The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-03-14
BALTIMORE. March 10.

BALTIMORE, March 10.
The gunbost Alabama from Fer
nandina, Florida, arrived today.
bringing Captain Davis bearer oil
dispatches from Com. Dupont, an.
noucing the capture of Fernandinn
and Brunswick by the feet under
his command. The fleet left Port
Royal March 9th. TIE fret place
approached was Brunswick, Geor
gia. The enemy fled at the sp
proach of the guboats. We took
possession and lett a gunboat in
charge. This gives the Government
control OF the whole cosya Of Georgia
from South Carolina to Florida.
The feet next went 80 miles south
to Cumberland Sound, the entrance
to Ferndina harbor. When In sight
Of Fort Clincb, the enemy were seen
flying, after firing but few shots. -
We Immediately took possession
OF the Fort. A train OF cars was
observed leaving Fernandina, the
track running 3 miles along the
shore. A gunboat threw shells at
the train, causing some to Jump off,
among them ex Senator Yulee, oi
Florida.
10 large guns fell into our hands,
including one 100 pound rifled can.
non; also considerable ammunition.
Gen Wrights forces were landed
and garrisoned the Fort and earth.
works, also taking po session of the
city. Most oi the male inhabitants
had fed.
This has been one of the mos,
useful ports to the rebels. Object OF
the expedition accomplished March
4th.
FoRTREss MONROE, March s.
Merrimac was signalled this morn
ing moving down the channel from
Norfolk, in front of Seville Point
battery. All was excitement about
Fort Monroe at this news and the
Cumberland, Congress, Minnesota,
st. Lawrence and X ,anoke cxchang.
cd signals of danger. The MerrimaC
had nothing above water but a flag
staff flying the rebel flag, and til.
sn oke'stack. She moved slowly
and steamed directly Tor the Cum
ber'and and Congress, lying at the
mouth Of james River. The Cum
berland opened on her with heavy
guns, but the balls glanced off, hav.
ing no effect. At the same time the
rebel irou-clad gunboats Yorktown
and jamestown came down James
River, and engaged our frigates on
the other side.
Our batteries at Newport News
opened on the gunboats, to assist the
Cumberland and Congress, which
being sailing vessels, were at the
mercy Of the rebels. They both
rained heavy broadsides on the Mor
rimac, which was slowly approach,
irg, but all the effect visible was to
slightly check her progress. She
then ran against the Cumberland
striking her about amidships, literal
ly laying open her side.
She ,hnn drew of and fred int
the disabled ship, and agaiu dashed
against her with her iron-clad Prov
and knocking in her side, left her to
sink, and started for thp Congress
aging II quarter Of II mile di-tant
which was engaging tho Yorktown
and jamestown. She having no
regular crew aboard, being only
partly and seeing the hopelessness
of contending struck her colors.
The jamestown then took from
her all her fficers as prisoners.
The crew escaped in boats. The
vessel was fired by the rebels.
Alter this the Merrimac and two
gun boats opened with shot anc
shell on Newport News batteries.
Some accounts ssy tn, garrison wa;
compelled to retreat to the WOO le
others say the gun boats were oh
liged to retreat. The Minnesota
did no. get steam up in time to aid
the two frieates. She was followed
by the St. Lawrence, and from nee
essity engaged the rebel vessels at 4
distance OF one mile. 1t was the i'm
preston at the point that both wer,
considerable daWageh. but thes,
statements sre based on what coul,
bo seon with a glass at distance D
eight miles.
The Meriimac was also believed
aground. When tho Baltimore boa
eft, sLe lay mile distant from tn
Minnesota, making no attempt t
Inolest her. After the las. gun wa
fred from Minnesota persons declar
they saw dense m ss OF vspor ris
from the Merrimac, indicating an eA
plosion Of some sort. 1t is nc
known that this is 80, but it is be
lieved she was aground. 1t was til
intention of tho Minnesota to run il
close quarters to avoid the iron pro,
OF the Mcrrimac, and carry her b.
boarding. The MerriInac did nc
seen inclined to give her IN oppor
tunity. AS the Baltimore boat lei
Old Point at eight o'clock, she me
the Ericsson. The steamer Monte
is going in.
FoRrREss MONROE, March O.
The Monitor arrived at 10 o'cloc
llast niybt and Immediately went &