[ Telegram. ]

To Major-General Wool, Commanding

NEWPORT NEWS, March 8, 1862.

The Merrimack is being towed down by two steamers past Craney Island toward Sewell's Point, so reported to me from the Cumberland.

MANSFIELD, Brigadier General.

[ Telegram. ]

To Major-General Wool, Commanding

NEWPORT NEWS, March 8, 1862.

The Merrimack is close at hand.

MANSFIELD, Brigadier General.

[ Telegram. ]

To Major-General Wool, Commanding

NEWPORT NEWS, March 8, 1862.

The Merrimack is engaging the Cumberland at close quarters.

MANSFIELD, Brigadier General.

[ Telegram. ]

To Major-General Wool, Commanding

NEWPORT NEWS, March 8, 1862.

The Yorktown [C.S.S. Patrick Henry] is passing with two other steamers.

MANSFIELD, Brigadier General.

[Telegram.]

To General Wool.

NEWPORT NEWS, March 8, 1862.

General Mansfield has gone to visit the pickets. A shot from the Congress just struck the upper wharf.

W. D. WHIPPLE, Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Telegram.]

To General Wool.

NEWPORT NEWS, March 8, 1862.

The Congress has surrendered, but aground at Signal Point. I expect to see her in flames soon. We had driven off. from her the gunboats. We want ammunition for all our guns at once by land.

MANSFIELD.

[Telegram.]

To General Wool.

NEWPORT NEWS, March 8, 1862.

We want powder by the barrel. We want blankets sent up to-night for the crews of the Cumberland and the Congress. The Merrimack. has it all her own way this side of Signal Point and will probably burn the Congress, now aground, with white flag flying, and our sailors swimming ashore. These must come by land tonight.

MANSFIELD.

[Telegram.]

To General Wool.

NEWPORT NEWS, March 8, 1862.

We have no more ammunition and the Merrimack and Yorktown are off Signal Point. Send us cartridges and shells for 8-inch columbiad and howitzers by land.

MANSFIELD.

[Telegram.]

To General Wool.

NEWPORT NEWS, March 8, 1862.

The Congress is now burning. The enemy's steamers have hauled off. toward Pig Point. Captain Whipple is here, and so is Max Weber, the Twentieth, and the coast guard, and cavalry. We should have another light battery to resist attack by land if they come.

MANSFIELD. Brigadier- General.

Report of Major-General Wool, U.S. army, regarding the attack by the C.S.S. Virginia (Merrimack) upon the U.S. ships in Hampton Roads.

FORT MONROE, VA., March 8, 1862.

The Merrimack came down from Norfolk to-day, and about 2 o'clock attacked the Cumberland and Congress. She sunk the Cumberland, and the Congress surrendered. The Minnesota is aground and attacked by the Jamestown, Yorktown, and Merrimack. The St. Lawrence just arrived and going to assist. The Minnesota is aground. Probably both will be taken. That is the opinion of Captain Marston and his officers. The Roanoke is under our guns. It is thought the Merrimack, Jamestown' and Yorktown will pass the fort to-night.

Jno. E. Wool, to Major- General Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

[Telegram.]

FORT MONROE, VA., March 8, 1862—8:30 p.m.

No firing for last two flours. Newport News camp is uninjured. We are towing transports out to sea to keep clear if the Merrimack comes down to the fort. Minnesota and St. Lawrence still aground. The tide will not float them for three hours.

Jno. E. Wool to Major- General. HON. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

The Merrimack has gone back to Craney Island. J.E.W.

Report of Lieutenant Worden, U.S. Navy, of the arrival of the U.S.S. Monitor in Hampton Roads.

U.S.S. MONITOR, Hampton Roads, March 8, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report that I arrived at this anchorage at 9 o'clock this evening, and am ordered to proceed immediately to the assistance of the Minnesota, aground near Newport News.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN L. WORDEN, Lieutenant Commanding. to Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of. the Navy.

[Telegram.]

MARCH 8, 1,862.

One man of the Seventh New York had his leg taken off by a piece of shell and one man of the artillery detachment had bones of his feet crushed by carriage running over it. No other casualty in the fort. All the wounded were removed from the Congress before she was burned. News of the arrival of the Monitor has infused new life into the men.

W. D. WHIPPLE, Assistant Adjutant-General. to Major-General Wool

[ Telegram]

MARCH: 9, 1862.

Fifty thousand rations are being put on board the Commerce, and will go up as soon as the coast is clear. From appearances the Monitor is giving the Yorktown and Merrimack more than they want. LeG. B. CANNON, Aid-de- Camp. General MANSFIELD.

Letter from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy to Flag-Officer Goldsborough, U.S. Navy, reporting the condition of affairs in Hampton Roads and urging his immediate return.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA.

Fort Monroe, Va., March 8 [9], 1862—6p.m.

DEAR COMMODORE: After a four-hours, fight the Monitor has driven the Merrimack away from the Minnesota, which is aground off Newport News, and did not come off at high water to-day, though she was moved and headed downstream. Lieutenant Worden, who commanded the Monitor, and fought her, is injured in both eyes, so as not to be able to see. Wise takes him up to Washington, and I think you had better bring back Jeffers to handle the Monitor. She is yet uninjured, and my impression is that the Merrimack is very little hurt, though I can not say. She retired under fair headway. I think it of the Utmost importance that you should return at the earliest moment. We do not want any of your tugs; there are enough here.

Yours truly, G.V. Fox. to Flag-Officer GOLDSBOROUGH, Sounds of North Carolina.

[Telegram.]

HEADQUARTERS, Fortress Monroe—6:45p. m. (Received March 9, 1862.)

The Monitor arrived at 10 p. m. last night and went immediately to the protection of the Minnesota, lying aground just below Newport News.

At 7 a. m. to-day the Merrimack, accompanied by two wooden steamers and several tugs, stood out toward the Minnesota and opened fire.

The Monitor met them at once and opened her fire, when all the enemy's vessels retired, excepting the Merrimack. These two ironclad vessels fought part of the time touching each other, from 8 a.m. to noon, when the Merrimack retired. Whether she is injured or not it is impossible to say. Lieutenant J.L. Worden, who commanded the Monitor, handled her with great skill, assisted by Chief Engineer Stimers. Lieutenant Worden was injured by the cement from the pilot house being driven into his eyes, but I trust not seriously. The Minnesota kept up a continuous fire and is herself somewhat injured. She was moved considerably to-day, and will probably be off to-night. The Monitor is uninjured and ready at any moment to repel another attack.

G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary. to G. WELLES, Secretary Navy.

Report of Captain Van Brunt, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Minnesota.

U. S. S. MINNESOTA, March 10, 1802.

SIR: On Saturday, the 8th instant, at 12: 45 p. m., three small steamers, in appearance, were discovered rounding Sewell's Point, and as soon as they came into full broadside view I was convinced that one was the iron-plated steam battery Merrimack, from the large size of her smoke pipe. They were heading for Newport News, and I, in obedience to a signal from the senior officer present, Captain J. Marston, immediately called all hands, slipped my cables, and got underway for that point to engage her. While rapidly passing Sewell's Point the rebels there opened fire upon us from a rifle battery, one shot from which going through and crippling my mainmast. I returned the fire with my broadside guns and forecastle pivot. We ran without further difficulty within about 11 miles of Newport News, and there, unfortunately, grounded. The tide was running ebb, and although in the channel, there was not sufficient water for this ship, which draws 23 feet. I knew that the bottom was soft and lumpy, and endeavored to force the ship over, but found it impossible so to do.

At this time it was reported to me that the Merrimack had passed the frigate Congress and run into the sloop of war Cumberland, and in fifteen minutes after I saw the latter going down by the head. The Merrimack then hauled off, taking a position, and about 2:30 p.m. engaged the Congress, throwing shot and shell into her with terrific effect, while the shot from the Congress glanced from her iron-plated sloping sides without doing any apparent damage. At 3:30 p.m. the Congress was compelled to haul down her colors. Of the extent of her loss and injury you will be informed from the official report.

At 4 p. m. the Merrimack, Jamestown, and Patrick Henry bore down upon my vessel. Very fortunately the iron battery drew too much water to come within a mile of us. She took a position on my starboard bow, but did not fire with accuracy, and only one shot passed through the ship's bow.

The other two steamers took their position on my port bow and stern, and their fire did most damage in killing and wounding men, inasmuch as they fired with rifled guns; but with the heavy gun that I could bring to bear upon them I drove them off; one of them apparently in a crippled condition. I fired upon the Merrimack with my pivot 10-inch gun without apparent effect, and at 7 p.m. she too hauled off and all three vessels steamed toward Norfolk. The tremendous firing of my broadside guns had crowded me farther upon the mud bank, into which the ship seemed to have made for herself a cradle. From 10 p. m., when the tide commenced to run flood until 4 a. m., I had all hands at work with steam tugs and hawsers, endeavoring to haul the ship off of the bank, but without avail, and, as the tide had then fallen considerably, I suspended further operations at that time. At 2 a. m. the iron battery Monitor, Commander [Lieutenant] John L. Worden, which had arrived the previous evening at Hampton Roads, came alongside and reported for duty, and then all on board felt that we had a friend that would stand by us in our hour of trial.

At 6 a. m. the enemy again appeared, coming down from Craney Island, and I beat to quarters, but they ran past my ship and were heading for Fortress Monroe, and the retreat was beaten to allow my men to get something to eat. The Merrimack ran down near to the Rip Raps, and then turned into the channel through which I had come. Again all hands were called to quarters, and when she approached within a mile of us I opened upon her with my stern guns and made signal to the Monitor to attack the enemy. She immediately ran down in my wake, right within the range of the Merrimack, completely covering my ship as far as was possible with her dimensions, and, much to my astonishment, laid herself right alongside of the Merrimack, and the contrast was that of a pigmy to a giant. Gun after gun was fired by the Monitor, which was returned with whole broadsides from the rebels with no more effect, apparently, than so many pebblestones thrown by a child. After awhile they commenced maneuvering, and we could see the little battery point her bow for the rebels, with the intention, as I thought, of sending a shot through her bow porthole; then she would shoot by her and rake her through her stern. In the meantime the rebel was pouring broadside after broadside, but almost all her shot flew over the little submerged propeller, and when they struck the bombproof tower the shot glanced off without producing any effect, clearly establishing the fact that wooden vessels can not contend successfully with ironclad ones ; for never before was anything like it dreamed of by the greatest enthusiast in maritime warfare. The Merrimack, finding that she could make nothing of the Monitor, turned her attention once more to me. In the morning she had put a 11-inch shot under my counter near the water line, and now, on her second approach, I opened upon her with all my broadside guns and 10-inch pivot a broadside which would have blown out of water any timber-built ship in the world. She returned my fire with her rifled bow gun with a shell, which passed through the chief engineer's stateroom, through the engineer's mess room, amidships, and burst in the boatswain's room, tearing four rooms all into one in its passage, exploding two charges of powder, which set the ship on fire, but it was promptly extinguished by a party headed by my first lieutenant; her second went through the boiler of the tugboat Dragon, exploding it and causing some consternation on board my ship for the moment, until the matter was explained. This time I had concentrated upon her an incessant fire from my gun deck, spar deck, and forecastle pivot guns, and was informed by my marine officer, who was stationed on the poop, that at least fifty solid shot struck her on her slanting side without producing any apparent effect. By the time she had fired her third shell the little Monitor had come down upon her, placing herself between us, and compelled her to change her position, in doing which she grounded, and again I poured into her all the guns which could be brought to bear upon her. As so n as she got off she stood down the bay, the little battery chasing her with all speed, when suddenly the Merrimack turned around and ran full speed into her antagonist. For a moment I was anxious, but instantly I saw a shot plunge into the iron roof of the, Merrimack, which surely must have damaged her. For some time after the rebels concentrated their whole battery upon the tower and pilot house of the Monitor, and soon after the latter stood down for Fortress Monroe, and we thought it probable she had exhausted her supply of ammunition or sustained some injury. Soon after the Merrimack and the two other steamers headed for my ship, and I then felt to the fullest extent my condition. I was hard and immovably aground, and they could take position under my stern and rake me. I had expended most of my solid shot and my ship was badly crippled and my officers and men were worn out with fatigue, but even then, in this extreme dilemma, I determined never to give up the ship to the rebels, and after consulting my officers, I ordered every preparation to be made to destroy the ship after all hope was gone to save her. On ascending the poop deck I observed that the enemy's vessels had changed their course and were heading for Craney Island. Then I determined to lighten the ship by throwing overboard my 8 inch guns, hoisting out provisions, starting water, etc. At 2 p.m. I proceeded to make another attempt to save the ship, by the use of a number of powerful tugs and the steamer S.R. Spaulding, kindly sent to my assistance by Captain Tallmadge, quartermaster at Fortress Monroe, and succeeded in dragging her half a mile distant, and then she again was immovable, the tide having fallen. At 2 a.m. this morning I succeeded in getting the ship once more afloat, and am now at anchor opposite Fortress Monroe. It gives me great pleasure to say that during the whole of these trying scenes the officers and men conducted themselves with great courage and coolness.

I have the honor to be, your very obedient servant,

G.J. VAN BRUNT, Captain, U.S. Navy, Commanding Frigate Minnesota to Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Report of Iieutenant Greene, U. S. Navy, executive officer of the U. S. S. Monitor.

U. S. IRONCLAD STEAMER MONITOR, Hampton Roads, March 19, 1862.

SIR: Lieutenant Commanding John L Worden having been disabled in the action of the 9th instant between this vessel and the rebel ironclad frigate Merrimack, I submit to you the following report: We arrived at Hampton Roads at 9 p.m. on the 8th instant and immediately received orders from Captain Marston to proceed to Newport News and protect the Minnesota from the attack of the Merrimack. Acting Master Howard came on board and volunteered to act as pilot.

We left Hampton Roads at 10 p.m. and reached the Minnesota at 11:30 p.m. The Minnesota being aground, Captain Worden sent me on board of her to enquire if we could render her any assistance, and to state to Captain Van Brunt that we should do all in our power. to protect her from the attack of the Merrimack.

I then returned to this vessel and at 1 a.m. on the 9th instant anchored near the Minnesota. At 4 a.m., supposing the Minnesota to be afloat and coming down upon us got orders and stood out of the channel. Finding that we were mistaken, anchored at 5:30 a.m. At 8 a.m. perceived the Merrimack underway and standing toward the Minnesota. Hove up the anchor and went to quarters. At 8:45 a.m. we opened fire upon the Merrimack and continued the action until 11:30 a.m., when Captain Worden was injured in the eyes by the explosion of a shell from the Merrimack upon the outside of the eyehole in the pilot house, exactly opposite his eye. Captains Worden then sent for me and told me to take charge of the vessel. We continued the action until 12:15 p.m., when the Merrimack retreated to Sewell's Point and we went to the Minnesota and remained by her until she was afloat.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. D. GREENE, Lieutenant and Ordnance Officer to Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington D.C.