down. determined TO anchor %
assistance possible 10 the grounded Minnesota and pre-
the passage the rebel steamers TO sea- should the
attempt be made run the blockade While drifting
down under sail the sswas Point battery again opened
upon with great precision their shells bursting
as before all around u.s. scattering their rasments over
fire. tack the Roanoke, and by trying another channel
proceed TO position near the Minnesota a. possibe
thA hat aknA mt
obey her helm and, missing stays, we lay In irons
target for tho guns Sewals Point. boat was now
manned and despatched down to Fortress Monroe, beg
gng something might be sent 10 tow US into actn
Night before any steamer arrived and we came
10 anchor between Fortress Monroe and the Minnesota
Later all being quiet the Merrimac and the smaller re-
bel having retrsated for the night, we dropped
down nearer the Fortress.
The darkness covered and tho airing had ceased
tho OF the terrible disasters OF the afternoon
We sad but not entirely discouraged Our conh
dence was in Him who tcmpers the wind to the shorn
lamb" With fixed purpose we had determined 10
the enemy in the morning and share the fate OF the other
ships in attempt 70 rebukc the pride OF our
| who was now flushed with partial victory The moon
flung down her silver light upon the placid waters Of
Hampton Roads enabling 70 witness the sad spectacle
ofthe noble Congress- which had behaved 30 bravey
during the Hght snvsopsd in flame The Minnesota was
still aground without any probability Ct getting or We
expected would be captured and destroyed, adding
another disaster 70 the already nsuerabe defeat. Our
indignation was now up 10 its highest point and woe
unto the Merrmac IL would have been had she come at
this time within reach OF the guns and the desperation
Of the Roanoke.
About ten O'Clock P. N. the Monitor mats all hands
glad by appearance the Roads Our hope Of ulti
mate success, which had not forsakcn us, was now
strengthened We rstir ed 10 hunks and hammocks
and sop soundly the excitement and fatigue Of the day
preparing the enjoyment Of rep0se confident In the
expectation that would arise In the morning and be-
hold our defeat wiped ont by glorious and complete
victory won by the little MOnit0r-ths glorious little
Monitor Thank God realized fond expectation.
During the whole Of the proceedings narrated in the
foregoing had ths Opportunitybcing privileged to 30
ali over The shp-of witnessing every thing that trans.
prsd. Every man from the Captain down TO the hum
best position board gallant ship, showed by every
act and look that he was ready and anxious TO DO
his duty.
1t affords me much pleasure to pay this tribute OF
praise my shipmates, the officers and crew Of our
homo, than whom more brave set Of jolly fellows
pointed gun the enemy. With Marston TO lead
them they will always give good report OF the
Roanoke.
Captain Poor, who on board at the time got
under way, volunteered his services which were ac.
copied by Captain Marstou and acknow handsome
y his report the Honorable Secretary Of the Navy
Captain Poor by his coolncss and bravery impressed US
ali with the fact that he was more than ordinary IN his
professon.
In conclusion, allow to say that no ono on board
deserves praise for having done his duty well than
Mr.. William Lingo pilot. Exposed. with the other
officers the bridgc-thc most exposed part OF the
ship during action-he stood firmly at his post mani
Testing the same spirit which characterized the whole
Being non combatant, and consequently yielding ali
donTs and dcssrbsl in this letter. feel usti
fed though officer, and attached to the Roanoke in
giving this hasty composition TO yon for publication in
your widely circulated paper. Ny object is simply 10
give in some public manner credit TO brave and meri
torious ships company Of officers and men.
The following is a corrected list OF tho officers oil the
ship ROBERT GIvIN,
Chaplain U. s. Steam Frigate Roanoke.
Cdpdin-John Marston.
F1 Lieutenant, Esrsdive O0icer-T. Scott Fllebrovn.
Pdymaaey-Benismin j. Cahoons
SaTQe0n-Edward Glchrist.
Lietaenant-Henry ID. Todd.
Captain Of Mdr,nes-M. X. Knitting.
Cadplain-Robert Givin.
Asssdnt Suyeon-J. c. Spear and Ira W. Bragg.