Year: 1877

.


Alex Mcdonald, Esq, one of the edi.
tors Of the Lynchburg Neoes, writes from
Old Point, where he is now visiting, an
interesting reminiseene Of the great naval
engagement which took place in Hampton
Roads some fifteen or sixteen years since.
In view of the recent death by violence Of
Capt Catesby Jones, who acted so con
spicuous part in the engagement, as well
as from the graphic and truthful manner
in which the narrative is given, it will be
read at this time with peculiss interest


We, therefore, tranfer the main portion of
the letter TO our columns as follows


81 will now proceed to fulfill the promise
made in my last letter to describe tho great
naval battle on these waters in March,
1862, which created such widespread
sensation--every shot of which | witness
ed from the batteries on the opposite shore,
and which reflected so much lustre on the
Confederate naval service


For several days the coming Of the Mer-
rimac from Norfolk had been daily ex-
pected, and there was no surprise at our
camp when she was deserted steaming gal
lantly down the stream, not under cover
Of the night as the enemy predicted, but
in the broad Light Of mondays sun.
Excitement at once mounted TO fever heat
on shore, and the batteries and beach were
lined with enthusiastic men. There was
some doubt at first as to the destination Of
the great monster-whether Fortress Mon
roe or Newport News-but on striking the
channel of Hampton Roads, she was headed
up stream, and it was then known that the
latter was to be the point of the attack.
At the mouth Of the james River lay the
two huge blockading frigates, the Cumber-
land and the Congress; and standing there
in the majesty Of their great proportions
there was that in their formidable appear
ance well calculated to inspire dread as to
the result Of the coming struggle Very
quiet and peacefully were they lying there,
with the sailors clothing futtering in the
rigging, and they curiously gazing over
the guards at the approaching minister OF
death.


On she sped, not a moment faltering,
but eagerly pressing forward under full
head Of steam, like an athlete pressing to
the battle. Not long did it take her to
overcome the intervening space. Two
little gunboats, the Beaufort aud the Raj
eigh, accompanied her, and one of these
was the first to open fire. As though
spurning so insignificant a foe, the block
aders paid no attention to this "small fir"
until some seven or eight shots had been
fired, and then they opened a terrific broad
side, and kept up continuous fire. The
little boats replied with spirit, but the
Merrimac opened not her mouth, but press
ed on in the face of terrible fire, moving
in circuit, until she had gotten around
the men-of.war and on the right flank of
the heavy land batteries, When the de-
sired position had been attained she open
ed a murderous fire on the batteries and
the Cumberland, and continued it with
incesant roar until it was said every land
gun had been dismounted and the works
destroyed.


Having accomplished her purpose in that
direction, she then turned her undivided
attention to the Cumberland, and poured
fearful fire into her. This process, how
ever, being too slow for the fiery soul Of
battle which had been aroused in the Con-
federate Titan, she was set in headlong
motion and dashed her steel PROV into the
quivering side of the luckless Cumberland.
That did the work, Immediately she be.
gan to settle, and down, down, down went
the noble vessel, firing all the time, her
last bruadside being discharged as the
water was almost ready to enter the mouths
Of the guns. Thus was finished one of the
imperiOus warriors of the water; and
great shout went up from our shore TO the
heavens.


Next came the Congress. But here let
me state before going further that immense
commotion had been created at Fortress
Monroe by the onset, and that the steam
frigate Minnesota and other vessels were
at once put in motion to go to the rescue
of their ill-starred companions. Heavy
FIRE was opened on these from our SewelTs
Point batteries as they passed up the chan
mel; to which they replied warmly but kept
on their way. The Minnesota when near
Newport News grounded fast, but went
into the fight. The conflict was now rag
ing hotly between the Merrimac and the
Congress. Now came n new element into
the struggle. The jamestown, the Pat
rick Henry and the Teaser, which were
lying up the river some II or 10 miles,
hearing the uproar, came gallantly steam
ing down and entered into the fray. Here
was now furious work all along the lines.
Several hundred guns were engaged, all
laundering away like "Joye's dread cla-
NOR" at their highest pitch.


1t is impossible to conceive Of grander
or more terrific spectacle than that then
presented. Broadside after broadside vol.
leyed and thundered, and the flashing Of
guns, the dense smoke, the awful roar, all
eonspired to make the scene one Of grand
terror. But this thing could not last al
ways, Under the concentrated FIRE poured
into her wooden sides, the Congress was
forced to strike her colors and run up
white flag. And here followed an act Of
per6dy on the part of the foe. With her
white flag flying, the Confederates who
went to take possession Of the surrendered
vessel were fred upon, and some Of them
wounded. Then, in return, fire was open
ed on her again, and she was soon in flames.
L have never seen any explanation Of this
act Of bad faith. The Minnesota then
stood single-handed and alone. Another
man-of-war, the St. Lawrence, | believe,
started from the fort to her assistance, but
she encounted such CALLING fire from our
land batteries that she tucked tail and re-
turned. Still another vessel went with a
similar fate. The Minnesota fought brave
ly under unfayorable circumstances, and
the cover Of night came to her rescue.
The engagement was kept up with unabat-
ed fury until dark, when our vessels drew
off and took their positions near Sewells
Point for the night.


In the meantime, the Congress was in
lurid flames, The siOht waa snhlima he