In February 1862, Major General Ambrose Burnside led a Union expedition to seize Roanoke Island in North Carolina, raising concern that the next attack would be on Norfolk. In November, Chambliss had asked for volunteers from his regiment to man the rebuilt "Merrimac", now the CSS "Virginia". Of the 282 men that crewed the vessel, 31 were recruited from the 41st Virginia, mostly from the United Artillery (Company E), including Kevill, as well as Private Albert Griswold, who had been ship's tailor on the "Merrimac" before the war. On March 8, the "Virginia" engaged the USS "Monitor" in the Battle of Hampton Roads, the first battle between two ironclad ships.