Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-03-25
FROM THE FEDERAL STATES.

| EKOM IRE y DEh AL 81 n EBs
OFFICIAL REPORTS OF THE Fight IN HAMPTON
RoADs-THE "GRAND ARMY"-oARLILE AND
WENDELL PHILLIP5-MIsCELLA NEOU5 ITEMS
We suhioin further extracts from the latest Northern
papers received here:
NAVAL KxeAeEMESr IN HAMPTON RoADs-oTTIcrAL RE.
| PORTS.
The official report of Lieut.. Pendergrast (Who sue.
eeeded Lieut. Joseph B. Smith, 10 command OF the ri'
gate Congress- on the 9Th instant, states that when the
asrmac with three small gunboas were seen steaming
down from Norfolk and had approached near enough TO
discover her character the ship cleared for action
At ten minutes after two, the Merrmc opened with her
bow gun with grape passing us on the star beard EIDE
at distapcs OF IbouI 800 yards Receiving our broad
side and giving one in r,tuFn.
After passing the Congress- che ran into and sank the
soop-of war Cumberland The smaller vessels then at
tackled U.s. killing and wounding many OF our crew See
ing the late Of the Cumberland set the fore and top
sail and with the assistance Of the tug boat L,uave,
drew the vessel ashore At half past two the herim4c
took position asern OF Us at distance OF ABOUT lou
Yards and raked fore and aft With Shells while one OF
the smaller steamers kept up hre on our starDoard
quarter. -,
10 the meantime the Patrick Henry and Thomas JEFF
feson Rebel Steamers approached Us fom up the James
river firing with precision and doing Us great damage
Our two stern guns were our Only means Oh oeienee.
Tnes, were soon disabled being dsmouned aud the
other having its muzze knocked AWsy. The men were
knocked away from with great rapidly, and sAugh
tered by the terrible fire OF the enemy.
Lieut. Pendergras FIRST learned OF the death Of Lieut.
Smith at half past four. The death happened ten min.
utes previous. Seeing that our men we're being killed
without the prospect OF any relief from tbs Minnesota,
which vessel had ashore 10 attempting 10 get up TO
US from Hampton Roads not being able 10 get singe
gun upon the enemy and the ship being on hre IN
several places upon consultation with Commander VIM.
Smith, we deemed 1t proper to haul dOwn oar eoIoTs
NJ ~. Wa
soon boarded by of:er Of the herriuac, who said
lie would take charge of the ship he intended to burn
her Immediately. sharp FIRE with muskets aud artillery
maintained from troops ashore upon the tug,
having the tf,cI o! driving her OF
The MsrrmAc again opened on Us, although we had
peak 10 show that out OF action.
After having Cred several shells into u.s. she left rs and
engaged the Minnesota and the shore batteries after
uhcD Lieut. Pendergrast states the wounded were taken
ashore in email boats she ship having been on IRE from
the beginning Of the action from hot shot bred BY the
herrimEc.
RKroRr OF TIE COMMANDS OF TIE ST.. LiwRrScE.-
The following is extract from the report Of COmman'
der Purviance, of IA fIgse St LswisRee:
At half past o'clock We got under " 10 TOW Of the
Cambridge and WIN ABREAST of the Rsbel battery at
SswSs Point the battery opened fire, one OF the shells
exploding under the fore foot Of the ST. LIWerce doing,
however, material Injury Toe FIRE was returned,
md e Il believed with some 6.ct. The Cumberland
at THE time gone DOM, having been into by the
" rTulSc ad the OOrgTess had surrendered dttr ter
rbis slaughter of her msR and when rendered perfectly
| powerIess by the Ere oil the Rebels.
The Minnesota aground aud engaging the enemy,
vhose fire consisted Of the rebel steam and four
Eve ride wheel guuboats When the AiDnssOs the
St. Lawrence grounded, and at that time opened fire,
bat her sho; dd no execution. Toe armor OF she Nor
rimac PROVED nvunes5Ie her comparatively fc, bic
projec lee Taking advantage Of these pOrentrcu' Or
cumsaLces the herrmlc directed her aention 10 61g
several pr jecliles OF formicAoe dimensions, enc OF
which, an eighty pound sh,l penetrated the stsrbosrd
qlarter about four inches bOve the lne passed
through the pantry Of the ward ROOM and toto The state
roou Of he Assistant Surgeon The port side,
olrtely d,n9isains the bplkhesd. Ald d. sruea
Ayrrst rong roa bar which secured the bulls eye OF
the port. Il returned iato The ward room expended
IL fortunately did not explode AID psr.on Wss 10
iured. The dsm'ge done by this shot proved the pow
DIR Of the pro ecnlss which she employed and really
Kplsined the quick destruction OF wooden and anti
ql,,ed frigates. Oar position a. this time OF
! some Atxey. BEING agroun5, the tag Young Ameri
! came alongHde and gos A. after which power
fu broldside fom the spar and gundecks OF the s..
LSvrepce tten distant about halt mile, thrown into
tue MernGc, induced her TO Withdraw, whether from
neceeslty or discretion il not known.