FIR.ST IRON CLAD 
 NA\5VL DNGAGBMENT 
 
 WOI^LD 
 
 wm 
 
 m 
 
 S^MEiaaMAC-VIIlGINIA 
 
 C.sS.N. 
 
 S?iEmCSSON MONITOR 
 
 U. •S.N. 
 
 HAMPTON ROADS 
 
 MARCH 8 & 9, >8 6 2. 
 
Cl)e #trst 
 
 Iron^CIali J^abal €nsagement 
 
 in t\\t Woxlb 
 
 HISTORY OF FACTS OF 
 THE GREAT NAVAL BATTLE 
 
 BETWEEN 
 
 THE MERRIMAC-VIRGINIA, C.S.N. 
 
 AND 
 
 THE ERICSSON MONITOR, U. S. N. 
 
 Hampton Roads, 
 March 8 and 9, 1862. 
 
 E. V. WHITE, Portsmouth, Virginia. 
 
 Late of Georgia. 
 
UBHARYofCONGREsri 
 Two Ooples Received j 
 
 PlC i3 1906 
 
 •% Cpoyrleht Entry 
 cuss ^ XV,., No, 
 
 Copyright, 1906. by 
 E.V.White. 
 
 
#. \ 
 
 1 •• Mt-rriinar" destroyed at llic buriimy; of the Norfolk , 4 " \'iri;iiiia " sinking- the "Cumberland," Mareli 1 
 
 Navy Var<l. A])ril itjih. 1S61. iSr>_'. 
 
 2 " Merriniac " in dry dock, being converted into tlie iron 5 " \'irginia" engaged in battle with the •' Monitor. 
 
 battery '• \'irginia." Hampton Ivoads, March 9th, 1S62. 
 
 3 " Virginia" passing I'ort Norfolk. M.irrh Stli. 1862. 6 Destruction of the "\'irginia." May iith. 1S62, 
 
 7 K. v. White, of Ilngineer Corps, in Confeilerate Naval uniform, taken Feb. 25th, 1862. 
 The above views (Nos. 1-6) are taken from original oil paintings by .Mr. B. A, Ivichardson, of Norfolk, \'a. 
 
xfotetDorti, 
 
 Were the present a period of war between the States, we could readily 
 appreciate the interest of an occasion for this Issue. In that event, the novelty 
 of the new instrument of destruction — the Iron-Clad — would intensely in- 
 terest the military student, and the skill and courage manifested by the com- 
 batants would stir the enthusiasm and call forth the patriotism of the reader. 
 
 But this is an era not of strife, but of peace. It is a time of good-will. 
 No conflict between the sections now exists. The former foemen are 
 brethren. The alarms and woes of battle have all passed away. Peace 
 smiles upon a united people, and hallows the Star Spangled Banner, 
 the common flag of an undismembered country and an unruptured union. 
 
 What, under such conditions, is the propriety of a discussion like the 
 present? Certainly we do not purpose breeding discord between the lately 
 contending communities. 
 
 As citizens of a government which has aptly and happily been described 
 as an "Indissoluble union of indestructible states" we may contemplate the 
 historic battles of our Civil War as most impressive manifestations of the 
 patriotism, valor and wonderful resources of the participants therein. And 
 on an Issue hke the present we shall find something to inspire love of coun- 
 try, and admiration for and confidence in the communities that make up 
 the composite people of our great nation. 
 
 The principal value of my book is that I purpose stating what occurred 
 under my own observation, and my description of this historic naval engage- 
 ment will be the story of both a witness and a participant. As far as oppor- 
 tunity made me a competent witness, and my memory has presei-ved the 
 integrity of the facts, the description will be trustworthy. 
 
 I have Introduced In my description some elements that are personal 
 to myself, which seemed to me to add to the value of the statement — in some 
 measure to be necessary to it. 
 
 My command, the City Light Guard, of Columbus, Ga., arrived In 
 Portsmouth, Va., Monday morning, April 21st, 1861. The Navy Yard 
 was burned and destroyed April 19th, two- days before our arrival. We 
 were quartered at the Naval Hospital, and on the day of arrival I visited 
 the Navy Yard and there looked upon the smoking, smouldering remains 
 of the "Merrimac," upon whose hull was subsequently erected the great 
 naval wonder of the world, the Iron-Clad "Virginia." That you may more 
 intelligently consider the subject of this issue, I give, briefly, the history, 
 dimensions and other particulars of this famous ship. 
 
 The Author. 
 
History of the " Merrimac- Virginia." 
 
 and six 9-inch Dahlgren smooth-bore broadside guns. Her commander 
 was Commodore Franklin Buchanan, one of the bravest and ablest 
 officers of the old service. Her second in command was Lieut. Catesby Ap. 
 R. Jones, distinguished both for ability and great gallantry. Her crew 
 numbered 350, most of whom had volunteered from the army for the occa- 
 sion, and the emergencies of the service allowed little time for either testing 
 her engines or drilling her crew. 
 
 Early in December, '61, I conceived the idea of becoming one of the 
 number who should test the qualities of this mighty engine of destruction. 
 I made application for the position desired, received my appointment, 
 January i6th, 1862, and tn-o days thereafter reported for duty. Thence- 
 forth, until her tragic end, the "Virginia" was my companion, and I watched 
 her growth and completion, and all the stirring incidents in her brief but 
 wonderful career, with a profound interest. 
 
 My position was that of junior engineer, and I was placed on the gun- 
 deck in charge of the engine-room gong and the speaking-tube, through 
 which the engineers on duty could be reached. Commodore Buchanan and 
 Chief Engineer Ramsey termed me their aide, and as such I conveyed all 
 orders from the officers in charge to the engine-room, both for the work- 
 ing of the engines and the sending of hot shot to the gun-deck. I pray 
 pardon for thus alluding to myself, but find such reference necessary that 
 you may understand the ground upon which I claim more than ordinary 
 facilities for observing the events that characterized this memorable battle, 
 having five port-holes for observation. 
 
 Finally the great ship was reported ready for duty, and well do I re- 
 member the words that fell from the lips of our Commander, Commodore 
 Buchanan, who had but recently taken charge — his words completely off- 
 setting several well-circulated reports then current regarding both himself 
 and the ship. He told us not to mistrust him ; that he intended to do his 
 duty, and expected the same from one and all on board. (I allude to the 
 report concerning the possible conduct of the two brothers now soon to 
 meet in deadly battle, and the statement that the concussion of the shots 
 would deafen all on board our ship. Commodore Buchanan's brother was 
 an officer on the U. S. S. Cumberland.) 
 
 At, or about, 12 o'clock, March 8th, 1862, the "Virginia" cast loose 
 from the wharf at the Navy Yard and steamed slowly to the work of the 
 day, passing down Elizabeth River, saluted by our batteries and cheered 
 by the citizens and soldiers, who lined every available point on both sides 
 of the river to witness the initial engagement of this new idea war-ship, 
 the result of which was eagerly awaited by the whole world; for never had 
 there been a bolder attack than was about to be made that day. Passing 
 
History of the " Merrimac- Virginia." 
 
 through the obstruction at Craney Island, she headed directly for Newport 
 News, where the U. S. S. "Cumberland" and U. S. S. "Congress" lay riding 
 at anchor, bloclcading James River. The day was beautifully calm and clear, 
 and nothing in the tranquil scene gave indication of the mortal and bloody 
 conflict soon to be enacted. Ere she reached these ships several large 
 Men-of-War started from Old Point to the help of their sister ships; 
 among them the "Minnesota," which grounded near Newport News point. 
 The "Congress" was the first to fire, with a full broadside, upon our ship, 
 followed by the "Cumberland," and from the latter's shot the hog chain 
 was parted and driven back into our ship, killing one man and wounding 
 several others. Every available Federal gun that coiild be brought to bear 
 on the "Virginia" opened tire. Reserving her tire until within easy range, 
 the "Virginia's" bow rifle was tired with terrible eft'ect; and, as has been 
 frequently stated, opened a hole in the "Cumberland" large enough for a 
 horse and cart to drive through. We made directly for the latter vessel. 
 When at probably fifty yards distance, with slackened speed, but with de- 
 termined purpose, we moved on towards the gallant ship, and struck her 
 the deadly blow, but with little jar to the "Virginia," backing our engines 
 at once until we had cleared the disabled vessel. A shot from the "Con- 
 gress" struck the muzzle of one of our broadside 9-inch Dahlgren guns, 
 breaking oft about two feet of it, killing one man and wounding a few 
 others. Reversing our engines we passed the "Cumberland," which, though 
 now sinking, was bravely fighting her guns and exhibiting a heroism worthy 
 of all praise, and which entitled her to the renown that has since that day 
 been attached to her name. 
 
 We then moved up the James River to a place of easy turning for 
 our ship, and started back, being joined in the meantime by the James River 
 fleet, consisting of several steamers. Then, with probably one hundred 
 guns firing upon us from various points, we came within two hundred yards 
 of the now grounded "Congress," upon which we opened fire. After we 
 had delivered several well-directed shots that sent destruction to that ship, 
 and many souls to their eternal home, she (the "Congress") hoisted the 
 white flag, and all tiring ceased. Arrangements were then commenced for 
 receiving the surrender and removing the dead and wounded from both the 
 enemy's ship and our own. While our officers were aboard the "Con- 
 gress," and many on the upper deck of the "Virginia," exposed because of 
 the Federals' white flag — which was a signal for help — being displayed, 
 the enemy opened fire from the shore battery upon us, wounding many, 
 amongst them Commodore Buchanan, shot through the thigh, and Lieut. 
 Minor, shot through the side. Our boats were ordered to clear the "Con- 
 gress," and Commodore Buchanan turned the command of our ship over to 
 
History of the " Merrimac- Virginia." 
 
 Lieut. Catesby Ap. R. Jones, and instructed him to set fire to tlie "Con- 
 gress." 1 received orders for three hot shot, and soon that vessel was in' 
 flames. The "Cumberland," the while, had gone down beneath the waters 
 of the James, taking with her in that awful plunge many who had gallantly 
 remained at their posts of duty. 
 
 It being now nearly dark, and the work of transferring the dead and 
 wounded, to be conveyed to the naval hospital, being completed, we steamed 
 over to the buoy at Sewell's I'oint, and came to anchor for the night. As 
 one of the unfortunate ones at being on first watch, with so little rest, I 
 was only compensated for the performance of this arduous duty by wit- 
 nessing the grand and impressive sight of the explosion of the "Congress" 
 later in the night — a scene too solemnly beautiful to attempt to describe. 
 
 It will increase your interest in this connection to know the estimate 
 of the iirst day's fight of the "V'irginia" by our adversaries, and to be in- 
 formed of the panic created at the North. I beg leave, therefore, to in- 
 troduce several statements. P'irst, regarding the impression at Washing- 
 ton and the North, relative to the battle, as described in the letter of a 
 Washington correspondent : 
 
 "The swift work done by the 'Merriinac' on this occasion spread 
 consternation throughout the Northern States. The blockade of the 
 Atlantic Coast maintained at that time could not last long before this 
 might)' and invulnerable engine of destruction. New York, Boston 
 and Washington would soon be threatened. The most alarming crisis 
 of the Civil War was at hand. As the sun went down that night over 
 Hampton Roads every Union heart in the fleet and in the fortress 
 throbbed with despair. There was no gleam of hope. The 'Merri- 
 mac' was impervious to balls, and could go where she pleased. In the 
 morning it would be easy work for her to destroy our whole fleet. She 
 could then shell Newport News and Fortress Monroe at her leisure, set- 
 ting everything combustible in flames, and driving every man from the 
 guns. As the news of the terrible disaster was flashed over the coun- 
 try by the telegraph wires all faces wore an expression of consternation. 
 The writer was in Washington at the time. Congress was in session. 
 The panic cannot be described. There was absolutely nothing to pre- 
 vent the 'Merrimac' from ascending the Potomac and laying the capital 
 in ashes, providing there was suflicient depth of water to float the 
 steamer, and no one knew whether there was this depth or not, for 
 no one knew the draft of the 'Merrimac' Baltimore, Philadelphia, 
 New York, Boston and Portland were in a state of terror. 'The 
 'Merrimac' could laugh at forts,' says Abbott, in his history. 
 
History of the " Merrimac- Virginia," 
 
 "The experiment of an hour had wrought an entire change in 
 naval architecture and in defensive fortifications throughout the world. 
 Wooden frigates had almost ceased to be of any value. The blow 
 which sunk the 'Cumberland' demolished also the fleets of England 
 and France. All navies went down with that frigate into the abyss 
 together. It is not too much to say that such a night of anxiety, of 
 terror, of bewilderment, as followed the triumphant return of the 
 'Merrimac' to her anchorage behind Craney Island, this world has 
 seldom witnessed before." 
 
 Second, the battle as it appeared to an eye-witness who stood upon 
 the shore and within the Federal lines at Old Point. This eye-witness from 
 Fortress Monroe thus touchingly describes the scenes which transpired and 
 the emotions which were excited on that eventful Saturday night : 
 
 "That morrow! How anxiously we waited for it! How much 
 we feared its results! How anxious our Saturday eve of preparation! 
 At sundown there was nothing to dispute the empire of the seas with 
 the 'Merrimac,' and had a land attack been made by Magmder then, 
 God only knows what our fate would have been. The 'St. Lawrence' 
 and the 'Minnesota' aground and helpless, the 'Roanoke' with a broken 
 shaft — these were our defenses by sea; while on land we were doing 
 all possible to resist a night invasion, but who could hope that these 
 would have much efficiency ! Oh ! What a night that was ; that night I 
 never can forget. There was no fear during its long hours — danger, 
 I find, does not bring that — but there was a longing for some inter- 
 position of God and waiting upon Him, from whom we felt our help 
 must come, in earnest, fervent prayer, while not neglecting all the 
 means of martial defense He had placed in our hands. Fugitives 
 from Newport News kept arriving; ladies and children had walked 
 the long ten miles from Newport News, feeling that their presence 
 only embarrassed their brave husbands. Sailors from the 'Congress' 
 and 'Cumberland' came, one of them with his ship's flag bound about 
 his waist, as he had swum with it ashore, determined the enemy should 
 never trail it in dishonor as a trophy. Dusky fugitives, the contra- 
 bands, came mournfully fleeing from a fate worse than death — slavery. 
 These entered my cabin hungry and weary, or passed it in long, sad 
 procession. The heavens were aflame with the burning 'Congress.' 
 The hotel was crowded with fugitives, and private hospitality was 
 taxed to the utmost. But there were no soldiers among the flying host; 
 all in our camps at Newport News and Camp Hamilton were at the 
 post of duty, undismayed and ready to do all and dare all for their 
 
History of the " Merrimac-Virginia." 
 
 country. The sailors came only to seek another chance at the enemy, 
 since the bold 'Cumberland' had gone down in the deep waters and 
 the 'Congress' had gone upward, as if a chariot of fire to convey the 
 manly souls whose bodies had perished in that conflict upward to 
 heaven. I had lost several friends there; yet not lost, for they are 
 saved who do their duty to their country and their God, as these 
 had done. We did not pray in vain. 
 
 "The heavy night hung dark the hills and waters o'er, but the 
 night was not half so heavy as our hearts, nor so dark as our pros- 
 pects. All at once a speck of light gleamed on the distant wave; it 
 moved; it came nearer and nearer, and at lo o'clock at night the 
 'Monitor' appeared. 'When the tale of bricks is doubled, Moses 
 comes !' I never more firmly believed in special providences than at 
 that hour. Even skeptics for the moment v.-ere converted, and said: 
 'God has sent her!' But how insignificant she looked; she was but a 
 speck on the dark blue sea at night, almost a laughable object by day. 
 'l"he enemy called her a 'cheese-box on a raft,' and the comparison is a 
 good one. Could she meet the 'Merrimac?' The morrow must deter- 
 mine, for, under God, the 'Monitor' is our only hope." 
 
 Just here, also, permit me to introduce an account by this same eye- 
 witness of the second day's engagement. This account, though written in 
 thrilling words, is not in accordance with the actual facts, as I shall show 
 later on in my owii description of this day's fight. 
 
 "The 'Merrimac,' in her attempt to run down the 'Monitor,' 
 failed entirely. She struck her antagonist fairly and at full speed, 
 causing, however, but a slight jar. By the collision the prow of the 
 'Merrimac' was broken and her mail cut through by the sharp edge 
 of the 'Monitor,' causing a bad leak. In the desperation of the fight 
 the ships closed, actually touching sides, hurling shot and shell at 
 each other with demoniac energy'. But these cast-iron missiles glanced 
 or crumbled to powder. The rebel 'Yorktown' at once atteinpted to 
 interfere. A single 170-pound shot from the 'Monitor' passed through 
 the traitor and sent him home to have his wounds bandaged. The con- 
 test was for a time so hot, the muzzles of the hostile guns almost touch- 
 ing each other, that both ships were enveloped in a cloud of smoke, 
 which no eye could penetrate. Flash and thunder-roar burst forth in- 
 cessantly from the tumultuous maelstrom of darkness, and solid balls, 
 weighing 170 pounds, glancing from the armor, ricochettcd over the 
 water in all directions for one and two miles. Such bolts were never 
 hurled from the fabled hands of Jupiter Olympus. 
 
History of the " Merrimac- Virginia." 
 
 "Thus the duel raged with unintermitted fury for four long hours. 
 The 'Monitor,' at but a few yards' distance, steamed around her foe, 
 planting a ball here and a ball there, eagerly searching to find some 
 vital spot. She tried her rudder, her sides, her screw, just above the 
 water line, just below the water line. In some of these efforts she was 
 successful, and at length three gaping holes were visible and the 'Merri- 
 mac' was evidently sinking. The rebel luas zi-fiipped; and firing his 
 last gun, turned to run away. Unfortunately, just at that moment, 
 as Lieutenant Worden was looking out at the iron grating of the pilot- 
 house, a loo-pound shot struck point-blank upon the grating, just be- 
 fore his eyes. The concussion knocked him prostrate and for the 
 moment senseless. He was also entirely blinded by the minute frag- 
 ments of iron and powder driven into his eyes, an injury which it was 
 almost impossible to get over. This occasioned momentary confusion, 
 until the command was assumed by Lieutenant Green. The 'Merri- 
 mac,' which had entered the conflict with a spirit so proud and defiant, 
 was now limping on the retreat thoroughly whipped and humiliated. 
 As so much depended upon the single 'Monitor,' it was not deemed 
 wise to expose her to any risks not actually necessary. She had, there- 
 fore, received orders to act strictly on the defensive, and by no means 
 to leave the immediate vicinity of the fleet. She, however, pursued 
 her disabled foe a short distance, throwing into her a few parting 
 military benedictions and then left her to seek refuge in her rebel 
 anchorage. As Lieutenant Worden after a time revived from the 
 stunning blow he had received, his first question was : 'Have I saved 
 the "Minnesota"?' 'Yes,' was the reply, 'and whipped the "Merri- 
 mac." ' 'Then,' he rejoined, 'I care not what becomes of me.' " 
 
 The above is miswritten history, and no facts justify such statements; 
 they have misled our country. 
 
 The next morning (Sunday, March 9th) after an early breakfast, a 
 consultation was held, the command having devolved on the gallant, able 
 and courageous Catesby Ap. R. Jones, than whom none deserved more 
 honor for bravery and cool daring, and under whose supervision, as execu- 
 tive officer, the construction of the armament of the ship was completed. It 
 was decided to complete the destruction of the now almost abandoned 
 "Minnesota," even while our ship was taking water freely at the opening 
 in her bow, caused from the loss of the cast-iron prow left in the "Cumber- 
 land" when we ran into her. Our pumps had been kept busy during the 
 night relieving the ship of water. However, we got under way, making 
 for the "Minnesota," when suddenly we grounded on what is known as the 
 
History of the " Merrimac-Virginia." 
 
 Middle Ground of Hampton Roads, and there we stuck for two or three 
 hours. But before we had grounded, the "iMonitor" was discovered com- 
 ing out from where the "Minnesota" lay aground, appearing to us, as she 
 has been called, "a cheese-box," or a "tin can on a shingle." It was not 
 long beiore she was recognized as the Ericsson "Monitor," and we opened 
 fire upon her with our bow-rifle, but with no effect. Straight on she came 
 toward us, and when in good position let loose her heavy guns, giving us a 
 good shaking up. '1 hus she continued circling around us, and every now 
 and then throwing the heavy missiles against our sides. We, in response, 
 as she passed around, brought every gun aboard our ship to bear upon her. 
 It was now "Greek meeting Greek;" iron against iron. Hundred-pound 
 shot rattled against the mailed and impenetrable sides of the combatants 
 in this tremendous duel and glanced off like hail Never before had ships 
 met carrying such heavy guns. From both vessels the firing was executed 
 with great rapidity and with equal skill, with but little effect on either side. 
 However, our weak points seemed to be known to tlie com.mander of the 
 "Monitor," and so well did he attack these, that soon on the starboard 
 midship, over the outboard delivery, he so bent in our plating that the 
 massive oak timbers were cracked, and from this and the continued ricochet 
 shots of the "Minnesota" considerable concern was beginning to be felt by 
 our commander and all on board. Soon, however, we were relieved, by the 
 moving of our ship, from the position which, for such tr)'ing minutes, we had 
 occupied. Then, with a settled determination on the part of our commander 
 to run the "Monitor" down, as a last resort, seeing that our shots were in- 
 effective, I was directed to convey to the engine room orders for every man 
 to be at his post. We caught and did run into the "Monitor," and came 
 near running her under the water; not that we struck her exactly at right 
 angles, but \vith our starboard bow drove against her with a determination 
 of sending her to the bottom, and so near did we come to accomplishing 
 our object that from the ramming, and shot of our rifle gun that blinded 
 her commaiuler, she withdrew to shoal water near the "Minnesota," whence, 
 by reason of our heavy draft, we could not follow — never again to offer or 
 accept battle with the "Virginia." After waiting on the ground of our vic- 
 tory, without any signs of her return, for possibly an hour or more, we 
 steamed up to the Navy Yard, receiving the shouts and huzzas of the thou- 
 sands of our people who had witnessed our great triumph. 
 
 I wish to emphasize the facts just related of the purposed collision with 
 the "Monitor" and our desire to repeat it, and of her withdrawal from the 
 field, and her refusal then or thereafter to engage in battle with the "Vir- 
 ginia," notwithstanding this statement is in positive contradiction of the 
 theory generally accepted at the North, and even published in the school 
 
History of the " Merrimac- Virginia." 
 
 histories of to-day. An incident on this point will illustrate the prevalence 
 of an incorrect record of the case. Some jears ago, when in New York, 
 I visited the cyclorama illustrating this light, then on exhibition. When, dur- 
 ing the course of his lecture on the subject tO' the spectators, the manager 
 made statements that were not facts, I interrupted him and called his atten- 
 tion to the same. He asked me v>hat i knew about it. I answered that I 
 vvMS an officer on board the "Virginia," and he politely requested an inter- 
 view with me. After finishing his talk he came to me and said he was v/ell 
 aware of the errors he was circulating, but that in order to make his show 
 popular he was forced to state what he did. 
 
 By 4 o'clock we were back in the dry dock at the Navy Yard. The 
 grand old ship was a picture to behold. You could hardly put your hand 
 on a spot on the sides, or smokestack, that had not been battered by the 
 shot of our enemy. 
 
 Large improvements to the "Virginia" were made under the super- 
 vision of Commodore Tatnall, of Georgia, who had assumed command, 
 owing to the disability of Commodore Buchanan, these improvements con- 
 sisting of a new wrought iron prow, port covers, etc. When completed, 
 she went down to Old Point and offered battle to the "Monitor" and all the 
 great wooden war-ships of the U. S. Navy, including the "Vanderbilt," 
 which ship had been specially brought forward to accomplish her destruc- 
 tion. We manned, carefully, four small steamers fully equipped to capture 
 the "Monitor" If she came within reach, and while one or more of these 
 boats might have been destroyed, so well was our late antagonist's build then 
 understood, had either reached her, she would, in my judgment, have been 
 captured. Neither "Monitor" nor any one of the large ships the U. S. 
 Government had ordered there would come out from under the guns of 
 Fortress Monroe, while one of our steamers, the "Jamestown," was sent 
 in near Hampton and captured three schooners loaded with hay and grain, 
 and brought them safely to Norfolk. After cruising about. In challenge for 
 battle, without having it accepted, the Commodore, showing signs of dis- 
 gust, ordered a gim fired to the windward, and returned to the buoy off 
 Sewell's Point, and anchored for the night. The next day we came to 
 Norfolk for some repairs to the boiler. A few days thereafter, having 
 completed our repairs, we heard heavy firing, and received orders to go 
 to the aid of our batteries at Sewell's Point that were being bombarded by 
 the "Monitor" and other ships. We were soon under way and steered 
 directly for the "Monitor" and others, then shelling at the Point; but as 
 we approached they ceased firing and retreated below the forts, we follow- 
 ing until we exchanged several shots with the Rip Raps. With consider- 
 able disappointment. Commodore Tatnall ordered the ship back to her buoy 
 
History of the " Merrimac- Virginia." 
 
 at Sewell's Point. The next day, or soon thereafter, we noticed our bat- 
 teries were not flying our flag, and upon learning the cause we found that 
 Norfolk, was being evacuated, thus ending the necessity of holding our 
 present position. The next thing to do was either to go out to sea, which 
 all agreed to do, if permitted, or go up the James River. Positive orders 
 were received to come up to Richmond. Upon consultation with the pilots it 
 was learned that if we could lighten the ship enough to let her draw four 
 or five feet less, we could get over the bar. This action was agreed upon, 
 and all were set to work heaving over the ballast and other articles, in 
 order to bring her up to eighteen feet draught. We learned by 1 2 o'clock 
 Saturday night that we could not get up the river for some reason, and now 
 being exposed by having some two feet of the wooden hull out of the water, 
 nothing was left but to destroy the ship, in order to keep her from falling 
 into the hands of the enemy. She was then run aground, above Craney 
 Island, and the work of destruction commenced. We had but two boats to 
 land our large crew safely on shore; consequently we had to leave all our 
 personal eftects on board the steamer. I was one of ten selected to destroy 
 the ship, and held the candle for Mr. Oliver, the gunner, to uncap the 
 powder in the magazine to insure a quick explosion, and, necessarily, was 
 among the last to leave her decks. A more beautiful sight I never beheld 
 than that great ship on fire, flames issuing from the port-holes, through the 
 gratings and smokestack — the conflagration was a sight ever to be remem- 
 bered. Thus closed the life, on Saturday night. May 12, 1862, of our 
 gallant ship. Our crew landing Sunday morning, possibly about 4 o'clock, 
 we had to march to Sufl'olk, arriving that night, having been without food 
 since Saturday noon. We took the train and arrived at Richmond the next 
 day, and were ordered to Drewry's Blufl, and there we prevented the enemy 
 from reaching Richmond, stopping the progress of the entire fleet, including 
 the "Monitor" that had refused to meet the same men when on the decks 
 of the "Virginia" before her destruction. With considerable loss to them, 
 and but little to us, we drove the entire fleet back down the river. 
 
 The following minute account of the great combat by a foreigner and 
 a disinterested witness should put at rest forever the oft-repeated assertion 
 that the "Monitor" defeated the "Virginia." The French ship was at 
 anchor between Sewell's Point and the Rip Raps; and her commander had 
 a good view of all that transpired, and his plain statements conclusively 
 prove that the "Monitor" did not obtain a victory over the "Virginia." 
 
 The commander of the "Gassendi," a French man-of-war, who wit- 
 nessed the combat, made a report to his government, from which the follow- 
 ing are extracts: 
 
History of the " Merrimac- Virginia." 
 
 "On the morning of the 8th, light breeze from the N.N.W. ; 
 very fine weather; sHght ebb tide. About 12:40, a mass, having the 
 appearance of a barrack's roof surmounted by a large funnel, appeared 
 at the entrance of Elizabeth River, a little inside of Sewell's Point. 
 Every one recognized the 'Merrimac' immediately, which, accom- 
 panied by two gunboats, the 'Beaufort' and the 'Raleigh,' advanced 
 slowly toward the channel of Hampton Roads. After several evolu- 
 tions, executed doubtless to assure herself of the good working of her 
 machinery, the 'iMerrimac' seemed for an instant to turn back toward 
 Norfolk; but in a short time after she boldly started again on her 
 course at an apparent speed of six knots, standing for the Federal sail- 
 ing frigates 'Cumberland' and 'Congress,' anchored at the entrance of 
 the James River. The two gunboats remained at the entrance of the 
 Elizabeth River to watch the movement of the Federal vessels an- 
 chored off Fortress Monroe. 
 
 "The Federal naval force at the anchorage consisted of the screw 
 frigate 'Minnesota,' for more than a month cleared for action, with 
 steam up; of the screw frigate 'Roanoke,' also cleared for action, but 
 which an inexplicable negligence had allowed to remain for four months 
 with her main shaft broken, and which tried to deceive the enemy by 
 a useless blowing off of steam; of the sailing frigate 'St. Lawrence,' 
 which had arrived the day before to replace the 'Cumberland' at New- 
 port News, and which had anchored at quite a distance outside; of 
 two three-masted ships, each armed with six cannon. There were be- 
 sides four gunboats, paddle-wheel or screw; half a dozen tugboats 
 (each carrying a 30-pounder Parrott), and an equal number of ferry 
 boats. Not one of these vessels appeared to notice the arrival of their 
 formidable enemy In the Roads, and it was more than a quarter of an 
 hour after her appearance that a shot fired by one of the gunboats 
 announced that she was in sight. 
 
 "At about I :30 the 'Minnesota' hoisted her jib and started at 
 moderate speed, aided by a tugboat towing by the starboard side. 
 The 'Roanoke,' towed by two tugboats, followed her more slowly still. 
 Having arrived near the Rip Raps the 'Minnesota' stopped and ran 
 out lines as though to take the 'Roanoke' in tow; but she soon appeared 
 to relinquish that, and about 2 o'clock she at length started at a speed 
 of seven or eight knots standing toward Newport News, where the en- 
 gagement took place. Her tugboat (the 'Dragon'), then went to the 
 aid of the 'Roanoke,' which continued to advance slowly, her three 
 tugs being unable without great difficulty to make her stem the current. 
 
History of the " Merrimac-Virginia." 
 
 "The paddle-wheel gunboat 'Whitehall' and the screw gunboat 
 'Mystic,' bore off toward Newport News also, but they took a very 
 minor part in the fight. As these vessels came abreast of Sewell's Point 
 battery that battery opened fire on them. They replied to it; hut this 
 fire at long range (about 2,500 meters), to which was added that of 
 the Rip Raps, could but produce an insignificant effect. 
 
 "About 2 :30 the 'Minnesota' ran aground on the shoals north 
 of Hampton Middle Ground, a mile from Newport News. The 
 Southern batteries and gunboats fired upon her at long range. The 
 'Roanoke,' fearing, doubtless, to take ground also, which her want of 
 speed rendered imminent, then changed her course and, spreading her 
 sails, came back to the anchorage off the Fortress, where she arrived 
 about 4 o'clock. The tugs went to the aid of the 'Minnesota.' The 
 'Mystic' came back to the anchorage also about the same hour, and the 
 frigate 'St. Lawrence,' which up to that time had steadily proceeded 
 toward the scene of the engagement, imitated likewise the maneuver 
 of the 'Roanoke' and 'Mystic' 
 
 "The 'Merrimac,' however, had continued to direct her course 
 toward the frigates which she wished to destroy. The two gunboats 
 had rejoined her and at 2 o'clock she was at the entrance of the James 
 River. She was immediately greeted by a violent cannonade from the 
 two frigates and from the batteries of Newport News. The Con- 
 federate battery at Pig Point replied. The fight was then hidden from 
 us in a great measure by the point, which allowed us to see only the 
 masts of the frigates; but we were able to estimate the force of the 
 fire, which during a quarter of an hour, particularly, was of the hottest. 
 We could see the entrance of the river constantly swept in all direc- 
 tions by the shot that ricochetted, and the strength of the detonations 
 indicated to us that they were guns of the heaviest caliber, which were 
 testing the armor of the 'Merrimac' This vessel, after having deliv- 
 ered a broadside at the 'Congress,' the nearest of the two frigates, 
 advanced toward the 'Cumberland,' whose formidable battery might 
 well be dreaded, and struck her amidships at a speed of four or five 
 knots, partially breaking her ram. After drawing off two ships' lengths, 
 and having delivered a second broadside at the 'Congress,' the 'Merri- 
 mac' a second time rammed the 'Cumberland,' which sank almost imme- 
 diately. It was then about 2 130. It would seem that this second blow 
 was unnecessary. 
 
 "The two steamers, 'Yorktown' and 'Jamestown,' which, having 
 descended the James River, awaited a little higher up the moment of 
 
History of the " Merrimac- Virginia." 
 
 attack, after having opened lire upon the 'Congress' in passing, ap- 
 peared in Hainpton Roads and engaged in a very sharp fight with the 
 two Federal gunboats and the stranded 'Minnesota.' 
 
 "The 'Merrimac' reappeared also outside the point, fired alter- 
 nately at the 'Congress' and the batteries of Newport News, while 
 the Southern gunboats did likewise. Toward 3 o'clock that frigate 
 hoisted her jib, sheeted home her topsails, ran forward a ship's length 
 and grounded immediately on the sand banks south of the entrance 
 of the river. Almost at the same instant she struck her colors, which 
 she replaced by a white flag and a little later she hoisted another at 
 the mainmast. 
 
 "It was at this time that the following incident occurred, of which 
 the Southern papers complain : 
 
 "So soon as the white flag had announced to the Confederates 
 the surrender of the frigate, they ceased firing and one of their gun- 
 boats, the 'Raleigh,' approached her and ran alongside of her on the 
 starboard side to take off the officers and to tell the crew to go ashore 
 in their boats; but at the moment that the gunboat in good faith came 
 alongside, the frigate guns fired by the Federals hid in the edge of 
 the woods and some also from the 'Congi-ess' killed and wounded many 
 officers and sailors of the 'Raleigh.' Some men, even on the 'Con- 
 gress,' were struck by balls coming from the land. This incident, of 
 which the Confederates have bitterly complained, has been copied by 
 the majority of the Northern newspapers; not one has contradicted it. 
 One of them (the Nezv York Herald, of the 14th) has, on the con- 
 ti"ary confirmed it. 
 
 "The 'Merrimac' continued to fire at the batteries of Newport 
 News up to the moment that the 'Raleigh' drew off from the 'Con- 
 gress' (about 4 o'clock). All of them drew near to the 'Minnesota' 
 which, still aground and slightly inclined to starboard and surrounded 
 by three or four gunboats, exchanged shots at long range with the 
 'Yorktown' and 'Jamestown.' The 'Roanoke' was already en route for 
 the anchorage. The 'St. Lawrence,' which arrived on the scene of 
 action, took part but for a short time, and everything looked as though 
 the resistance of the 'Minnesota' could not be prolonged. 
 
 "However, the shallowness of the water did not permit the 
 'Merrimac' to draw near to the frigate and the other vessels were of 
 too slight a build to expose themselves near her powerful battery. 
 
 "The combatants appeared, besides, exhausted by the emotions 
 and fatigue of a continued sti-uggle of more than three hours. Per- 
 
History of the " Merrimac-Virginia." 
 
 haps the Confederates, almost sure of taking the frigate on the mor- 
 row, did not wish to damage the hull nor the machinery too much. 
 However it may be, the fire slackened a great deal. About 6 o'clock it 
 had entirely ceased and the vessels disappeared little by little in the 
 fog which obscured the horizon. At 7:30 the 'Congress' was on fire 
 and blew up at midnight with a tremendous report. The Confederates 
 had succeeded, besides, in cutting out in the James River and taking 
 to Norfolk the water tank 'Reindeer,' which alone supplied the fort 
 and vessels with water. 
 
 "Everything seemed desperate on the evening of the Sth, and a 
 general panic appeared to take possession of everyone. The terrible 
 engine of war, so often announced, had at length appeared, and in an 
 hour at most had destroyed two of the strongest ships of the Union, 
 silenced two powerful land batteries and seen the rest of the naval 
 force, which the day before blockaded the two rivers, retreat before 
 her. Several vessels changed their anchorage and all held themselves 
 in readiness to stand out to sea at the first movement of the enemy. 
 Eveiything was in confusion at Fortress Monroe; ferry boats, gun- 
 boats and tugboats were coming and going in all directions; drums and 
 bugles beat and sounded with unusual spirit. Fortress Monroe and 
 the battery of the Rip Raps exchanged night signals without inter- 
 mission. In spite of the assistance of half a dozen steamers, the 'Min- 
 nesota' could not succeed in getting alloat again, and I learned that a 
 council of war held on the subject even entertained for a moment the 
 thought of burning her. Already seven or eight guns had been thrown 
 overboard, and some others spiked, when about 8 :40 the 'Monitor' 
 (Ericsson battery) arrived, which was to save the 'Minnesota' and the 
 rest of the vessels at the anchorage. 
 
 "The sending of this new auxiliary restored the shaken confi- 
 dence. She immediately directed her course toward the place where 
 the frigate was stranded and anchored beside her. The Confederate 
 vessels had taken their position under Sewell's Point, and the night 
 passed without incident, each one waiting with impatience the results 
 of the trial of the morrow. 
 
 "On the morning of the 9th, slight breeze from the east; very fine 
 weather; light fog. 
 
 "At daylight, at the entrance of the Elizabeth River, the Con- 
 federate vessels were seen under steam, the 'Minnesota' still unmov- 
 able, and to the left of her, scarcely visible, a small black mass, sur- 
 mounted by a curl of smoke. 
 
History of the " Merrimac- Virginia." 
 
 "At 8 o'clock the fog completely dispersed. The 'Merrimac,' pre- 
 ceded by the 'J^'iiestown' and 'Yorktown,' stood for the Federal 
 frigate. The lighter vessels commenced the attack, but the little black 
 mass had put itself in motion and soon a cloud of smoke and the noise 
 of two loud reports apprised the gunboats with whom they had to 
 deal. They were then seen to abandon the attack and retire under the 
 batteries of Sewell's Point, leaving the 'Merrimac' to defend alone 
 the honor of their young flag. The 'Minnesota,' occupied in efforts to 
 get herself afloat, only took part in the fight at long intervals, and the 
 action resolved itself into a veritable duel between two batteries. They 
 engaged in the fight at first at loug range, but the two enemies were 
 not slow in coming together, each one striving to find the weak spot in 
 the armor of her adversary. In this contest of naval tactics, entirely 
 in a narrow channel of little depth, the 'Monitor,' whose draft is not 
 half that of the 'Merrimac,' had an enormous advantage over the latter. 
 Sure of her workings she could run at full speed, approach or retire, 
 as she judged best, without fear of running aground. The Confederate 
 battery, on the contrary, could not move nor perform any evolutions 
 except with the greatest precaution, in spite of the evident great skill 
 of her pilot. 
 
 "At the commencement of the action she grounded and remained 
 immovable for a quarter of an hour. However, the fight continued 
 with an equal ardor. Several times in their evolutions the two adver- 
 saries fired upon each other at a distance of a few meters, and in spite 
 of their powerful batteries the projectiles bounded off perfectly harm- 
 less, apparently. 
 
 "Once the 'Merrimac' ran into the 'Monitor,' but whether her 
 ram had been completely broken the day before or whether it was 
 placed too high, she struck her enemy at the water-line and produced 
 only a slight depression on the powerful armor plating which pro- 
 tected that part. Shortly after, the flagstaff of the 'Merrimac' was 
 shot away by a ball, and the tops in the Roads, as well as the ramparts 
 of the fortress, saluted this accident with frantic hurrahs as a victory. 
 But soon a sailor appeared on the gratings, showing at the end of a 
 staff the flag which had for an instant disappeared. 
 
 "Two or three times the Ericsson battery drew near to the 'Min- 
 nesota' and stopped firing to cool her guns. The frigate then fired a 
 broadside at the 'Merrimac,' which replied with energy, and one of her 
 balls struck the boiler of the tugboat 'Dragon,' which, moored alongside 
 of the stranded vessel, held herself in readiness to take her in tow. The 
 boiler exploded, causing the 'Dragon' to sink, scalding and wounding 
 several men. 
 
History of the " Merrimac-Virginia." 
 
 "At length, about 12 :30, after four hours of fighting, the 'Merri- 
 mac' started for SeweU's Point. 
 
 "The 'Monitor' came up to the 'Minnesota' and a little while 
 after all the Confederate flotilla returned to Norfolk. 
 
 "During the following night the stranded frigate was gotten afloat, 
 and at 2 A. M. of the 10th, one of the gunboats, which had talcen part 
 in the light, the 'Whitehall,' took fire and blew up at two cable lengths 
 from the 'Gassendi.' At daylight the 'Minnesota' and the 'Monitor' 
 anchored in the Roads. 
 
 "I'he 'Merrimac' appeared to me to have received 50 to 60 shot. 
 The funnel was literally riddled, and the flagstaff shot away. None of 
 the shot had made a very serious impression. The first iron plate of 
 the armor, sometimes the second, was broken, but nowhere was the 
 armor penetrated. Owing to the slope of the sides, even when the 
 iron would break under the blow, there was no internal bending of the 
 entire structure as nearly always happened to the Ericsson battery. The 
 unbroken plate remained almost intact. However, from the concussion 
 caused by two shots, one at the edge, the other below the water-line, a 
 piece of wood flew off inside, but the vessel did not make water in either 
 case. The sloping arrangement of the separate, and not very wide 
 plates, fastened on the inside by nut-bolts, allowed the 'Merrimac' to 
 be promptly repaired. 
 
 "During the morning of the 9th a ball from the 'Monitor' parted 
 her ('Merrimac's') chain a little below the hawse-hole, the anchor 
 dropped and the chain, violently driven inward, seriously wounded a 
 man. A gun was broken at the muzzle. They, nevertheless, continued 
 to fire it without accident. 
 
 "It is asserted that at the time of the ramming of the 'Cumber- 
 land' a part of her crew leaped on the roofing of the 'Merrimac,' but 
 they slid off the incline plane and the greater part were drowned. It 
 is doubtless to this incident that the disappearance of 200 men from 
 that ship is due. 
 
 "The 'Monitor' was hit by 23 projectiles. Some shells were 
 thrown by the 'Minnesota' at the 'Merrimac,' and they produced no 
 more effect than a blow of a hammer. The balls from the 'Merri- 
 mac,' especially those fired almost muzzle to muzzle, produced some 
 results. Three cylindro-conical balls fired from the rifle guns made an 
 Indentation nearly four inches deep on the armor plating. Two of 
 them made an equally deep indentation on the inside of the turret, and 
 a man leaning against the inside walls at the place receiving the blow 
 
History of the " Merrimac- Virginia." 
 
 was thrown, forward and wounded. A third projectile struck one of 
 the iron plates of the pilot-house and made such a depression that iron 
 splinters were violently thrown off and blinded the captain, who at 
 that moment was leaning his head against the plate. The other shots 
 which reached the 'Monitor,' and were for the most part round, did 
 not appear to me to have produced a very great effect, those especially 
 which struck the sides perpendicularly; two, however, struck the side 
 at the edge of the deck, lifting and tearing it, causing the iron plates 
 to give way and breaking three of them. The others only produced 
 insignificant effects." 
 
 Surgeon D. B. Phillips, of the "Virginia," reported the casualties of 
 the 8th as follows: 
 
 "Flag-officer F. Buchanan wounded in the left thigh, a minle- 
 ball having passed entirely through the fleshy portion, grazing femoral 
 artery and inflicting a serious wound. Lieut. R. D. Minor wounded in 
 the left side. Midshipman Marmaduke, slight wound on the arm. 
 
 Killed, Charles Dunbar and Waldeck. Wounded, William 
 
 Burkes, seaman; John Capps, Company E, 41st Regiment; A. J. Dal- 
 ton. Company E, 41st Regiment; Emerson Ivas, seaman; and John 
 Leonard, seaman." 
 
 The Federal loss in the battles of the 8th and 9th of March was 201 
 killed and 108 wounded — the Confederate loss, 7 killed and 17 wounded. 
 
 On the 8th and 9th of March, 1862, the Confederate States fleet suc- 
 cessfully encountered and defeated a force equal to 2,960 men and 220 
 guns as follows: 
 
 " Congress," burned, 480 men, 50 guns. 
 
 "Cumberland," sunk, 360 men, 22 guns. 
 
 " Minnesota," riddled, 550 men, 40 guns. 
 
 " Roanoke," driven oiF, 550 men, 40 guns. 
 
 " St. Lawrence," driven ofF, 550 men, 40 gum. 
 
 Two or three gunboats, disabled, 120 men, 6 guns. 
 
 " Monitor," iron-clad, disabled and driven off to 
 
 shoal water, ijomen, 2 guns. 
 
 Forts at Newport News silenced, 200 men, 20 guns. 
 
Officers of the "Virginia. 
 
 Commodore Franklin Buchanan, of Maryland. 
 
 Lieutenant Catesby Ap. R. Jones, .... of Virginia. 
 
 Lieutenant Charles C. Simms, of Virginia. 
 
 Lieutenant Robert D. Minor, of Virginia. 
 
 Lieutenant Hunter Davidson, of Virginia. 
 
 Lieutenant John Taylor Wood, of Louisiana. 
 
 Lieutenant J. R. Egcleston, of Mississippi. 
 
 Lieutenant Walter R. Butt, of Portsmouth, Va. 
 
 Midshipman R. C. Foute, of Tennessee. 
 
 Midshipman H. H. Marmaduke, of Missouri. 
 
 Midshipman H. B. Littlepage, of Virginia. 
 
 Midshipman W. J. Craig, of Kentucky. 
 
 Midshipman J. C. Long, of Tennessee. 
 
 Midshipman L. M. Roots, of Virginia. 
 
 Paymaster, James Semple, of Virginia. 
 
 Surgeon, D. B. Phillips, of Virginia. 
 
 Assistant Surgeon, A. S. Garnett, .... of Virginia. 
 
 Captain of Marines, R. T. Thom, of Alabama. 
 
 Chief Engineer, H. Ashton Ramsey, .... of Virginia. 
 
 Assistant Engineer, John W. Tynan, .... of Virginia. 
 
 Assistant Engineer, Louden Campbell, ... of Virginia. 
 Assistant Engineer, Benjamin Herring, ... of North Carolina. 
 
 Assistant Engineer, E. A. Jack, of Virginia. 
 
 Assistant Engineer, E. V. White, of Georgia, now of Portsmouth, Va. 
 
 Boatswain, Charles H. Hasker. 
 
 Gunner, C. B. Oliver. 
 
 Carpenter, Hugh Lindsay. 
 
 Clerk, Arthur Sinclair, Jr. 
 
 Volunteer Aid, 
 Captain, 
 Acting Master, 
 Pilot, . . 
 Pilot, . . 
 Pilot, . . 
 PUot. . . 
 
 Douglas F. Forrest. 
 
 Thomas Kevill, United Artillery. 
 
 William Parrish. 
 
 William Clarke. 
 
 Hezekiah Williams. 
 
 George Wright. 
 
 Thomas Cunningham. 
 
 Sergeant Tabb, Signal Corps. 
 
^Reflections, 
 
 I may with propriety close my simple description of the two days' battle 
 of the "Virginia," with a few reliections suggested by the events that we 
 have reviewed. 
 
 Thoughtful people of the South have always claimed superiority for 
 the study, mastery and application, of the principles and problems that are 
 involved in our complex system of government, but they have very gen- 
 erally conceded to their Eastern and Northern brethren precedence in the 
 scientific studies underlying inventions and mechanical pursuits, and in the 
 creation of manufactured utilities. This precedence was so generally con- 
 ceded to the North that the impression obtained largely in each section of the 
 country that the people of the South lacked both the disposition and the 
 capacity for the scientific studies and their application to inventive and 
 practical mechanical purposes. 
 
 The popular mind was speedily disabused of this impression by the 
 response that the people of the Southern States made to the unprecedented 
 demands of war upon their inventive forces and their mechanical skill. Lack- 
 ing machinery and the ordinary agencies of production, they put their fruit- 
 ful minds and skillful hands to the raw material available, created machinery 
 and constructed ships and batteries, and manufactured arms and produced 
 all the conditions for maintaining and handling large and effective armies, 
 as though my magic. 
 
 Their mechanical genius and inventive skill were specially exhibited 
 in the opportunity supplied when the P'ederal authorities so suddenly, and 
 in my judgment so needlessly, abandoned the Portsmouth Navy Yard, with 
 its rich equipment of machinery and material. Under these conditions, 
 out of the burnt "Merrimac" was created the iron-clad "Virginia" — a ship 
 that not only fought a great historic battle, but wrought a revolution in 
 the construction of war-ships throughout the world, and supplied, practi- 
 cally, the model upon which the iron-clads of all nations are built. Not the 
 "Monitor," but the "Virginia" suggested the central Idea of the modem 
 cruiser and modern battleship. 
 
 Another reflection Is pertinent here. This occasion supplies an oppor- 
 tunity by which we may learn the compensative side of even internecine 
 strife. Antedating the Civil War there grew up an intense prejudice be- 
 tween the people of the two sections. It was a growth of almost a century, 
 and settled Into a positive and bitter animosity. These unfriendly feelings 
 found expression In the grandest fighting and most desperate courage on 
 
IBRPRY OF 
 
 CONGReSS 
 
 each side. To the superficial observer the wounds inflictc 
 
 healed and the gulf of separation never bridged. This " '' |j.l 3 701 "zW 
 
 ever, was hasty and erroneous, because there were in tl ^ 
 
 the tempers of the parties latent forces of wonderful, molli tying and cura- 
 tive power, 'i'he people, North and South, were honest in their convictions, 
 patriotic in their motives, and, were both unquestionably courageous. 
 
 Harmony and peace — friendship — between such combatants demanded 
 simply that they should know each other. The shock of battle taught them 
 the mettle of which each was made, more thoroughly in four years than 
 the touch of commerce and trade had taught them in a century, and they 
 came out of the strife with more mutual respect and confidence than had 
 existed between them in any period of their history. And to-day the union 
 of hearts and States is more complete than at any time in our national 
 life. 
 
 In the light of such conclusions as these, and in harmony with such a 
 spirit as I have suggested, I have attempted to give you a description of 
 the fight between the "\'irginia" and the fleet of the United States in 
 Hampton Roads in 1862. 
 
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