March 11, 1862 – The Victory of Hampton Roads

The victory won on the waters of Hampton Roads on Saturday and Sunday last, is one which for eclat, is without a parallel in the annals of naval achievements. One vessel has, in open encounter, destroyed two, perhaps three of the choicest vessels of the enemy, with very slight injury to herself! The Virginia was indeed zealously supported by the Patrick Henry and other slight steamers; but the brunt of the fight fell on her—the blows which won the victory came from her. Some account of this vessel will be interesting in this hour of her fame.

The Virginia—known then as the Merrimac—was burned to the water’s edge by the enemy, and sunk, at the time of the capture by our forces, of the Portsmouth Navy Yard, on the 20th April last. The hull was subsequently raised, and built upon, after a plan conceived and suggested by Lieutenant John M. Brooke, of the Confederate States Navy. This plan was an entire novelty in the history of naval architecture. It provided for the submerging of as much of the structure as possible, including both bow and stern, and making the rest invulnerable to the shot of the enemy, by an iron covering. Armed with the largest guns herself, and with the bow so contrived as to make her very formidable as a ram, the Virginia was sent cut to try her prowess upon the enemy.

March 10, 1862 – Naval Battle at Hampton Roads

Sinking of the Cumberland by the Iron Clad Merrimac (CSS Virginia)

A Naval Engagement—Attack made on U. S. Vessels By the Steamers Merrimac, Yorktown and Jamestown—U. S. Frigate Cumberland Sunk—Capture of the Frigate Congress—Reported Damage to other Vessels—Arrival of the Iron-Clad Steamer Monitor—Second Engagement—The Merrimac in a Sinking Condition.

The Baltimore Sun of this morning says:

The steamer Adelaide, Capt. Cannon, arrived at half-past nine o’clock yesterday morning, from Old Point; having left the latter place at eight o’clock on Saturday night. She brought the important intelligence of an engagement between several United States and Confederate vessels in Hampton Roads, between the mouth of James river and Sewall’s Point. The news, soon after the arrival of the Adelaide yesterday morning, created quite a sensation, and an endless variety of exaggerated reports were put In circulation.

It appeared, after careful inquiry, that passengers who came up in the Adelaide, and seemed to be intelligent, stated that the Confederate steamer Merrimac came out at one o’clock on Saturday afternoon, while the Federal frigates Congress and Cumberland were lying off Newport News point. She headed for these vessels, and was soon within range of the Congress, which opened a broadside on her without any perceptible effect. She passed the Congress, when the Cumberland opened a broadside on her, but that likewise had no Injurious effect, and In a few minutes more the Merrimac struck the Cumberland amidship, and so crushed in her aide that she sunk in a few minutes.

It was reported that one hundred and fifty of those on board were known to have been saved, but how many were lost was not known. The Merrimac next turned her attention to the Congress, which had not ceased to fire on her, and after a short engagement captured her and all on board. The officers and crew of the Congress were sent to Pig’s Point, and the Congress was immediately manned by Confederates.

March 9, 1862 – A Battle in New Mexico

Heavy Loss on Both Sides—Another Fight—Kit Carson in it—Result not Known.

Denver City, March 8.—By Military Express the following news was received here today :

A desperate and terrible battle, lasting all day, took place at Valverde, ten miles south of Fort Craig, on the 21st ult., between a force of rebels and Federals. Loss great on both sides. Both parties claim the victory. A regiment of New Mexicans ran away.

March 8, 1862 – From the 3rd Regiment N. H. V.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Hilton Head, S. C., Feb. 23d, 1862.

To-day we hear good news; a vessel has arrived with late papers, and we have learned something of the movement of our forces in different quarters. It is really cheering to us, and the cheers that go up from the different regiments here are almost deafening. At last the “ball is opened,” and our prayer is, that the tune may be lively, and the steps short and quick. I have not much that is new to write from here; our folks once in a while take a rebel gunboat, or a battery, and then enter up on some island heretofore occupied by “secesh,” and take possession with very little loss.

March 7, 1862 – Surrender of Arms

The order requiring the surrender of all private arms in the rural districts, must have been issued without due consideration by the authorities. In a slaveholding community, every family should be permitted to retain at least one fire-arm, either a pistol or a shot-gun. A sense of security, if not safety, demands that much. The reason is too obvious to require words.