Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-14
THE MERRIMAC OIL HER LAST Bor,

IL
The correspondent OF the Philadelphia no uirer
gives the following particulars OF the late naval
affair near Fortress Monroe.
The Mtrrimac was accompanied by the York.
tow n, Jamestown, and Teaser, and two or three
small boats, making, with herself, seven vessels
From Craney Island she steamed ont into the
Roads about opposite TO Hampton Creek, aud the
Jamestown at once went toward the feet Of
French and English vessels, probably to warn
them Of the approaching fight, as they at once
sailed higher up the Roads, nearly opposite to
Newport News, and got In position to witness 10
advantage the approaching struggle between the
ron-clad monsters.
The Monitor took position lust outside the sand
bar, and In the direct channel between the Rib
Raps and the fort, which was directly In the
course which the MerrImac must take to pet out
into the Chesapeake Bay or go to sea. Two or
three Of our gunb ats ran up into Hampton creek,
and with them the new Stevens Battery. 1.-THE
Naugatuck Matters remained in this position
about an hour. the Merrimac and her feet living
about two miles from Craney Island, towards
Newport News.
There was sailing and counter-sailing, but not
gun, except the signal gun, had been fred. Ii
soon became apparent that the object Of the
Merrimac was to draw The Monitor from her posi-
ton In the channel out towards Newport News,
near the scene Of the late encounter III she could
succeed In drawing the Monitor from her position
Il would be easier to get throug the channel be.
tween the Fortress and the Rip Raps; and for
this purpose, more than anything else Il 10 SUE
posed the jamestown was ieat ross to Ham pton
creek, where she captured - o schooners and one
brig. IL was certainly very brld move on Il e
part Of the enemy, and Ii was undoubtedly ex.
pectsd that 10 would draw out the Monitor 20
chastise them for the bold affront.
The Monitor could not be enticed from her DO.
sition; for, so long she could hold IL directly
across the channel, the Merrimac was compare.
lively harmless. Thus hour after hour was passed
by the Rebel feet. striving by every device to
entice the Monitor from her position; and during
all those long hours thousands were watching the
scene with 6feathless anxiety.
About O'Clock the Merrimac LET go shot from
her port gun toward the Naugatuck and our other
gunboats lying In Hampton creek The shot fell
Short and was at once replied to by the guuboats
The Naugatuck made q rhot with her 100 pound
gun, which was the admiration Of all beholders.
IL went fully half pile beyond the Merrimac
The Merrfmsc fred In all four rounds. and Ave
rounds were tired By our side Most Of our shots
struck verv near the enemy's feet; one came yery
near the Yorktown. All the shots Of the Merr-
mac fell short The fourth and last shot she fred
did not go more than half the distance the others
did, HI many think that Il burst her gun.
She at once turned back, and, signalling to the
rest Of the deet, they were soon out Of View be-
hind Craney Island. None OF the enemy,s feet
except the Merrimac fred gun. The beet re-
tired at AZ O'Clock, having been out since
O'Clock In the morning; and thus has ended the
most exciting day at Old Point. y
is supposed that the object Of the enemy IN to
get by our batteries at the Fort and the In
and go up to Yorktowa and take part In the I'm
portant struggle now going on there. II II con.
fdently believed that preparations have been
made which will etfectually dispose Of the Mer-
rimac In the eight which must soon come of She
manifested great reluctance to venture into our
trap" and Il would have been the height of fol "
for the Monitor TO have left the important poi nj
which she was set 70 watch.