The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1862-05-21
ltebei Account Of the Nicrrin'nc's Esp'oits

0lebel Acc cunt Of the Mcrrtu,1c's Gs splOits
Two Of the crew of the Merrimac, who have
arrived in Philadepb., communicate the following
particulars 70 the Philadelphia ISariRrR.
After leaving the dry dock at Norfolk, the Moui.
ma. laid nine days under the sh,srs st the navy
ward before she leit slc slushod all over with
prease this done every time All rwardH when
ever she expected to go into an engngrinest When
ahe vessel len the navy yard AT Norfolk, previous t.
lhe hght with the Monitor, Comm dore bu,A1n'n
made the following speech 10 tro men, tho crew
being called 10 quarters
BUcnASAs's GREAT tyrrcrArIoSs.
sailors and soldisrs-The secretary o. the Navy
has placed mo In coNmsnd of the squadron q Nir.
pinia: all eyes are turned upn YOU today the peo-
lle Of tn south expect every man to do Lis duty,
and more than his duty" Calling the attention oi
che men 10 ~ federal vessels blocksdng the river
he said, ''those two VESSELS, the Cumberland srd
CoAgres-, nre worth over million dollars apiece:
we arc going down to dettrov or capture tAoin.
Many Of YOU have families and hre-d-s at fnine,
ehere may be others who have not these induce
ments: but, recoo t, whether We sink or capt'iie =
sho,e vessels, your prize money " M bc the same.
"No matter whether yon capture or DESTROY then
your compensation from the government will be SUI
fcent to rnsintain you comfortably for lie. Every
apsu 10 bis post. In few minutes more you will
be in action" Decke wer. then cleared for action,
ned the guns hsuled IN and loaded. She then pro-
VSsded down the stream, the decks IN perfect
= ,nce, and every man in his place The desiruc-
Of the Cumberland and Congress was described
esntally AZ has been before published in the
c4srn papers.
pUcnAsls WOUNDED.
The Ninnesota ard A. Lawrence were seen sp-
sroaching, and commenced firing on the gunbonts
Sssrsck Honry and jamestown. just then Lieut.
Jones came on deck and said :-"DoyA I sm sorry
a ssy NA,nlbrave old Commodore is wounded, but
she doctor says not mortslly aud he says continue
fahtpis and he hopes TO lie with you before the
fight u over YET" Buchanan was wounded by q
ride ~ In the len thigh, received from the troops
ON shore who were protecting th. Congress from
the Osempts Of the rebels TO take possession u
the vesash The Merrimsc then sds-r ed - meet
shs approaching vssses-Ainnssosa aud 81. Law,
rence-And ali three vessels opened hre. Al
shAs tipe the airing WAS very general and terrih'
from IN directions. She received the broadsidss o
shrse vessels and passed on to her destination al
On arriving Al sewsll's Point the nigh, was f.s
setting In.
During the night all the rebel g,inbosts anchored
backwards and forwards took plsoe. Much jollifi
cation, drinking &C., was kept mp al night. Al
shs oeers ~ aSa a, many pa % OF the crew ware drunk
given for them 70 do as they pleased, aud get a
drunk ~ they liked. The next morning the dea
esken ashore The Commodore sent word To ID
men to behave that day a. they had the day before
FIGHT WITH TIE MosrroH.
Al 10 o'clock the ksrTimac, followed by other yes
Sells, proceeded ~ the scene OF the previous day
6lLt About the first thing she observed, the Mou
ltor was approaching her. No on board la
any knowledge Of the character Of the Monitor, bu
after a few shots had been fired, some OF the GU
ners remarked that the turret on the opposing w,
eel was iron. While trying 70 take position nes
the Minnesota, the Merriinac got aground. The Nor
Itor then came up aud sailed around the Merrina,
both vessels firing ut each other, the Merrimac q
heavoring to get afoat and the officers becomlu
greatly detected. After she got of she ran out
ihe Monitor and common ed leaking, her bows b,
coming shivered. Shots fom the Monitor nsarl
went through her The engineer told the lieutenai
in command that the lsat two shots she receive
had injured her, aud II she received one more
ahe same place IL would come into the engine room
Lieutenant Jones then concluded to return 81
was badly dented, and, though not placed hors q
combat, sustained enough injury to take loug tn
10 repair After this fight she wss taken 10 u
Navy Yard, and next morning went into dock &
repairs, remaining about one month. Her bow
were protected with a wrought-iron 'sing-,t
guns injured were replaced. Great preparation
were made 10 board the Monitor, IN cass OF anoth,
engagement with her. Scaling ladders, iron M
wooden wedges, TO wedge the tirret OF the honito
90 that her guns could not be brou1 10 bear
chopping axes, ~ destroy the gtta percha pipe tn
supplies the Monitor with air balls satdrsted vii
surpentine and oil, 70 throw into the turret bo,t
with the same ingredients chloroforin IN bou.
where on board, 70 throw down the turrst Of Il
Monitor, and three other boats were furnished WI
Ike ingredients. The tug White was furnish'
win chsins 70 run around the turret Of the Mont
20 fasten her 70 ths Nsrrmac, and wet blankets ai
oons, iron pisse 70 cover grating supposed 10
On shs Aonseoss y order 70 prevent the men fro
artng Up q them, md slso 70 smother the men
board ths Monitor.
SIAss vos sknovmo sm NunnIMAo.
On 3s evening Of the bombardusps Of ssw,l