USA > New York > Services of the Tenth New York Volunteers (National Zouaves,) in the War of the Rebellion > Part 5
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The fortunes of war, however, early in the spring, brought a change in the monotony so long brooding at the post. About two o'clock, in the afternoon of March 8th, the garrison was suddenly alarmed by the signal gun on the parade, and immediately afterwards the long roll was sounded. The Zouaves were quickly in line, every man not on the sick list being under arms. The much talked of Merrinuer had suddenly appeared off Sewell's Point, heading direct for Newport News, some six miles from the Fort, with the evident intention of engaging the sailing frigates Congress and Cumberland, which ves-
67
THE MERRIMAC.
sels had been bloekading the mouth of the James River for several months. The regiment was detailed by com- panies to man certain points in the Fort, but remained under arms on the parade until the time should arrive when their services might be needed in such positions.
Meanwhile the Union men-of-war had been engaged by the Merrimac and her tenders, the Yorktown and Jamestown. The mysterious and dreaded stranger bore down upon the Cumberland, in utter disdain of her well- aimed but utterly ineffective shot, and struck her with great foree, opening a hole in her starboard side which sunk her in a very short time, although, to the glory of her commander and erew, she went down with her flag flying and her guns working. The officers and crew yet uninjured saved themselves by jumping overboard and swimming for their lives. She sank nearly to her eross-trees. The number of her crew lost was 120.
The officers of the Congress, aware that she also would be sunk if rammed by the Merrimac, had got all sail set, with the intention of running ashore-the tug- boat Zouare also attempting to assist her. But the Rebel iron-clad surged up, gave the Congress a broad- side, receiving one in return. and then raked the ship fore and aft. This fire was terribly destructive and killed several men. Again the terrible broadsides were exchanged, the shot of the Congress rattling upon the nailed roof of the Merrimac, but causing little if any damage to her. Finally the wooden ship was hopelessly on fire and the National flag was hauled down and a white flag hoisted at the peak. Some of the crew were taken off by a Rebel ing which came alongside, but the balance escaped to Newport News. The loss was about 100 men. The Congress continued to burn until mid-
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TIIE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
night, her loaded guns being discharged as they became heated. At about twelve o'eloek she blew up with a tremendous concussion. About five tons of gunpowder were in her magazines, and the paymaster's safe con- tained about $20,000.
After thus sinking the Cumberland and destroying the Congress, the Merrimac with her consorts stood off towards the steam frigate Minnesota which was aground midway between the Rip Raps and Newport News. This was about five o'clock, p. M. No attempt was made to ram the Minnesota, but the Rebel flotilla threw shells at her from a distance of about a mile. The frigate was fought splendidly, though from her position she was unable to bring many guns to bear. One of her shells set the Yorktown on fire and she was towed off by the Jamestown. Six of the Minnesota's crew were killed and nineteen wounded. About nightfall the Merrimac steamed in under shelter of Sewell's Point.
At Fort Monroe the excitement had been intense during the day, and at nightfall it increased ; there were gloomy apprehensions of what might happen on the next day. The Minnesota seemed to be at the merey of the Rebel iron-clad, and it was feared by a great many that the entire fleet of wooden ships in Hampton Roads, and the Fort itself, might prove help- less against a vessel which had shown itself so terribly destructive. The Tenth was dismissed to quarters about eight, r. M., but a detail from the regiment was after- wards sent out upon the beach, where a strong embank- ment of sand was thrown up during the night around the great " Union gun" mounted here. Great reliance was placed upon this formidable piece of ordnance, and it
69
THE MONITOR.
was believed that one of its five hundred pound shot would put an effectual quietus upon the Merrimac.
But a still stronger ally arrived during the evening. About ten o'clock the Ericcson battery. Monitor, Com- mander John L. Worden, steamed up to the lower dock at Old Point, and began to rapidly take in the tons of huge ammunition which had been awaiting her for several days. Before daylight she headed out to the Minnesota and took position under her bows. The little iron-clad was not at all formidable in appearance. Lying low on the water, with a plain turret amidships, a small pilot house forward, and a diminutive smoke- pipe aft, she might easily at a distance have been taken for a raft of some sort. Her compact strength and means of offensive warfare could only be discovered by examination when on board.
At about six or seven, A. M., of Sunday, the 9th, the Merrimac again appeared. attended by her consorts of the previous day. The latter contained troops, and it was the evident hope of the Confederates to capture the Minnesota, which was still hopelessly aground, by over- powering her crew-thus reserving this fine vessel for their future use. Some time was taken by the Rebel feet in maneuvering-the Merrimae at one time passing the Minnesota and heading towards the Fort. She at length turned and ran up towards the grounded frigate. The Monitor now stood out boldly from under the Min- nexoti's bows, and laid herself nearly alongside the Rebel ram, when the contrast in size was at once observable. Gun after gun was fired by both vessels, neither seeming to be injured by the projectiles. One of the Rebel tender- vame quite near the combatants, but received a reminder
70
THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
in the shape of a thirteen inch shell from the Monitor which ended her usefulness for the time.
The thunder of the huge guns awoke reverberations for miles, and thousands of soldiers watched the manœuvres of these nondescripts from the camps at New- port News and from the walls of Fort Monroe. Several times the Merrimac attempted to ram her opponent, but the superior speed and turning qualities of the Monitor enabled her to avoid the shocks-always giving the Mer- rimac a shot as she surged by. Once the Monitor re- ceived a heavy shock, but she spun around like a top, and, as she regained her bearing, sent a huge missile into her antagonist. Finding that the little raft was in- vulnerable to her attacks, the Merrimac turned her at- tention to the Minnesota, piercing the frigate with her shells and exploding the boiler of the little gunboat Dragon. Commander Van Brunt returned the fire, opening a broadside upon her which, he said, "would have blown out of water any timber-built ship in the world," but it had no effeet upon the Merrimac. Other heavy guns on the Minnesota were also brought to bear, but the solid shot glanced harmlessly from the slanting sides of the ram. The little Monitor now again inter- posed herself between the gladiators, and for perhaps an hour the iron-clads probed each other, sought for weak points and discharged their terrible shot at point blank range. The Merrimac received three shots which seemed to take effect, and at length turned and steamed towards Sewell's Point, followed for a distance by the Monitor.
Thus ended the strange combat, which was destined to work a wondrous revolution in the art of war. During the fight, lasting until about one, p. M., very few casualties
71
RESULTS OF THE ENCOUNTER.
were sustained by either side. Lieut. Worden, of the Monitor, was injured by a splinter.
In the Confederate official report it was said, "Two of our guns (on the Merrimac) had the muzzles shot off, the prow was twisted, and the armor somewhat damaged by her encounter with the Cumberland." In their pub- lished accounts they claimed to have had on the Merrimac only two killed and eight wounded, among the latter Capt. Buchanan and Lient. Miner, and that on the rest of their vessels five were killed and nine wounded.
During the day the National Zouaves stood ready to immediately serve the heavy guns mounted on the ram- parts of the Fort and in the water battery, but no neces- sity required their use. A view of the action was readily had from the ramparts, and the men who manned the barbette guns and those who could be spared from other positions stood hour after hour watching the combat and conjecturing which of the iron-clads would prove the victor. Upon the retirement of the Rebel vessels the regiment was allowed to disperse to quarters.
The gunboat Whitehall, which lay near one of the doeks, took fire during the night and was destroyed, her guns and ammunition exploding and scattering pieces of shell in all directions. A large piece which fell within the Fort, in rather close proximity to Capt. Hopper, is now in his possession.
On the 12th the garrison was again called to arms by the beating of the long roll, and the regiment was in line for about three hours. This time the alarm was caused by the report from the pickets in the neighborhood of Hampton that the enemy was approaching our lines in force, but the report proved to be groundless,
About this time the advance regiments of the Army of
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
the Potomac began to arrive by transports from Wash- ington. After landing they were immediately marched beyond Hampton and towards Great Bethel, where an immense camp was soon formed.
Extract from diary :
" Wednesday, March 19th .- To-day seven regiments arrived here from the Potomac. They are the advance of about 40,000, who are expected to arrive within the next four or five days.
"Thursday, 20th .- Last night and to-day a great many regi- ments have landed from transports and marehed towards Hamp- ton. Early this morning, during the storm, three or four vessels went ashore on the beach, about six miles from the Fort. Com- panies F, G and H marched up there about three, p. M., and were set to work unloading the grounded vessels.
" Friday, 21st .- To-day, at eleven o'clock, Companies A, C and I marched to relieve those who left here yesterday.
" Sunday, 23d .- This morning Company A returned to the Fort, having been hard at work since Friday, P. M. An hour after getting back the regiment was ordered out for review hy Gen. Wool and the Secretary of War, and made a fine appearance in spite of their fatigue.
" Wednesday, 26th .- To-day our regiment marched to Camp Hamilton, where a division review took place. It was a splendid affair. Gen. Wool has issued an order, complimenting the divi- sion, and especially the Tenth Regiment."
On the 4th of April, Gen. Geo. B. MeClellan and his staff arrived at Old Point, and the National Zouaves were ordered to parade and receive him with honors. He entered the Fort about four o'clock, and, after pa- rade, the regiment went through several evolutions he- fore him. He was much interested in the movements. and seemed pleased with the automatic precision with which they were made. The general was on his way to head his army on its march to Yorktown.
During the fall and winter several changes had been
73
SWORD PRESENTATION.
made among the commissioned officers of the Tenth. Maj. John W. Marshall had been promoted to lienten- ant-colonel, vice Elder, deceased, and Capt. John Mis- sing had been made major. Adjt. Fred M. Patrick suc- ceeded Missing as captain of Company E-A. F. Osbon, of Company I, being made adjutant. Several resigna- tions had taken place among the line officers, and in some cases enlisted men had been promoted to commis- sions. Whenever such promotions were made meritori- ously from the ranks the regiment was benefitted, and it would have been well had Col. Bendix followed this rule rigidly, as a few appointments made otherwise caused ill- feeling, and one or two of the appointees did not reflect much credit upon the command.
A new stand of colors was received in the spring, and presented to the regiment with considerable form- ality, on a bright sunny afternoon, by Gen. Wool, as- sisted by Capt. Whipple and Col. Le Grand B. Cannon of his staff. The general made a stirring little speech and the regiment received the colors with rousing cheers and other manifestations of enthusiasm.
The following is an extract from the Fort Monroe correspondence of a New York daily :
"A pleasing little episode occurred last evening at the Fort. At roll-call at retreat, Company I, of the Tenth Regiment New York Volunteers, presented their first-lieutenant, Geo. M. Dewey, with a superb sword, belt, sash and epaulets, as a mark of respect. The present was as unexpected as handsome, and took Lieut. Dewey completely by surprise. The sword is one of the celebrated Solin- gen blades, richly mounted, and bears the following inscription :
' Presented to First- Lieut. GEORGE M. DEWEY, Company 1. Tenth Regiment N. Y. V.
By the members of said company, as a token of esteen. Fortress Monroe, April 28th, 1862.'
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
"The presentation was made in a neat speech by Private Martin Lawless. A singular circumstance connected with this presentation was that the day on which it occurred was the birth- day of Lieut. Dewey, of which fact, however, the company was not aware. The usual convivial time on such occasions was in- dulged in by the officers of the regiment and the members of Company I."
On the 29th of April the Tenth was ordered to pre- pare to leave the Fort. The long expressed desire of the Zouaves was at length to be gratified. The command was to march to Camp Hamilton, and take position there, preparatory, it was rumored, to a general move- ment of some kind, but when, or in what direction, was only surmised. Considerable packing of extra baggage and forwarding home of unnecessary articles was to be done, but the preparations were made with alacrity and considerable exuberance of spirits. On the 30th the regiment underwent its monthly inspection, and formed at two, P. M., on the parade to leave the Fort. The band struck np the popular, and in this case rather significant air, "Ont of the Wilderness," and in a few minutes the Zouaves had left garrison duty behind them, and were on the way to their old camping ground.
The location of the camp now occupied was excellent, being on well-drained ground and near the water. Each company proceeded to make itself as comfortable as possible, and in less than a week the entire camp was a huge flower garden, the triangular spaces between the large Sibley tents being laid out in beds of wild flowers and shrubbery, while the officers' tents were being rapidly surrounded with the same beautiful decorations. The stay here was short, however, for on the sth of May came orders for a movement of most of the force at this point.
PERIOD III.
NORFOLK-UPON THE CHICKAHOMINY -- THE "SEVEN DAYS" CONFLICT.
It was evident that Gen. McClellan's advance towards Richmond by way of the Peninsula would be materially aided by the passage of our vessels up the James River, but this stream was virtually closed to us by the dread of the Merrimac. President Lincoln was in favor of a movement upon Norfolk, the capture of that city seem- ing to be the only way of driving the iron-elad from the locality and opening a passage for our fleet up the James. Preparations for this movement had been in progress for several days, although the secrecy in which they were enveloped prevented a general knowledge of the intention. The President himself, attended by members of his cabinet, was at Fort Monroe on the morning of the 8th of May, and early on this day the Merrimac again made her appearance, as though scent- ing danger.
The Union gunboats moved ont towards Sewell's Point, and a heavy fire was opened, our fleet mandu- vering with considerable skill and endeavoring to draw the Rebel ram into such a position that the Monitor might engage her, while other vessels could run her down. But she obstinately kept out of harm's way and at length retired. Our gunboats then reconnoitred with the view of discovering a place opposite the Fort bost adapted to the landing of troops for the contemplated
75
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
advance upon Norfolk. Lynnhaven Bay was eventually decided upon.
The plan, as now developed, was to embark all the available troops in the vicinity of the Fort upon a fleet of empty canal boats lying at Old Point, and with these light draught transports to make a landing at Ocean View, in the cove or bay just mentioned. By thus gain- ing a foothold here, the works at Sewell's Point would be turned and operations could be had against the city. President Lincoln personally advised Gen. Wool as to the details, and he is credited with the practical idea of turning the humble canal boats to good account in this important movement.
The National Zouaves, with other regiments, struck tents on the 8th, packed their knapsacks, and, with two days rations and a double amount of ammunition, marched a short distance from camp and remained under orders all night. They returned to camp next morning (9th), but at four, p. M., they were again on the march, moving to Old Point and embarking on the canal boats. The advance force, consisting of the 10th, 20th and 99th New York, the 16th Massachusetts, with a portion of the New York Mounted Rifles and three batteries of light artillery, were under the immediate command of Brig. - Gen. Max Weber. Under tow of several steamers the odd looking fleet moved out about mid- night, the officers and men of the Tenth being in high spirits and full of the novelty of the situation and the expectation of at length engaging in active work.
Hampton Roads was crossed and the disembarkation in Lynnhaven Bay commeneed about daylight-Capt. Davis' Battery and the 20th New York Volunteers be- ing the first to land. This advance was immediately
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THE MARCH TO NORFOLK.
pushed forward, the balance of the force, including the Tenth, following as soon as possible. Upon reach- ing Tanner's Creek the 20th was greeted with several shots from a Rebel battery and found the bridge on fire. Gen. Weber, not being supplied with materials to rebuild it, was forced to take another and more cir- cuitous road. Gen. Wool now came up with the Tenth and other regiments and assumed the direction of affairs, the National Zouaves taking the advance and retaining it until the fortifications outside of the city were reached, just before five o'clock, P. M. They were found to be evacuated. At this juncture a select committee of the Common Council of Norfolk, headed by Mayor Lamb, met Gen. Wool, who was accompanied by Secretary Chase, and surrendered the city to the National arms. President Lincoln had crossed Hampton Roads with the transports, but did not land.
A bivouac of the troops was made here for the night. Two companies of the Tenth, D and E, Capts. Miner and Patrick, were ordered forward to the city. Under the command of Maj. Missing they entered about dark. with drums and fifes playing "Yankee Doodle," and headquarters were established at the Custom House. Patrols were immediately sent out and details made to guard important points. Capt. Patrick, as acting Pro- vost Marshal, received from the Mayor the official trans- for of Confederate property. A portion of the Mounted Rifles were also employed during this first night on the environs.
The intrenchments outside of the city, where our regiment had bivonacked for the night, bore signs of a burried evacuation, and the smoke and flames were still ascending from the barracks which the enemy had fired.
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
Guards were thrown out, fires built and coffee and salt pork were soon emitting their savory odors-both offi- cers and men quickly afterwards losing themselves in dreamless sleep on the cool bosom of mother earth.
The troops under Gen. Wool had made a rapid and long forced march during the day, and by the celerity of its execution had precipitated the hasty abandonment of the fortifications and both Norfolk and Portsmouth, although the evacuation had evidently been contem- plated by the Rebel authorities upon their first know- ledge of our intended movement.
The day had been as hot as northern July, and the march of over fifteen miles, with heavy knapsacks and accoutrements and an extra supply of ammunition, told severely upon the troops. The Tenth carried an addi- tional uniform, besides the other paraphernalia of a sol- dier's outfit, and, whenever a halt had taken place, the men had hastened to rid themselves of the articles that conld best be spared from their loads. Considerable nervous haste was shown in some cases, however, and blankets, overcoats, extra shoes, underclothes, and even envelopes and postage stamps were left along the road. Luckily they were recovered by the wagons and ambu- lances following. Water was not to be had, except at one or two halting places, and thirst added its pangs to the heat and fatigue, the dust arising in such clouds as almost to stifle the column. To say that the men of our regiment were fatigued by this, their first bona-fide day's march, would be poorly expressing the truth, and it was with a yell of mingled triumph and relief that they at length entered the intronehments and planted the regimental colors on the works.
At about ten o'clock the next morning (11th) the
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OCCUPATION OF THE CITY.
regiment moved from its bivouac and marched towards Norfolk, entering it about noon. Our soldiers seemed to be objects of curious and eager inspection by the in- habitants, who had evidently been led to believe that the Yankee soldiers were semi-barbarous and lacking in everything appertaining to civilized life. A few women exhibited a rather masculine and vicious spirit in their remarks and actions, and the young and growing scions of chivalry along the streets cheered shrilly for Jeff. Davis, but little attention was paid to these incivilities by the Zouaves. The command halted for an instant at the Custom House and saluted with three rousing cheers the National color of the regiment, which had been hoisted on that building by the detachment sent into the city the previous evening. This flag was the first United States color flung to the breeze in Norfolk since secession had taken Virginia from the Union. Within an hour or two afterwards the main portion of the Tenth were occupying Fort Norfolk, immediately upon the river.
The Portsmouth Navy Yard and works (directly op- posite Norfolk) were in flames, having been fired by the enemy under Gen. Huger before retiring. Efforts to ex- tinguish the fire were unavailing, and ships, gunboats, workshops and machinery were totally destroyed. The city of Norfolk was now under martial law, and Gen. Wool appointed Gen. E. L. Viele Military Governor.
On the night of the 10th, while the troops were biv- onacking in the intrenched line, the iron-clad Merrimac was fired by the Rebels, and after burning for some time, blew up with a thunderous roar a little before five o'clock in the morning. Thus ended the eventful career of the Confederate ram. The waters of Hampton Roads
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THE NATIONAL ZOUAVES.
were again a safe harbor and the James River was open to our navigation.
The various companies of the Tenth Regiment were within two or three days distributed to Fort Norfolk, Craney Island, the Marine Hospital, and other points in the vicinity, where they remained until May 20th, when the entire regiment went into eamp at Portsmouth, hav- ing been relieved from duty at the above posts by the 99th New York Volunteers.
During the short time of the Zouaves' encampment at this last-named place, considerable latitude was allowed, and frequent visits were made by the soldiers to Nor- folk, oftentimes by running the guard without passes- the uniform becoming a conspicuous and frequent object in the streets of the city. The dress parades of the regi- ment at its camp became a feature, and were witnessed by numbers of the citizens each afternoon, the splendid appearance of the command and the exactness of its evolutions forcing encomiums from the sometimes not very friendly observers of both sexes.
It must be confessed, however, that the Zouaves were quick to drop some of the more rigid points of discipline so long observable during their stay in Fort Monroe, and many pranks were cut by the soldiers, who were unloosed by the relaxation from garrison surveillance. The hot rays of a Virginia May sun soon suggested a riddance of all superilnous dress and covering, many of the boys even divesting themselves of their hair ! A few having had their heads shingled rather more closely than had hitherto obtained, a brisk rivalry ensued, ending in unheard of berber-isms. Heads were shaved by skillful tonsorial comrades-one of the regiment rejoicing in a bald head with the figure " 10" in bold relief on its front.
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ASSIGNED TO THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Another showed the legend " N. Z." in hair on his bare crown; and yet another followed with the ornamentation of a star against an otherwise perfectly naked ground- work of skin.
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