Weekly Delaware State journal and statesman. (Wilmington, Del.) 18??-18??, 1862-03-21

this moment, the larger of the three, which pre-
sents the singular appearances OF fioaiing house
anbmerge1 to the enyes, is seen underway, head
ing directly for us. The officers are ordered
Immediately to their stations. Lieutenant Green
To command the gunners; Chief Engineer Sti-
mers to control the movements Of the turret
during the action, and to witness the behavior Of
the Monitor, which is TO form part Of his report
Ia the Government. Just as We are approaching
the turret hatch to retire below, the Merrimac
opened the action with shot that struck the
water between the Minnesota and Monitor, and
glanced far astern. Capt. Worden Immediately
took bis position in the pilot house, where, ably
seconded by Mr.. Howard, from one Of the U. S
steamers, who volunteered as Pilot, assisted by
Quartermaster Williams, he directed the move
nents of the Monitor and gave his orders during
the entire action. All hands, officers and crew,
are now Mt stations waiting in brealhless sus-
pense for further orders. Capt. W. placed the
Monitor in position, forwarded the bearing OF
the Merrimae to Lieut.. Green in the turret, ami
gave the order to fire. The port apron swings
aside, the gunners. too, spring to the gun ropes,
n creaking Of pullies for a moment, and then
laundering report broke the death like stiffness
that reigned along the dusty ranks of powder
passers on the magazine deck; the Monitor has
made her maiden speech. From this time tho
Meirimar coming down to attack the Minnesois,
turned her guns on the Monitor, and we were
the recipients of her compliments thenceforth.-
She gave us few more shots, and then, as if
frenzed at her failure to demolish us, ran head
on n full tilt, as in her action with the Cumber.
land; but in this instance with far different
result Capt. W. judged that, failing to run us
down, her intention was to board us, but If SO,
she changed her programme, probably not
pleased with the expression Of the grim eye of
our cuumbad, which at this moment. at hint
f.on oho harf tla ftrpiUhf
l70 lbs directly through the Merrimac's hull at
wAtcr line.
Now comes the order from Captain W. to the
Lieutenant, az Reserve your fire will lay you
alongside the Merrimac then aim deliberately,
and do not lose q shot" In few minutes this
movement accomplished, and then from both
combatants the firing was very rapidly executed
for some time until Merrimac, not liking her
position, retreated TO longer range. To Mr.
Green's occasional inquiry as to the effect Of our
shots Captain Worden answered in cool, delib-
crate manner, that excited the admiration and
enthusiasm of all within hearing AT one time,
while tha.yesses were lying side by side, Mr..
Green accurately trained his gun on the Nlerri-
mnc's water line. and after delivering the shot,
inquired Of Captain Worden Iha effect. The
answer cnme loud and clear, "splendid, sir;
you made the iron fly. You cannot do better,
hut fire as rapidly Ms you can" The Merrimae
fetreateu slii iurtntr III inc uifeCilon oi 0eMhh
Point. Captain W, judging the range too great
for effective firing, directed the Lieutenant to
wait for hia order before giving her another shot
few minutes passed, and the order came It
was scarcely executed when a percussion shell
struck the corner of the pilot house, and, ex-
plodng, injured the Captains eye.
few seconds and another exploded in the
same neighhorhool, and adding TO the previous
injury rendered for time our noble Commander
completely blind this occurred at twelve NJ,
and was, / believe, the last shot the Merrimac
fired in the engagement
The command now devolyed on Lieutenant
Green, who took the Captains position in the
piloi-house, and directed the closing movements
of the action. The Merrimac, proud and def
ant in the beginning Of the action, now present
ed an entirely different spectacle. She had no
doubt received q vital injury, and it is the opin-
ion Of the feet, that were anxious spectators of
the engagement, that she retired in a shaking
c0pgieq Tbs MSpit0F dl gqals haSs sisNEeus
her orders we're to act entirely on the defensive,
and not by any means to leave the immediate
vicinity of the feet in the Roads. This mper-
feet sketch must suffice for the present writer
the story will be better told by those whose
privilege it was 10 witness the iron monster
foiled and driven back to his lair. D. c. j.