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 D03212473M 
 
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MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT, 
 
 To THE Senate and House of Representatives 
 
 Of the Confederate States : 
 
 I herewith transmit a letter of the Secretary of the Navy; 
 of this date, covering the official report of the naval en- 
 gagement between the James River Squadron and the ene- 
 my's fleet, in Hampton Roads, on the 8th instant : 
 
 The officers and men of our Navy, engaged in this bril- 
 liant affair, deserve well of their country, and are com^ 
 mended to the consideration of the Congress. ^^ 
 
 The dispai'ity of the forces engaged did not justify the 
 anticipation of so great a victory ; and it is doubly gratify- 
 ing that it has been won upon an element where we were 
 supposed to be least able to compete with our enemy. 
 
 Special attention is called to the perfidious conduct of the 
 enemy in hoisting on the frigate Congress a white flag, and 
 renewing fire, from that vessel, under the impunity thus 
 obtained. JEFFERSON DAVIS. 
 
 March 11, 1862. 
 
LETTER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAYT. 
 
 Confederate States of America, 
 
 navy department, 
 Richmond, March Wth, 1862. 
 To THE President : 
 
 Sir — I have the honor to lay before you the official report 
 of the naval engagement between the James river squadron, 
 under the command of Flag Officer Franklin Buchanan, and 
 the enemy's fleet, in Hampton Roads, on the 8th instant. 
 
 Flag Officer Buchanan, in the immediate command of the 
 steam sloop Yirginia,. was disabled near the close of the en- 
 gagement by a painful though not dangerous wound, and the 
 report is made by the Executive Officer, upon whom th^ 
 command devolved, Lieut. Jones. . 
 
 The steam sloop Virginia of ten guns, the Patrick Henry, 
 Commander Tucker, of six guns, the Jamestown, Lieut. 
 Commanding Barney, of two guns, the Raleigh, Lieut. Com- 
 manding Alexander, the Beaufort, Lieut. Commanding Par- 
 ker, and the Teazer, Lieut, Commanding Webb, each of one 
 gun, composed our squadron. With this force of twenty- 
 one guns, Flag Officer Buchanan engaged the enemy's fleet, 
 consisting of the frigate Cumberland of twenty-four guns, 
 the Congress of fifty guns, the St. Lawrence of fifty guns, 
 and the steam frigates Minnesota and Roanoke each of forty 
 guns, the enemy's batteries at Newports News, and several 
 small steamers armed with heavy rifled guns. 
 
 The engagement commenced at 3:30 P. M., and at 6 
 o'clock P. M., he had sunk the Cumberland, captured and 
 burnt the Congress, disabled and driven the Minnesota 
 ashore, and defeated the St. Lawrence and Roanoke, which 
 
Bought shelter under the guns of Fortress Monroe. Two 
 of the enemy's small steamers were blown up, and two 
 transport schooners were captured. 
 
 The Cumberland went down with all on board, her tops 
 only remaining above water ; but many of her people were 
 saved by boats from the shore. 
 
 The loss of the enemy has not been ascertained. Our 
 loss is very small, but has not been officially communi- 
 cated. 
 
 The flag of the Congress and the sword of the officer 
 commanding at the time of her surrender, are at this De- 
 partment, together with the flag and sword of the gunboat 
 Fanny, captured by Flag Officer Lynch, in October last ; 
 and I submit for your consideration the propriety of provi- 
 ding for the safe keeping of these and similar trophies. 
 
 To the dashing courage, the patriotism and eminent abili- 
 ty of Flag Officer Buchanan and the officers and men of his 
 squadron, our country is indebted for this brilliant achieve- 
 ment, Avhich will hold a conspicuous place among the heroic 
 ^outests of naval history. 
 
 . With much respect, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 S. B. MALLORY, 
 Secretary of the Navy. 
 
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE NAVAL ENGAGE- 
 MEXT IN HAMPTON ROADS, March 8th, 1862. 
 
 C. S. Steam Batterv, " Virginia," ) 
 Off SewelVs Point, March 8th, 1862. ] 
 
 Flag Officer : 
 
 In consequence of the wound of Flag-Officer Buchanan, 
 it becomes my duty to report that the Virginia left the yard 
 this morning, at 11 A. M., steamed down the river past our 
 batteries and over to Newport News, where we engaged the 
 frigates Cumberland and Congress, and the batteries ashore, 
 and also two large steam frigates, supposed to be the Minne- 
 sota and Roanoke, and a sailing frigate, and several small 
 steamers, armed with heavy rifled guns. We sunk the Cum- 
 berland, and drove the Congress ashore, when she hauled 
 down her colors and hoisted the white flag ; but she fired 
 upon us with the white flag flying, wounding Lieut. Minor 
 and some of our men. Wo again opened fire upon her, and 
 she is now in flames. The shoal water prevented our reach- 
 ing the other frigates ; this, with approaching night, we 
 think, saved them from destruction. Our loss is two killed 
 and eight wounded. Two of our guns have the muzzles 
 shot off", the prow was twisted, and the armor somewhat 
 damaged ; the anchor and all flag staff's shot away, and 
 smoke-stack and steam-pipe was riddled. The bearing of 
 officers and men was all that could be wished, and in fact it 
 could not have been otherwise, after the noble and daring 
 conduct of the Flag-Officer, whose wound is deeply regret- 
 ted by all on board, Avho would gladly have sacrificed them- 
 selves in order to save him. We were accompanied from 
 the Yard by the Beaufort, Lieut, Parker, and Raleigh, Lieut. 
 Alexander ; and, as soon as it was discovered up the James 
 
River that the action had commenced, we were joined by 
 the Patrick IIeni*y, Commander Tucker ; the Jamestown, 
 Lieut. Barney, and the Teazer, Lieut. Webb, all of which 
 were actively engaged, and rendered very efficient service. 
 Enclosed I send the Surgeon's report of casualties. 
 I have the honor to be, sir. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 CATESBY AP R. JONES, 
 
 Ex, and Ordnance Officer. 
 Flag-Officer F. Forrest, 
 
SURGEON'S REPORT. 
 
 C. S. S. *' Virginia, ) 
 Near SeweWs Point, March 8, 1862. $ 
 
 Sir — I have to report the folloAving casualties resulting 
 from the action of to-day. Flag Officer F. Buchanan, 
 wounded in the left thigh, a Minnie ball having passed en- 
 tirely through the fleshy portion, grazing femeral artery, 
 and inflicting a serious wound. 
 
 Lieut. R. Minor, Avounded in the left side, (not danger- 
 ously.) Midshipman Marmaduke, slight wound of arm. 
 Two men killed, (names not known,) and five men wounded, 
 one losing an eye. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 D. B. PHILLIPS, 
 Surgeon of the Flng Ship. 
 Lieut. Catesby Ap Roger Jones, 
 
 Confederate States Navy. 
 
 Killed — Charles Dunbar, Waldeck. 
 
 Wounded — Wm. Burke, seaman ; John Capps, A. J. Dal- 
 ton, company E, 41st regiment ; Emerson Joas, John Leon- 
 ard. 
 
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