The New York Herald Newspaper, March 11, 1862, Page 10

NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, MARCH ll, 1862.-TRIPLE SHEET. THE MONITOR. THE MERRIMAC, The Rebel Iron-Clad Gunboat and Her Commander, a) THE GREAT NAVAL CONFLICT. {CONTINUED FROM SEVENTH PAGE.) Congress and Cumberland, but particularly the latter ‘sbip, which was hid from us by the land. ‘When about seven or eight miles from Fortress Mon- voe the Minnesota grounded. We continued to stand oo, and when we came in sight of the Cumberland we saw ‘that she had careened over, apparently full of water. The enemy, who had been joined by two or three steamers from James river, now devoted hmself ex- clusively to the Congress, but she being aground, could bring but five guns to bear on him, and at ten minutes ‘Defore four o’clock, we had the mortification of seeing her hau! down her flag. I continued to stand on until we gound ourselves in three and @ half fathoms of water, and was onthe ground astern, Finding that we could go no further, I ordered one of the tugs to tow us round, and as soon as the Roanoke’s head was pointed down the bay, and I found she was afloat again, I directed the tugs to go to the assistance of the Minnesota, under the hope that, with the assist- ance of the two others which had accompaniod her, they would be able to get her off; but, up to the time that 1 Morris now stands on the list of Lieutenants at about Ne 150, having, in consequence of the treason of many of the naval officers, risen about one hundred steps up the lad- der of promotion in little over one year. SKETCH OF LIEUTENANT SELFRIDGE. Lieutenant Thomas 0. Selfridge, Jr., the second in Command on the Cumberland, also noted for his bravery, is @ native and citizen of Massachusetts, from which ‘State he was appointed to the United States Navy. He first entered the service on the 3d of October, 1861, and Teceived his present commission on the 16th of February, 1860. He received his commission of Master on the 224 of January, 1858, and in consequence of the treason of A. Armstrong, rose to @ lieutenancy somewhat before - the usual time. At the beginning of 1860 he was Master of the sloop Vincennes on the African squadron, and left that vessel in April, 1860. He was then transferred to the Cumberland, with the rank of lieutenant, the vessel at that time being the flavship of the Home squadron, under Commodore Pendergrast, At this time his name stood No. 311 on the list of lieutenants, When the ves- sel was placed on the present squadron he still retained his position in her, and the recent resignations, deser- tions, &c., have raised his name in the order of promotion, According to the August Navy list, to No. 213. The Ericsson Iron-Clad Gunboat---What Is She? — ~ 8) the vessels in * Bow write, have not succeeded in doing 80. At five o'clock the frigate St. Lawrence, in tow of the Cambridge, passed us, and, not long after, she also Grounded, but by the aid of the Cambridge she was got afloat again, and, being unable to render any assistance to the Minnesota, came down the harbor. ‘In passing the batteries at Sowall’s Point, both going imgon board the steamer Georgiana, which runs daily between here and Baltimore. Great complaint is made because government has with- ‘land returning, the rebels opened fire on us, which was | drawn so much of the Union force from Fortress Monroe returned from our pivot guns, but the range was too | during the last month, when it was so gencrally known great for them, while the enemy’s shot fell far beyond | that the rebels wero preparing the Merrimac for just us, One shot went through our foresails, cutting away two of our shrouds, and several shell burst over dnd near ‘the ship, scattering their fragments on the deck. Between seven and eight o’clock we discovered that the rebels had set fire to the Con- gress, and she continued to burn till one clock, when she blew up. ‘This was ‘melancholy satisfaction to me, for, as she had fallen into such strategy as she has now been so successfully en- gaged in. - - : STATEMENT OF CAPTAIN NEWBURGH, CO. G, OF THE TENTH N. Y. V. Capt. Newburgh, company G, Tenth regiment of the N. Y. V., makes the following statement. He says that at two o’clock P. M. he descried the Merrimac steaming the hands of the ouemy, it was far botter to have ber | ¢0¥2 the ship channel from Norfolk by the Sewall’s Point destroyed than she should be employed against us at some future day. It was the impression of some of my officers that the ebannel. After making a turn in the channel she, in company with several rebel gunboats following her. ‘steamed in the direction of Newport's News. The rebel rebels hoisted the French flag, but 1 heard that the | #*ct Were under a full head of steam. The Merrimac had Monitor had arrived, and soon after Lieutenant Com- manding Worden came on board, and I immediately or- dered him to go up to the Minnesota, hoping she would be able to keop off an attack on the Minnesota till we bad got her afloat again. ‘This morning the Merrimac renewed the attack on the Minnesota, but she found, no doubt greatly to her sur” Prise, a new opponent in the Monitor. ‘The contest has been going on during most of the day petween these two armored vessels, and most beautifully has the little Monitor sustained herself, showing herselr tapable of great endurance. 1 have not received any ‘fficial accounts of the loss of the Congress and Cumber- land, but no doubt shall do so, when it will be transmit- ted to you. si I should do injustice to this military department, did Rot inform you that every assistance was freely ten- dered to us—sending five of their tugs to the relief of the Minnesota, and offering all the aid in their power. T would also beg leave to say that Capt. Poor, of the Ordnance Department, kindly volunteered to do duty temporarily on board this ship, and from whom I have veceived much assistance. Tam, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN MARSTON, Captain and Senior Odicer. OTHER INIE£RESTING REPORTS. @ black flag flying at the fore flag staff and the rebel flag at the stern. At half-past two o’clock the Tebel fleet being within easy range of Newport’s News and the frigates Congress and Cumberland, lying at anchor off that point. The first ball fired by the Merri- mac fell short of the Cumberland, against which it was directed. The second shot struck the Congress directly in the stern. The Merrimac, during this time, was steaming directly for the Cumberland, the latter vessel all the time firing at the Merrimac and her consorts. The Merrimac then continued directly for the Cumber- land, and when within fifteen or twenty yards she fired a broadside, riddling the Cumberland through and through. The Congress all this time was engaging the rebel boats Yorktown and Patrick Henry. ‘The Union water battery, while the Merrimac engaged the Cumberland, was firing very rapidly, hitting the for- mer vessel almost every time; but the balls glancea off like India rubber balls. The Merrimac, after thoroughly riddling the Cumberland, to complete her work of de- struction, backed off and came up under full head of steam, with ber bow on tothe side of the Cumberland, striking her (the Cumberland) with ber iron ram, carcen, ing her over, staving a hole in her side, and eausing her to sink in a few minutes. The crew of the Cum- berland who were not killed, secing their help- less condition, jumped overboard and swam for the shore; but many of the poor fellows met awatery grave, The Cumberland had two hundred and ninety-one persons on board, about one-half of whom were killed. She sunk in thirty-five feet of water. ACCOUNT OF THE ENGAGEMENT BY AN | some of the crew took refuge in the rigging and were EYEWITNESS. rescued by the steam transport Whilden. The Merrimac ‘We have beon furnished with the following interesting | next engaged the water battery on land, throwing shell weount of the engagement between the iron batteries, Merrimac and Monitor, by a gentioman who was an eye- witness to the whole proceeding. Some of the details ill be found fall of interest:— On Saturday, about one o'clock, the rebel battery Mer- with great rapidity, many of them striking directly into the Union encampment, wounding, providentially, but few, of our troops. Some of the shell went a mile be- yond the camp. Our water battery replied briskly, but not being sufficiently able to depress the guns, the sho, ‘imac, accompanied by the war rebel steamers James- | had Jittle or no cflect on the Merrimac. The first shel) ‘own and Yorktown, ran down, under the guns of the | from the latter vessel against the water battery struck dattery at Sewall’s Point, and when within about three | the hundred yards fired into the Union frigate Congress, at Newport’s News, receiving in return a full broadside, stables of Captain Howard’s light artillery battery, tearing it to pieces. Fortunately all but a few horses were out with the battery. Captain How- without either being injured. The Merrimac then tried | ara’s battery then located themselves on the bluff, near ‘der guns upon the Union steamer Cumberland, doing but the margin of the river, and blazed away with his Uttle injury, She then sailed round, and ran down and | parrot guns into the rebel boats. This practice did good {nto the bows of the Cumberland. TheCumberland almost execution, many of the balls entering the Merrimac’s immediately rolled upon her side and sunk. The engaze- | portholes. After the Merrimac had shelled our camp for ment was then continued between the Merrimac and | an hour, she then directed her attention to the frigate the Congress about twenty minutes, when the Congress Congress, a few hundred yards off. The Congress, by was found to bo on fire. The fire continued during the | the aid of the tugboat Zouave, was endeavoring to get afternoon and night, and at about one o’clock on Sunday | out of the morning the magazine exploded, the officers having been grounded taken prisoners, the crew, about one hundred and fifty out range of the Merrimac, but failed, having immediately. The first gunthe Merrimac fired at the Congress entered its cabin, killing the First Lieu- ‘of three hundred , being able to escape either by swimming | tenant and three sailors. The rebel vessel continued to to the shore at Ne 's Nows, or in some o! iain a Ae om way arg fee weaching Mezrimao then, at about four o'clock, thirty minutes, when the Congress struck her ow..8: having been pretty thoroughly used up. One of the attacked the | rebel ganbos<3 Fan alongside of the Congress, and took all Union steamer Minnesota. The fring continued heary i claire peonateenesips en Corea Metire— Mat between them until after dark, when the Minnosota they allowed the men to go free. is estimated that Srounded near the point at Newport ’s News. Even at this | aay enen were killed on the Congress. Capt. Rudford, of time of night the Merrimac attempted to shell Newport’s News, doing, however, but little injury. One of the Shells was thrown beyond the point into one of er camps, killing ten men, one man having his head plown off. One of the crew of the Congress informs re that a man’s head and part of his shoulder was blc~ fing with flesh and blood a boy sixteen y beside him on deck, the boy recei Seemed toend the scene for fear was manifested durin~ ,,*\Urcay night, and great the remainder of the night aye Chat early the next m~ 10. the Merrimac would destroy ‘a arbor not within range of the guns of Fortross Mor As if) oy ao perfect godsend the new and magnifi- ©’, ~Erricson battery entered the harbor during | Sketches of night from New York, and the Captain sre 7 was at once apprised by General Wool of what pad transpired the night before. By sunrise the next morning the numbers upon the shores and the rigging of war steamers and other vessels fn the harbor and the buildings about the fort, showed that the night bad been an anxious one to those residing in the vicinity of Newport's News and the fortress. By nine o'clock it was seen that the Ericsson battery was ap- (hetatter vessel, was not on board, he being absext at Portress Monroe on official business. The Merrimac,after disabling the Congress, then ran down for the steam frigate Minnesota, about two miles off, where the latter was aground, and at four P.M. thay ‘yossel was ina Lan off, cover 1 FaFP precaridlls condition. The fighting was continued Tho rebels had the Merrimac, Yorktown, Patrick Henry and three other boats engaged, while our flotilla consisted of the frigates Minnesota, St. Lawrente, gunboats Rescue, Ranger, Whitehall, Zouayo, and one or two others whose names are unknown, t. Smith, Chaplain Len- hart, Master’s Mate Harrington and Engineer Nesbitt. SKETCH OF LIRUTENANT J. B. SMITH. Lieutenant Josoph B. Smith was the son of Commodore Joseph Smith, who has boon in the service of the country for over fifty-three years, and the fourth oldest officer in the naval service of the United States. Lieutenant ‘Smith was born in and appointed from the State of Maine, but isa citizen of the State of Massachusetts. He en- proaching the Merrimac, that had by this time got steam | tered the service on the 19th of October, 1941, and re- up and was coming out from under Sewall’s Point. She @t once opened fire. The two batteries approached each other, and when in very close contact both continuing to fire full broadsides. The firing continued, the Moni- tor keeping inside, apparently with the view of waving the Minnesota, which was still aground near the point at Newport's News, although steamers and lighters had been hard at work during the night to get her off ‘The Minnesota was not much injured, and during the whole engagement between the Merrimac and Monitor (which tasted for more than three hours on Sunaay morning) continued to pour the whole brordside of her guns which were to the harbor side into the rebel steam. er, and none were fired during the day that pealed such thunder tones, At forty-five minutes past twelve o'clock the firing ceased all round, the Merrimac having steamed Off to Sewall’s Point, under the rebel batteries, where eho now jies, with the Jamestown and Yorktown, anda sowboat alongeide, either to supply her with ammunition Or to repair the damage which she must have suffered by the raking fire of the Mortor during the engagement. ‘The magnificent war steamer Monitor has proved ber feif tobe all that her friends and distinguished con- @tructor had anticipated for ber. One other such bat tery in the harbor would have sunk the stoamers York. town and Jainestown, who kept out of the range of her guns during the whole engagonont between the Monitor {and the Merrimac; and could ehe have arrive? on Satur day would have saved the government $5,000,000 of property. A large hole could bo seen in the afterpart of the Merriznac, a3 she was steaming back at two o'c on Sunday afternoon inte Elizabeth river. Not a scrat ean be seen by a good glass upon the Monitor ‘The largost gun at Fortress Monroe, which is placed in front of the fort upon the shore, by the side of the light house, and which carries a ball of 420 pounds weight was fired about ten o'clock on Sunday morning Dut was 9 situated as to be of no service. Koveral gonk were also fired from the Rip Raps, across to Séwall's Point, which did not reach the Jaines tows and Yorktown, The excitement continued very great at Fortress Monroo, far greater than at any time Bince the w: roke out. Several hundred men were en. ‘ ernoon in throwing up sand batterios to protect the large 420 pound rifle guns placed upon the shor8, unit every other preparation is being nade for do. Wenee Against that wily serpent the rebel war steamer Moerimac, whien m the Yatier to renew her er ail, only have withdr ttack or eb iren to love the fortress coived the commission of Lieutenant on the 14th day of September, 1355. At the commencement of 1861 he had seen nearly three years sea service under that commission, and his total sea service at that date was nearly thirteen years. Ho had been on shore and other duty for about five years,and had been fitteen months unemployed. He had been in the service of the country nearly twenty-one years, and was last at sea in the fri. gate Congress, on the Brazilian squadron. He returned with the vessel, and continued with her,in the North Allantic blockading squadron, and was appointed Com mander, He was killed at the commencement of the ac. tion, In the last published list he stood No. 108 in the line of promotion, and was noted for his bravery and cooiness. He has been snatched from life at the time when he stood in a position of earning a glorious name, which will, as it is, long outlive bim, SKETCH OF CHAPLAIN LENHART. Chaplain John L. Lenhart, who has also lost his itfe in the attack upon the fleet, was the Chaplain of the sloop. of-war Cumberland. He was a native of Pennsylrania anda citizen of New Jersey, from which State ho was appointed to the navy. He entered th and his commission dates from the 27th of February, 1847. Hi total sea service to the Ist of January, 1861, was three years and seven months, and he was on shore andl other duty for five years and one month. At that date he had peon unemployed for over five years, and his total ver: vice in the navy to the present time exceeded fifteen yewrs, In 1860 he was with the sloop Consteliation on the African squadron, after which he was transforred to the Cumber! on the Home squadron, in which ve hie officiated at the commencement of last year, still re. taining the same position when the vessel was appointed vice on the h Atlantic squadron, Ho was @ man some what advanced in years, and was much liked on board his #hip SKETCH OF MASTER'S MATE HARRINGTO Master's Mate Jno, Harrington, belonging to the Cumber land, was prominent during the action for his daring and | bravery. He was killod in the latter part of the fight by a piece of shell. He w vo of Boston, Maes., and was much liked by his comrades and askocia’ SKETCH OF ENGINEER NESBITT. Andrew Nesbitt, k ° hall, was killed in the Jatte he action on the second day, by & piece « D 6 y from off his y. Hh , THE ERICSSON IRON-CLAD GUNBOAT MONI- TOR. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF HER CAPACITY—HER BE- HAVIOR ON THE OCEAN AND IN BATTLE. ‘The steamer Seth Low, Captain Coffin, arrived at this port yesterday from Fortress Mouroe, for which port she sailed hence on the 6th inst., at ten A, M., with the bat- tery Monitor in tow, the wind light, from the northwest, Ateleven P.M. made Barnegat light, wind northwest; ‘7th, at four A. M., Absecomb light in sight, wind north and strong. At half-past ten A.M. made the Capes of the Telaware, the wind strong from north northwest, and the sea breaking over the battery, when she set her olors Union down, and reported that the sea had broken in the smoke pipes and put out the fires, Headed north- ‘west for five hours to keep her head to the sea—the gun- boats Sachem and Currituck in sight, but unable to Tender any assistance. After five hours the wind mode- Tated, and she arrived at Fortress Monroe at nine P. M. ‘on the 8th. Although a description of the Monitor has been very recently published, her glorious action with the Merri. mac, and defeat of the iron-clad monster, will render her mame and that of her gallant maker household words. We therefore give a few particulars concerning her. She is a long, wide and flat-bottomed vessel, with vertical sides and pointed ends, requiring but a very shallow depth of water to float in, though heavily loaded with impregnable armor on her sides and a bomb-proof deck, on which is placed a shot-proof revolving turret, which contains two very heavy guns. She is so low in the water as to afford no target for an enemy, and everything and everybody is below the water sine, with the exception of the persons working rhe guns, who are protected by the shot-proof turret. ‘The sides of the vessel are first formed of plate iron, half ap inch thick, outside of which is attached solid white oak twenty-six inches thick, outside of this again is rolled iron armor five inches thick. The bombproof deck is supported by heavy braced oak beams, upon which i® laid planking seven inches thick, covered with rolled plate iron one inah thick. ‘The turret consists of a rolled plate iron skeleton, ong inch thick, to which are riveted two thicknesses, of one inch each, of rolied iron plates. Outside of this again are six plates of rolled iron, all firmly bolted together with nuts inside, so that if # plate is started it can be at once tightened again. The top is covered with a bomb- proof roof perforated with holes. The lower part of the gun carriages consist of solid wrought iron beams. These are planed perfectly true, and are placed parallel in tne turret, both of the guns pointing in the same direction. ‘The ports through the side of the tunnel are only large enough to permit the muzzle of the gum to be thrust through. Inside of them are wrought iron pendulums, which close them against the enemy as soon asthe gun recoils. She is armed with two of the largest Dahlgren guns, made to revolve by a pair of steam engines placed beneath the deck. ‘The lower vessel is of iron, one-half inch thick, and made in the usual manner. She carries her machinery, coal, &c., aft, and forward the officers’ quarters, ammu- nition and stores. The two partitions of the vessel are separated by a wrought iron bulkhead. The officers quarters are very roomy and hanasome, and are venti- lated and lighted by openings from the deck. Her machinery consists of two horizontal tubular boilers, containing three thousand square feet of fire sur- face, and two horizontal condensing engines of forty inch diameter of cylinders and twenty-two inch stroke of piston. The propeller ig pine Log in diameter and sixtea, feet stroke. It has four blader. “> ~ The following is a table of the size of the diferent por- tions of the vessel:— Inches. Length of upper vessel Beam of upper vessel. Depth of upper vessel. Length of lower vessel Beam of lower vessel at junction with upper Rep at tower lower vessel . Diameter of turret, interior, Height of tarreteerrseer7ri tht (Phe s, Diameter of pilot house Height above deck... He - The pilot house is only afew feet above Ths deck, th + helmsman standing on a platform below it, This, with theturret, are the only things above the surface of the deck. “Seaber— ee rence ‘W6 republish the aames of her gallantwfficers to do them honor, and in order that such names may be kept bright on the roll of fame:— Lieutenant Commanding. ....John S. Worden, Lieut. and Executive Oficer.S. D. G1 Acting Masters 5° Acting Assistant Paym: Acting Assistant Surgeon, Government Inspector First Assistant Enginee: Isaac Newton. Second Assistant Engineer... Albert 8. Campbell. ‘Third Assistant Engineers } eee, Acting Master's Mate.....:..Goorge Frederickson ‘The Monitor left here last Thursday for Hampton Roads, WHY SHE WAS NAMED THE MONITOR—LETTER PROM CAPTAIN ERICSSON. ‘The following letter from Captain Ericsson to Assistant Secretary Fox will now be read with interest:— New Yor, Jan. 20, 1862. Sm—In accordance with your request I now submit for your approbation a name for the floating battery at Greenpoint. The impregnable and aggressive character of this structure will admonish the leaders of the South- ern rebellion that the batteries on the banks of their rivers will no longer present barriers to the entrance of the Union forces. The iron-clad intruder will thus prove a secure monitor to those leaders. But there are other leaders who will also be startled and admonished by the booming of the guns from the impregnable iron turret. Downing street will hardly view with indifference this last Yankee notion—this monitor. To the Lords of the Admiralty the new craft will be a monitor, suggesting doubts as to the propriety of completing those four steol-clad ships at three and a half millions apiece. On these and many similar grounds I propose toname the new battery Monitor. Iam, sir, respectfully, your obodient servant, J. ERICSSO! Gustavus V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy: Washington. bllolllial THE REBEL IRON-CLAD GUNBOAT MERRIMAC BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF HER APPEARANCE, ETC. ‘Tho Merrimac, the iron-plated rebel steamer, was formerly the United States frigate of the same name, which was scuttled and sunk at the Norfolk Navy Yard, at the commencement of the rebellion, by the officers of the Union government, to prevent her falling into the hands of the rebels. She was built at Charlestown in 1865, and was pierced for forty guns. Her last service had been in the Paciflie squadron. After the rebels took possession of the yard she wa raised, and converted into a manof-war, for their own use. Her hull was cut down to within three fect of her water mark, 4 bomb-proof house built on her gundeck. She was avo bow and stern steel-clad, with a pr for the purpose of piercing vorsels, She has no m and there is nothing to be seen over her gundeck, witt the exception of her pilor house bombproof is three inches thick jron. Her nent consists of four eleven-iuch na guns ou oach side, and two one hondred pounder Art nade a trial t ron Norfolk nin “ yee Fortress 0 be te NOTES. 1. Twelve inches yellow pine, 2. Four inches oak. 3. Four inches oak. 4. Four and a half inch iron plate. ‘The plates are eight inches wides. SKETCH OF FRANKLIN BUCHANAN, COMMANDER OF * THE MERRIMAC. ‘This rebel officer was formerly in the service of the United States, and while inthe navy filled the post of captain, and afterwards was Commandant of the Wash- ington Navy Yard, continuing in that position up to the period of his resignation. Some timo after he expressed a desire to withdraw his resignation, but was not per- mitted todo so. Ho is a native of Maryland, and en- tered the federal service on the 28th of January, 1815, and had seon some forty-five years’ service in the fede- ral navy, twenty-one yeas of which wereat sea. On Joining the rebels he was appointed to the command of the Merrimac. His brother was an officer on board the Congress, and was in the action of Saturday last. THE IMMORTAL TRIO. Sketehes of Capt. Eriesson, Lieut. Wor- den and Chief Engineer Stimers. CAPTAIN J. ERICSSON, John Ericsson was born in 1803, in the Province of Vermeland, among the iron mountains of Sweden. His father was a mining proprietor, so that in his youth he had ample opportunities to watch the operatiens of the various engines and maehinery connected with tho mines. At the age of ten years he constructed with his own bands, and after his own plans,a miniature sawmill,and also made numerous drawings of comph- cated mechanical contrivances, with instruments of his own invention and manufacture. - In 1814 he attracted the attention of the cele- breted Count Platen, who had heard of his boyish efforts, and desired an interview with him. After care. fully examining the various plans and drawings which this youth exhibited on this occasion, the Count handed them back to him, simply observing, in an impressive manner, ‘Continue as you have commenced, and you will one day produce something extraordinary.” These few words of kind encouragement from so distinguished ‘& personage sunk deeply into the mind of the young me, chanician, and confirmed him in the career on which he hag entered. Immediately after this interview young Ericson was appointed a cadet in the eorps of engineers, and aftcr six months’ tuition, at the age of twelve years, was appointed nivelleur at the Grand Ship Canal of Sweden, which connects the North Sea with the Baltic,funder Count Platen. In this capacity, in the year.1816, he was required to set out the work for more than six hundred men, and at that time he was not tall enough to look through the leveling instruments, and in using it he was obliged to mount upon a stool, carried by his attendants for that purpose. As the discipline in the Swedish army required that the soldier should always uncover his head in speaking to his superior, gray headed men came, cap in hand, to recoive their instryotions from thi ora child, There are now many iin- port ‘worl Ki “the Fe after dfamings made by Ericsson at this early age. At the age of fifteen he was in possession of accurate plans of the whole work, drawn by his own hand. ‘His associftions with military men on the canal had given him a tendency for military life, and at the age of seventeen he entered the Swedish army ag an ensign’ without the knowledge of his friend and patron, Count Platin, This step excited the indignation of the Count, who tried to prevail on him to change his resolution; but, finding all his arguments useless, he terminated an angry interview by bidding the young ensign to ‘Go to the devil.” The affectionate regard which he enter- tained for the Count caused the circumstances of this interview to make a deep impression upon young Ericsson. Soon after the young ensign had entered upon his regimental duties a matter occurred which threaten- ed to obscure his hitherto bright prospects. His Colonel, Baron Koskull, had been disgraced by the King about the time that ne had recommended Ericsson for promotion. This circumstance induced the King to reject the recom- mendation. Prince Oscar, however, interceded for the young man with the King, who yielded to the persuasions of the Prince and promoted Ericsson to the lieutenancy for which he had been recommended. About this time the governmont had ordered the northern part of Sweden to be surveyed, and that oiticers jn the army should be employed in this service. Erics- son, whose regiment was stationed in the Northern high- land, proceeded to Stockholm, for the purpose of submit- ting himself to the severe exarination then requisite to precede the appointment of government surveyor. Tho mathematical education which he had recoived under Count Platen now proved very serviceable. He passed the examination with great distinction, and in tho course of it,to the surprise of the examiners, showed that he could repeat Euclid verbatim; not by the exercise of the memory, but from his perfect mastery of" geomotricay science. There are yot in the archives of Sweden dotaiied maps of upwards of fifty square miles made by his hand, While thus variously occupied, being on a visit to the house of his Colonel, Ericsson on one oecasion showed his host how readily and by what simpio means mechanical power may be — produced, independently of steam, by condensing flame, On the 18th of May, 1826, he obtained permission from the King to visit England, He here proceeded to con struct a number of engines of new inventions, which wore attended with no trifling expenditure, and to meet the demands then made upon him, the young adventurer was compelled to draw on his mechanical resources Invention now followed invention in rapid suc until the records of the Patent Office, in London, enriched by the drawings of the remarkablo steam on the prineipat of artificial draft. In b yontion before the public, he thought it advisable to join old and and established mechanical houge in Lon {, accordingly, ho associated himeelf with John Braithwaite. In the fall of 1829 the Liverpool and Man chester Railway Company offered a prize for the boat locomotive engine, to be tested on the small portio® of the railway then completed, Eriesson, not willing to allow this occasion to escape him, immediately eet to work, planned the €ngine, executed the working draw F 14 ¢¢ within sever ay inventor, Ericsson, assisted by John Braithwaite, darted along the track at the rate of fifty miles an hour. In a short time afterwards he constructed a steam fire engine, which excited much interest in London at tho time the Argyle Rooms were on fire. He subsequently constructed a similar engine for the King of Prussia, which was main- ly instrumental in saving several valuable buildings at a great fire somo years ago at Berlin. For this invention Ericsson received, in 1842, the large gold medal offered by the Mechanics’ Institute of New York, for the best plan of asteam fire engine. Mr. Ericsson was the first to apply to marine engines centrifugal blowers, now 80 common in this country inall boilers using anthracite coal. In the year 1831 he appiied such a blower, worked by aseparate small steam engine, to the steam packe’ Corsair of one hundred and twenty horse power, plying between Liverpool and Belfast. Mr. Ericsson emigrated to this country in 1839, then being thirty-six years old. His first great achiovement after his arrival was the building of the United States steam frigate Princeton, the first vessel that steam was ever introduced into with the works below tho water line. She proved acomplete success. About the same time he planned the French frigate Pomone, fifty guns, which is at present in our waters; sho also proving a great success. Captain Ericsson after the completion of these vessels, gave his whole time to his favorite work, the completion of the caloric engine, which he has since brought to great per- fection, though on a small scale. His next undertaking was the planning and myention of the steamer Ericsson, which is familiar to all our readers. He did the whole work, from the time her keel was laid to the moment that her paddles were first turned, in the brief space of seven months. Although not answering all that was coin- mercially expected of her, she was an entire mechanica success, speaking more than words of the great genius of the inventor, and as. marine structure she has never been equalled, imuch less surpassed. The name of Captain Ericsson has been comparatively unheard of for some time past, until the commencement of another new idea of his, as illustrated go satisfactorily in the new noble steam battery Monitor. He signed the contract for her construction on the 5th day of last October, and on the 31st of December-—being a period of two months and eight days—her steam, machinery and propeller were put into operation, and on the one hundredth and first working day she was launched. This is a celerity which has never been equalled in this country or in England. LIBUTENANT JOHN L. WORDEN. Lieutenant John Lorimer Worden is a native and citi- zen of New York, from which State he was appointed to the navy. His original entry as a midshipman into the service bears date from the 10tn of January, 1834, and he obtained his present commission on the 30th of No- vember, 1846. His sea service under his present com- mission to the end of 1860 had been eight years and nine months, his total sea service being to that date nearly Seventeen years. His shore or other duty amounted at that time to nearly seven years, and he was over three yeas unemployed. His total length of service up to the present time exceeds twenty” eight years. He was last at sea in November, 1860; on Doard the sloop Savannah, twenty-two guns, on the Dlockading squadron, and was granted a short leave of absence on his return, after which he was sent ag a spe- cial messenger to Fort Pickens, with despatches to Capt. Adams, of the Sabine, commanding the fleet off Pensa. cola, with notice that the fort would be reinforced by two companies of artillory, and instructions to Captain Adams and Col. Brown as to their conduct in case of an attack by rebels upon the fleet and fort. He went by the land route, and on the way he destroyed his despatches. As he an. ticipated, he wes arrested at Montgomery, and as ny fies Ware found cn his person he was allowed to pass, On his arrival at Pensacola he obtained a pass from the rebel Gen. Bragg, permitting him to carry # verbal mes, sage from Secretary Cameron to Captain Adams. He went to him and repeated from memory his despatches. ‘The fort was reinforced, and as he was returning he was arrested by the rebel Gen. Bragg, under the false pre tence of having broken his parole; but the main object was to obtain his despatches to the government, if he shonld kaye bad any in his possession. He was sent to Montgomery, where he was kept for some time as a pris- oner of war. There was an intense excitement against him, as the rebel Gen. Bragg had collected a force of 1,000 men and intended to attack Fort Pickens the very nigh* it was reinforced. Lieutenant Worden was kept in con- finement until the middle of November last, when he was exchanged and went to Fortress Monroe, where he joined the Minnesota. He was afterwards detached from that vessel and appointed to the eommand of the Moniter. CHIEF ENGINEER ALBAN C. STIMERS. Chief Engineer Alban C. Stimers is a native and eitizen of the State of New York, and was appointed to the navy from this State. He first entered the service on the 11th of January, 1849, and gradually worked himself up to the position of Chief Engineer, which rank he obtained on the 2st of July, 1868. Up to the ist of January, 1861, his register of services stood as follows:—His sea service, under the prosent commission to that date, was thirteen months; his total sea service has been six years and six months; he was on shore and other duty for three years and three months, and has been unemployed for three years and a quarter, making his total service under the government up to that date twelve years, or over thir- teen years to the present time. Since thea he has been Chief Engineer of the steam frigate Roanoke, from which he was detached to superintend the construction of the Monitor, or Ecrisson Battery. He was also one of the com mittee of three to examine into the merits of the Steven's battery. At the commencement of the year 180 heawas in a situation entirely opposite to his present one, for he was then the Chief Engineer of the steam frigate Merrimac. ‘Twelve months afterwards he was on special duty at E-16, in Pennsylvania, and when the Roanoke went into commission was attached to her in the capacity before mentioned. He is a man of alittle over thirty years of age, and is well esteemed in both a professional and ro: cial capacity by those with whom ho is connected. Ho now stands No, 14 on the list of Chief Engineers, and his future prospects are very good. THE HEROES OF THE CUMBERLAND. Sketches of Lieutenant Commanding Morris and Lieutenant Selfridge. SKETCH OF LIEUTENANT 6G. U. MonRIS. Lieutenant George U. Morris, who commanded the Cum beriand in the absence of the captain, and who was noted for his bravery during the action, ism native of Ma chusetts but a citizen of New York, from which § was appointed to the United States service. He tered the navy on the 14th day of Angust, 1846 ceived his pr n the 16th of September, 1861. To the} year 1861 his soa service under his present com nearly four yours, and d een, up to jaiy, and an al service and he we frigate Cumberland, destroyed by the rebel battery, correct list of her officers who were on board in the bat- tle of the 8th inst.:— ofiicial business. yosterday,, but was finally got of during the night, and returned to her usual station at the entrance to the Reads. She is again ready for action. greeted with enthusiastic cheers by the various vessels in the harbor. General Wool and staff, and Assistant Secretary Fox, went on board tnis forenoon. She was found not to be damaged in the slightest degree, and is as well prepared as ever for another conflict. Her per. formance was perfectly satisfactory to her oflicors and men, and they all speak of her in the highest terms of praise. noon, from off Charleston. She brings no news. gress is fifty, including three officers, Lieutenant Joseph: B. Smith, commanding; Actiug Master Thomas Moore and: Coast Pilot William Rhodes. Captain William Smith, who- commanded the Congress until recently transferred, was unhurt. Twenty-soven are reported wounded, and forty more were taken prisoners, none of them oflieérs. + chaplain, was drowned, and Master’s Mate John M. Har- rington was killed. the shore. at about one hundred and fifty. drew Nesbit, and Robert Waugh and Charles O’Conner,. seamen, were killed, and three were wounded. was occasioned by them. board, except the falling of a man from aloft. have received serious damage.‘ It is the testimony % some that she was considerably listed on one side as sg went behind Sewell’s Point, probably to repair some leak above the water line. taking an observation, returned without making ,any demonstration, Wool, dated to-day:— rimac has not made her appearance since yesterday. It Js not yet ascertained how much she was injured. The Chief Engineer of the Monitor says that three balls fram. that vessel passed through the Merrimac. The Monier suffered very little, although she was struck twenty. three times. Scattering of the Legislaturo—The Fran- last reporta the citivens greatly alarmed, and relying on Forts Pillow and Randolph for defence. There aro very few troops at Memphis. The Legislature had scattered, after several ineffectual * attempts to transact business. from one Southern point to another, with little prospect of succeeding in his efforts to rally the people te his aid... Cairo says:—General Pope's forces have reached New: loft. Or mile: THE OFFCERS OF THE CUMBERLAND. We have been furnished by one of tho officers of the Lieutenant Commanding—G eo. M.-Morris, Second Lieutenant—Thomas 0. Selfridge. Master—W. 8. Stuyvesant. Acting Masters—W. P. Randel, W. Kennison, ‘Surgeon—Charles Marun. Marine Oficer—havles Hayward, Choplain—J. Lenhart. Assistant Surgeon—E. Kershaw, Lilt—L. A. B. Smith. Ma ter’s Mate:—Charles O'Neil, E. V. Tyson, Paymaster’s Clerk—Hugh Mott. Boatswain—E. B. Bell. Caryn er—Win. Leighton. Sailmaker—David Bruce. Gunner—Eugene Mack. Captain Rudford was absent at Fortress Monroe on THE LATEST NEWS. Fortnxss Monrox, March 10, 1862, ‘The Minnesota had not been got off when so reported’ The Monitor came down early this morning, and was The gunboat Whitehall took fire at two o’clock this morning, and was totally destroyed. Three of her guns, 4 all of which were shotted, went off at intervals, and a shell burst in the air, scattering its fragments about the. fort, without, however, doing any damage. Another gun was saved by the harbor crew. é mM Re PTO fi ‘The British sloop-of-war Rinaldo arrived here this fere- > The latest estimate of the number killed on the Con- On board the Cumberland, the Rev. Mr. Lanhart, the But few of the wounded escaped to ‘The number of killed anc wounded is stated ‘On board the Whitehall, Third Assistant Engineer Ap_ On tho Dragon, which received a shot in her boiler, three men were wounded, The Wm. Whilden received a shot in her boiler, and the Rescue was damaged in her machinery. The former waa towed to Baltimore to-night by the Adelaide, ‘The Minnesota lostsix men killed and seventern wound- ed, not including any officers,sofar as known. She is said to have received qutte a number of shots. ‘The Roanoke receivea but two shots, and little damage No casualty occurred on It is generally believed now that the Merrimac mus* A tug tame out from Elizabeth this forenoon, and, after Wasmscron, March 10, 1862. The following is copied from an official report of Gen. Nothing of importance has occurred to-day. The Mer- ALARM AT MEMPHIS. tic Condition of Governor Harris. Lovisvitie, March 10, 1862. An intelligent gontleman from Memphis on Wednesday Governor Harris was greatly excited, and ftyig about* IMPORTANT FROM MISSOURI. Probable Battle at New Madrid. Sr. Louis, March 10, 1962. Aspecial despatch to the St. Louis Republican from Madrid, and heary cannonading kas been heard in that’ direction. . ‘The enemy are there in strong force, and gunboats from here will soon move down to assist Gen. Pope's forces. The cnemy have been endeavoring to drive the latter back by throwing shells among them from their voats. ‘The total number of torpedoes found in the river and on its banks is over four hundred. Exciting news from New Madrid and vicinity may be oxpected immediately. Large gangs of negroes have been set to work on Forts Randoljh and Pillow, The former mounts oue hundred guns Capture of Rebels in Missouri. ‘Sr. Loum, March 10, 1862. ‘The expedition sent ont from Sedalia by Brigadier General McKean, into Bates county, bas just returned? with forty prisoners of war, recruits for Price’s army, and a quantity of arms, ammunition, &e, Latest from Santa Fe—Fighting in New Mexico. Kansas Crry, March 10, 1862. Quartrei’s band entered Aubrey, Kansas, on the ?thy killed five men and stole fifteen or twenty horses, A letter from Santa Fe of the 23d, having @ postscript of the 24th, froma reliable source, makes mention of the battle at Valverde on tho 16th, The enemy appeared within a mile and @ half of Fort Craig, showing a front of fifteen hundred cavalry with a reserve of five hundred men, with six pieces of artillery, Several shots were exchanged, when the enemy retired in good order, Loss, one killed on each side. ovoral small engagements occurred daring the wook, which resulted ip our forces capturing some prisoners, | ono of the enemy's flags, which was a United States fag | with the let tered. ‘Tho express arrived on the evening of the 234, in twenty-four hours from Fort Craig, bat brought nothing excep Ge Conneliy, which " ping on when the express dover 100 of the enem mn master, beside killings enemy were hard pressed towards Valverde, at which foree and the at number of cent report from Dew- n the re ssporta. ° thew be