The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-05-07
Official Report of Flag Officer Buchanan.

The official report Of flag officer Buchanan, Of the
exploits OF the Virginia the Sth umo, sent into
congress yesterday The report adds some interesting
particulars to accounts already published of the affair."
and furnishes careful and correct narrative OF
ton Of which we have hitherto had many versions
and contradictory statements.
It appears from this report that the Sth inst, the
Virginia left The maynard, at Norfolk accompanied by
the Raleigh and Beaufort, and proceeded to Newport
News to engage the enemy's rigates Cumberland and
Congress and their gunboats and shore batteries. When
within less than mile of the Cumberland the Virginia
commenced the engagement with that ship with her bow
gun and the action soon became general, the Cumber
land Congress, gunb0atS and shore batteries concena
ting upon the single vessel their heavy fire. The fr
gina stood rapidly on for the Cumberland and she ran
into her her Staboard bow the crash beisw the water
line was distinctly heard, and the Cumberland com
menced sinking. Capt Buchanan states that the guns
Of the Yankee vessel CALAMITY fought as long as
thew were above water and that she went down with her
colors flying.
Just after the Cumberland sunk Com. Tucker was
seen standing down James river under full steam
companied by the jamestown and Tenser. Their es-
cape was miraculous, as they under calling fire
Of solid shot, Shell, grape and canister, number OF
which passed through the vessels without doing any
serious injury, except to tie Patrick Henry, through
whose boiler shot passed. scading to death four per
SONS and woundiug Others
1t appears that while the Virginia engaged in
getting her position ii was believed the Cumberland
that she hau hauied on Tue yankees lels tltll $"'
and gave three cheers Their citation Of short dula-
ton few minutes afterwards the Virginia opened upon
the frigate she having into sh0a water Ihc car
mage havoc and dsnay caused by our fire compelled tie
Yankees haul down their coors, and to hoist white
flag at their gait and hamast, and another at Their
main The instantly took to their boats and
landed Our fire Immediately ceased. The Beaufort
was run alongside with Instructions from Capt Bucha-
nan to take possession Of the Congress- secure the OH
GERS as prisoners allow the crew to land and burn the
shin Lieut. Parker commanding the Beaufort received
the Aap IF the Congress and her surrender from com
mander VIM. Smith and Lieut.. Pemdergrast, with the
side arms Of their officers. Alternating delivered them
selves prisoners of on board the Beaufort they
were allowed, ut their own request, o return to the
Congress to assist in removing the wounded to the
Beaufort. TREY neyerretlrncd, Cart Buchanan sub
nits the decision of the department whether tey
III RnauIort ba, bceD conDcled to leave tie Con
oress uu(cra pcrdious fire opened from the shore while
ho frior Mad two White iyiug raised bv her own crew
Dcrrirpd that the Congress should not again fall into
III hands Of the enemy, Capt Buchanan remarked,
~rhat slim must be burned when the suggestion was
raantly RESPONDED to bv Lieut. Minor who volunteered
ia take boat and burn her He had scarcely reached
within fifty wards OF the Congress when deadly fire
~ onened upon him. woundng him severely and scy-
eraf Of his men Onwtnessny this vile eachcry Capt
pnchanan Instantly recalled the boat and ordered the
CONGRESS to b, DESTROYED by hot shot and incendiarv
sh4ll
Having sunk the Cumberland the Virginia turned her
,,ton1;og n tho CONGRESS She was some time in get
inc her proper position i'll consequence of the shoal
,uss of the water TO succeed IN this object captain
buchanan VA obirrd ~ run the sIip i Short distance
lo tho batteries on james river IN order to wind
her During all the time her keel was III tie mud Of
,.o az. moved but slowly The vessel was thus sui,
srtnd ticc u M the heavy Guns Of the batteries in
.si,,r m md down The river Captain Buchanan saws
II lii rcno,t: ave silenced several of the batteries
ard ,)id nurl injury on shore large TRANSPORT steamer