The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-03-15
Naval Fight at Newport News.

iIoII NollOlk, anu inc QUEENSTOWN anu
York town, which came down from the
James river, made an attack upon New
port News and the naval vessels station
cd at that place.
The Merrimac was first seen from the
ramparts of Fortress Monroe, on her
way to Newport News, at about quar-
ter before one o'clock. Two rebel gun
boats followed her. They all carried
the Confederate flag at the stern. The
gunboats had French flag At the mast
head, and the Mcrrimac had flag at
her bows, Which was described by some
as conlmodore's flag, and by others us
black flag.
The rebel boats steadily pursued their
way to Newport News, and The Merrlmac
soon turned the point and was lost to
view from the fortress. The frs. shot
was fired from the frigate Cumberland
at a little past 2 o'clock. The Scwcl's
Point battery then opened upon the
Minnesota, which was passing, and the
Sawyer gun at the Rip Raps replied
with few shots at Sewell's Point.
A thick smoke was soon seen to arise
above Newport News Poin', indicating
that the battery there, as we'll as the
Cumberland and Congress, was engaged.
AS the Merrlnac approached the Cum
berland she did not pay any attention to
the Congress, but after firing two guns,
struck her 1.-THE Cumberlandj with her
sharp bows, making a jagged hole in her
side at the water line, seven feet in
extent. The Cumberland immcdia ely
began to sink, when the Merrimac back
ing short distance, ran into her a
second time, making another terrible
hole, which admitted the water at fur
ous rate. She continued firing until
the wa or began 10 enter the port holes,
and soon af er she carecned over and
finally sank at about o'clock.
The Newport News battery and the
guns of the Cumberland fired continu-
ously upon the Mcrrinac, but no appar-
ent effect was produced. The Minncso.a
unfor unatcly got aground on the way
up, and could offer but lit lie assls ance.
Shortly before 3 o'clock, the James
town and Yorktown arrived from up the
James river. The latter was disabled
early in the af ernoon by the Cumber-
land, and put into shore for repairs
After sinking the Cumberland, the Mer-
rimac turned her attcn ion 10 the Con-
grcss, and in less than an hour afterwards
viii e flag was hois.ed on board the
lat or.
A rebel gunboat Immediately went
alonsidc Of her, and the officers and
marines being taken prisoners, the scanen
were allowed to escape to shore.
The United Safes frigate st. Law
renee arrived here during the afternoon,
and wi bout dropping anchor proceeded
up the river. She followed the example
Of the Minnesota and the Roanoke, in
firing upon Scwell's Point, but her shot
fell short Unlike manner with the others.
The gunboat Mys ic was also towed
up in the afternoon. At shutdown the
Roanoke, St. Lawrence, and Mys ic, all
returned. Af,er + o'clock the Merri-
mac con inucd to throw shell into the
camp at Newport News, while the James
town, and other rebel gunboa s, COM
menced firing upon the Minnesota. The
latter replied as vigorously as possible,
and the conflict was continued without
any apparent effect until dark.
During The evening The frigate Con-
gress was set on fire, and presented a
brilliant spectacle. At midnight she
was blown up, causing tremendous
explosion.
During the evening the Ericsson
steamer Monitor arrived very opportune-
ly, and at once proceeded up the river,
although she was not prepared for action,
to take her part.
During the night only an occasional
gun was fired.
In the morning the conflict was renewed
Until the presence Of the Monitor was known
to the Merrimac, the latter was engaged
with the Minnesota, and but tor the fortunate
arrival Of the Monitor the Minnesota also
might have been lost. The two iron clad
vessels engaged each for two or three hours
at long and at short range. No perccptibe
effect was produced upon either. They went
alongside once or twice, and seemed almost
10 run cach otDer down, but they soon reap
pearcd. The Ericsson battery succeeded
in forcing large hole in the port side of the
Merrimac, snd the latter in company with the
whole rebel feet, retired to Norfolk, at about
one O'Clock. The U. S. gunboat Oregon was
struck by the Mcrrimac in her boiler, and
was blown up on Saturday morning.
The gunboat Zouave was also seriously
damaged and was obliged to return. The
principal loss of life was on beard the Cum
bcrland. But six lives were lost on the Min
nesota, according to statement made by one
OF her officers. rebel gunboat was cut in
two by the Cumberland.
The crew Of the Minnesota were brought on
shore, and, with the assistance of the steamer
Spauldng, she was got off. She received
numerous shots, but no serious damage.
The Monitor has come up to tho expecta-
tions that were entertained of her, and has
proved herself imprcgna5le to the heaviest
shot at close quarters. She behaved remark
ably we'll on her passage from New York, and
although the sea covered her decks compete
~ at times, her speed did not seem to be at
all diminished. To her presence here may
be attributed the safety of the Minnesota and
other vessels In port. The Merrmac had
previously been proof against everything.
Captain Wordcn, of the Monitor, was wounds
ed in the head while looking out OF the
wheel-house. No other accident of any kind
occurred to the battery or crew.
Naval men are generally of the opin-
ion that. considering everything, the rebels
had the worst time of 1t though, without the
Monitor, the damage might have been much
more serious.
LII WnrInn in ha nj Inf pf