History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 11

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054

USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 11

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Lieut. Catesby Ap. R. Jones, the "Virgin- ia's" executive officer, says: "We were ac- companied from the yard by the tugs 'Beau- fort.' Lieutenant-Commander W. H. Parker, and 'Raleigh.' Lieutenant-Commander J. W. Alexander. As soon as the firing was heard up the James River. the 'Patrick Henry.' Com- mander John R. Tucker; 'Jamestown,' Lieu- tenant-Commander J. N. Barney, and the tug 'Teaser,' Lieutenant-Commander W. A. Webb. under command of Capt. John R. Tucker, stood down the river, joining us about 4:00 o'clock. All these vessels were gallantly fought and handled, and rendered valuable and effective service. The prisoners from the "Congress stated that when on board that ship it was seen that we were standing up the river.

that three cheers were given under the im- pression that we had quit the fight. They were soon undeceived. When they saw us heading down the stream, fearing the fate of the "Cumberland,' they slipped their cable -. made sail and ran ashore bows on. We took a position off her quarter about two cables length distant, and opened a deliberate fire. Very few of her guns bore on us and they were soon disabled. The other batteries continued to play on us, as did the 'Minnesota.' then aground about one and one-half miles off. The 'St. Lawrence' also opened on us shortly after. There was great havoc on board the ‘Con- gress.' She was several times on fire. Her gallant commander. Lieut. Joseph B. Smith. was struck in the breast by a fragment of . shell and instantly killed. The carnage was frightful. Nothing remained but to strike their colors, which they did. They hoisted the white flag, half-masted, at the main and at the spanker gaff. The 'Beaufort' and 'Ral- eigh' were ordered to burn her. They went alongside and received several of her officers and some 20 of her men as prisoners. The officers urgently asked permission to assist their wounded out of the ship. It was granted. They did not return. \ sharp fire of mus- ketry from the shore killed some of the pri -- oners and forced the tugs to leave. A boat was sent from the 'Virginia' to burn her. cor- ered by the 'Teaser.' A fire was opened on them from the shore and also from the 'Con- gress,' with both of her white flags flying. wounding Lieutenant Minor and others. We replied to this outrage upon the usages of civ- ilized warfare by re-opening on the 'Congress' with hot shot and incendiary shell. ller crew escaped by boats, as did that of the 'Cumber- land.' Canister and grape would have pre- vented it : but in neither case was any attempt made to stop them, though it has been other- wise stated, possibly from our firing on the shore or at the Congress."

"We remained near the 'Congress' to pre- vent her recapture. Hlad she been retaken it might have been said that the flag officer per-

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

mitted it, knowing that his brother was an offi- cer of that vessel.

"The 'Patrick Henry' received a shot from the shore in one of her boilers and had to be towed out of the fight. She, however, soon returned and was again hotly engaged. A distant and unsatisfactory fire was at times had at the 'Minnesota.' The gunboats also en- , gaged her. We fired canister and grape occa- sionally in reply to musketry from the shore, which had become annoying. About this time the flag officer was badly wounded by a rifle- ball and had to be carried below. His bold ciaring and intrepid conduct won the admira- tion of all on board. The executive and ord- nance officer, Lieut. Catesby Ap. R. Jones, succeeded to the command. The action con- tinued until dusk when we were forced to seek an anchorage. The 'Congress' was riddled and on fire. A transport steamer was blown up. A schooner was sunk and another captured. We had to leave without making a serious at- tack on the 'Minnesota,' though we fired at her as we passed on the other side of the Mid- dle Ground, and also at the 'St. Lawrence.' The latter frigate fired at us by broadsides- not a bad plan for small calibres against iron- clads, if concentrated. It was too dark to aim well. We anchored off our batteries at Sewell's Point. The squadron followed. The 'Congress' continued to burn. 'She illumin- ated the heavens and varied the scene by the firing of her own guns and by the flight of her balls through the air,' until shortly after midnight, 'when her magazine exploded and1 a column of burning matter appeared high in the air, to be followed by the stillness of death.'" I well remember that even after the excitement and work of the day. many of our soldiers remained on the beach to witness the explosion, and a grand spectacle it was !

Of the appearance of the "Monitor." Lieu- tenant Jones says : "One of the pilots chance:1 about 11:00 P. M. to be looking in the direc- tion of the 'Congress' when there passed a strange-looking craft, brought out in bold re- lief by the brilliant light of the burning ship.

which he at once proclaimed to be the 'Erics- son.' We were, therefore, not surprised in the morning to see the 'Monitor' at anchor near the 'Minnesota.' The latter ship was still aground. Some delay occurred from send- ing our wounded out of the ship; we had but one serviceable boat left. Admiral Buchanan was landed at Sewell's Point.

"At 8:00 A. M. we got under way, as did the 'Patrick Henry,' 'Jamestown' and 'Teaser.' WVe stood toward the 'Minnesota' and opened fire on her. The pilots were to have placed us half a mile from her, but we were not at any time nearer than a mile. The 'Monitor' com- menced firing when about a third of a mile dis- tant. We soon approached and were often within a ship's length; once, while passing, we fired a broadside at her only a few yards dis- tant. She and her turret appeared to be under perfect control. Her light draft enabled her to move about us at pleasure. She once took position for a short time where we could not bring a gun to bear on her. Another of her movements caused us great anxiety ; she made for our rudder and propeller, both of which could have been casily disabled. We could only see her guns when they were discharged ; immediately afterward the turret revolved rap- idly and the guns were not seen again until they were again fired. We wondered how proper aim could be taken in the very short · time the guns were in sight. The 'Virginia,' however, was a large target, and generally so near that the 'Monitor's' shot did not often miss. It did not appear to us that our shel! had any effect upon the 'Monitor.' We had no solid shot. Musketry was fired at the look- out holes. In spite of all the care of our pilots we ran ashore, where we remained over 15 minutes. The 'Patrick Henry' and 'James- town,' with great risk to themselves, started to our assistance. The 'Monitor' and 'Minne- sota' were in full play on us. A small rifle- gun on board the 'Minnesota.' or on the steamer alongside of her, was fired with re- markable precision. When we saw that our fire made no impression on the 'Monitor' we

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

determined to run into her if possible. We found it a very difficult feat to do. Our great length and draft in a comparatively narrow channel, with but little water to spare, made us sluggish in our movements, and hard to steer and turn. When the opportunity pre- sented, all steam was put on; there was not, however, sufficient time to gather full head- way before striking. The blow was given with the broad wooden stem, the iron prow having been lost the day before. The 'Moni- tor' received the blow in such a manner as to weaken its effect, and the damage was to her trifling. Shortly after, an alarming leak in the bows was reported. It, however, did not long continue.

"Whilst contending with the 'Monitor' we received the fire of the 'Minnesota,' which we never failed to return whenever our guns could be brought to bear. We set her on fire and did her serious injury, though much less than we then supposed. Generally the distance was too great for effective firing. We exploded the boiler of a steamer alongside of hier.

"The fight had continued over three hours. To us the 'Monitor' appeared unharmed. We were. therefore, surprised to see her run off into shoal water where our great draft would not permit us to follow, and where our shell could not reach her. The less of our prow and anchor, and consumption of coal, water. etc., had lightened us so that the lower part of the forward end of the shield was awash. We for some time awaited the return of the 'Mon- itor' to the Roads. After consultation it was decided that we should proceed to the Navy Yard, in order that the vessel should be brought down in the water and completed. The pilots said if we did not then leave that we could not pass the bar until nowon of the next day. We therefore, at 12:00 M. quit the Roads and stood for Norfolk. Had there been any sign of the 'Monitor's' willingness to re- new the contest we would have remained to fight her. We left her in the shoal water, to which she had withdrawn, and which she did

not leave until after we had crossed the bar on our way to Norfolk.

"None were killed or wounded in the fight with the 'Monitor.' The only damage she did was to the armor. She fired 41 shots. We were able to receive most of them obliquely. The effect of the shot striking obliquely on the shield was to break all the iron and some- times to displace several feet of the outside course; the wooden backing would not be broken through. When a shot struck directly at right angles the wood would also be broken through, but not displaced. Generally the shot were much scattered; in three in- stances two or more struck near the same place, in each case causing more of the iron to be displaced and the wood to bulge inside. A few struck near the water-line. The shield was never pierced, though it was evident that two shots striking in the same place would have made a large hole through armor, wood- en backing and everything. The ship was docked ; a prow of steel and wrought iron put on and a course of two-inch iron on the hull below the roof, extending in length 180 feet. Want of time and material prevented its com- pletion. The damage to the armor was re- paired ; wrought iron port-shutters were fitted. etc. The rifle-guns were supplied with bolts of wrought and chilled iron. The ship was brought a foot deeper in the water, making her 23 feet."

The combat between the "Virginia" and "Monitor" was one of the grandest and most thrilling sights I ever witnessed. I saw it from the beach in front of our battery on Sewell's Point, where both vessels were in full view. The day was clear and bright with just enough wind to make wavelets on the Roads I move toward us in regular and measured suc- cession. I could see the puff of smoke from the port-holes of the vessel. hear the boom of the cannon, then watch the solid shot which had glanced from the iron shield of the ship, richocheting over the surface of the water and sinking as its force was spent near our shore.

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

Grand! sublime! magnificent! Awful! was the wrestle of these terrible iron monsters in deadly conflict, like some fabled leviathans out of the broad, deep seas. There, was the world's most radical change in naval warfare -there, was the passing of wooden men-of- war-there, was the greatest event in all the history of marine engagements. It had no parallel in all the annals of time. But one year before was published "Ordnance and Naval Gunnery." by Lieut. E. Simpson, U. S. N .. designed as a text-book for the United States Naval Academy, which said: "Iron vessels are utterly unfit for war." and giving the comments of Sir Howard Douglass on the French ship "La Gloire." and the British "Warrior" summed up that, "The opinion of this great authority is, that there is not much to be feared from these iron-clad monsters." Alas! for the theories of these distinguishedl writers: here they were buried in the waters of Hampton Roads in the bright sunlight of a Sabbath day without hope of resurrection. A brilliant and magnificent victory for the "Virginia!" The North was overwhelmed with consternation and dread while the South was jubilant over the results of the great bat- tle. President Davis reported to the Confed- erate Congress on the Ioth of April this brill- iant triumph.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, April 10, 1862.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States:

I herewith transmit to Congress a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, covering a detailed report of Flag-Officer Buchanan of the brilliant tri- umph of his squadren over the vastly superior forces of the enemy in Hampton Roads, March 8 and 9 last. JEFFERSON DAVIS.

COMBAT OF THE VIRGINIA AND MONITOR.

NAVY DEPARTMENT. RICHMOND, VA., April 7. 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith copy of the detailed report of Flag-Officer Buchanan of the brilliant triumph of his squadron over the vastly su- perior forces of the enemy in Hampton Roads, on March 8 and o last. a brief report by Lieutenant Jones of the battle of the 8th having been previously made.

The conduct of the officers and men of the squad- ron in this contest reflects unfading honor upon them- selves and upon the navy. The report will be read with deep interest, and its details will not fail to arouse the ardor and nerve the arm of our gallant seamen.

It will be remembered that the "Virginia" was a novelty in naval architecture. wholly unlike any ship that ever floated; that her heaviest guns were equal novelties in ordnance ; that her motive power and her obedience to her helm were untried: and her officers and crew strangers comparatively to the ship and each other, and yet, under all these disadvantages. the dash- ing courage and consummate professional ability of Flag-Officer Buchanan and his associates achieved the most remarkable victory which naval annals record.

When the flag-officer was disabled the command of the "Virginia" devolved upon her executive and ord- nance officer, Lieut. Catesby Ap. R. Jones, and the cool and masterly manner in which he fought the ship in her encounter with the iron-clad "Monitor" justified the high estimate which the country places upon his pro- fessional merit. To his experience, skill and untiring industry as her ordnance and executive officer the ter- rible effect of hcr fire was greatly due. Her battery was determined in accordance with his suggestions, and in all investigations and tests which resulted in its thor- ough efficiency he was zealously engaged.

The terms of commendation used by the flag- officer in characterizing the conduct of his officers and men meet the cordial indorsement of the Department, and the concurrent testimony of thousands who wit- nessed the engagement places his own conduct above all praise.

With much respect, your obedient servant, S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy.

TO THE PRESIDENT.

REPORT OF FLAG-OFFICER FRANKLIN BUCHANAN, C. S. NAVY.

NAVAL HOSPITAL, NORFOLK, VA., March 27, 1862. SIR: Having been confined to my bed in this building since the 9th instant, in consequence of a wound received in the action of the previous day. I have not had it in my power at an carlier date to pre- pare the official report, which I now have the honor to submit. of the proceedings on the 8th and gth in- stant of the James River Squadron, under my com- mand. composed of the following-named vessels : Steamer "Virginia," flag-ship. ro guns; steamer "Pat- rick Henry," Commander John R. Tucker. 12 guns ; steamer "Jamestown." Lieutenant-Commanding J. N. Barney, two guns; and gunboats "Teaser." Lieutenant- Commanding W. . A. Webb; "Beaufort." Lieutenant- Commanding W. Il. Parker; and "Raleigh." Lieuten- ant-Commanding J. W. Alexander, each one gun. Total. 27 guns.

On the 8th instant, at II A. M .. the "Virginia" left the Navy Yard (Norfolk), accompanied by the "Raleigh" and "Beaufort." and proceeded to Newport News. to engage the enemy's frigates "Cumberland" and "Congress," gunboats and batteries. When within

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

less than a mile of the "Cumberland," the "Virginia" commenced the engagement with that ship with her bow-gun, and the action soon became general, the "Cumberland." "Congress." gunboats and shore bat- teries concentrating upon us their heavy fire, which was returned with great spirit and determination. The "Virginia" stood rapidly on toward the "Cumberland." which ship I had determined to sink with our prow if possible. In about 15 minutes after the action com- menced we ran into her on her starboard bow. The crash below the water was distinctly heard, and she commenced sinking, gallantly fighting her guns as long as they were above water. She went down with her colors flying.

During this time the shore batteries. "Congress" and gunboats kept up their heavy concentrated fire upon us, doing us some injury. Our guns, however, were not idle ; their fire was very destructive to the shore batteries and vessels, and we were gallantly sustained by the rest of the squadron.

Just after the "Cumberland" sunk, that gallant officer. Commander John R. Tucker, was seen stand- ing down the James River under full steam, accom. panied by the "Jamestown" and the "Teaser." They came nobly into action and were soon exposed to the heavy fire of the shore batteries. Their escape was miraculous, as they were under a galling fire of solid shot, shell, grape. and canister, a number of which passed through the vessels without doing any serious injury except to the "Patrick Henry," through whose boiler a shot passed. scalding to death four persons and wounding others. Lieutenant-Commanding Barney promptly obeyed a signal to tow her out of the action. As soon as damages were repaired the "Patrick Henry" returned to her station and continued to perform good service during the remainder of that day and the fol- lowing.

Having sunk the "Cumberland." I turned our at- tention to the "Congress." We were some time in getting our proper position in consequence of the shoal- ness of the water and the great difficulty of managing the ship when in or near the mud. To succeed in my object I was obliged to run the ship a short distance above the batteries on the James River in order to wind her. During all the time her keel was in the mud; of course she moved but slowly. Thus we were subjected twice to the heavy guns of all the batteries in passing up and down the river, but it could not be avoided. We silenced several of the batteries and did much injury on shore. .A large transport steamer alongside the wharf was blown up, one schooner sunk and another captured and sent to Norfolk. The loss of life on shore we have no means of ascertaining.

While the "Virginia" was thus engaged in getting her position for attacking the "Congress," the prison- crs state it was believed on board that ship that we had hauled off. The men left their guns and gave three cheers. They were soon sadly undeceived, for a few minutes after we opened upon her again, she having run on shore in shoal water. The carnage. havoc and dismay caused by our fire compelled them to haul down their colors and to hoist a white flag at their gaff and half-mast and another at their main.

The crew instantly took to their boat, and landed. Our fire immediately ceased, and a signal was made for the "Beaufort" to come within hail. I then or- dered Lieutenant-Commanding Parker to take pos- session of the "Congress," secure the officers as pris- oners, allow the crew to land, and burn the ship. He ran alongside, received her flag and surrender from Commander William Smith and Lieutenant Pendergast. with the side-arms of those officers. They delivered themselves as prisoners of war on board the "Beau- fort." and afterward were permitted at their own re- quest to return to the "Congress" to assist in moving the wounded to the "Beaufort." They never returned. and I submit to the decision of the Department whether they are not our prisoners. While the "Beau- fort" and "Raleigh" were alongside the "Congress." and the surrender of that vessel had been received from the commander. she having two white flags flying. hoisted by our own people, a heavy fire was opened upon them from the shore and from the "Congress," killing some valuable officers and men. Under this fire the steamers left the "Congress," but as I was not informed that any injury had been sustained by those vessels at that time. Lieutenant-Commanding Parker having failed to report to me, I took it for granted that my order to him to burn her had been executed, and waited some minutes to see the smoke ascending from her hatches. During this delay we were still subject to the heavy fire from the batteries, which was always promptly returned.

The steam frigates "Minnesota" and "Roanoke" and the sailing frigate "St. Lawrence" had previously been reported as coming from Old Point, but as 1 was determined that the "Congress" should not again fall into the hands of the enemy. I remarked to that gallant young officer. Flag-Lieutenant Minor, "That ship must be burned." He promptly volunteered to take a boat and burn her, and the "Teaser." Lieutenant- Commanding Webb, was ordered to cover the boat. Lieutenant Minor had scarcely reached within 50 yards of the "Congress" when a deadly fire was opened upon him, wounding him severely and several of his men. On witnessing this vile treachery. I instantly recalled the boat and ordered the "Congress" destroyed by hot shot and incendiary shell. About this period I was disabled, and transferred the command of the ship to that gallant, intelligent officer. Lieut. Catesby Jones, with orders to fight her as long as the men could stand to their guns.

The ships from Old Point opened their fire upon u.s. The "Minnesota" grounded in the north channel, where. unfortunately, the shoalness of the channel pre- vented our near approach. We continued, however, In fire upon her until the pilots declared it was no longer safe to remain in that position, and we accordingly re- turned by the south channel ( the Middle Ground being necessarily between the "Virginia" and "Minnesota." and the "St. Lawrence" and the "Roanoke" having re- treated under the guns of Old Point ). and again had an opportunity of opening upon the "Minnesota." re ceiving her heavy fire in return, and shortly afterward upon the "St. Lawrence," from which vessel were re ceived several broadsides.

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

It had by this time become dark and we soon anchored off Sewell's Point. The rest of the squad- ron followed our movements, with the exception of the "Beanfort," Lieutenant-Commanding Parker, who pro- ceeded to Norfolk with the wounded and prisoners as soon as he had left the "Congress," without report- ing to me. The "Congress." having been set on fire by our hot shot and incendiary shell, continued to burn, her loaded guns being successively discharged as the flames reached them, until a few minutes past midnight, when her magazine exploded with a tre- mendous report.

The facts above stated, as having occurred after I had placed the ship in charge of Lieutenant Jones, were reported to me by that officer.

At an early hour next morning ( the 9th), upon the urgent solicitations of the surgeons. Lieutenant Minor and myself were very reluctantly taken on shore. The accommodations for the proper treatment of the wounded persons on board the "Virginia" are exceed- ingly limited. Lieutenant Minor and myself occupying the only space that could be used for that purpose, which was in my cabin. I therefore consented to our being landed on Sewell's Point, thinking that the room on board vacated by us could be used for those who might be wounded in the renewal of the action. In the course of the day Lieutenant Minor and myself were sent in a steamer to a hospital at Norfolk.

The following is an extract from the report of Lieutenant Jones of the proceedings of the "Virginia" on the 9th :

"At daylight on the 9th we saw the 'Minnesota' was still ashore, and that there was an iron battery near her. At 8 o'clock we ran down to engage them (having previously sent the killed and wounded out of the ship), firing at the 'Minnesota' and occasionally at the iron battery. The pilots did not place us as near as they expected. The great length and draft of the ship rendered it exceedingly difficult to work her. We ran ashore about a mile from the frigate, and were backing 15 minutes before we got off. We continued to fire at the 'Minnesota.' and blew up a steamer alongside of her, and we also engaged the 'Monitor,' and sometimes at very close quarters. We once suc- ceeded in running into her, and twice silenced her fire. The pilots declaring that we could get no nearer the 'Minnesota.' and believing her to be entirely disabled. and the 'Monitor' having run into shoal water, which prevented our doing her any further injury, we ceased firing at 12 (o'clock ) and proceeded to Norfolk.

"Our loss is two killed and 19 wounded. The stem is twisted and the ship leaks. We have lost the prow, starboard anchor and all the boats. The armor is somewhat damaged; the steam-pipe and smoke- stack both riddled: the muzzles of two of the guns shot away. It was not easy to keep a flag flying. The flag-staff- were repeatedly shot away. The colors were hoisted to the smoke-stack and several times cut down from it.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 11

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1054

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054