From the North.
The following summary, from late Northern newspapers, will be found interesting:
Advance of the "grand army."
"Occasional," the Washington correspondent of the Philadelphia Press, writes as follows, under date of the 11th inst.:‘ It is finally settled that the Confederates have retreated from their strongholds, and are being rapidly and steadily pursued by the army of the Union. Whether this retreat is the result of policy or panic cannot, of course, be ascertained. Certain it is, however, that many who have clamored for an advance upon Richmond, during the last three months, accept the retirement of the Confederate forces as a full realization of their predictions, that the enemy would fly if attacked, while it is not to be denied that many who have heretofore sustained the theory of delay, on the ground that we were not ready to move on, confess themselves grievously disappointed. Where the enemy will make a stand, is the next question. Whether our columns are to march onward without a "retiring ebb," until they have captured Richmond and completely vanquished the traitors, or whether there is to be another great pause before the end of the rebellion is ascertained, are questions almost universally discussed. When the army began its passage into Virginia, on Sunday and Monday, many who had not estimated its numbers or its capacities were surprised at the magnitude and magnificence of the spectacle.--The members of the British and French legations, who have been industrious in collecting all the available information in regard to this war, confess that they were astonished at the splendid material of the army, its almost perfect discipline and its admirable appointments. How it is to be subsisted in a country desolated by war will be one of the main difficulties of those having it in charge. Every pound of ammunition, forage and rations must be conveyed from the base of operations, or, should a junction be effected with Gen. Wool from Fortress Monroe. It must be borne in mind, however, that the blockade of the Potomac has been raised, and that the railroad from Alexandria has been laid to Fairfax. These are great advantages, but they may be counteracted by the certain destruction of the railroad by the Confederates extending from Manassas to Richmond. The obstacles in regard to transportation and subsistence, particularly the latter, will compel prompt and rapid action, so as to prevent the Confederates from fortifying themselves in new positions, and of depriving the Union army of indispensable military facilities and of the necessities of life.
’
The movement explained.
The Fredericksburg Herald says:‘ The recent movement of troops going down the Potomac from Washington is, we think, explained, in view of the late Northern papers at hand. We find that the enemy have been terribly exercised at the falling back movement of Gen. Johnston, and that they are filled with apprehensions for the safety of the Burnside fleet. Their idea is, that a large part of the army is now at a point to harass and cut off Burnside, and the thousands of soldiers who have left Washington, have doubtless been sent to Burnside's assistance.
’
The battle of Hampton Roads--official report of the Commander of the Congress.
Washington, March 12.--The official report of Lieutenant Pendergast, addressed to Commander Marston, has been forwarded to the Navy Department.Lieutenant Pendergast states that owing to the death of the late Commanding Officer, Joseph B. Smith, it becomes my painful duty to make a report to you of that part which the United States frigate Congress took in the efforts of our vessels at Newport News to repel the attack of the Rebel flotilla on the 8th instant.
The report states that when the Merrimac, with three small 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 after two the Merrimac opened with her bow gun with grape, passing us, on the starboard side, at a distance of about 200 yards, receiving our broadside and giving one in return.
After passing the Congress she ran into and sank the sloop-of-war Cumberland. The smaller vessels then attacked us, killing and wounding many of our crew. Seeing the fate of the Cumberland, we set the fore and topsail, and, with the assistance of the tugboat Zouave, drew the vessel ashore. At half-past 2 the Merrimac took a position astern of us, at a distance of about 150 yards, and raked us force 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 Thomas Jefferson, rebel steamers, approached us 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 gravidity, and slaughtered by the terrible fire of the enemy.
Lieutenant Pendergast first learned of the death of Lieutenant Smith at half-past 4. 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 Reads, not being able to get a single gun to bear upon the enemy, and the ship being on fire in several places, upon consultation, with Commander Wm. Smith, we deemed it proper to haul down our colors without any 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, as he intended to burn her immediately. A sharp fire with muskets and artillery was maintained from our troops ashore upon the tug, having the effect of driving her off.
The Merrimac again opened on us, although we had a peak to show that we were out of action.
After having fired several shells into us, she left us and engaged the Minnesota and the shore batteries, after which, Lieutenant Pendergast states, the wounded were taken ashore in small boats, the ship having been on fire from the beginning of the action from hot shot fired by the Merrimac.
He reports the death of the following officers: Lieut. Jos. B. Smith, Acting Master Thos. Moore, and Pilot Wm. Rhodes.
Report of the Commander of the St. Lawrence.
The following extract from the report of Commander Purviance, of the United States frigate St. Lawrence, in regard to the action with the rebel flotilla at Hampton Roads will prove interesting:‘ At half-past 8 o'clock we got under way in tow of the Cambridge, and when abreast of the rebel battery at Sewell's Point the battery opened fire, one of the shells exploding under the fore foot of the St. Lawrence, doing, however, no material injury. The fire was returned, and it is believed with some effect. The Cumberland had at this time gone down, having been run into by the Merrimac, and the Congress had surrendered after a terrible slaughter of her men, and when rendered perfectly powerless by the fire of the rebels.
’ The Minnesota was aground and engaging the enemy, whose fire consisted of the rebel steam ram and four or five side-wheel gunboats.
When near the Minnesota, the St. Lawrence grounded, and at that time opened fire, but her shot did no execution. The armor of the Merrimac proved invulnerable to her comparatively feeble projectiles. Taking advantage of these portentous circumstances, the Merrimac directed her attention to firing several projectiles of formidable dimensions, one of which, an eighty-pound shell, penetrated the starboard quarter about four inches above the water line, passed through the pantry of the ward-room, and into the stateroom of the Assistant Surgeon on the port side, completely demolishing the bulkhead, and then struck a strong iron bar which secured the bull's eye of the port. It returned into the ward-room, expended.
It fortunately did not explode, and no person was injured. The damage done by this shot proved the power of the projectiles which she employed, and readily explained the quick destruction of our wooden and antiquated frigates. Our position at this time was one of some anxiety. Being aground, the tug Young American came alongside and got us off, after which a powerful broadside from the spar and gun-docks of the St. Lawrence, then distant about half a mile, thrown into the Merrimac, induced her to withdraw, whether from necessity or discretion is not known.
Miscellaneous.
The Fredericksburg Recorder makes up the appended summary, from Northern papers as late as the 15th:‘ The St. Louis Republican publishes an account of a bloody battle which occurred near Fort Craig, in New Mexico, between the Texans and the Federal forces. The latter being deserted by the New Mexican levies, (as they say,) were defeated after a long and desperate struggle, with the loss of all their artillery and the loss of 200 killed and wounded. This occurred on the 21st of February.
’ Gen. McClellan has written a letter to all commanders of forts on the seaboard, warning them of the Merrimac and directing them to be put in the best possible defence.
The latest accounts from the Arkansas fight represent the Federal loss at 1,000 killed.--They say they captured thirteen pieces of artillery and 1,000 prisoners.
The U. S. Senate has, by a vote of 26 to 11, refused to expel Ex-Gov. Powell. His colleague, Garrett Davis, was urgent that is should be done.
When the news of the Merrimac's doings reached New York, prepositions were seriously entertained for several days to sink obstructions in the shape of a stone fleet.
The N. Y. Past says the retreat from Manassas was the most masterly affair in ancient or modern warfare. That it changes the character of the war, and protracts the contest for a long period.
Fears are "oppressively felt" at the North for the Burnside expedition.
The expedition down the Mississippi has been delayed, because of the killing of pilots. No less than four having been killed in one day. Gen. Grant is having the pilot houses iron-cased to protect them in the future.
The St. Lawrence has gone to Philadelphia to repair damages sustained in the conflict with the Merrimac.
The United States has passed a bill for the construction of an iron steam vessel, of not less than 6,000 tons lurthen, to be used as a ram. It appropriates $1,000,000 for this, $12,000,000 for iron-clad gunboats, $783,000 to complete Steven's battery, and $500,000 to extend facilities of Washington navy-yard for rolling iron plates.
The Northern papers all seem to be overwhelmed with astonishment at the retirement from Manassas. They evidently look upon it as another ‘"masked battery."’
It was the lieutenant of the Sumter, not the captain, who was arrested at Tanglers.--He has since been released. The Sumter is now at Gibraltar.
France, just now, is deeply agitated for three reasons:
1st The effect of legislative debates in the Senate. 2d. The want of employment existing among the artisans and laboring classes; and 3d. The financial condition of the Emperor's Government.
The high tory party of England are greatly enraged at the course taken by Lord Palmerston in regard to the blockade.
The Baltimore correspondent of the N. Y. Herald, says: ‘"The artillery duel when again resumed, will be fought, probably in the neighborhood of Fredericksburg."’
