The New York Herald Newspaper, March 14, 1862, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. | WHOLE NO. 9316, NEW YORK, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1862. THE MONITOR AND MERRIMAC. OUR GREAT NAVAL ACHIEVEMENT. _—e Additional Details of the Engagement in Hampton Reads. Official Reports of Captain Van Brunt, of the Minnesota, and Captain Watson, of the Gunboat Dragon. THE REBEL ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE, &., Our Fortress Monroe Correspondence. Fortess Mowroe, March 11, 1862. Th. Engagement at Hampton Roads—Difficully of Ascer- taining Data—Appearance of the Minnesola—Some More Facts About the Battle—A Shot Strikes the Minnesota's Banner— Progress of the Bombardment— Death of a Redet Midshipman— Additional Particulars of the Fight, de. ‘Tho Minnegota is still lying at anchor off the fort, and her appearance scarcely denotes any sign of tho terrible ordeal she passed through during heated action of twenty-four hours. ‘Ihe details 1 sent about this vessel Jast evening were but meagre. At twolve o'clcck M. ou Saturday the Merrimac was sighted making towards, Newport’s News—at first, towever, ‘with hor prow towards this point, The Minnesota fought bravely during the afternoon, and during the next day, until about noop—when the ammunition gaye out, there being but two solid shot for each gun, which Werg reserved for a volley, should tho monster Merrimac atieospt ciosé quarters. ‘The Captain of the Mianeiots ‘was standing On the bridge of the quarterdeck with Major Shuttleworth: The Major said that he hoped the Capiain would not surrender his ship. The old hero em- phatica!ly vowed to sink her before she should fall intothe hands of the-rebels. A council of the officers wascalled, consisting of Lioutenant Grafton, Lioutenant Watters, Major Shuttleworth and Chief Engineer Charles H. Loring, ‘and it was unanimously docided to fight the ship while a shot remained in the locker, and, if the rebels should get the best of it, to blow herup. In the meantime the Ericsson battery arrived to our relief, and the vistory of our navy was assured. ‘The starnch old vessel was riddled considerably. The ensign at the peak received a shot through its folds, but still waves defiantly from the masthead. Had this shot struck tho ship it would have made great havoc, as it was ‘& good line shot, intended to rake the vossel fore and aft. Another shell struck the room of Mr. Loring, adjoining the wareroom, and passed through the Engineers’ galley and mess room, carrying away everything in its pro- gress, breaking dishes, &c., and completely demolishing the rooms of Messrs, Thompson and Atkinson. ‘The firing of the Merrimac on Saturday was mostly @irected against the bow of the Minnesota. One shell Durst on the port hole of No. 8.gun, second division, in- stantly killing a man named Winslow, one of the best gunners of the ship. A six-inch Arnistrong shel! struck the mainmast, passing through like a knife, Captain Van Brunt speaks of his officers and crew in the highest terms, and says that he never saw a braver eet of fighters in his life. In order to lighten the vessel a large quantity of provisions were taken from the Min. mesota and placed on the Whitehall. In the evening, however, the Whitehall was burnt to the water's edge; ‘Dut prior to her reaching the dock before taking fire the most of the provisions were pitched overboard. The fire on the Whitehall originated around the boiler, aod it is @upposed that the felting had takea fire from a shell fired from the enemy's vessels during the engagoment. By this fire four mren were burnt or drowned—namely, Ed. Foster, Henry W. Denokue, Thomas Maroney and Albert Alfreds. ‘One of the bravest men in the fight was Captain W. J. Balsir, commanding the Whitehall, Captain Van Brunt conceding it, and everybedy who witacssed the fight fends Captain Balsir’s courage and coolness very highly. Although !the steambom Whitehall was condemned as ‘wecless, she was the first vessel out of the fleet to attack ‘tho Merrimac, end akhough her heavy batteric’ had no effect on the iron monster, still the rebel steamers Yorktown and Jamestown will remember the accurate gunnery of the Whitehall for some time to come. ‘Whon the Congress struck ber flag the rebels sent a tug to her to4ake eff the officers. The order was given ‘onthe Congress for the sailors to go ashore, but the or_ der was mistaken, and about fifty men jumped on board ‘the rebel tug, which, pushing off with tnem , a rebel mid- aly jumped on board the Congress and took the flag, ‘which ho wound aronad his body Union down, but one of the Firo Zouaves, named Billy Welch, fired his riffo and mado the agcursel revel pay the forfeit of bis life for bis rasbness, The body of the iniddy fell overbeard, and ‘was not recovered. The Stars and Stripes which the rebel boy wound around bim served as his shroud; and his dexth will servo as a lexvon toail traitors and sacrile- re and holy flag. The Fire Zovaves jewport’s Nows, and did great execu- dion with their arms in picking oif rebels in the act of * Woarding the Congress. The damage dong at New por ws tothoeampof Gen, Mansfield was the wounding of two men of the Seventh regime: t New York ¥ teers, named Paul Stirlein, Company A, and P. Fortner, CompanyG, Shot and ehell fairly rained-into the camp, but did no further damage. The gunboat Zouave, Capt. J. A. Phillips, tender on the frigates Cumberland and Congress, also participated in the action, using her guns with g-eat effec Steamers Yorkfown and Jainestowa. When the Congress wos go badly riddled by the Merrimac, thy ‘fT Une Congress signalized to ve towed on Zounve ran alongside and ran the Congress hard and fast xground. ‘the Zonave then went to the assistance of the \unesota, and while lying on tho Jarboard e, receiv- e¢ the murderous volleys of ‘he rebel boats. While un- «ler the bow of the Congress a s0.id shot from the Merri+ saac struck the flange and the rudder post, disabling tho propeller of the Zouave. ‘The damage was not perceived until after having come alongside tho Minnesota. Seve- wal shots struck the Zour o in various places, ove of thom carrying away the Zovave Ngure cn the pilot house, also knocking the smoke stack over. Not onc of tho offi- core or crew was injured. The vessel was somewhat damaged, but not soany great extent. Tho following is @oorrect list of her officers — Acting Master—Jchn A Philips, Commander, Mas‘cr's Mate—Rovert Ranney. Chirf Bnyincer—Hugh O'Brien. Recond Assistant Enincer—Morgon Badgley, ‘The armamont of the Zounve consisted of a thirty-two under Parrot, rifle bore, a twenty four pounder braes itzor aft, and a quantity of small arms, ‘The firing from the Mitinesota was excollent, and the Coolness andbravery of the officors and men Is deserving of the nigheet praise. The divisions, which consist of eight gna, four on cach side, wore worked admirably; the officers commanding thom, whose namos we give, without a singlo excsption, exercised tho gtcatest porsi- ‘wile control aver the men, urging them on with a spirit and devotion tiveling thoce heroes of former days, De- eatur and Paul Jouer: and as each shot was ‘fired tho mon sprang forward to note the effect with intense fervor, amt when it happened to hit the enemy a will shout of delight andexeltation went up from the brave tars. Mr. Van Duzer’s division was especially noticed as making tho best line shot. The pivot gun, Mr. Dexter comuriading, rendered the greatest servico during the engagement, Making ¢ 0 1€ splendid effective shots. Exsoutive Off C. Gratton, and Liewenant Jobn Waisers canuct poken oj too highly for their cool and courageous deportment during the entire engage. ment. Mr. Graton met with a vory narrow excape—a man bad his head taken off by @ spell who wae standing right next tobim—onr executive officer being epattercd over with the braius of the unfortunate man, ke. The following ds a list ov the officers of the frigate Roanvae. Caplaia—Joha Marston. Firs Licutenant—S. 8. Fillebrown Second Liasden lH, 8. Todd. Arting Madero. Van Slyck, L. L. D. Voorhees, 3. In- graham and J. West. Surycon— —— Gilabrist. Assisiant Surpronta ——— Bpea: sid — Bragg. Chaplrin—tt. Given. Paymastr— —— Cahoon, » Pitot-—Wm. Singer. Oux Newport's News Corvespondence, Pust Bricane, Finer Divisiox, Dev's. or Viner Expected Alluch— Again Disappointed Viet of the Brics- wn Steamer Monitor=-Cur Men Wild with dpy and En- Chusiapieae Visit of Our Officers to Her—The Sick from the Congress Doing Weil, de. J.ast evening about seven o'clock two men of our ca- walry patrol were driven in by a emall foree of rebel in- faxtiy, soveral idles from our camp, and for a short time ved hoplen vf a general engngement. jose search by a number of our cava enomy wae found to b&ye roturnod, and {1 je # How. the ever, on % FEDERAL CAMP & BATTERY that %& has merely been a small scouting party roaming about in the woods. Gencral Mansfield visited the outposts late last evening and found everything quiet. We are fully pre- pared, night and day, for an attack, and if the chance is offered to us, our soldiers will stand their ground man- It is our good fortune to have a com. mander to whom we can look up as a model of ability, coolness and bravery. ‘The Ericsson steamer Monitor has taken up her position opposite our signal point, where she can keep watch of the inlet to Norfolk (in case the Merrimac should dare to show herself agaih), and also bave a view of the James river all tho way up to Day’s Point, Yesterday she passed our point, quite near enough to give the garrison or men crowded down on the deck ‘and along the shore, and hailed her with cheers and ex- clamations of the wildest enthusiasm, One would cry, “Three cheers for the Monitor, our savior!” another, “God bless her, that plucky little craft 1? and so on. She looks so innecent that one would hardly think that she really drove off a whole fleet of rebel boats. the Merrimac made but little impression upon her, and with tho exception of her commander, who was injured in the face, not a soul on board was hurt the least during the five hours’ fight on Sunday morning. General Mans- field, his staff, and several other oflicers, visited her in the afternoon, and were reccived with all possible cour- attention by her gallant officers. fully to the last. 8 good view of hor. dial meeting took nover showed faces such Every _ portion exhibited, and every mations of admiration and deli dream, to dive into this raft. h luxurious cabins, such machinery, such com- plete accommodations for comfort and safely, all under water, Of the momentous items which have mado up the eventful history of the past few days he Monitor is not tho least interesting. the goveriment will award all the praise and pecuniary remuneration due to the noble inventor, and to the ofli- 89 faithfully and well. hat, but for her timely ar- ability to fight and subdue the terrible would have been de itweomes almo.t looking concern and is no use dieguisin and well known ning at ten o’elak, carrying the Fifth regiment Mary: Louis Shley. ‘The regiment num- iu direct from Paitimors ind Volunteers , Co 990 men, most of them st the right kind of stuif to ma’ liam Rhodes, Jato pilot on board the frig gress, who was carried on shore Saturday ev terribly wounded, and wh» his wallet, containing a con ort mizaight, lnnded -ablo sum of money , to tho lurgeon, Dr. Curtis, requesting bim to comply with the request of a note contained in tho wailet. note jg written on last New Year show that Rhodes has had vome sort of furewarning of his approaching death. day, and secms to Usiten States Stir Coxonnss, » Newront's News, Ja sent, and all that n jothing, whenever he Const Pilot of the United States Favewell to all below the sun f So far as I bavo been able to tearn, nil the wounded sailors now in our hospitals The list of the saved has i ‘@ doing comparative: t you been completed “Monitor.” and it ts not likely that our sign ( Ericeson OMctal Report of Captain G. J. Van Brunt, of the Minnesota, Usrrep States Sikawhe Minwescva, turday, the Sth inst., at 12:4 smal! steamers, in ap) earance, w Sewall’s Point, and as soon as they came into full broad: inead that one was the iron-plated from the large size of her emoke were heading for Newport's News, and 1, in nlor officer present, Cap arston, humediately called all hands, slippog wd got under way for that point to engage fe discovered ro side viow I was con steam battery Morrin ¢ toa signal from Uh tory, one shot from whieh going through and erip. returned the fire with my We ran without diMeulty within about one and a half wile of pwport’s News, and thene, unfortuns unning ebb, and, althongh in the ehannel, snot sufficient water for this pling my mainmast e fcet. 1 keew the botiem wan soft and Mleavorel to fore ihe g ip over; but found At this Game it war reporied ¢ had parsed he frigate C ny oep-of-wer Cum posed | my cter after TF eaw the latte Reing dewp by f The Merrit then hauled off, tak: th and pen jed to haul down her colors. and injury yon will be informed from the oilicial report of her commander. At four P.M. the Merrimac, Jamestown and Patrick Henry bore down upon my vessel. Very fortunately the iron battery drew too much water to come within a mile of ue. She took @ position on my starboard bow, but did uot fire with accnracy, and only one shot passed through the ship’s bow. The other two steamers took their posi- tion en my port bow and stern,and their fire did most damage in killing and wounding men, inasmuch as they fired with rifed guns; but with the heavy gun that I conld bring to’ boar upon them drove them off, one of them apparently in a crippled state. I fired upon the Merrimac with my ten-inch pivot un without any apparent effect, and at seven P. M. she od en off, and allthree vossels atcamed towards Norfolk. ‘The tremendous firing of my broadside guns had crowded me further upon the mud bank, into which the ship seemed to have made for herself: cradle. From ten P. M., when the tide commenced to ran dood, until tour A. M. T had all hands at work, with steamtugs and hawsers, endeavoring to haui the ship off the bank; but withont avail, and as the tide bad thea fallen conside- rably, | suspended further proceedings at that time. At two A, M. the iron battery Monitor, Commander John L. Worden, which had arrived the previous evening at Hanpton Roads, eat side and reported for duty, and then all on board felt that di beat to quarters, but they ran heading for Fortress Mouroc, and s beaten to allow my men to get something "The Merrimac ran down noar the Rip Raps and «i into the chapnei, through which I bad come. Again a!l hands were catled to quarters, and ope her with my etern guns and made sigral t to attack the enemy. © imunediatel: in my wake, right wit he range of ¢ completely covering my ship ws far a sible with her diminutive dimensions, and, much to my astonishment, laid herself right alongside of the Merrimac, and the contrast was that of a pigmy toa plant. Gun after gun was tired by the Monitor, which was returned with whole brovdsides from the rebels, with no more effect apparently than so many pebble stones thrown by a.child. After a while they commenced manouyring, and ‘we could see the litte battery po her bow for the rebels, with the intention, as T thong, of vending a shot through her bow porthole, then al would shoot by her and rake her thi sugh her ster. In the meantime the rebels were pouring broadside after broadside, but ali tall her shot flow over the litt!esub- merged propeller; aud when they struck the bom) proof tower the shot glaneed off without producing any effect, clearly establishing the fact that wooden vessels cannot contend successfully with iron elad ones, for never before was anything like it deewmed enthusiast in maritime finding that she could make nothing of th turned her attention onco more to me in the morning. She had put one 11-inch shot under my counter m 1 cond approach 1 uns and LO timber-built ship in the world. with ber rifled bow gun with @ ebell whieh pa: through the chief engineer's etaterootn through the en sroom amidships and burst in the boatswain’s ing tovr-tooms all futo on, in its passage ex. plouing two charges of powder, wiilch set the sip on fire, but it wos prompt.y exti hed by a party headed by ‘my first lieutenant. wid Went through the boiler of the tugboat Dragon, expioding it ushag, some consternation on board my ship fer the 1 ment, until the matter was explained, This ti concentrated upon her an incessant fire fr kand forecastle pivot guns, formed by my marine officer, who was stationed ou Uo poop, thet at least fifty solid shot struck ier on he slanting site withor acing any ap; teifeet. By the time she had tired her third «hell ihe title Monit had come down apon her, placing herself between and compelled her to change her position, in doin; she grounded aud ag in I poured inty her ali the gous which coult be brought to bear upéh her, AR soou as zhe got off she stood dewa the bay, the litte battery chasing her with all spoed, when suddenly (he Merrimac tu daround and Por a moment I wee fous, but instantly Law a shoe plunge into the tren f the Merrimac, which mittst have damaged her, fer some time af concentrated their whole battery upun th pilot hot se of the Monitor, and s awn for Fortress Mcuree, and we thought it p: she had exhausted her s pply of am tained rome Injury. Son after the Me two other steamers head my shi, tu the fullest extent my condition, 7 was bard and tay movably aground, nnd they could take pos ion ancer my stern avd rake me. 1 had expended most of my gold #hot, and ny #hip was badly crippled and my of co.s and worn oul with fatiguss Bat even in this exteor aT dete: A never to givo up tht ship wo the rebels, and after ¢ my om . de. pdevery preparation to be male ty destroy the slip after ali hape wee gone to rave her, On aseonding the poop deck T observed that the enemy's vessels had changes their course and were for Ceaney fsiau then | dolormined to lighten the ship by throwing over hoard wy eghtinel guns, ho nit provision ing, Wale At two P.M. 1 proeveded to m other attempt ts sa hip by the tiw0 oF of powers s mer ; peut ke WY Age Lanee t. Ta meg be. tower and ateod art SEWALLS POINT SEGESSIA in full speed into her antagonist. | babie | Monroe. thomselyes with great courage and coolness. Ihave the honor to be your her! obedient servant, . J. VAN BRUNT, Captain U.S. N,, Comm’g Frigate Mi linneeota, Hon. Gipson Wuixs, retary of the Navy, Washing- ton, D.C. CORRECTED LIST OF OFFICERS OF UNITED STATES STRAMSHIP Captain—G. J. Van Brunt. Licutenants—EAward C, Grafton, John Watters. Acting Masters—Adolphus Dexter, J. M. Merrill, W. Wright, John ¥. Ferguson. Sailing Mas'er—D. A. Campbell. Paymasicr—Kobert Pettit. Fleet Surgeon—W. M. Wood. Captain of Marines—W. L. Shuttleworth. Lieutenant of Marines—W. H. Ca ‘Assistant Surgeon—Dr. Fi Chaplain—G. 8. Jon Pngineers—Chiel, ©. H. Loring; First As ight; Third Assistants, F. J. Whitike y, T. W. Rae, G. W. Thern. Midshipmen—R. 8. Chew, C. Masters’ Mates—J. B. Van Berry, Wm. Hunter. Boatswain—Paul Atkinson. @unner—C, W. Homer. Carpenter—Ebenezer Thompson, Suilmaker—Anguatns Warren. Piiot—A. B. Miller. ° MAIN DECK BATTERY, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF LIBUTENANT JOHN WATTERS. 4 First Divisiom—Acting Master W, Wright. Second Division—Acting Master J. M. Merrill. Thisd Division—Maater’s Mate Jobn B. Van Duzer. SPAR DECK BATTERY, UNDER THF SUPERVISION OF ACTING MASTER ADOLPHUS DEXTER. Pivot Gun—A. Dexter. Fourth Divi.icn—R. 8. Chew. Fifth Dvision—C, 8. Cotton. tant, G. 8. Report of Captain Watson, Commanding the Gunboat Dragon. Unsrrep States Steamer Dracow, March 8, 1962. At six P. M. went alongside of the Roanoke, and was ordered to get up a big head of steam, and go on the star: board side and make fast, as the Merrimac was in sight, and the signal given to get underweigh and go after her. At balf-past one I’. di. siipped the anchors of the Roanoke and started for the Merrimac. At two P.M. received orders to take a ha and goakead, as the ship bad qot ashore, and it was necessary to get her head in the right direction, At the same time the batteries at Sewall’s Point opened on the tow, which was immedi- ately responded to by the Roanoke amd Dragon. On nearing Newport's News 1 was ordered to tow the Roa noke head towards the Ri) Rape, and let go and go to the Minnesota and render every assistance possible, which was done with a will, Arriving at the Minnesota, tock position and opened ive on the Yorktown and James. town, Kopt it up wntildark, when we received orders to ccaso firing and ay by the ship until morning. At two A. M. tricd to tow the Minnesota off the bottom, and eeocoeded only to grownd in auother and more ex pleco. Mare fast for 1h@ night Second day, ar ‘A. M., wo were ordered to take up position as could, and opened fire on the Yorktown and Js with good effect ; could ly see our abells bursting on thoenemy. At twelve M. received orders to go along. pide of the bo ready to assist in towing her off, Made fust on (he port side, being in direct lino of the Merrimac’s batteries. At the same ceived two shots from uer, one taking e Wolior, blowing tip the vessel, together with th sly wounding Charies J. Froesa ing Ben. 8. Hungerford, and breaking the legs ional, which will have to be amputated Received orders te get on board the Minnesota, Veesol on fire, Shortly alter received orders to got bags and hammocks on board of the Whitehall, 4 is & list of officers at the time:— , Wateon. follow iu A. Seward Seeond Engine as Jordan Master's MaLom—Win, Wowsdin. 4 Ben. §. MHungerford nm WM. WATSON, Captain. Another Deseviption of the Monitor. LETTER FROM Lb iv Dean Brower * shot proof. Mer hull floats 18 i and is covered with Sve thi plates, each ono ine thik, water line. Mer deck § pe abo, the water, sos of wrought tron point #3 below with Linch wrot § foot outside diame & placed uenr the eont ret are mounted (we Th inch fron. A wrought iron ty 9 foot biel ant § inehe of busyaney. Tm unt 1 vablyrom gute ontrelled by the comm e irish veh t y | tories apd t pr iNet te , ! cr | vet fed outside @ iortor battory’, Wie Vitter iM lo-vered ives me great pleasure to during the whole of these trying scenes the officers and men conducted rret revolves, and is turaed | PRICE TWO CENTS. THE BATTLE OF THE IRON-CLAD STEAMERS. aaycty ‘the enemy they cannot get below ror into the turret, and her decks can be swept by her own guus loaded with ister. She is ied by steam, and is expected to Let bet hour, and carries eight days’ coal a ‘% speed; ig flat bottomed, and draws ten feet water. She is not intended for a cruiser; only to go from Port to port oi our own coast. Great hoper of her suc- cess are onterta.ied by her constructor and others; and, gagement, where she remained on Saturday night, fo'commenre on thom om Sinday mormiog. She is Bee tween them and ali assistance from Old Point. The frigate Congress was set fire to, on Saturday by @ boai’s cr-w fom some of our vessels. She mined the whole Roads and river, and abeut m 6 her magazine expicded with a tremendous noise. contiagration afforded a rare sight to many thousands of spectators who lined the shores of our hari to witness: the spectacle of ashipon fire. Many articles of value, we learn, were removed from ber by our g before being fired. Tugs ani steainers were sent to the assistance of the Minnesota and St. Lawrence from ld Point, after they gronided, but their efforts to haul them off’ were una- vailing. ‘The frst gun fired in the engagement is said to have been fire! by the Confererate gun! Beaufort, at the frvate Congress. All of our steamers and gunbeatsare said to have ben managed with the utmost skill and dex- terity, rendering great assistance to the Virginia in this magnificent and successful engagement. We aro without means of getting at the loss of the enemy in killed and wounded, sbough it is belicved to have been very great. Qur total loss in killed and | wounded, as far as we can learn, isnine killed and twelve woundod, most of them slightly. f Twenty-three prisoners were brought up to this city on Saturday night. These were all taken off the frigate | Congress by the gunboat Beaufort, while our other gun- oats took off others. One of these prisoners died while on his way to the city. He and another one wounded wore shot by their own forces while being saved from the sinking frigate Congress. The wounded prisoners were carried to the hospital. ‘The Virginia had two men killed and some five or six wounded. A shot entered the porthole and siruck the gun om the muzzle, knocking off @ piece nine inches lang. ‘Pais dis- dled the gun, which was immediately replaced by another of the same calibre. Captain Buchanan and Lieutenant Minor, of the Vir- inia, aro said to be wounded, the former slightly, the latter severely. On board the Patrick Henry a shot entered one of her orts, wo understand, and passed through one of her vilors, disabling it. She was compelled to hau! off tem- porarily tor repairs. There were four mon killed and tunes wounded on board of her. Other damage not ma- terial. ‘On board the gunboat Raleigh Midshipman Hutter was killed, we understand. though we did uot learn of any other casualties. ‘The James river steamers arrived at the scone of ac- tion, | .s said, about one hour after the engagement com- mencsd. They carily passed the Newport's News bat- terieg, and after joining in the fight rendered very effl- clent aid. By this daving exploit we have raised the Janes river blockade, without foreign assistance, and are likely, wi.isthe asvistance of the Virginia, to keep open the communicati-n. Several small prizes were said to have been taken by our gunboats from the Yankees, one of which, the schoon- er Reindeer, was brought up to the Navy Yard on Satur- day night. Two others were said to have been carried over to Pig Point on Saturday. Another report we hear says that but two persons were killed on board the Virginia. ‘Andrew J. Dalton, a printer, who left our office a few days since to join the V! ia, and who wae at the bom- pbardwent of Sumter and participated in several other engagements during the war, we learn, was one of the wounded on board that vessel on Saturday. ‘The engagement was renewed in on Sunday morn- ing, abou’ balf-past eight o'clock, by the Jumestown and several of our gunboats, Uring inte the Minnesota and St. Lawrence. At figh water we oxpect the Virginia will pay her respects to these vessels. Bince the above was written, we have beon enabled to gather some additional particulars. Some detention occurred on board the Virginia on Sun- day morning, we learn, or she would have commenced the engagement much earlier than half-past cight o'clock, at which time she, together with the Patrick poayt 89 Jamestown and our other gunboats, opened fire on Minnesota, which still lies hard and fastaground. The tide being at the ebb, the Virginia did not take tho chanoed where the Minnesota lay, probably for fear of grounding, but gettin; within a good range of her, she opened fira with terribie effect, completely riddling her, an{ render ing constant exertion at the pump meceseary to prevent her from filling. Karly in the morning, tho Ericsson battery , now called the Monitor, was discovered off Nowport’s News Point, she having gone up there during tho night. A sharp en- counter scon took place be. ween her and the Virgin 4, during which tine they were La gy more than (hir:y or tank 3 yards apart. Unfortuvately . the Virginiaranaground, ihe Ticsen, using advantage, poured shot after shot iuto her, but without ing any serious damage. Ina short while, however, the Virginia suc- ceeded in getting off, and pulting on full heed «f steam, ran her Low inte the Rriccson, doing, as it ts thought, great é on Lurateng, tore her scene of thetr triumphs and returned to the }, where they if she answers their expectations, sho will bea very pre hash inity of displaying th-tr prewess. serviceable ves:el and will have some rough we =S cA Length of upper vessel.. y in her; ies turn out ax wo hope for, shall bo well ratistied to rough it. Jt seems that Com- modore Smith, of the Burean of Yards and Dooks, has had the supervision of her construction, and is greatly interested in her success. I had a letter from him, which stating that he had pon I examined the vessol and accepted at once. getting my orders by return is quite complimentary in its ton named me for the command, wher mail. | ment, if 5 welend that it is the intention of the proves succersful,to build the twenty elad gunboa‘s recently authorized by Congress on her plan, with modifications suggested by experience. THE REBEL ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHT. {From the Norfolk Day Book of the 10th March.) THE JAMES RIVER BLOCKADE OPENED—TWO YANKEE FIRST CLASS FRIGATES D£“TROYED—THE HATED CUMBEKL AND SUNK—TUE CONGRESS BURNED TO THE WATER'S KDGE—THE MINNESOTA AND ST. LAWRENCE AGROUND--GREAT SUCCESS OF THE CONFFDERATE IRON CLAD STEAMER VIRGINTA— LARGE NUMBER OF YANKEES SuO) 4ND DROWNED, Brc., ETC. Ata quarter past eleven o'elock on Satvrday, the iron nia east loore fren. Nee moorings at 1 to Hampton Roads, towards tho blockading fect lying off Newport's News. She reached their neti) od, wfter some de. ttwe o'clock. Here ates Cumberland and Congress. With a determination to pay her respects to the Cumberland first, the Virginia bore down for that veagel, and while passin the Congress sho gave her a clad eteainer Vi the Navy Yard and mado ber wy tention at the obstructions belo y she found the two firs: class sailing {+ brondside by way of a siute, Her operations on the Cum- berland were performed inthe short space of fifteen minutes! time, atthe end of which the Cumberland’ sunk just where in on approaching her and getting within point blank range. fred her bow gun sevora! times, and ran juto her, striking her fairly with her ram, which mace her reel to and fro and sent her speedily to the in: but while going down, we nnderstand, the after with what jury we know net. ‘Tho object in first getting rid of the Cumberland was “probably to destroy the very heavy armament which that frigate carried, i being the heaviest in the Yankee ‘The officers’ aud crew of the Cumberland mate nary. their ceoape us best they could, many of them betng cap- tured by cur gipboats, ‘The wounded en board tis be- Hieved wont down with the vasscl. : Tho Virginia noxt turned her attention to the Congress, which vessel it is enid qallantly resisted «her inevitable fate for n pidly sin rlyan hour, vat finally fuding the ship ra- she hauled down her colers\and made for the boach, where siio W bh aground as possi bie. Mer officers and © by our gunboats, and while sho had her flag of (race hoisted asd was boing of her killed and wounded hy our boats the Yan Newport's News disregarding the fla, nie muskets fired into her and kille their own men and stizhtly wounted John Hopkins, one of our pilots, att to the ginia was engaged with the Congress with x bre the shor! toifes of the enemy at Newport's News. On from the bow gun of the Virginia, says one of the prisoners, capsized /10 of the suns of the Com- great, killing silreen of her crew ant taking Gg the head of eT Lieut. Smith, cnet ttbinally lore the ship to pieves The enemy seemed entirely unaware of our intention i, wore so completely hullet omy's steam frigate Min- their neaistaner, 14 Nowe, them withe ground whe iy damage whatever, within a mile or two of while tt dornts steamors Vatrick TofnestowD pepe ith the'y Batteries, whi | Virginia was att ty the shove baiteries at New up to apsiat ot agro anda noke, put off ( edd powor the haute eh was Ot Lew Font, are 172 00 124 of the Cumberland wasliseharged at the Virginia, ido after broadvide into | had got dowa to Sewall’s | ing on between the two | with what effect wo are unable to say, tL. There she stack, mable to get | displayed ¢ | have to chreni¢ | They 6 ‘The enemy’s , killed and wounded, during the two day’s battle is excocdingly large, and catimated at from six to twelve hundged. The scene around (he Congress is resen'ed as heart-sithening. The officers of the Beaufort, who ran alongside of her on night, and who boarded her for the purpose of removing the wounded aboard of her, and who were brutal; upon by the enemy while engaged in this work kith and kin, emmy ye deck of in the agonies of death, would be ‘found poor wretches, wilh their breasts Qi the crew of the Cumberland but few survived to tell the tale. Asshe went down her crew went with her, excepting some few who we. + taken as prisoners by us, and a few others who cscapea tothe shore. Out of the five hundred aboard of her, it is estimated that not a hundred at most escaped, the remainder either being killed by our shot or drowned as the vessel went down, Of course the greater part of those on board the gun- boats wore also drowned, as there was not sufficient time for them to have made their escape. Added to this many in the camps of the enemy at Newport's News were killed by the shells which the Virginia threw amoug ‘On our side the loss was indeed small, and when we consider the storm of shell to which at times they were subjected, we can but wonder, while we rejoice, that #0 few of them suffered injury. On the Virginia there were two killed and eight wound- ed. Among the wounded we regret to mention =~ Buchanan and Lieutenant Minor. These wounds, how- ever, we are happy to state, are but slight. ‘On’ the Raleigh Midshipman Hatter was killed and Cxp- tains Tayloe and Alexander wounded, the first mentioned nite rely. On the Beaufort Gunncr W. Robinson and two seamen were wounded. This was all the dai sustained by this vessel among hor men. Two Yankeo prisoners aboard of her were struck by the balls of their friends, one of them killed, and tho other severely wounded, Tho former was standing in the door of the wardrobe at the time the Beaufort was alongside the Congress, and one of the shower of bails sont by the enemy on shore from their Minie muskets streck him on the forehead, pene- trating bis brain, avd kilting bim almost instantly. On the Teasor ono man was wounded very aiightiy. On the Patrick Henry four mon wore killed and three wounded. Whilo the lors of the enemy is counted by hundreds, ours. as will be seen from the above, amounts to only seven killed and eeyenteen wounded. ‘The loss on our part, as small as it is, was not the work of tho enemy’s shots from their vessels, but the result forthe most part of the fire of muskets from shore. During the contest the mainmast of the Raleigh was ree ay. The flugraffs of the Virginia were also cut down. The report that the Congress wae fired by the federata to prevent hor falling into our hands is without a shadow of truth. She was fired by hot shot from tho Virginia, for firing into our dowts while she had a flag of truce at tho time tying after she had struck ber colors and sur- Bo ws the prisoners taken off the Congress was the Amon iy slave pony the property of —— Drummond, Eeq., of this city, wie escaped to the enemy seme time in October last. He is now safe, having reached his boinc sooner | wd under different circumstances than he anticipated, Ga the arrival of the Virginia at the yard her men were mpstered and addressed by the commanding of- ficer interms of yraiso for their noble bearing during tho engagement. They respoucled with heorty cheers, and expressed @ desi:o to again reenact the scenes through which they had just passed whenever opporta- nity prosemted. Tho hyury evstained by the Patrick Henry war not as reat as at firet supposed, being so trifling that a fow our’s repairs were sullicient to place her iu roadinegs for acti ‘Tho officers of the Virginia are represented as haying acted with the utmort courage and bravery during the, contest, It we related of Captain Buchanan that during the thickest of the fight he remaimed on the deck of the Virginia, and that he divehy mueket after musket at ‘oremy as they were up to him, Tt was whi xpored that he re: the wound of which men. ion Is Mee above. vit ie aaid that altaf the batteries on Nowport's Nows silenced except one, and that our shot and shel) were thrown with such unorring aim and precision, aimong the enemy that great numbors of them were kihed and wounded APORI, EDITORIAL REFLECTIONS ON THE BATTLE. NaN rem tli. Norwalk | ay? Book, March 10.) mH OF TOR NENT, The Sth and Oth Jays ei UNO present aonth have been | Hustrious in Ube annals of this war of all ware quens gal antry of Southern seamen, bern waters. The events which we need no ald of the rhetoricien’s art, Aout in their eimple grandeur above all orna. iao tow dignity which @gcares al. pempous We sha'l atiompt, writing, exrmt ean, wo acandid nar alive of (ho faete, which wo ebaurved, (CONTINUED ON EIGHTH PAGE.)