The Shasta courier., 1863-11-14

between the Merrimac, Cumberland, 4ine-
sofa, Congress and Monitor, II II. <tton
Roads, >is taken from the rebel Colonel Est
vans g War Pictures in the South y
The formidable ships of the Federal navy
were anchored out in the quiet bay, within
easy distance, their pennants waving gently
in the breeze. The Cumberland, splendid
frigate, mounting forty guns. was in advance
and to the right the frigate Congress, whilst
c little further back the stately Minnesota rode
at anchor, surrounded by several small steam
ers, and in the distant horizon appeared the
numerous masts of merchant vessels.
The enemy NOW began huridly to signal
from their siastheads, which certified pla N
ly enough to our crews that their approach
was net expected. Presently tremendous
fire was opened from the ports of the Mine
sofa, on which ship was hoisted flag, as a
! signal for the commencement of the engage
ment. All the enemy's small craft now
scrambled under the protection of her guns
like chickens under the wings OF their parent
bird, seeking shelter in the direction of Fort
Monroe.
As soon as our vessels had got within
range, all the gunboats kept scme distance
astern, and the Merrmac passed on steadily
the Congress, she fred a broadside into her,
which was Immediately replied to by that
frigate. and by all the land batteries as well
but with literally no effect for the shct gil
! ded harmlessiy off the Merrimac's iron sides
like so many hailstones. Thus unhurt, she
steamed toward the Cumberlandwithou tax
ing the slightest notice of the fire directed
upon her by the unfortunate ship which she
b.,l 4 AZ;
forty yards of the Cumberland the crew of
the Merrimac could distinctly hear the orders
that were given ON board that frigate, and
the remarks made by her crew, What the
devil is this, coming? What can she be
about?'
The commander of the Merrmac now rak-
ed the Cumberland's S decks with an enormous
cylinder shell, and this fearful missile dealt
tremendous havoc amongst her crew. The
Merrimac then swept round in half circle,
running her pointed beak straight into tue the
sides of the Cumberland. The captain of
that frigate, meanwhile, directed heavy fire
upon the Merrimac from every gun which
could be brought to bear upon her at such
close quarters; the shots, however. glanced
harmlesslv off the deck and sides of this sea
monster, which continued its course. and the
Merrimac's sharp point was soon buried in
the frignte' 5 stalwart hull. 4 stunning crash
is heard, Gnd the next minute the uagniti
cent frigate is seen reeling ABOUT like drunk
en- man. Her brave captain, unwilling, to
yield. continues his fire in spite of the des
perate condition of his shin. Gradually the
frigate settles down deeper and deeper in the
water. aud the waves are seen pouring in at
the portfolios once more she rises and vom.
its forth fire on her assalant, and then. final
lv keeling over, the fine ship sinks to rise no
more, carrying large number of her i'll IA
ted crew along with her. She went down
noselessy-her brave crew emulating her
in this respect by meeting their fate without
uttering a cry. For a few moments after
she sank, the waters were disturbed where she
had but so lately been riding in all the pride
of eoncious strength, and then settled calmly
over her.
Nevertheless, the Congress kept her ground
and prepared to defend the honor of her flag
against the redoubtable ironclad. The Mer.
rimac now steered straight for that frigate
but her career was presently checked by her
getting into shoal water. Her captain. judg-
ing that it you'd be impracticable for him to
get any closer to the Congress, then opened
heavy fire upon that ship. Ere long the
Merrimac's projectiles pierced through the
frigates wooden walls, and caused such des.
truction on board that her commander was
obliged to strike his flag and surrender. Cap
tain Buchanan then ceased firing, and sig
nailed the gun coat Beaufort, ordering Lieu
tenant, Parker, her commander, to go on
board the Congress and receive her flag, and
to bring away all the officers and crew. Cap
tain Smith and Lieutenant Prendergast of
the Congress, in reply to this latter summons,
requested permission TO remain on board their
ship, in order to take care Of the wounded. 1
which was readily gr.nted by Captain Bu-
chanan. A. this juncture, however, the
land batteries most iniudiciously opened
fire upon the gunboat Beaufort, and although
no casualty ensued therefrom, Captain Bu-
chanan was so incensed that he ordered red
hot shot to he fred into the Congress to eff
feet her total destruction. just about this
time, however, he was struck on the foot by
MIME bullet, and was obliged to hand over
the command to his first lieutenant, Jones.
to whom he gave stringent orders to sink the
unfortunate Congress. The lieutenant exc
cuted this command to the letter. and in spite
of all the efforts of the enemy's frigate Min
esota, and of the Roanoke and Lawrence, to
assist their stricken consort, the Congress
was utterly destroyed.
Meanwhile feeling of prodigious excite
ment prevaded the crowd of spectators on
shore. Two ofthe enemy's formidable frig
ates had already been destroyed by our iron
scourge, and the next day no doubt she would
effect the demoliation of the enemy's remain
ing ships. Our sanguine people already in
dulged in pleasant anticipations of reopen
ed intercoarse with Europe. So certain, in
deed, did many feel at the realization OF their
hopes, that they at once set about taking
measures for the opening of the port prepar-
atory to various mercantile speeulations.
They complacently dilated. too, upon the con-
sequences that might be expected to ensue
from the triumphal progress Of the Merrimac
to Washington ; not doubling that she would
destroy everything in her way thither. Pro
baby but few were composed enough to sleep
that night. Thousands, indeed. encamped
on the shores of the bay, eagerly awaiting
the dawn of day and the recommencement Of
| the naval battle.