Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-21
ALL ASHORE.

ALL ASHORE.
SO soon as the Merrimac had disclosed
the object of her attack TO be the frlgates
at Newport News, the Union feet at Fort
Monroe. (the frlgates Minnesota, ST. Law
renee. Roanoke, and several gunboats, got
under weigh to give aid 10 their sorely-
stricken consorts. BY coincidence which
is the more singular from its repetition, the
Minnesota grounded one aud hall
miles 10 eastward of Newport News, the
st. Lawrence grounded in rear OF the Min
nesota, and the Roanoke further 10 the
eastward still. In this isolation they could
give no aid, and only at the close OF the day
came under fire. Lest 1t should be thought
that purpose q reflection upon the cour-
age of the officers In command or these
stranded vessels here take occasion 70
say that their character as officers OF skill,
experience. and bravery was well estao-
lished at the time, and suffered no dlminu-
ton then or thereafter. To point the
moral and adoru the tale" let me use the
language Of Lieutenant John Tayloe Wood
upon a hike occasion: All officers, as lar
as possible. should learn TO do their own
plotting
The Merrimsc having given the colip. De
grace to the Congress, now, about L. NJ,
with the Beaufort. Raleigh: aud James
River feet, moved down to do battle with
the three remaining fr,gates ashore and
the gunboats. To DO this 1t was necessary
TO place the Merrimac in the north chan
mel. so that close range might be had. The
Minnesota was sister ship to the Merrl-
mac and drew about as much water. 1t
was therefore hoped that, without danger
of putting the Merrlmac ashore, she could
vet get at such close quarters as TO compel
"A surrender within short period or time.
When, however. this was attempted tpe
pilots of tho Merrimac declined to take
the risk OF putting the ship nearer, stating
proach of night made 1t both difficult and
dangerous. At long range, therefore; the
Nerrimac and her attendants opened ire
on the Minnesota and continued the action
until the approach OF night.
WITHDREW.
we withdrew most reluctantly when
further victory seemed so nearly In our
Grasp. Some damage We had done, but by
no means commensurate with our wishes.
The Minnesota had been struck some fif-
teen times, her interior was much dam
aged. partition and bulkheads were
knocked down or blown into one by the
explosion OF our shells. In retiflns 10 our
anchorage by the south channel we came
within long range of the three frieates and
received some broadsides from them, but
without damage. as the distance was
too great. The sight was pretty one, and
the st. Lawrence. in particular, at nighttaii
made simultaneous discharge OF her port
broadside, which Int up for moment the
entire scene, IN which she stood forth as
sharply defined a. in clear day. We
anchored that night of Sewell's Point in
the full glare of the burning Congress.
fred by our incendiary shell and hot shot,
though Medical-Director Shipper, who
was aboard the Congress. saws the ship
was on fire in three places early In the ac-
ton that two Of the fires were put out.
but the third. near the powder magazine.
was not extinguished until the ship blew
up about A. M."
THE LOSS
The loss In the Cumberland IS reported
by Federal account at la killed and
drowned; In the Congress, l35 killed.
wounded, aud missing. No. report Is
made Of the Minnesota, though. she, too,
had some killed and wounded: In the
Coufederate feet We had some f0rty-flve
killed and wounded. the larger number OF
killed being 81 ous voodsn yssssla p e.
haasfsd Nth NJ seeyeus streIa q ~