USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.1 > Part 12
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Commander John R. Tucker, of the "Patrick Henry." Lieutenant-Commanding J. N. Barney. of the "Jamestown," and W. A. Webb. of the "Teaser." deserve great praise for their gallant conduct through- out the engagement. Their judgment in selecting their positions for attacking the enemy was good: their con- stant fire was destructive. and contributed much to the success of the day. The general order under which the squadron went into action required that. in the absence of a signal. each commanding officer was to exercise his own judgment and discretion in doing all the damage he could to the enemy, and to sink be- fore surrendering. From the bearing of those officers on the 8th I am fully satisfied that that order would have been fully carried out. Commander Tucker speaks highly of all under him. and desires particularly to notice that Lieut .- Col. Callender St. George Noland. commanding the post at Mulberry Island. on hearing of the deficiency in the complement of the "Patrick Henry," promptly offered the services of 10 of his men as volunteers for the occasion. one of whom, George E. Webb. of the Greenville Guard, Conimander Tucker regrets to say. was killed. Lientenant-Commanding Barney reports that every officer and man on board of the ship performed his whole duty, evincing a courage and fearlessness worthy of the cause for which we are fighting.
Lieutenant-Commanding Webb specially notices the coolness displayed by Acting Master Face and Third Assistant Engineer Quinn when facing the heavy fire of artillery and musketry from the shore whilst the "Teaser" was standing in to cover the boat in which. as previously stated, Lieutenant Minor had gone to burn the "Congress." Several of his men were badly wounded.
The "Raleigh" early in the action had her gun carriage disabled. which compelled her to withdraw. As soon as lie had repaired damages as well as he could. Lieutenant-Commanding Alexander resumed his posi- tion in the line. He sustained himself gallantly during the remainder of the day, and speaks highly of all un- der his command. That evening he was ordered to Norfolk for repairs.
The "Beaufort," Lieutenant-Commanding Parker. was in close contact with the enemy frequently during the day and all on board behaved gallantly. Lieuten- ant-Commanding Parker expresses his warmest thanks to his officers and men for their coolness. Acting Mid- shipman Foreman, who accompanied him as volunteer aid. Midshipmen Mallory and Newton, Captain's Clerk Bain and Mr. Gray, pilot, are all specially mentioned by him.
On the 21st instant I forwarded to the Depart- ment correct lists of the casualties on board all the vessels of the squadron on the 8th; none. it appears. occurred on the oth.
While in the act of closing this report I received the communication of the Department, dated 2end in- stant, relieving me temporarily of the command of the
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squadron for the naval defense of the James River. I feel honored in being relieved by the gallant Flag- Officer Tatnall.
I much regret that I am not now in a condition to resume my command, but trust that I shall soon be re- stored to health, when I shall be ready for any duty that may be assigned me.
Very respectfully. FRANKLIN BUCHANAN, Flag-Officer.
HON. S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.
HISTORY of the
WORLD FAMOUS BATTLE SHIP
MERRIMAC-VIRGINIA. 1855 to 1862.
A PERSONAL REMINISCENCE.
The U. S. Str. "Merrimac" was a steam frigate. Her hull was built at Boston, Massa- chusetts, hier engines at Cold Springs. New York, and she was placed in commission in 1855. Early in 1856 she was officered and manned-with . a crew of 650 specially se- lected men and an armament of 50 guns. She was estimated to represent the best type of war ship then known, and was sent to Euro- pean waters as a specimen of the finest naval architecture then afloat, and from reports of her royal entertainment abroad .she unques- tionably proved to be all the United States government had claimed for her. Returning after a four years' successful cruise she was put out of commission at the Portsmouth, Vir- ginia, Navy Yard, and upon the evacuation of Norfolk and Portsmouth, April 19, 1861, this ship, with others, was dismantled and burned to the water-line. After mature considera- tion the Confederate authorities determined to raise the 'Merrimac' and upon her hull to construct a powerful battery for the protection
of Norfolk Harbor and the mouth of the James River. Upon plans supplied by a Vir- ginian the work of construction proceeded un- til its completion.
The . "Virginia," as she was afterward named, was covered amidships with a roof 170 feet long, built at an angle of 45 degrees, constructed of 20-inch heart pine and cov- ered with 4-inch oak. Upon this wood back- ing there were two iron plates two inches thick and eight inches wide, one laid horizon- tally and the other vertically, bolted through the wood and clinched on the inside. Her bow was armed below water with a cast iron prow about 6 feet long, to be used as a ram. Her weakest element was her motive power. her old engines and boilers, which had already been condemned. Her ordnance consisted of Io guns ; two 7-inch steel-banded Brooke rifles mounted as pivot-guns at the bow and stern; two 6-inch rifles of the same pattern, and six 9-inch Dahlgren smooth-bore broadside guns. Her commander was Commodore Franklin Buchanan, one of the bravest and ablest offi- cers of the old service. Her second in com- mand was Lieut. Catesby Ap. R. Jones, dis- tinguished both by ability and great gallantry. Her crew numbered 350, most of whom had volunteered from the army for the occasion, and the emergencies of the service allowed no time for either testing hier engines or drilling her crew.
About 12 o'clock M., March 8, 1862, the "Virginia" cast loose from the wharf at the Navy Yard and steamed slowly to the work of the day-passing down the Elizabeth River cheered by our batteries, also by the soldiers and citizens who lined every available point on both sides of the river to witness the un- tried 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 through the obstructions at Cra- ney Island she headed directly for Newport News, where the U. S. ships "Cumberland" and "Congress" lay riding at anchor, blockad-
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5
I " Merrimac" destroyed at the burning of the Norfolk Navy Yard, April 19th, 1861.
2 " Merrimac " in dry dock, being converted into the iron' battery " Virginia."
3 " Virginia " passing Fort Norfolk, March 8th, 1862.
{ 4 " Virginia " sinking the "Cumberland," March 8th, 1862.
5 ** Virginia " engaged in battle with the " Monitor," in Hampton Roads, March 9th. 1862.
6 Destruction of the " Virginia, " May 11th, 1862.
7 F. V. White, of Engineer Corps, in Confederate Naval uniform, taken Feb. 25th, 1862.
The above views (Nos. 1-6) are taken from original oil paintings by Mr. B. A. Richardson, of Norfolk, Va.
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ing the James River. It was calm and clear -- a beautiful day -- nothing in the scene gave indication of the bloody and mortal conflict soon to occur. Ere shie 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 "Cumberland" was the first to open fire, and from these shots the first fatality aboard our vessel occurred- two wounded and one killed-by shot strik- ing the hog chain and driving the same back into the ship. This opening fire was followed immediately by the "Congress" and every other available Federal gun that could be brought to bear on the "Virginia." Reserv- ing her fire until within easy range the "Vir- ginia's" bow-rifle was fired with terrible ef- fect ; and, as has elsewhere been stated, opened a hole in the "Cumberland" large enough for a horse and cart to drive through. We made directly for the "Cumberland." When at probably 50 yards distance, with slackened speed but with determined purpose we moved on toward the gallant ship and struck her the deadly blow, but with little jar to the "Vir- ginia." backing our engines until we had cleared the disabled vessel. A shot from the "Congress" struck the muzzle of one of our broadside 9-inch Dalilgren guns, breaking off about two feet of it. killing one man and wounding a few others. Reversing our en- gines 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 200 yards of the now grounded "Congress," upon which we opened fire. Af- ter we had delivered several well-directed
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shots that sent destruction to that ship and many souls to their eternal home. she hoisted the white flag and all firing ceased. Arrange- ments were then commenced for receiving the surrender and removing the dead and wounded from both the enemy's ships and our own. While our officers were aboard the "Congress" and many on the upper deck of the "Virginia." exposed because of the Federal's white flag, which was a signal for help. be- ing displayed, the enemy opened fire from the shore battery upon us, wounding many, amongst them Commodore Buchanan, shot through the thigh, and Lieutenant Minor, shot through the side. Our boats were ordered to clear the "Congress" and Commodore Bu- chanan turned the command of our ship.over to Lieut. Catesby Jones and instructed him to set fire to the "Congress." I received orders for three hot shots 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 con- veyed to the naval hospital being completed, we steamed over to the buoy at Sewell's Point 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 witnessing the grand and impressive sight of the explosion of the "Congress" later in the night-a scene too solemnly beautiful to at- tempt to describe.
Some idea may be gained from Northern writers of the consternation and excitement created at the North by this great naval en- gagement, from some of whom I quote, as follows :
"The swift work done by the 'Merrimac' on this occasion spread consternation through- ont the Northern States. The blockade of the Atlantic Coast maintained at that time could not long last before this mighty and in-
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
vulnerable engine of destruction. New York. Boston and Washington wouldi soon be threat- ened. . 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 'Merrimac' was impervious to balls and couldl 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 country 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 prevent the 'Merrimac' from ascending the Potomac and laving the Capitol in ashes, pro- viding there was sufficient depth of water to float the steamer and no one knew whether there was'this depth or not, for no one knew the draught 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 his- tory.
"The experiment of an hour had wrought an entire change in the 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 . each other, and both ship were enveloped in a 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 fol- lowed the triumphant return of the Merrimac' to lier anchorage behind Craney Island, this world has seldom witnessed before."
The next morning Sunday ( March 9th), after an early breakfast, a consultation was held, the command having devolved on the gallant, able and courageous Cates-
by Ap. R. Jones, than whom none de- served more honor for bravery and cool dar- ing. under whose supervision, as executive officer, it may here be stated, the construction of the armament of the ship had been com- pleted. It was decided to finish 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 "Cumberland" when we ran into her. Our pumps had been kept busy during the night relieving the ship of water. However, we got under way, mak- ing for the "Minnesota," when suddenly we grounded on what is known as the "Middle Ground of Hampton Roads," and there we stuck for two or three hours. But before we had grounded the "Monitor" was discovered coming out from where the "Minnesota" lay aground. We opened fire upon her with our bow-riffe, but with no effect. Straight on she came toward us and when in a good posi- tion she let loose her heavy guns, giving us a good shaking up. Thus 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 against Greek: iron against iron! In the desperation of the fight the ships closed -actually touching sides-hurling hundred- pound shot which rattled against the mailed and impenetrable sides of the combatants in this tremendous duel and glanced off like hail ! The contest was for the time so hot that the muzzles of the hostile guns almost touched cloud of smoke which no eve could penetrate! Flash and thunder-roar burst forth incessantly from the tumultuous maelstrom of darkness! Such bolts were never hurled from the fabled hands of Jupiter Olympus! Never before had ships met carrying such heavy guns. From both vessels the firing was executed with great rapidity and with equal skill, but with little effect on either vessel. Thus the duel raged with uninterrupted fury for four long
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hours. However, our weak points seemed to be known by the commander of the "Monitor," and so well did he attack these that soon on the starboard midship over the outboard deliv- ery, he so bent in our plating that the massive oak timbers were cracked, and from this and the continued ricochet shots of the "Minne- sota" considerable concern was beginning to be felt by our commander and all on board. Soon we were relieved by the moving of our ship from the position which, for such trying minutes, we had occupied. Then. with a set- tled determination on the part of our comman- der to run the "Monitor" down as a last re- sort, seeing that our shots were ineffective, 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 with our starboard bow we drove against her with a determination of sending her to the bottom, and so near did we come to accom- plishing our object that from the ramming and shot of our rifle-gun that blinded her com- mander, she withdrew to shoal water near the "Minnesota," whence .we could not follow- never again to offer or accept battle with the "Virginia." After waiting on the ground of our victory without any signs of her return, for possibly an hour or more, we steamed up to the Navy Yard, receiving the shouts and huz- zas of the thousands of our people who had witnessed the fight.
I wish to emphasize the facts just related of the collision with the "Monitor." and our desire to repeat it, and of her withdrawal from the field, as well as her refusal then or there- after to engage in battle with the "Virginia," notwithstanding that this statement is in posi- tive contradiction to the theory accepted in some parts of the North and published in the school histories of to-day:
By 4:00 o'clock we were 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
I that had not been battered by the shots of our enemy.
Large improvements to the "Virginia" were made under the supervision of Commo- core Tatnall. of Georgia, who had assumed command owing to'the disability of Commo- dore Buchanan. These improvements con- i sisted of a new wrought iron prow, port cov- ers, etc. When complete she went down to Old Point and offered battle to the "Monitor" and all of the great wooden warships of the U. S. Navy, including the "Vanderbilt." which ship had been specially brought forward to accomplish our destruction. We manned care- fully 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 if either had reached her, so well was our late antagonist's build then understood, she would, in my de- liberate judgment, have been captured. Neither the "Monitor" nor any of the large ships the United States government had ordered there would come out from under the guns of Fort- ress Monroe, while one of our steamers. the "Jamestown," was sent in near Hampton and captured three schooners loaded with hay and grain, and carried them safely to Norfolk.
After cruising about in challenge for bat- tle, without having it accepted, the Commo- dore ordered a gun fired to the windward. re- turned to the buoy off Sewell's Point, and an- chored for the night. The next day we came to Norfolk for repairs to the boiler. A few days thereafter, completing our repairs. we heard heavy firing and received orders to go the help 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 other Federal ships then shelling at that point : but as we approached they ceased firing and re- treated below the forts, we following until we exchanged several shots with the Rip Raps. With considerable disappointment Comnio- dore Tatnall ordered the ship back to her buoy at Sewell's Point. The next day, I think. or
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
. soon thereafter, we noticed our batteries were not flying our flag and upon inquiring the cause we learned that Norfolk was being evac- uated, thus ending the necessity for holding our present position.
The next thing to do was either to go out to sea, which all agreed to do if permitted. or to go up the James River. Orders were re- ceived to go up to Richmond. Upon consul- tation with the pilots we' 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 throwing over the ballast and other articles in order to bring lier up to 18 feet draught. We were informed, however. by 12 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 Ist- and and the work of destruction commenced. We had but few boats with which to land our large crew safely on shore; consequently we had to leave all our personal effects on board the steamer.
I was one of 10 selected to destroy the ship and held the light 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 ; the flames issuing from the port-holes. through the grating and smoke- stack. That conflagration was a sight ever to be remembered.
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of the entire fleet, including the "Monitor," that had refused to meet the same men when on the decks of the "Virginia." With consid- erable loss to them. and but little to us, we drove the entire Federal fleet back down the river.
E. V. WHITE, of Georgia, (now a resident of Portsmouth. Va.) Ass't Engineer Str. "Virginia," C. S. Navy. .
In writing the above recollections I think it pertinent to state my position during those trying times of the memorable "Virginia."
I was stationed on the gun deck in charge of the gong and speaking tube leading to the engine room and directly under the command- ing officer of the ship for conveying his orders to that department for starting. backing and stopping the engines and bringing hot shot to the guns from the fire-room-having five port-holes on bow and sides through which 10 witness all that was occurring during those days.
E. V. W. The commander of the "Gassendi." a French inan-of-war, who witnessed the com- bat, made a report to his government from- which the following are extracts :
"On the morning of the 8th, light breeze from the N. N. W. : very fine weather : slight 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, accompanied by two gun- boats, the 'Beaufort' and the 'Raleigh,' ad- , vanced slowly toward the channel of Hamip- ton Roads. After several evolutions. executed doubtless to assure herself of the good work- ing of her machinery. the 'Merrimac' seemed for an instant to turn back toward Norfolk: but in a short after she boldly started again on her course at an apparent speed of six knots. 'Cumberland' and 'Congress.' anchored at the
Thus closed the life -- Saturday night, May 12. 1862-of our. gallant ship. Our crew landing Sunday morning, possibly about 4 o'clock. we had to walk to Suffolk. arriving there that night, having been without food since Saturday noon. We took the train and reached Richmond the next day and were or- , standing for the Federal sailing frigates dered to Drury's Bluff. There we kept the enemy from Richmond .- stopped the progress . entrance of the James River. The two gun-
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boats remained at the entrance of the Elizabeth River to watch the movement of the Federal vessels anchored 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 acticu, 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. Law- rence,' which had arrived the day before to replace the 'Cumberland' at Newport News, and which had anchored at quite a distance outside; of. two three-masted ships, each armed with six cannon. There were besides 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.
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"At about 1:30 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 lengthi started at a speed of seven or cight knots standing toward Newport News, where the engagement took place. Her tugboat ( the 'Dragon'), then went to the aid of the 'Roanoke,' which con- tinued to advance slowly, her three tugs be- ing unable without great difficulty to make her stem the current.
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