Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-03-15
The Grand Nar,I Rattle.

The Grand Naval Battle. .5~r-s
The early hour at which we went to press on
Tuesday last prevented our giving full particulars
of the splendid naval victory of the Merrimac and
other vessels, over the Yankee feet in Hampton
Roads. Our readers who take no other paper, will
doubtless expect further particulars, and there
fore condcnse them below for their qualification.
On the morning of the 9th inst, at ii o'clock,
the Merrinac, commanded by Flagofficer Buchan-
an, accompanied by the steam tugs Beaufort 1t.
Parker, and the Raleigh, Lieut.. Alexander, left
the navy yard at GospOrt, and steamed down the
river and over to Newport News. The Yankee
figates Cumberland and Congress were lying there,
apparently dreaming of danger, with the clothes
of the crew drying in the rigging and all hands in
fine spirits. a gun from Fortress Monroe warned
the frgates of the approach of the dreaded Merri-
mac, but to no purpose They stood as if in mock
cry, the Captain of the Congress saying addressing
the crew, well, my hearties, you see before you
the great Southern bugaboo got up to brighten us
out of our wits! Stand to your guns, and let me
assure you that one good broadsde from our gal
liant frigate, and she is ours" The Cumberland
and Congress as the Mcrrimac neared them poured
in upon her heavy broad Sides as did the batteries
ab ANSN pOIb NCHS, " WHICH the
and Raleigh replied 6ercely. When the Captain of
the Congress saw his balls bouncing from the back
of the Merrimac like pebbles it is said he exclaimed
"Well my heartics, that was a terrific fire, but
was mistaken They have got us, unless we can
give 'em Bull Run" By this time, the Merrimac
had delivered both brOad-sides at the two frigates,
and run into the Cumberland, sinking her, the gal
liant of that illstarred ship fighting to the last
she went down. The Congress, greatly injured,
had run ashore, pursued by the Raleigh and Beau
fort and struck her coors. Meantime, the Merri-
mac was pouring it into the Newport batteries, and
senced all but one. When the Congress struck,
she ran up the white flag, our boats were sent
to her assistance and after some of her officers and
crew had been taken off she perfdiously fired into
our boats, wounding 1t Minor and others. The
Merrimac after this set her on fire.
Soon after the engagement commenced, the Con-
fcderate steamers Patrick Henry and jamestown,
and the Teazer came to the assistance of the Mer-
| rimac The Mnreso coming up after passing the
Matthias Point batteries engaged by our steam
| ers, ran aground, and was so badly damaged as to
require three months repairs. The st. Lawrence
and Roanoke also j1ined in ut distance, but soon
made oil for Old Point Two of the enemy's small
! steamers were blow. up, and two schoonerS were
| captured
| On this day Flag Officer Buchanan was wounded,
! as was 1t Minor, second in command and the con.-
mand devo!"ed upon 1t c. Ap. r. Jones. The
loss on the Virginia was two killed and eight wound
! cd. The Yankee loss in killed and wounded must
/ have been 500. On Saturday night Our feet lay
/ under the guns OF Matthias Point.
/ On Sunday morning at 81 o'clock, our fleet open.
cd fire again on the Minnesota still aground COM
! pletcly Kidding her Soon a sharp encounter be-
gan between the Mcrrimac and the Ericsson propel-
Ter called the Monitor lasting for an hour, they be,
/ ing often not more than - yards apart Pending
the fight the Mcrrmac grounded, when the Monitor
I poured shot into her severely but the Merrmac
/ getting of put fall head Of steam and ran her
bow into the Ericsson, doing her much damage
This has been denied by some--the Norfolk Day
Book, however, repeats the statement. The Mon
tor soon put off for Old Point after the severe butt
of the Merrimac, and there being no enemy left OF
the field our fleet returned to the navy yard Il
is said that no life was lost on our side on Sun
have been slight, and can be easily repaired in
few days The Minnesota was towed to Old Pon
after our feet retired
Our force consisted of the Mcrrirnac, ten guns
the Patrick Henry, six guns, the jamestown, TIVE
guns and the Raleigh, Beaufort and Teazer, one CUR
matchmaking in all % guns These encountered
the enemy with the following force and metal: