The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-03-14
NEWS.
Brilliant Naval Exploit.

rimac," to-day. She leit the Norfolk ma
Wy yard at half past IL this morning. &C
companied by three gunboats, and pro-
ceeded to Newport News. Alta quarter
to 2. two fedora, frigates, supposed 10 be
the Congress and Cumberland, commenc-
ed fire upon the Piry1ia. The latter,
when in close quarters, opened fire WITH
her powerful rihed guns upon the m
gates. At a quarter past 2, the battle
ragged with terrific violence. At a quar-.
ter 10 3. one of the frigaies careened and
sunk-it is supposed with great loss Of
life. The other blockading frigate, be-
ing badly disabled, set sail and ran we'll
ashore at Newport News, 10 prevent
sinking
Two large frigates, supposed TO be the
"Minnesota" and Colorado" went up
from Old Point towards Newport News.
When passing Sewell's Point, the Confed-
crate batteries opened upon them-sup-
posed damaging them considerably
The frigates returned the FIRE briskly.--
The Minnesota" stopped at respectful
distance below Newport News and fired
almost necessarily upon the Virginia, till
night. The irigate is supposed to DO
aground.
The Confederate war vessels Patrick
Henry and jamestown, came down the
James River, and fred upon Newport
News, from which heavy hie was re-
turned during the evening. There was
a heavy and continuous thunder Of arms
for five hours. The Virginia and the 9TH
er Confederate vessels continuing ter
rife fire till night.
There is great excitement In the city OF
Norfolk, and great number are on the
shore and the welkin is ringing with
shouts of the multitude,
9l5 p. m.-the engagement is renew
ed. A huge fire is in the direction OF
Newport News. The Congress" is sup
posed to be set on fire by the Confedsr-
ates The deep thunder continues, and
the Vnyiaia is causing terribly fierce de-
struction in the Roads.
Norfolk, March 9.-The firing recon-
menced last night at half past s, and con-
tinued four hours. The Minnesota"
was set on fire, but was extinguished.--
She is aground and badly damaged.
Last night % prisoners were brought
to the city The fight was one of the
most desperate on record. The Virginia
ran into the Cumberland and sunk her.
Our officers and men behaved with great
gallantry. Buchanan was slightly wound
ed; Lieut.. Miner slightly, and two men
killed at the port bow gun of the Virginia.
A shot passed through the boiler OF the
Patrick Henry, and four men were killed
and three wounded. Midshipman Hut
ter of the gunboat Raleigh, was killed.
The destruction of life on the Som
gress" is awful.
1t is supposed there will be fight at
Newport News this morning. The pu-
ginia and Patrick Henry are coming up to
the city.
SECOND DISPATCH.
The Ericsson (federan appeared in the
Roads this morning and fierce engage
ment with the Virginia ensued for hours.
The latter ran up to the Ericsson damag-
ing her considerably.
The Virginia fired a shot through a
large tug boat that was attempting to get
off the Minnesota. The tug blew up. 1t
is supposed the Minnesota is so crippled
that she can't float, and will be lost. A
large portion of her stern works are shot
away or riddled.
Richmond, March 9.-The President has
proclaimed martial law in Petersburg and
the surrounding country.
The President has called on Virginia
for 10000 additional troops. Gov. Letch-
er has issued a proclamation, calling on
the Virginians to rally and volunteer at
Co Araf 10
levy is ordered to hasten by express and
rendezvous. Every man is appealed to
take his own or borrow his neighbours
gun, and hasten to Winchester, Manas-
sas, Fredericksburg, Norfolk, and Will
liamsburg
THIRD DISPATCH.
The following dispatch was received to
day at the War Department from Gen.
Huger:
"The steamer Virginia destroyed, yes
terday, the frigates Congress and Cunlber-
land, and ran the Minnesota aground-to-
day she damaged her severely; she is still
aground. The Virginia and all the Con-
federate steamers came to the Navy
Yard to day at 2 p. m.
~. i,son, y. ~ ,,,ous, liz horsa. he
uay .h a.selnp'ine ~ ',S Sr n his
was ,nrow u a anu aiasseI, ao'e "''
'A"''' anu 0'0o ~ " "" ~
Richmond, March lO.--The Norfolk Day
Book of this morning SAYS, the Virqinia
sunk the Cumberland after q fifteen min
utes fight. The Virginia ran in point
blank range and fired her bow gun sever
al times, struck the Cumberland with her
Ram, caused her to careen and sink
The officers and crew escaped in boats,
though many were captured by the Con-
federates, and q number were drowned.
Three of the wounded were sunk with
the vessel.
The Congress was next attacked. She
resisted CALAMITY, but was forced TO run
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