Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-22
The Last of the Merrimac.
Statement of one of her Crew.
nnn oF hl,n 49, nF IL. aT...t.- 80.

Statement of one OF her Crew.
One of the crew of the Merrtmac has ar
rived at Philadelphia, and the Inquirer has
obtained from him the following state
ments:
On the evening of the bombardment of
SeWells Point, the Merrimac lay there
watching the course of events. She re-
mained there all night and all the next day.
About seven O'Clock on the evening of the
third day following the bombardmeut,
Commodore Tatnall held a council of war
All hands, including both officers aud men,
were called on the spar deck, and told by
Commodore Tatuall that, after due DELHI
Grafton and consultations, he had arrived ut
:he conclusion that the only chance of fIsav-
ing the vessel was to tighten her and run
her up James River.
The commodore knew at this time that
Union troops were in possession of Nor
folk, and knew also that our gun-boats
were at the head of James River. All
hands then went to work and for hours
were employed in tightening the vessel
throwing overheard nearly all thR coal and
ballast. There was great quantity Of
ballast on board, and the labor of lighten-
ing the boat was of q very laborious char
Rcter. About twelve o'clock that night the
commodore held a consultation with the
pilots, and was informed by them that it
was an utter impossibility to get the vessel
into James River at all. Commodore Tat
nall then concluded to run the vessel ashore
and beach her. He communicated his res
olution 70 the officers, aud also the crew,
telling them there was no chance of escape.
| The vessel then headed towards the shore,
about half II mile ahead of Craney Island,
her bow heading towards the beach in con-
sequence of her guns being shotted.
Her guns we're run in and her PORTFOLIOS
closed, aud preparations made to desert the
vessel prior to her total destruction. Com.
Tatnall then informed the men that after
landing they would in all probability meet
the Yankees at or about Suffolk 10 small
detachments;aud they would have to fight
their way through them. He advanced
toward the marines, aud told them he
should look to them TO set the remainder
of The men a good example, in case of an
attack or surprise, as they would consti-
tuts the advance party duriPg the retreat.
Full three hOnrs we're consumed in land
ing the men, small boats being used
While the process of landing was going or
every preparation. was being made to in-
sure the utter and entire destruction ofths
vessel. Tar, oil. fat and grease of every
kind, and everything Of combustible nn
tute that could be obtained, was spread
lover the decks, and In the most available
lpiaees, in order that no possibility could
exist of the vessel escaping complete de
structou. At about three o'clock in the
morning, after night fraught with hare
work and great excitemsLt, the vessel wa:
fred, allhands having previously reached
the shore, with the exception Of Commo
dore TatnalI, First Lieut. Jones and two o
the crew, who were 70 FIRE the combusti
. bIes spread SO profusely around. f
It was Just at this time, when the firz
| indications of FIRE emanated from the YES
! eel, that about. fortY-Of the crew, whoever
! all. Northern men, and; like our inEormRp
! lpresssd into the rebel service, dessrteC