The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-03-13
THE WAR.

l. llI VS1lIUs
The Naval Engascmcnt al For.
tress Monroe.
TWO FEDERAL VESSELS BURNED.
FosrsEss MoSRoE, March s-The Merri.
mac was signaAed this morning moving
down the channel from Norfolk, in front OF
Sewall's Point battery All was excitemen,
about Fort Monroe at this news, and the
Cumberland, Congress, Minnesota, st. Law.
renee and Roanoke exchanged signals Of
danger. The Merrimac had nothing above
water but a flagstaff flying the rebel flag,
and smoke.stack. She moved slowly and
steamed directly for the Cumberland and
Congress, lying at the mouth Of James Riv.
err. The Cumberland opened on her with
heavy guns, but the balls glanced of, having
no effect. At the same time the rebel steam
ers Yorktown and Jamestown came down
James River and engaged our frigate, and
on the other side cur batteries at Newport
News opened on the gunbosts to assist the
Cumberland and Congress, which, being
sailing vessels, were at the mercy of the
rebel steamers. They both aimed heavy
broadsides. on the Merrimac, which was
slowly approaching, but all effect perccptible
was to slightly check her progress. She
then ran against the Cumberland, sinking
her about amid-ship and literally laying open
her side. She then drew off and fired into
the Cumberland. then again dashed agains,
her with her iron-clad PROV, knocking in
her side, left her to sink, and started for the
Congress, laying quarter ola mile distant
which was engaging the Yorktown and
jamestown. She, having no regular crew
aboard, being only partly manned by three
companies ola naval brigade and seeing the
hopelessness ofcontending, struck her colors
The jamestown then took from her all hel
officers as prisoners Of war. Both vessel.
were fired by the rebels. After this til,
Merrimac and two gunboats opened with
shot and shell on Newport News batteries. =
Some accounts say the garrison was com
PEELED to retreat to the woods. Others SAY
the gunboats were compelled to retire. go
The Minncsota did not get steam up II
time to aid the two frigates. She was fol
lowed by the St. Lawrence, and, from ne
cessity, engaged the rebel vessels at dis
lance Of q mile. It was the impression q
the Point that both were considerably dam
aged, but these statements are based OF
what could be seen with glass at the dis
tance Of eight miles. The Merrimsc wa
also believed to be aground when tho boat,
lay at a distance from the Minnesota, making
no attempt to attack her. After the last CUR
was fired from the Minnesota they saw
dense volnmeiof vapor rise from the Merri
mac, indicating an explosion of some sort
though it is not known to be so, but il is be
lievcd she was ground. It was the inten
ton Of the Minnesota to run in close quar-
tiers, avoiding the iron PROV of the Merrimat
and carry her by boarding. The Merrimn'
did not seem inclined to give her this oppor
tunity. ~ @ g5g sE.S b
As the Baltimore boat left Old Point Mt
o'clock she met the Ericsson and Monito,
going in. .ses.s 81 va
New YorK, March 9.-The Tribunc's Fl
Monroe special states the frisate Cumberland
had a crew of 500, nearly half of whom were
lost. ,s
A negro who escaped reports the lost about
one hundred.
LATER.
I FoRr MONROE. March 9.-The Monitor ar
rived at 10 o'clock, last night, and immedi
ately went to the protection of the Minncso
tn aground between here and the News. A,
Z o'clock, today the Merriinac, Yorktown
Jamestown and several tugs went towards
the Minnesota and opened fire. The Moni
tor opened fire also. when the enemy's yes
sells retired, excepting the Merrimac. These
two iron clad vessels fought from 8 o'clock
till noon, part Of the time Touching each 9th
er. The Merrimac then retired. pt
The Monitor was commanded by Lieut.
Warden and was handled with great skill
assisted by Chief Engineer Strauss.
{ The Minnesota was somewhat injured, bu,
kept up continuous fire. The Monitor il
uninjured and ready for another attack.
STILL LATER.
WASHINGTON, March 9.-Gen. Mcclellan
received despatch from Gen. Wool, dated
this evening, confirming the above. and sta,
tidg that the Minnesota had got off, and the
Merrimac driven off ia sinking condition
with the jamestown, Yorktown and other
boats. towards Norfolk, probably to let her
in the dry dock.
Lieut.. Warden, commander Of the Moni
tor, was injured by splinter from the pilot
house being hurled into his eye, probably
not seriously.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
FoRrREss MONROE, March 9.-The long
expected Confederate steamer Merrimae
made her appearance here yesterday p. M,
with the assistance of two gunboats. which
came out with her from Norfolk, made an
attack upon Newport News, and the nava
vessels stationed at that place. The Merri.
mac was first seen from tho ramparts Of For.
tress Monroe on her'way to Newport News,
at aboutia quarter before ono o'clock. Two
rebel gunbsatsl followed her. They all car.
ried q rebel flag at the stern. and had .
French flag at tho masthead. The Merri-