Neglect Of Com. Goldsborough’s Orders

In justice to Flag Officer Goldsborough, it should be stated that he ordered the senior officer left in command of the fleet at Hampton Roads to keep tugs constantly alongside of the Cumberland and the Congress, that they might be prepared for such contingencies as the coming out of the Merrimac.  Other precautions which he ordered were also neglected.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

While every heart must feel deeply the loss of . . .

. . . the thousands of our gallant soldiers who are laying down their lives in hospitals and upon battle fields, yet we cannot but glory in their heroism and feel proud that our flag has so many legions of true men willing to die for it.  History never recorded deeds of more heroic daring than those which have recently been enacted upon various battle fields.

The fidelity and bravery of John Davis, gunner’s mate, on board the steamer Valley City, on the occasion of the attack on Elizabeth City, in covering with his body an open barrel of gun powder in a magazine, while the flames kindled by an exploding shell were burning around him, is an act of self-sacrificing courage, the recital of which thrills every heart.  It is near akin to the act of the Dutch officer at the siege of Antwerp, who fired the magazine and perished in the explosion.

The account which is brought us of the naval engagement at Fortress Monroe, where our brave sailors, on their wooden hulks, fought at such fearful odds against the iron-clad Merrimac, will impress all readers with the gallantry and heroism of our tars.  We are told that the Merrimac lay off at easy point blank range and discharged her broadsides alternately at the Cumberland and Congress, both helpless, every shot telling fearfully upon them, while they were unable to penetrate the iron plating of their adversary.  The Cumberland began to sink.  Her forward magazine was under water, but powder was still supplied them from her magazine and the firing kept steadily up by the men who knew the ship was sinking under them.  Amid the din and horror of the conflict, the decks slippery with blood and strewn with dissevered legs and arms and chunks of flesh, the men worked unremittingly and cheered the flag and the Union, the wounded joining in.  Some of the men in their eagerness remained in the after magazine passing up ammunition and several were thus drowned.  When the water had reached the main deck it was felt hopeless to continue the fight longer and the word was given for each man to save himself as best he could.  After this, Matthew Tenny, whose courage had been conspicuous throughout the fight, fired his gun, the one next it being under water.  As his port was left open by the recoil of his gun he jumped to scramble out, but the water rushed in with such force that he was washed back and drowned.  While we contemplate the fearful and needless sacrifice of life at Fortress Monroe, the exhibition of courage and heroism such as this must challenge our admiration and inspire our confidence in a Government and a country thus devotedly loved and served.

But the gallant conduct of our tars at Fortress Monroe is equaled by the small force of our regular army at Fort Craig, New Mexico, in a recent battle with the Texan desperadoes who had determined to overrun and conquer that territory and annex it to the C. S. A.  We are told that a force of picked men charged desperately upon our artillery – the Mexicans run panic-stricken, of course – but Capt. Plympton’a infantry stood and fought desperately till half were killed.  Lieutenants Michler and Stone were killed.  With his artillerymen cut down, his support either killed wounded or driven from the field, Capt. McRae set down calmly upon one of his guns, and with revolver in hand, refusing to fly or desert his post, fought to the last and died the death of a hero, the last man by his guns.  If we are to credit this account, Capt. McRAE exhibited on this occasion a courage and devotion never surpassed in any age or country.

Capt. Alexander McRae was a graduate of West Point and a native of North Carolina, about thirty years of age.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 1

From Fortress Monroe

Further particulars of the Naval Engagement.

FT. MONROE, March 10. – The Minnesota yesterday returned to her usual station at the entrance to the roads; she is again ready for action.  The Monitor came down early this morning, and was greeted with enthusiastic cheers by the various vessels in the harbor.  Gen. Wool and staff, and assistant Secretary Fox of the Navy went on board this morning.  She was found not to be damaged in the slightest degree, and is as well prepared as ever she could be for another action.  Her performance was perfectly satisfactorily [sic] to her officers and men, and they all speak of her in the highest terms of praise.

The gunboat White Hall took fire at 2 o’clock this morning and was totally destroyed.

The French sloop of war Rinaldo arrived here this morning from off Charleston.  No news.

The latest estimate of the number of killed on the Congress is fifty including three officers – Lieut. James Smith, commanding, Acting Master Thos. Moore, and coast pilot Wm. Rounds.  Twenty-seven are reported wounded and forty were taken prisoners – none of them officers.

On board the Cumberland Rev. Sothard, the Chaplain, was drowned, and Master’s Mate Harrington was killed.  But few of the wounded escaped to shore.  The number of killed and wounded is about one hundred and fifty.

On the White Hall Third Assistant Engineer Andrew Nesbit and Robt. Wough and Charles O’Connor, seamen, were killed, and two or three wounded.

The Wm. Wheldon received a shot in her boiler, and the rescue was damaged in her machinery.  The former was towed to Baltimore by the Adelaide.  Six men were killed and seventeen wounded, not including any officer.  So far as known she is said to have received quite a number of shots.

The Roanoke received but two shots and little damage was occasioned by them.  No casualty occurred on board except the falling of a man from aloft.

It is generally believed now that the Minnesota must have received serious damage.  It is the testimony of some that she was considerably stove in the side as she went behind Sewall’s Point.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

The Naval Engagement

FORTRESS MONROE, March 9. – The long expected Confederate steamer Merrimac made her appearance here yesterday p. m., with the assistance of two gunboats, which came out with her from Norfolk, made an attack upon Newport News, and the naval vessels stationed at that place.  The Merrimac was first seen from the ramparts of Fortress Monroe on her way to Newport News, at about a quarter before one o’clock.  Two rebel gunboats followed her.  They all carried a rebel flag at the stern, and had a French flag at the masthead.  The Merrimac had a flag at her bows, which was discernible by some as the Commodore’s blue flag, and by others as a black flag.  The sides, bows, and stern of the Merrimac were covered with sloping iron plates, extending about two feet below the water line, and meeting above like a roofed house.  On her bows on the water are two sharp iron points resembling plows, about six or seven feet apart.  The number of guns is stated at twelve, but she might not have had so many. – At her bows were seen two guns, projecting from long elliptical ports.  The design of the enemy did not become apparent till between 1 and 2 o’clock, and by that time the Minnesota had got under way to the scene of action.  The Roanoke, the flag ship, being disabled by the breaking of her shaft some time since, was taken in tow by two gunboats, about the same time the alarm gun was fired at Fortress Monroe, and the whole garrison turned out.

The Rebel boats slowly pursued their way to Newport News, and the Merrimac soon turned the point and was lost to view from the Fortress.  The first shot was fired from the frigate Cumberland at a little past 2 o’clock.  The Sewall’s Point battery then opened on the Minnesota, which was passing, and the Sawyer gun from the Rip Raps replied with a few shots at Sewall’s Point.  A thick smoke was now seen to rise above Newport News point, indicating that the battery there as well as the Cumberland and Congress were engaged.

The action could not be seen from the Fort, but a telegraph dispatch was received in the morning that the Cumberland and Merrimac were in close quarters.  After firing two guns at the Cumberland the Merrimac closed, her sharp bows making a whole in her at the waterline some seven feet in extent.  The Merrimac backing a short distance ran into her a second time, making another terrible hole in her, causing the water to run in at a furious rate.  The Cumberland continued firing until the water entered her portholes, when she careened over slowly and finally sunk about three o’clock.  The Newport News battery and the Cumberland fired continuously upon the Merrimac, but no apparent effect was produced upon her.

The Minnesota got aground upon her way up and could afford but little assistance.

Shortly before 8 o’clock the Yorktown and Jamestown arrived from up the James River. – The former was disabled early in the p. m. and put in shore for repairs.  After sinking the Cumberland the Merrimac turned her attention to the Congress and in less than an hour afterwards a white flag was hoisted on the Congress.  A rebel gunboat immediately went alongside and took the officers and marines prisoners.  The seamen where allowed to escape to shore.  The frigate St. Lawrence arrived in the p. m., and without delay at once proceeded up the river and followed the example of the Minnesota and Roanoke in firing on the battery at Sewall’s Point, but, like the rest, her shot fell short.  The gunboat Mystic was also towed up in the p. m., but soon the Roanoke, St. Lawrence and Mystic all returned.  The Merrimac continued to throw shells into the camp ant Newport News, while the Jamestown and other rebel gunboats commenced firing on the Minnesota.  The latter replied as vigorously as possible and the conflict was continued without any apparent effect until dark.  During the evening the Congress was set on fire.  At midnight she was blown up, making a terrible explosion.  During the evening the Monitor arrived and at once proceeded to take part in the action.  During the night only an occasional gun was fired.  Reinforcements and men and ammunition were sent to Newport News early in the p. m.  Little serious damage was done and no one was killed.

This morning the Confederate was near until the presence of the Monitor was known to the Merrimac.  The latter was engaged with the Minnesota, and but for the fortunate arrival of the Monitor the Minnesota might have been lost.  The Monitor and Merrimac engaged each other for two or three hours at long and short range without perceptible effect upon either.  They went alongside of each other once or twice and seemed almost to run each other down, but they soon appeared again to renew the action.  The battery finally succeeded in forcing a long hole in the port side of the Merrimac, and she retired with the whole revel fleet to Norfolk.

At about 1 o’clock the United States gunboat Oregon was struck by the Merrimac in her boiler and was blown up.  This morning the U. S. gun boat Scioto was also seriously damaged and was obliged to return.

The principle loss of life was on board the Cumberland, where it is thought as many as one hundred and fifty must have been killed or drowned.  But few lives were lost on board the Minnesota according to account of her officers.

A rebel gun boat was cut in two yesterday by the Cumberland.

The Merrimac is understood to have been under Commodore [Buchanan], last of the Navy Yard.

Further Particulars.

WASHIGNTON, March 10. – Lieut. Wise, commander of the Potomac flotilla, in his official report to the navy Department, confirms the Rumor of the abandonment of the rebel batteries at Cock Pit, Shipping and other points along the Potomac, and also the burning of the steamer Page, and other rebel craft.

Lieut. Wise arrived this p. m., bringing dispatches from Fortress Monroe.  But few particulars have yet transpired, as his interview is not closed.  The following items are reliable:

Capt. Radford was engaged on a court martial and not on board the Cumberland.

Lieut. J. B. Smith, son of Com. Smith, was on board the Congress, and is killed.

The loss in killed, drowned, wounded and missing, is supposed to be over one hundred.

Lieut. Worden, who handled the Monitor so skillfully, is here in the hands of a Surgeon. – He was in the pilot-house of the Monitor when the Merrimac directed a whole broad-side at her, and received his injuries from the minute fragments of shell and the powder, which were driven through the look out holes.

Lieut. Worden was stunned by the concussion and was carried away.  On recovering, he asked, “Have I saved the Minnesota?” the cry was “yes, and whipped the Merrimac!” to which he replied: “Then I don’t care what becomes of me.”  His injuries are not supposed to be dangerous.

The Minnesota was eventually got off and towed under the guns of Fort Monroe.

The loss of 100 killed, given you in a former dispatch, was on board the Cumberland.  And the crew of the Congress is scattered and there are no means of ascertaining her loss at present.

The Naval authorities expect to hear soon that the Merrimac is disabled and that the Monitor is adequate to her in every respect.

There is no longer any doubt that the rebels have evacuated Centreville, Winchester and other important points, indicating a general falling back of their forces.

The telegraph to Fortress Monroe has been fully occupied on Government business all day, which has prevented the associated Press despatches.  There has been no change in the state of affairs at that point.

Every effort will be made to give the names of the killed and wounded at the earliest moment.

FT. MONROE, March 10. – With the assistance of the steamer Spalding, the Minnesota has been got off, and she is now on her way here.  She has received several shots but no serious damage.

The Congress is supposed to have lost over 100, men, including but one officer.  The released crews of the Congress and Cumberland have arrived here.

The Monitor has come up to the expectations that were formed of her, and has proved herself impregnable to heavy shot at close quarters. – She behaved remarkably well on her passage from New York.  She did not seem to be at all disabled.  To her presence may be attributed the safety of the Minnesota and other vessels in port, and final disabling of the Merrimac, which had previously been proof against ever thing.

Capt. Worden of the Monitor, was wounded in the head.  No other accident of any kind occurred to the battery or crew, who have an accurate list of the killed and wounded.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

Further Particulars of the Naval Engagement

BALTIMORE, March 12. – The Old Point boat has arrived.  We learn through Lieut. Hayward that a copy of the Norfolk Day Book has reached Old Point.  It contains a highly colored account of the Merrimac fight and pays a great compliment to the bravery of the crew of the Cumberland.  It admits that some of the shot from the vessel entered the Merrimac.  One shell killed seventeen men in the Merrimac and wounded Capt. Buchanan who subsequently died.

The Monitor is admitted to be formidable but says she appeared like a black, Yankee cheese on a raft.

The Merrimac on Sunday was under command of Capt. Johns.  The account is mainly confined to Saturday’s fight.  Some slight repairs are necessary to the Merrimac.  The reason why the Merrimac did not first attack the Congress was because Capt. Buchanan had a brother on board as paymaster.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

From Fortress Monroe

Rebel account of the Battle.

FORTRESS MONROE, March 11. – Many of the men belonging to the frigate Cumberland went down with her.  It is impossible to obtain a correct list of the killed, wounded and lost.

Lieut. Elbridge, of the Cumberland has been ordered to the command of the Monitor.

A flag of truce was sent to Craney Island to-day.

The rebel officers say the Merrimac (or as they call her the Virginia) was damaged, but nothing serious.  They admit their loss of several killed and wounded.  Capt. Buchanan who commanded, was seriously wounded in Saturday’s fight.  Capt. Johns commanded her on Sunday.

The Norfolk Day book, of yesterday, gives glowing accounts of the affair, and gives the total rebel loss at 9 killed and 12 wounded.  23 prisoners arrived at Norfolk taken from the Congress.

The Day Book also says the Monitor was seriously injured, and that some of our gun boats were sunk, and reports our loss at 600 to 1200.  The Day Book further adds: “Having accomplished the object for which they made the attack, and having no more material to work upon our vessels returned to the Navy Yard awaiting another opportunity.”

In the Rebel Congress yesterday, the operations of Gen. A. S. Johnson [sic] in Tennessee were discussed.

Mr. Atkins said nearly every member of the Tennessee Legislature signed a petition for his removal from that department.

The Beaufort correspondent of the Norfolk Day Book says that the Nashville is now lying at Morehead City.

One hundred vessels are reported at Hatteras supposed to contain reinforcement for General Burnside.

Ocracoka Inlet is said to be blocked up with stone vessels.

Virginia has been called upon for 40,000 additional troops.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

The Fight in Hampton Roads

In giving place to all the details which have yet reached us of the Naval combat in Hampton Roads on Saturday and the following night, which (though the Rebel assailants were ultimately driven back to their hiding places – the Merrimac, their best ship, apparently in a sinking condition) will inevitably be regarded by the impartial as a National defeat and disgrace, it seems our duty to recall some antecedent and not very creditable facts.

The Rebels opened fire on Fort Sumter on the 12th of April last – and the fact was known throughout the country forthwith.  It was intended and understood to be a challenge of the Nation by the Slave Power to mortal combat.  Norfolk, as by far the greatest Naval arsenal in the Slave States – perhaps in the country – was of course in imminent danger.  It was within less than a day’s passage of Washington and Baltimore, not two days from Philadelphia and New York.  On the 17th (five days after fire was opened on Sumter) the Virginia Convention pretended to take their State out of the Union, and, though the act was passed subject to ratification by a popular vote, Gov. Letcher immediately issued a Proclamation of adherence to the Southern Confederacy.  On the 19th, the Virginia traitors obstructed Elizabeth River below Norfolk, so as to prevent the passage of the National vessels from the Navy Yard down into Hampton Roads, and so out to sea.  On the 20th (eight days after the opening of fire on Sumter) the Navy Yard was hastily dismantled by our officers in charge of it, the Cumberland sloop-of-war, (sunk by the Rebels last Saturday) towed out, while the Pennsylvania, Delaware, Columbus, Merrimac, Raritan, Columbia, Germantown, Plymouth, Dolphin, and the United States – all ships of war of various sizes, from a three-decker down – were (it was reported) scuttled and set on fire to keep them from falling into the hands of the Rebels.  We do not learn that any attack was made by the Rebels (who were certainly in very moderate force,) nor that any effort was made to arm the workmen in and about the Navy Yard – who were naturally, instinctively loyal – nor to appeal to the loyalty of the vicinage.  It is popularly understood that Taliaferro, the Rebel chief, was drunk, so that he failed to attack, and let our Navy officers have things very much their own way.  That, with more power on hand than they knew how even to destroy, they might have blown every vessel to atoms in three hours, is at least a very strong presumption.  The Merrimac – Which inflicted so stinging a blow on us last Saturday – was one of those vessels.

Of course, we do not know that those Navy officers who have not yet openly affiliated with the traitors, did not here do their best.  We only know that somebody ought to have been put on trial for their shameful, disastrous miscarriage – by which the Nation lost and the Rebellion gained twenty-five hundred cannon and more military and naval material than could be bought for Ten Millions of Dollars.  We do not know that any one yet  has been, though nearly eleven months have elapsed since the disaster, and the then commandant at the Yard, still wears the uniform and pockets the pay of a U. S. officer.  That this is as it should not be is our very decided opinion.

The Merrimac, it was soon announced, was raised by the Rebels, and was being iron plated and otherwise fitted for the destruction of some of our vessels in the Roads.  She has been so fitting ever since, almost within sight of our fleet.  Several times she has been announced on the eve of coming out.  Once or twice it was given out by the Rebels that she was a failure; and, as a Western man has said, they “would rather lie on a twelve months’ note than tell the truth for cash,” this should have incited to greater vigilance.  If we had not the proper vessels on hand to resist her, they should have been hurried up at least six months ago.  Yet when she does at last see fit to put in an appearance, lo! One of our principal war steamships have been lying in the Roads disabled for four months and cannot get near her, while the only other ship fit to engage her gets aground – in water that her officers should know as thoroughly as their own cabins – and cannot be brought into action while two of our noble frigates are torn to pieces, one of them sunk, the other captured and burned, and some two or three hundred of our brave tars killed, drowned, or captured.

We do not attempt to fix the blame of these disasters.  Possibly, there is no one to blame; but the people will not believe it in advance of thorough scrutiny.  We respectfully call upon the commander-in-chief of the army and Navy to have this whole business sifted to the bottom. – {N. Y. Tribune.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 2

NEW YORK, April 11 [1862].

The Academy of Music was crowded last night to welcome the returned officers and men of the Cumberland and Congress.  The gathering was one of intense interest.  Addresses were delivered by Mr. Bancroft, Mr. Wm. Evarts, Dr. Hitchcock and H. E. Dodge.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 5.

The Senate military committee reported against the confirmation of Blenker, Stahl and [De Anna] as Brigadier Generals, and in [favor] of Cadwallader as Major General and [Capt. Grover] and C. O. Van Allen [sic] as Brigadier Generals.

WASHIGNTON, April 6.

The War Department has issued an order appointing D. C. McCallum military superintendent of railroads; Anson Slayer, military superintendent of all telegraphs in the U. S.; E. S. Sanford, military supervisor of telegraphic dispatches and army intelligence – all the foregoing with rank of Colonel in the volunteer service, and will be respected and obeyed accordingly.

Edmund Ellis, publisher of the Boone Co., Mo., Standard, was called before the military commissioners at Columbia, Mo., on a charge of publishing information for the benefit of the enemy, violating the laws of war, &c.  The commissioners found him guilty, and sentenced him to be kept outside the lines of the State of Missouri during the war, and the press, types, &c., of the printing office to be confiscated to the use of the U. S.  The Secretary of War has approved the sentence, and issued an order that this form of procedure be adopted in like cases by commanders of all military departments.

A dispatch of April 5^th, states that the gunboat Carondelet ran the gauntlet of Island No. 10, and is now available for Gen. Pope.  She was fired at, but was not hit once.

There is authority from the war department for saying that the dispatches from Fort Monroe, dated 3 o’clock Sunday P. M., had been received.  A reconnoisance had been made towards Yorktown.

The headquarters of our army are now about five miles from Yorktown.  There had been some cannonading, but without injury on either side.

Tribune’s Special.

NEW YORK, April 7.

Wm. H. Russell, of the London Times, has engaged passage to England on the China on Wednesday next.

Assistant Sec’y Fox, Mr. Grimes of the Senate naval committee, and Mr. Sedgwick, Chairman of the House naval committee went to Fortress Monroe this, P. M.

Pleasure touring and sight seeing at Bull Run and in the vicinity of Manassas are not yet safe.

A private of the Lincoln cavalry is said to have been shot dead yesterday upon the former field, and one of the Harris cavalry was shot at long rifle range from the cover of a wood two miles from the Junction.

Soon after the publication of Mr. Montgomery Blair’s letter to Gen. Fremont, in which the writer criticized somewhat freely the President, the Postmaster General tendered his resignation, but Mr. Lincoln refused to receive it, and it is said that the relations between this Cabinet Minister and the President were never more kindly than at the present.

Special Dispatch to the Herald.

It has been ascertained that the rebel leaders are grievously disappointed and disconcerted by the change of programme of the army of the Potomac.  They had [hourly] information of the preparation for the transportation of Gen. McClellan’s Army, and supposing that the whole army of the Potomac was to be withdrawn from this vicinity, had arranged a programme, for the bold dash across the Potomac above Washington and a foray upon the Capital through Maryland.  Gen. Jackson’s command was to lead this enterprise, and to be supported by Smith and Johnston’s forces.  It was not expected that the rebel sympathizers in Maryland would raise the standard of revolt there and aid the execution of the project by the destruction of railroads and bridges, and the isolation of Washington from reinforcements of Union troops.  The rebel leaders reckoned without their host, and were taken by surprise on finding Gen. Shields when the attempt was made to execute the first part of their programme. – The repulse of Jackson, and the formation of two new departments in Virginia, under command of Gens. Banks and McDowell, convinced them that no vulnerable point has been left unprotected.

The Maryland sympathizers, who were emboldened to insolence at the prospect of this bold feat of the rebel army, have become disheartened, and are leaving by scores.  Numbers have been arrested in the attempt to escape south, and others who were known to have organized for the occasion are seeking avenues southward in large parties.

WASHINGTON, April 7.

The mails for California, Oregon and Washington Territory are now transported overland from St. Joseph, Mo. – to which place correspondence can be sent from any post office.

A telegraph dispatch was received in this city yesterday, announcing that General Mitchell with the forces under his command, had reached Shelbyville, Tenn., and had been received with great enthusiasm by the inhabitants.

The following in regard to the Merrimac has been received at the navy department.  When she ran for Norfolk on Sunday, 9^th March, in the evening, she had several feet of water in her hold.  One shot from the Cumberland riddled her, and one shot from the Monitor, through her port, dismounted two guns.

The Monitor put a ball through the boiler of the Patrick Henry, which killed two men and scalded others.

The steamer Freeborn has arrived up from Liverpool Point, bringing some additional particulars of the skirmish at Stafford C. H.

Gen. Sickles’ troops captured some 40 horses belonging to the enemy’s cavalry and a number of small arms and mails in the Stafford Post Office, in which are many letters, some of which will probably be of importance to the government.  Six prisoners were also taken, who were brought up on the Freeborn and sent to the old capital prison.

As the crew of the Freeborn, were getting off the horses and other property captured, the rebels opened a heavy fire upon them from a thicket, but on the Freeborn returning the compliment with a shrapnel, the enemy hastily disappeared.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 8, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

WASHINGTON, March 23.

The States this evening says it is the impression in naval and military circles, that New Orleans is ours, the mortar fleet having probably attacked the rebel fort Rigolette on the 11^th inst.

Letters from Ship Island confirm the statements.  The fort referred to is Fort Pike commanding one entrance to Lake Ponchartrain.

Gen. Brown has been out in command of the forts in New York harbor.

Gen. Arnold takes his place at Fort Pickens, which illness obliged is abandoning.  He leaves his staff, mustered out of service by recent General Order.

The Roanoke and Vanderbilt are being iron-clad as rapidly as possible.  Ericsson is preparing specifications for a vessel over three hundred feet long.  The smoke stacks on the new vessels will be higher.

Capt. Buchanan’s family still believe him alive.

In spite of a belief in their uselessness the seven millions voted by congress for stone forts are being appropriated for that purpose.

Dr. John Evans of Chicago, Ill., is nominated Governor of Colorado Territory, and Hardin of Indiana, nominated Governor of Utah.

Van Cleve and Asboth were also confirmed Brigadier Generals.  Fremont, at the last moment, concluded not to leave Washington yesterday, his staff not being fully determined upon.

Advices from the Gulf state that the Sickles cut off on the Pensacola is a failure; as a consequence the Pensacola is a failure.

Gen. Wadsworth is authorized to issue passes to the loyal North Carolinians, of whom many desire to reclaim their property from which they have been driven by the rebellion.

For the first time, the President yesterday visited Alexandria.

The Arlington House, hitherto occupied as headquarters, has been converted into a hospital.  The Freedman’s Aid Association, for the assistance of fugitives, has been organized here, with Mr. Hamlin as President.

Lieut. Morris, who fought the Cumberland so gallantly against the Merrimac, has received thanks of Secretary Wells, in a letter which does justice to his heroism.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 1

From Fort Monroe

FORT MONROE, March 10.

All papers belonging to the frigate Cumberland are in her, and it is impossible to obtain a correct list of killed, wounded and lost.

Lieut. Sefridge of the Cumberland has been ordered to command the Monitor.

A flag of truce was sent to Craney Island to-day.

Rebel officers say the Merrimac, or as they call her the Virginia, was damaged, but nothing serious.  They admit their loss to be four killed and several wounded on her.

Capt. Buchanan who commanded, was seriously wounded in Saturday’s fight.

Capt. Jones commanded her on Sunday.

The Yorktown received a shot in her boiler.

The Norfolk Day Book of yesterday gives a glowing account of the affair and gives the total rebel loss 9 killed and 12 wounded.

Twenty-three prisoners arrived at Norfolk, taken from the Congress

The Day Book also says the Monitor was seriously injured, and some of our gunboats sank, and reports our loss from 600 to 1200.  It says having accomplished the object of the expedition and having no material to work upon, our vessels returned to the Navy Yard, awaiting another opportunity.

FORT MONROE, March 11.

The Beaufort correspondent of the Day Book says that the Nashville is now lying at Morehead City.

One hundred vessels are reported at Hatteras, supposed to contain reinforcements for Gen. Burnside.

Ocracoke Inlet is said to be blockaded up with stone vessels.

Virginia has been called upon for 40,000 additional troops.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 2

Special to Post.

The naval committee of the Senate this morning agreed to report a bill at once for the appropriation of $15,000,000 for iron-clad vessels of war.

Senator Grimes has just received a dispatch from Assistant War Secretary Fox, at Ft. Monroe, declaring his confident belief that the Monitor, in her next engagement, will sink the Merrimac.  Mr. Fox confirms the reports that the Merrimac was injured in the fight.  He expresses the opinion that another contest between the two vessels is certain, and that the conflict will be terrible.

The official report of Lieut. Pendergrast, of the Congress, addressed to Com. Marston, has been forwarded to the Navy Department.  Lieut. Pendergrast states that owing to the death of the late commanding officer, Jas. B. Smith, it becomes his painful duty to make a report of the part which the U. S. frigate Congress took in the efforts of our vessels at Newport News to repel the attack of the rebel flotilla, on the 8^th inst.  The report says:  “When the Merrimac, with three gunboats, were seen steaming down from Norfolk, and had approached near enough to discover her character, the ship was cleared for action.  At 10 minutes past two the Merrimac opened with her bow gun, with grape passing us on the starboard side.  At a distance of about 300 yards, receiving our broadside, and giving one in return.  After passing the Congress she ran into and sank the Cumberland.  The smaller vessels then attacked us, killing and wounding many of our crew.  Seeing the fate of the Cumberland, we set the jib and top sail, and with the assistance of the gunboat Zouave, ran the vessel ashore.

“At half past two, the Merrimac took a position astern of us at a distance of about 150 yards, and raked us fore and aft with shells, while one of the smaller steamers kept up a fire on our starboard quarter.  In the meantime, the Patrick Henry and Thos. Jefferson, rebel steamers, approached from up the James river, firing with precision and doing us great damage.  Our two stern guns were our only means of defence.  These were soon disabled, one being dismounted and the other having its muzzle knocked away. – The men were knocked away from them with great rapidity, slaughtered by the terrible fire of the enemy.  Lieut. Pendergrast first learned of the death of Lieut. Smith at half past four; the death happened ten minutes previous.

“Seeing that our men were being killed without the prospect of any relief from the Minnesota, which vessel had run ashore in attempting to get up to us from Hampton Roads; not being able to get a single man to bear upon the enemy, and the ship being on fire in several places, on consultation it was deemed proper to haul down colors without further loss of life on our part. – We were soon boarded by an officer of the Merrimac, who said he would take charge of the ship.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 1

From Fort Monroe

FORT MONROE, March 10.

The Minnesota yesterday returned to her usual station, at the entrance to the Roads.  She is again ready for action.  The Monitor came down early this a. m., and was greeted with enthusiastic cheers by the various vessels in the harbor.  Gen. Wool and staff, and assistant Secretary of the navy Fox, went on board this a. m.  She was found not to be damaged in the slightest degree, and is as well prepared as ever for another conflict.  Her performance was perfectly satisfactory to hear officers and men.  They all speak of her in the highest terms of praise.

The gunboat White Hall took fire at two  o’clock this a. m., and was totally destroyed.

The British sloop of war Rinaldina arrived here this a. m.  She is from off Charleston.  No news.

The latest estimate of the number killed on the Congress is 50, including 3 officers – Lieut. Joe Smith commanding, acting master Thomas Moore, and coast pilot William Rhodes.  Capt. Wm. Smith commanded the Congress until recently transferred.  27 are reported wounded, and 40 were taken prisoners, none of them officers.

On board the Cumberland the Rev. Mr. Laerhardt, the Chaplain, was drowned and the master’s mate, Harrington, was killed; but few of the wounded escaped to the shore.  The number of killed and wounded is about 150.

In the White Hall, third assistant engineer Andrew Nesbit, Robert Waugh and Chas. P. O’Connor, seamen were killed and two or three wounded.  On the Dragon, which received a shot in her bow, two men were wounded – no officers.  The William Wheldon received a shot in her boiler, and the Rescue was damaged in her machinery.  The former was towed to Baltimore by the Adelaide.  The Minnesota lost six men killed and seventeen wounded, not including any officers, so far as known.  She is said to have received quite a number of shots.

The Roanoke received but two shots, and little damage was occasioned by them.  No casualty occurred on board except the falling of a man from aloft.

It is generally believed now that the Merrimac must have received serious damage.  The testimony of some that she was considerably tilted on one side as she went behind Sewall’s Point.

The Secretary of the Treasury has awarded the contract for the twenty million legal tender treasury notes equally to the American and the National Bank Note Companies of New York.

The following is copied from an official report of Gen. Wool dated to-day:

“Nothing of importance has occurred to-day.  The chief engineer of the Monitor says that three balls from that vessel passed through the Merrimac.  The monitor suffered very little although she was struck [twenty-three times.]

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 2

Naval Engagement

FORT MONROE, March 9.

The Merrimac was signaled this morning, moving down the channel from Norfolk in front of Sewall’s point battery.  All was excitement about Fort Monroe at this news, and the Cumberland, Congress, Minnesota, St. Lawrence and Roanoke exchanged signals of danger.

The Merrimac had nothing above water but her flag staff, flying the rebel flag, and smoke stack.  She moved slowly, steaming directly for the Cumberland and Congress, lying at the mouth of James river.  The Cumberland opened on her with heavy guns, but the balls glanced off having no effect.  At the same time the rebel iron-clad boats, Yorktown and Jamestown, came down James river, and engaged our frigates on the other side.

Our batteries at Newport News opened on the gunboats to assist the Cumberland and Congress, which, being sailing vessels, were at the mercy of the steamers.  They both rained heavy broadsides on the Merrimac, which was slowly approaching, but all the effect visible was to slightly check her progress.  She then ran against the Cumberland, striking her about midships, literally laying open her side.  She then drew off and fired into the disabled ship and again dashed against her with her iron clad prow, knocked in her side, left her to sink, and started for the Congress, lying a quarter of a mile distant, which was engaging the Yorktown and Jamestown.  She, having no regular crew aboard, and being only partly manned by three companies of the naval brigade, seeing the helplessness of continuing the fight, struck her colors.

The Jamestown then took from her all her officers as prisoners.  Her crew escaped in boats.  The vessel was fired by the rebels.  After this the Merrimac and two gun-boats opened with shot and shell on Newpoart News batteries.  Some accounts say the garrison have been compelled to retreat to the woods, others say the gunboats were obliged to retreat.  The Minnesota did not yet have steam up in time to aid the two frigates.  She was followed by the St. Lawrence, and from necessity engaged the rebel vessel at distance of a mile.  It was the impression at the point that both were considerably damaged, but these statements are based on what could be seen with a glass at a distance of 8 miles.

The Merrimac was also believed to be aground when the boat left.  She lay a mile distant from the Minnesota, making no attempt to molest her.  After the last gun was fired from the Minnesota, persons declare they saw dense volumes of vapor rise from the Merrimac, indicating an explosion of some sort.  It is not known if this is so but it is believed she was aground.  It was the intention of the Minnesota to run to close quarters and avoid the iron prow of the Merrimac, and carry her by boarding.  To this, the Merrimac did not seem inclined to give opportunity.

As the Baltimore boat left Old Point at 8 o’clock, she met the Ericsson steamer, Monitor, going in.

LATER.

FORTRESS MONROE, March 9.

The Monitor arrived at 10 o’clock last night, and immediately went to the protection of the Minnesota, aground below Newport News.  At 7 o’clock to-day the Merrimac, Jamestown, Yorktown and several tugs went towards the Minnesota and opened fire.  The Monitor met them and opened fire, when the enemy’s vessels retired, excepting the Merrimac.  These two iron-clad vessels then fought from 8 o’clock till noon, part of the time touching each other, when the Merrimac retreated.

The Monitor was commanded by Lieut. Worden, and was handled with great skill, assisted by chief engineer Steiners.  The Minnesota was somewhat injured, but kept up a continuous fire.  The Monitor is uninjured, and ready for another attack.

WASHINGTON, March 9.

Gen. McClellan received a dispatch from Gen. Wool, dated this evening, confirming the above, also stating that the Minnesota had got off, and the Merrimac was driven off in a sinking condition, towed by the Jamestown, Yorktown, and other boats towards Norfolk, probably to get her in dry dock.

A dispatch was also received by the Secretary of the Navy, from Assistant Secretary Fox saying, in addition to the above, that the Merrimac retreated, but it is impossible to say whether she was injured or not.

Lieut. Worden, commander of the Monitor, was injured by cement from the pilot house being driven into his eye, but probably not seriously.

WASHINGTON, March 9 – 7 P. M.

By Telegraph from Fort Monroe. – The Ericsson arrived last night or early this morning.  She was attacked by the Merrimac, Jamestown and Yorktown.

After an hour’s contest they were beaten off – the Merrimac in a sinking condition.

FORT MONROE, March 9.

The long expected Confederate steamer Merrimac made her appearance, and yesterday afternoon, with the assistance of two gunboats which came out with her from Norfolk, made an attack upon Newport News and the naval vessels stationed at that place.

The Merrimac was first seen from the ramparts of Fortress Monroe, on her way to Newport News at about a quarter before one o’clock.  Two rebel gunboats followed her.  They all carried a rebel flag at the stern, and had a French flag at the mast head.

The Merrimac had a flag at her bows, which was described by some as a commodore’s blue flag and by others as a black flag.  The side bows and stern of the Merrimac were covered with sloping iron plates extending about two feet below the water line and meeting above like the roof of a house.  On her bows on the water line are two sharp iron points, resembling plows, about six or seven feet apart.  The number of guns is stated at twelve, but she might not have had so many.  At her bows were seen two guns projecting from long elliptical portholes.

The design of the enemy did not become apparent till between one and two, and by that time the Minnesota had got under way to the scene of action.

The Roanoke – the flag ship – being disabled by the breaking of her shaft sometime since, was taken in tow by two gunboats.  About the same time the alarm gun was fired at Fort Monroe and the whole garrison promptly turned out.  The rebel boats steadily pursued their way to Newport News and the Merrimac soon turned the point and was to view from the Fortress.

The first shot was fired from the frigate Cumberland at a little past 2 o’clock.

The Sewall’s Point battery then opened on the Minnesota, which was passing, and the Sawyer gun from the Rip Raps replied with a few shots.  At Sewall’s Point a thick smoke was seen to rise above Newport News Point, indicating that the battery there, as well as the Cumberland and Congress, were engaged.  The details of the action could not be seen from the fort, but a telegraph dispatch was received, announcing that the Cumberland and Merrimac were in close quarters.  After firing two guns at the Cumberland, the Merrimac struck her, her sharp bows making a hole in her at the waterline seven feet in extent.  The Cumberland commenced sinking, when the Merrimac, backing a short distance, ran into her a second time, making another terrible hole in her, causing the water to run in at furious rate.

The Cumberland continued firing till the water entered her port holes, when she careened over slowly, and finally sunk about 3 o’clock.  The Newport News Battery and the guns of the Cumberland fired continuously upon the Merrimac, but no apparent effect was produced upon her.  The Minnesota got aground on the way up, and could afford but little assistance.

Shortly before three o’clock the Yorktown and Jamestown arrived from up the James river.  The former was disabled early in the afternoon, and put in shore for repairs.

After sinking the Cumberland the Merrimac turned her attention to the Congress, and in less than an hour afterwards a white flag was hoisted on the Congress.  A rebel gunboat immediately went alongside, and took officers and marines prisoners.  The seamen were allowed to escape to shore.

The frigate St. Lawrence arrived here during the evening, and without dropping her anchor proceeded up the river and followed the example of the Minnesota and Roanoke, in firing on the battery at Sewall’s Point; but like the rest, her shot fell short.  The gunboat Mystic was also towed up in the afternoon, but at sundown the Roanoke, St. Lawrence and Mystic all returned.

After 4 o’clock the Merrimac continued to throw shells into the camp ant Newport News, while the Jamestown and other rebel gunboats commenced firing on the Minnesota.  The latter replied as vigorously as possible, and the conflict was continued without any apparent effect until dark.

During the evening Congress was set on fire.  At midnight she was blown up, making a terrible explosion.

During the evening the Monitor arrived and at once proceeded to take part in the action.  During the night only occasional shots were fired.  Reinforcements of men and ammunition were sent to Newport News early in the afternoon.  But little serious damage was done and no one was killed.

This morning the conflict was renewed.  Until the presence of the Monitor was known to the Merrimac, the latter was engaged with the Minnesota, and but for the fortunate arrival of the Monitor, the Minnesota might have been lost.  The Monitor and Merrimac engaged each other for two or three hours, at long and short range, without any apparent effect on either.  They went along side each other, and seemed almost to run each other down, but they soon appeared again to renew the conflict.  The Ericsson battery finally succeeded in forcing a long hole in the port ise of the Merrimac, and she retired with the whole rebel fleet to Norfolk.

About 1 o’clock the U. S. gunboat Oregon was struck by the Merrimac in the boiler, and was blown up this morning.

The U. S. gunboat Zouave was also seriously damaged, and was obliged to return.

The principal loss was on board the Cumberland, where it is thought as many as 150 men have been killed or drowned.  But 6 lives were lost on board the Minnesota, according to the statement of one of her officers.  A rebel gunboat was cut in two by the Cumberland yesterday.

The Merrimac is understood to have been under the command of Com. Buchanan, late of the Navy yard.

FORT MONROE, March 10.

With the assistance of the steamer Spaulding, the Minnesota has been got off, and she is now on her way here.  She has received numerous shots, but no serious damage.

The Congress is supposed to have lost over 100 men, including but one officer. – The escaped crews of the Cumberland and the Congress have arrived here.

The Monitor has come up to the expectations that were formed of her, and has proved herself impregnable to heavy shot at close quarters.  She behaved remarkably well on her passage from N. Y., and although the sea covered her decks completely, at times, her speed did not seem to be at all diminished.  To her presence here may be attributed the safety of the Minnesota and other vessels in port, and the final disabling of the Merrimac, which had previously been proof against everything.

Capt. Worden, of the Monitor, was wounded in the head while he was looking out of the wheel house.  No other accident of any kind occurred to the battery ro crew.

We have no accurate list of the killed and wounded.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

New York, March 9 [1862]

The Tribune’s Ft. Monroe special states that the frigate Cumberland had a crew of 500 and nearly half were lost.  A negro, who swam ashore, reports the loss about one hundred.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

Exit the Merrimac

Our skeleton in the closet has crumbled into dust, and nervous people inhabiting seacoast cities can sleep o’ nights hereafter without fear of being awakened by the thunder of the Merrimac’s guns at their very doors.  This vessel – the one navel success of the South, that accomplished the rare feat of compelling an American frigate to strike her colors to an enemy, and whose advent into Hampton Roads marks an era in conflicts at sea – was scuttled and sunk by the rebels to prevent her falling into the hands of our naval forces.  Her loss is more damaging to the rebellion than if an army of 50,000 men had been killed or captured.  Better to have lost Savannah, Charleston, Memphis or Richmond, than have destroyed this naval monster without a fight.  Had she gone down, as did the Cumberland or the Varuna, firing until the water closed over her, all the world would have wondered, and Southern valor, as well as Southern skill, would have claimed a proud page in the history of battles; but the pitiful panic which must have possessed the councils in which her destruction was determined upon will bring contempt upon the Confederate cause, even in those foreign circles whose interest or whose humor it has been to sustain and countenance the great rebellion.

It is to be regretted, for many reasons, that this vessel did not venture on another conflict with our fleet in Hampton Roads.  Her first exploit proved the folly of building any more wooden frigates.  The contest with the Monitor on the second day was of great scientific interest, as showing the relative value of heavy ordnance and thick iron plating in an actual sea fight.  The third fight, if a chance had been given, would have demonstrated the value of a swift steam ram against an iron clad vessel.  The Vanderbilt, the Arago, and the Baltimore, as is now well known, were in readiness to make the attempt, at least had she ventured into deep water or got out of the range of the guns at Sewall’s Point.  But this experiment is now postponed until another war takes place, for the rebels have no vessel left that a few guns would not sink with ease.

It is more than probable, although it has been denied by the rebel press, that the Merrimac was seriously injured in her contest with the Monitor, so much so as to disable her for another fight.  The report that she leaked continuously is no doubt true.

The destruction of the Merrimac is of the utmost consequence to us in the progress of the war.  After the occupation of Richmond the Galena, the Monitor, the Naugatuck and a large fleet of wooden vessels can pay their respects to Fort Sumter and reduce it promptly.  Gen. Hunter is already drawing his lines about the city of Charleston, but his work will be greatly expedited by the cooperation of these invulnerable vessels.  Iron-clad batteries, as against forts, were first tried by the rebels upon Sumter, but they took months to erect them, and finally opened fire upon a half-starved garrison of seventy men, let us show that the same work can be done against greater odds, and with much less fuss and waste of powder. – {N. Y. World.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 3

The Galena

The iron-clad sloop-of-war Galena was put into commission at New York on Monday afternoon of last week. She has a picked crew, selected from the crews of the Cumberland, the Congress, and the Roanoke, and her officers are said to be all young, active, and intelligent. Commander John Rodgers, it is stated has been ordered to take command of her. All the qualities and equipments of this ship are of the first order, and we shall, we think, before the lapse of many days, learn of her presence in other waters than those of New York.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 1