Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-11
From Fortress. Monroe.

FORTRESS MONROE, March 9.-The long ex
pected Confederate steamer Merrmac made her
appearance yesterday afternoon with the assist
ance of two gunbOats which came out with her
from Norfolk and made an attack upon Newport
News and the naval vessels stationed at that
place.
The Merrimac was first seen from the ram
parts of Fortress Monroe on her way to Newport
News.
At about quarter before one o clock two rebel
gunboats followed the Merrimac All of them
carried the rebel flag at the stern and had French
flag at the masthead.
The Merrmac had flag at her bows, which
was described by some as Commodore's blue
flag, and by others a black flag.
The sides, bows and stern OF tie Merrimac
were covered with sloping iron plates extending
about two feet below the water line and meeting
above like the roof of house On her bows on
the water line are two sharp iron points, resem-
bling plows, about six or seven feet apart The
number OF guns Is stated at twelve, but she might
not have had many At her bows were seen
two guns projecting from very long eptical port
holes.
The design of the enemy did not become ap
parent until between one and TWO O'Clock, and
by that time the Minnesota had got under way
to the scene of action The Roanoke, the fla
ship, being disabled by the breaking OF her shaft
some time since, was taken in tow by two gun
boats. About the same time the alarm gun
was fired at Fortress Monroe and the whole
garrison promptly turned out. The rebel boats
steadily pursued their way to Newport News and
the Merrimac soon turned the point and was lost
to view from the Fortress
The first shot was fired from the frigate Cum
berland at little past 2 o'clock
The Sewall's Point battery then opened the
Minnesota, which was passing, and the Sawyer
gun from the Rip Raps replied with few shots
at Sewalls Point.
\ thick smoke was soon seen 10 arise above
Newport News point, indicating that the battery
there, as well as the Cumberland and Congress,
was engaged
The details of the action could not be seen
from the Fort, but a telegraph dispatch was re-
ceived announcing that the Cumberland and Mer-
rimac were IN close quarters.
Alter firing two guns at the Cumberland the
Merrimac struck her, her sharp bows making a
hole in her the water line seven feet in extent
The Cumberland commenced sinking, when
the Merrimac, backing short distance, run into
her Il second time, making another terrible hole
IN her, causing the water to run in at furious
rate.
The Cumberland continued firing ill the wa
ter entered her pert hole, when she careened over
slowly and finally sunk at 3 O'Clock
The Newport News battery and the guns of
tee Cumberland hired continuously upon the Mer-
rimac, but apparent effect produced upon
her.
The Minnesota got aground OH the way up,
and could afford but little assistance.
Shortly before 3 o'clock, the Yorktown and
jamestown arrived from up the James river The
former was disabled early in the afternoon, and
put IN shore for repairs.
After sinking the Cumberland. the Merrimac
turned her attention TO the Congress.
In less than an bOur afterwards, white flag
was hOisted on the Congress.
\ rebel gunboat Immediately went alongside,
and took the officers and marines prisoners
The seamen were allowed TO escape to shore.
The irgate St. Lawrence arrived here during
the afternoon, and without dropping her anchor,
proceeded up the river, and followed the exam
pie of the Minnesota and Roanoke in firing ON
the battery at Sewalls Point but like the her
shot fell short.
The gunboat Mystic was also towed up in the
afternoon. but shutdown the Roanoke, ST. Law
Lawrence and Mystic all returned.
After four o'clock the Merrmsc continued to
throw shells into the camp at Newport News,
while the jamestown and other rebel gunboats
commenced firing on the Minnesota. The latter
replied rs vigorously as possible and the conflict
was continued without apparent effect until dark
During the evening the Congress was set on FIRE
and at midnight was blown up making terrible
exposing.
During the evening the Monitor ed and at
once proceeded to take part in the action.
During the night only an occasional gun was
fired.
Reinforcements of men and ammunition were
sent To Newport News early in the afternoon.
Little serious damage done and no one
Was killed
This morning the conflict renewed until
the presence of the Monitor was known to the
Merrimac.
The latter was engaged with the Minnesota,
and but for the fortunate arrival Of the Monitor
the Minnesota might have been lost.
The Monitor and Merrimac engaged each other
for two or three hours at long and short range
without perceptible effect upon either. They
went alongside of each other once or twice and
seemed almost to run each other down, bat they
soon appeared again to renew the action