BALTIMORE, March 26. – The Fortress Monroe correspondent of
the Baltimore Union gives a report of two contrabands relative to the condition
of the Merrimac. She returned to Norfolk
with six feet of water in her. Six
steamers towed her up, and it was feared
at first she would go down before her pumps could be rigged on board. Her fires were extinguished shortly after
hauling off from the Monitor.
These contrabands positively assert the death of Buchanan,
and that the Lieutenant in command on Sunday, and seven seamen, and a number of
wounded. They positively assert the
death and burial both of Lieutenant Miner, her second officer, and not Jones.
The Monitor stands out in the Roads, this side of Sewall’s
Point, with steam up ready for action.
The greatest confidence is felt in the result. She is in fine condition.
It is rumored that Yorktown or a considerable portion of it
is burned. A large fire was visible in
that direction Sunday night. A large
fire was also seen to-day in the neighborhood of New Market Bridge, which
seemed to be quite extensive.
The Cambridge reports that the Nashville, loaded with a
valuable cargo of cotton and naval stores, ran the blockade last Tuesday night,
which was dark, with lights extinguished.
She was abreast of the Cambridge before discovered.
On Sunday the Chippewa, a faster steamer arrived to take the
place of the Cambridge.
Fort Macon and Beaufort are still in possession of the
rebels.
On Sunday night the Sawyer guns at the Rip Raps made some
capital shots at Sewall’s Point. Tuesday
morning one shell filled with new rebel fire exploded in the midst of the rebel
parade ground, and it is believed to have done considerable damage. The rebels fired at the Rip Raps but the
balls fell short about fifty yards.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye,
Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3
