USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.1 > Part 10
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I beg to be permitted to speak in the highest terms
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
of commendation of the patriotism and zeal displayed by the citizens in rendering assistance, and of the energy which characterized the commissary and quar- termaster departments under the embarrassing circum- stances of their immediate organization.
The engineer department, under the control of Colonel Talcott, deserves every commendation.
On the 23rd day of April, 1861, Gen. Wat- ter Gwynn assumed command of this depart- ment. He was appointed by Gov. John Ellis to command the North Carolina State troops and was relieved from duty here by Gen. Ben- jamin Huger on the 28th day of May.
THE BATTLE OF SEWELL'S POINT.
The first engagement in Virginia on the Igth day of May, 1861. at the beginning of the war is called the "Battle of Sewell's Point." At II o'clock Sunday morning a detachment of the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues under Lieut. Thomas Nash, Jr., and a detachment of the Norfolk Juniors under Lieutenant Holmes were ordered from Boush's Bluff to Sewell's Point for duty. The Columbus ( Georgia) Light Guard, Capt. P. H. Colquitt, and the Woodis Rifles, Capt. William Lamb, had pre- ceded these from Ocean View. General Gwynn was on hand directing the construction of an earthwork. By 5 o'clock P. M., three guns were mounted and while the work was rapidly progressing the United States steamer "Monti- cello," which had run over from Old Point the day before, fired a shot at the workmen, which struck the battery and threw the turf high in the air. All was confusion for a moment ; but immediately preparation was made to return the fire with two 32-pounders, and two rifled cannon brought up and manned by the Woodis Rifles. Captain Colquitt was in command and called for a Virginian to raise his Georgia flag on the ramparts. Maj. William E. Taylor promptly responded and unfurled it in defiance of the "Monticello's" attack. The first gun was fired by a detachment of the Juniors under Thaddeus Gray, who acted with conspicuous gallantry during the whole affair, although every man acted bravely and stood to their
posts like veteran soldiers. The "Monticello" fired rapidly but wildly, most of her shots fly- ing wide of the mark. After a brisk engage- ment, the ship turned her stern to the fort and with five holes in her was towed back to Old Point. Although the Fort was struck several times, none of the defenders was injured; but Private Alexander Sykes of the Wise Light Dragoons, on picket some distance away, was slightly wounded on the leg by the fragment of a bursting shell. He was the first soldier wounded in the State. The beautiful flag which waved in triumph over the Fort in the second battle of the Confederate States was presented to the City Light Guards by Miss Ellen Ingraham, of Columbus. Georgia, one of the most lovely and beautiful daughters of our sister State of Georgia. This affair, though sinall, was the forerunner of the great battles which ploughed Virginia's fields from her Eastern sands to the mountain tops of her Western limits. This was the first battle and the only battle of the Provisional Army of the State government ; and the first battle of Hamp- ton Roads.
Hampton Roads is the name given to the broad expanse of water between the mouth of the James River and the entrance into Chesa- peake Bay. Newport News Point, on the north side of the river, and Pig Point on the south, at the junction of the Nansemond River with the James, may be considered as marking the mouth of the James River. Between these two points the distance is about five miles. Craney Island lies at the mouth of the Elizabeth River, some six or seven. miles east of Pig Point. Sewell's Point is about the same distance north of Craney Island. These four points. there- fore, from nearly a parallelogram. Old Point is five miles north of Sewell's Point, the scene of the battle.
Captain Colquitt's official report, dated May 19, 1861, to Major-General Gwynn, command- ing the forces at Norfolk Harbor, says :
SIR :- I have the honor to report to you an engage- ment this evening between the Confederate troops, con-
SHIP
LIGHT
Cape Charles 5
(TAVE)
:EL
Fisher man's I
1
SI
O .
-
CHESAPEAKE
--
Hampton
Camp
FORTRESS Old Point Comfint MONROC
2
Hip Raps " Federal Battery
Willoughby's
1
Camp'S Butler
Batteriea
Pt
Sewell's Pt.
Middle ยท Ground
Content for Batterien
Lire of 13 feet of worth
Lynn Haven
Cape Henry
(Confed
( Batteries
LIGHT
D
Craner I
Tanner
NANSENON RIVER
Confed
Batteries
WISESHW
Confederate Battery
HAMPTON ROADS AND APPROACHES.
Fort Norfolk
Bruge NORFOLK
Showing the scene of the battle between the MONITOR and the
2
MERRIMACKICS SVIRGINIA).
PORTSMOUTH Gosport Navy Yard
Statute Miles
0
.
A REPRINT OF A MAP OF THE BATTLE-GROUND OF HAMPTON ROADS,
JAMES
RIVER
Newport News Pt)
...
Pfederal
HAMPTON ROADS
21
AND WAS Mi fait of the . Horseshoe
orted?
.. ELIZABETHR
Conted Bityse
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
embrasures, and immediately I ordered a shot to be ! fired over them. The rebels immediately hoisted a white flag (mistake .--- Ed.) with some design on it. and fired a shot that cut the fore-spencer vangs near the gaff I immediately went to quarters and returned their fire, which was continued by them. I expended 15 stand of grape. 12 10-inch shot, 32 Io-inch shell, 10 shell for 32-pounders, and 45 32-pound shot. making a total of TI4 shots, which I think did some execution among the rebels. I only desisted for want of ammu- nition, having onl : 5 8-pound charges remaining for the pivot gun. I regret that want of ammunition com- pelled me to retire, as I am satisfied that I could have silenced the battery in a short time. I cannot too highly praise the courage and patriotism of the officers and men under my command. They acted nobly and with great coolness during the repeated firing. as above will show. The action continued from 5:30 P. M. to 6:45 P. M .. a duration of an hour and fifteen minutes. The battery is masked, thirteen embrasures having been erected behind a sand bank.
The rebels had three rifled cannon and fired several volleys of minie balls, which struck the ship. The ship was struck five times by rifled cannon shot in the hull and upper works. The damage can be repaired by ourselves. I herewith enclose the report of the medical officer of this ship, by which you will perceive that two men were slightly wounded during the action.
Commander D. L. Braine reported to Cap- tain Eagle that after the Monticello had fired a number of times the steamer "Thomas Free- born" came along and Commander Ward came on board, that he went with Commander Ward in his boat to the "Thomas Freeborn," and took it, at his request, in as close to the earth- works as he thought necessary. Commander Ward then fired a number of shots from his forward gun. a heavy 32-pounder, which did some slight injury to the embrasure. "There were some twelve or fourteen shots fired in all and the 'Thomas Freeborn' then withdrew from her position, and returned to Hampton Roads." While on board the "Freeborn," Commander Braine did not see any armed men in the battery nor any pieces of ordnance.
Gen. Robert E. Lee in his report to Gov- ernor Letcher, dated June 11. 1861, of the mili- tary and naval preparations for the defense of Virginia, from the period of her separation from the United States government to the date of transfer of military operations of the State to the Confederate government says :
"Six batteries have been erected on the Elizabeth' River to guard the approaches to Norfolk and the Navy Yard. They mount 85 guns, 32-pounders and 8 and 9-inch colum- biads.
"The frigate 'United States' has been pre- pared for a shoal ship, provided with a deck battery of nineteen guns, 32-pounders and 9- inch columbiads, for harbor defense. The frigate 'Merrimac' has been raised and it is in the dry dock and arrangements are made for raising the 'Germantown' and 'Plymouth.'
"In addition to the batteries described, other works have been constructed for their land defense, exceeding. in many instances, the works on the batteries themselves. An exten- sive line of field works has been erected for the security of Norfolk on the sides toward the bay.
At many other points, as will be seen from the report, the great commander in an incredi- bly short time had made wonderful progress with the defenses of Virginia.
Report of the armanent of batteries around Norfolk and Portsmouth, October 29th, 1861. .
SEWELL'S POINT.
For defense of the river-
32-pounders, 61 cwt 1
32-pounders, 57 cwt 7
32-pounders. rifled 3
IX 6-19
Interior defenses-
32-pounders, 61 cwt 6
32-pounders, 27 c'wt I
42-pounders, carronades 3-10
-
Total 20
FORT NORFOLK.
IX S
32-pounders, 61 cwt
2
32-pounders, 57 cwt 2
32-pounders, 27 cwt. 2
IS-pounders, 4.737 pounds I
Total 15
FORT NELSON.
32-pounders, 57 cwt 8
32-pounders, 51 cwt 5
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
8-inch guns, 55 cwt 2 -- 15
November report adds one gun, rifled ( English) I
Total
16
* PINNER'S POINT.
32-pounders, 57 cwt 7
32-pounders, 42 cWt 4
Total II
LAMBERT'S POINT.
32-pounders, 37 cwt 0
8-inch gun, 63 cwt
I
Total IO
NEW BATTERY, NEAR PINNER'S POINT (NOW PORT
NORFOLK).
32-pounders, 61 cwt. 1
TANNER'S CREEK.
32-pounders, 62 cWt 3
42-pounders, carronades 2
Total 5
BOUSH'S BLUFF.
32-pounders, 42 cwt. 5
ENTRENCHED CAMP.
32-pounders, 61 cwt . 15
42-pounders, carronades
Total 29
FORREST ENTRENCH MENTS.
32-pounders, Gr cwt. .16
DEVOTION OF THE CONFEDERATE WOMEN.
Heroines of no era have given the world a higher standard of devotion than the Con- federate women. Amid the stirring and excit- ing times which marked the beginning of war in Norfolk County they tendered to the soldiers a welcome to their homes and offered any as- sistance within their power for the cause of the South. The ladies of the Episcopal churche, in Norfolk gave notice to the soldiers who were encamped in and near Norfolk that they
would be at Christ's Church lecture room every morning from 9 to 12 o'clock, to receive any work,-either making, washing, or mending clothing. Out on the country farms sewing circles were formed and uniforms were made for entire companies from the cloth furnished by the county. An association of ladies was formed in Portsmouth called the "Sisters of . Mercy" to nurse the soldiers in the hospital, like angels of mercy. All were untiring in their good offices and their charming voices. with unstinted praise for patriotism, made every man a soldier.
How truly has Whitcomb Riley spoken of . their graces and power: "I think the reason the Southern women have such deliciously soft voices may be traced to the deference of the men. Southern men look upon their women as angels.
"When a Southern man's wife or daughter begins to talk she doesn't have to yell for the purpose of attracting his attention or getting him to stop his story and give her a chance. When a Southern woman speaks. the Southern man is silent and attentive. He listens to her words as if they were honey dropping to his lips. This attitude of respect upon the part of the man for the woman, which seems to be universal through the South. makes the South- ern woman the gentle, sweet-voiced creature that she is," and as she is. I may add. makes the man a hero and Christian gentleman.
There is a United States survey steamer named the "Endeavor." The former name of this steamer was the "Lady Davis," so named because the ladies of this section furnished the money to build it for the Southern Confeder- acy; many sacrificed their jewelry to raise the money. It was built on W. H. Graves' marine railway, on the Eastern Branch of the Eliza- beth River, but was never used by the Con - federacy, as the Northern army captured it on the stocks and appropriated it to their own use. It is 125 feet keel, 18 feet beam and ro feet deep. and is used in coast survey work under the seamanship of Captain Young. 1
CHAPTER VI
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY-Continued
THE GREAT BATTLE OF HAMPTON ROADS-DESTRUCTION OF THE "CUMBERLAND AND """CONGRESS"- FAMOUS CONFLICT OF THE IRON-CLADS-VICTORY OF THE " VIRGINIA " OVER THE " MONITOR "-DIFFERENT REPORTS OF THE FIGHT-OFFICERS OF THE " VIRGINIA "-EVACUATION OF NORFOLK COUNTY BY THE CONFEDERATE FORCES.
Under the Confederate rule there were : ships. The effect of the battery guns was not two masked batteries constructed on Sewell's known at the time but the reports of the Fed- eral captain give an account of the damage from this battery. Point, --- one of four guns on Doyle's farm just opposite tlie Rip Raps or Fort Wool, formerly Fort Calhoun, which was never unmasked; the other, defended by two 32-pounder rifle- bore cannon located on the sand hill site be- tween the pavilion and hotel at Norfolk-on- the-Roads, was walled up with heavy timbers and covered with several layers of railroad iron .. These guns were smooth-bore 32-pound- ers which had been left at the Navy Yard when Commodore McCauley evacuated it; and afterward the Confederates converted them into rifle-bores with a range of three miles. This battery, garrisoned by the Jackson Greys, was unmasked on the day of the great histori- cal naval battle and engaged the United States men-of-war as they passed up from Old Point toward Newport News. A shell from a gun on the Rip Raps entered the embrasure of the right hand gun and wounded Lieut. William C. Wallace and Private Alexander B. Cooper. The range of these guns was much greater than that of any on the ships. for the latters' broadsides fired at the battery fell far short, while our shells reached and went over the
The log of the U. S. S. "Roanoke" says : "At 2:30, coming in range of Sewell's Point battery they opened fire and several shot and shell passed over and fell around this ship. One rifle shot passed through the foresail and cut away a shroud on each side of the fore rigging ; put on stops at once. The forward pivot-gun was trained on Sewell's Point bat- tery and fired, but fell short."
The log of the U. S. S. "Minnesota" : "At I :30 went to quarters. At 2:00, when off Sew- ell's Point, the enemy opened fire on us, which was immediately responded to by this ship. One of the enemy's shot took effect upon the mainmast. We immediately fished and se- cured it with a hauser over the masthead. Captain Van Brunt of this ship in his official report says: "While passing Sewell's Point the rebels there opened fire upon us from a rifle battery, one shot from which going through and crippling my mainmast. I re- turned the fire with my broadside guns and forecastle pivot." The log of the U. S. S.
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
"St. Lawrence": "At 5:25, passing Sewell's Point, the batteries opened on us, firing some half dozen shot and shell, one of which passed over our quarter deck forward the mizzenmast and just clearing the bows of the whaleboat, another carrying away the starboard quarter- block foreyard." Capt. H. Y. Purviance of this ship reported that : "At half past two we got under way in tow of the 'Cambridge,' and, when abreast of the rebel battery at Sevi - ell's Point, the battery opened fire, one of the shells exploding under the forefoot of the 'St. Lawrence,' doing, however, no material in- jury. The fire was returned and it is be- lieved with sonte effect." Captain Purviance was greatly mistaken, for not one shot or shell .from the ships reached near the shore and the only damage done to our battery was from a Sawyer shell which came from the Federal battery on the Rip Raps. Opposite to Fort Monroe at a distance of 1.900 yards between that fortification and our battery at Sewell's Point is Fort Wool, formerly Fort Calhoun. but more generally known as the Rip Raps. It is an artificial island made by throwing overboard rocks from vessels on the shoal water with a depth of 20 feet. The sound made by the pieces of stone thrown from the vessels while making the artificial foundation for this fort when the heap neared the surface of the water, was "rip! rap!" "rip! rap!" hence the popular name "Rip! Raps!" The official change of the name from that of the able and distinguished South Carolinian to that of the Federal general could not wipe out the name which came from the "rip raps" of the rocks. -These Federal officers were also mistaken : about solid shot, for the only ammunition used by our battery was shell.
And now let ns hear about the "Virgin- ia's" victories. When two men fight and one cries "enough!" he who cries is whipped. When two men clinch in a fight and one dis- entangles himself and runs away beyond the reach of his antagonist, lie who runs is whipped. The "Virginia" and "Monitor" were in close contact ; the "Monitor" drew off
to shallow water out of the reach of the "Vir- ginia," and dared not return to the contest. The "Virginia" was victorious, the "Monitor" was defeated. It takes brazen effrontery to claim a victory for the "Monitor" under the true version of the battle.
The "Virginia" left the Navy Yard at II:00 o'clock A. M. on March 8, 1861, and ' steamed down the river past our batteries, through the obstructions, across Hampton Road. to the mouth of the James River, where, off Newport News, lay at anchor the
C. S. S. "VIRGINIA" IN DRY DOCK.
frigates "Cumberland" and "Congress." pro- tected by strong batteries and gunboats. The action commenced about 3:00 P. M. by firing the bow-gun at the "Cumberland," less than a mile distant. A powerful fire was immedi- ately concentrated upon the "Virginia" from all the batteries afloat and ashore. The frig- ates "Minnesota." "Roanoke" and "St. Law- rence," with the other vessels started immedi- ately from Old Point. The "Virginia" fired at the "Congress" in passing, but continued to head directly for the "Cumberland." which vessel she had determined to run into, and in less than 15 minutes from the fire of the first gun rammed hier just forward of the star- board fore-chains. There were heavy spars about her bows, probably to ward off tor- pedoes, through which the "Virginia" had to break before reaching the side of the ship. The noise of the crashing timbers was distinct-
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
ly heard above the din of the battle. There was no sign of the hole above water. It must have been large, as the ship soon commenced to careen. The shock to the "Virginia" on striking was slight. She immediately backed the engines. The blow was not repeated. The "Virginia" lost her prow and had her stem slightly twisted. The "Cumberland" fought her gunis gallantly as long as they were above water. She went down bravely. with colors flying. One of her shells struck the sili of the bow-port of the "Virginia" and ex- ploded : the fragments killed two and wounded a number. The "Virginia's" after nine-inch gun was loaded and ready for firing. when its muzzle was struck by a shell which broke it off and fired the gun. Another gun also had its muzzle shot off : it was broken so short that at each subsequent discharge its port was set on fire. The damage to the armor was slight. The enemy's fire appeared to be aimed at the "Virginia's" ports. Had it been concentrated at the water-line she would have been seri- ously hurt,' if not sunk. Owing to the ebb tide and her great draft, she could not close with the "Congress" without first going up stream and then turning, which was a tedious operation, besides subjecting her twice to the full fire of the batteries, some of which she silenced.
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. LA. 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 cables. 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 a 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. A sharp fire of mus- ketry from the shore killed some of the pris- oners and forced the tugs to leave. A boat was sent from the 'Virginia' to burn her. cov- 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. Her 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. Had she been retaken it might have been said that the flag officer per-
-
80
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 thie firing of her own guns and by the flight of her balls through the air,' until shortly after midnight, 'when her magazine exploded and 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 chanced 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 easily 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 she !! 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- gin on board the 'Minnesota.' or. on the steamier alongside of her. was fired with re- markable precision. When we saw that our fire made no impression on the 'Monitor' we
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