The New York herald., 1862-07-30
The Destruction Of the Merrimac-Tat-


From the Richmond pis patch, july %
CHARGES AND SPECIFICATIONS os CHARGES AGAINST
CAPTAIN JOSIAH rArNALL, or TIE coSFEDERATE
STATES NAVY.
CHAaGs I-cupabic destruction OF an armed steamer
OF the COnfederalc states navy
Specification lu this, that the said Captain Josiah
1atna, the llth day d MAY, 1862 cLlpably. and
without sGfc ant reason for doing dil destroy by
fire. the Confederate steamer Virginia, Ham, ptoa
Roads, near Norfolk Virginia.
Specification 2-in THIS that the said Captain Josiah
Tatua! on the said llth day q May, lSG2, at Hampton
steamer gn when, With the drau ht 70 which she lad
thcn and there, might have been reduced she
could have been carried the James river Place Of
usefulness free from immediate danger
CHARGE i.-Aeg igence
Specification LII this, that the said Captain Jossh
Tataa on the said llh day OF May, 1862, At said.
Hampton Roads, did proceed to lyhten the said
steamer Virginia, for the purpose OF taking
her up James river, retaining, however, her
fnament, ordnance stores, necessary coal, water
and provisions without first having from
Of Information within his reach what extent
the draugh Of sad steamer would be reduced b5 such
tightening.
Specification I'm this, that the said Captain Josiah
Tatla after having ghtened the said Virginia
to certain craught on the said lth day Of Nay 1862
xaid Hampton Roads, then and there, and before said
time neglected AMI failed to from sources of
Information within his reach tie act that the said steam
er, at said draft could have been Carried about forty
miles above The mouth Of James river, Hog Island
CaAgGs uI.-Improvident conduct.
Spfcationln this, that the said Captain Josiah Tat
nsi on about the Ilh day OF May. 1862, when or
Sewals Point. in Hampton Roads intending 10 take the
said Virginia James did then and there
proceed TO tighten said steamer instead Of taking her up
SAID James river and there tightening her when the
cesy for doing arose. and 70 the extent Of that
cessity
The statement OF the parties being thus in possession Of
the court the court cleared Tor deberaon and
ing matueiy considered ths evidence adduced, find
follows
That frst specification OF tho first charge is not
proved.
That second specification Of the nrst charge Is not
proved.
That the second specification second charge not
proved.
And that the accused is guilty OF the first charge
That the rst specification Of the second charge is not
proved.
And accused is not guty OF the second charge
That the specification Of the third charge is proved
And that the accused is guilty OF the third charge
The Court do further ind that the accused had, while
In command Of the Virginia. and previous 10 the
ton OF Norfolk, tro down tie gage of battle the
enemy's feet in Hampton Roads, aud that the enemy
had declined to take IL up that the day before Norfolk
evacuated, consultation at the instance Of the
creary Of the Navy was held by joint commission Of
navy and army officers, 10 the best disposition be
made OF the ship that the accused favor Of pass
tng Fortress Monroe and taking the ship into York river
or OF running down before Savannah with her; that
this he oyerrued by tho council who advised that
she should remain this side Of Fortress Monroe,
the projection Of Norfolk and Richmond and that
Cordance with this advice he proceeded regulate her
movements that after the evacuation OF Norfolk West
over James river, became the suitable position
for her to occupy; that. while in the Of tightening
her for the purpose Of taking her 10 that point the
pilots for the first mc declared their inability take
hor up though her draugh should be reduced 10 its
minimum OF eighteen feet; that, by the evacuation OF
over, both banks of the James below that point
virtually given up TO the enemy that the ship
being thus cut of from Norfolk and Richmond, was
deprived of al outward sources of supply III.
Of the most prscarious and uncertain character that
her store u provisions would not last for
than three weeks; that when lghtened she made
vulnerable to the attacks 1hs enemy and that after
having been ligbtened thHdVrG no avalahie means OF
bringing her down to her prTdfaugbt and fighting trim
and that she had but two small boats, each csyabs
landing not more than fifteen or eighteen ut o time
IN smooth water Such being the facts and circuIn
under the influence Of which the Vrgnis found
herself after the evacuation of Norfolk, 10 was, the
opinion OF the Court only necessary for the enemy
continue TO refuse battle rs no had done since Il rst
offered by Captain Tatna early in april, and hencefor.
TO keep stria watch about the Virginia order,
when her provisions exhausted TO make her his
prize and mo his prisoners Being thus situated
the only alternative, in the opinion OF the Court to
abandon and burn the ship then AMI there which in tbs
judgment Of the Court deliberately and wisely done
by order Of the Wherefore the Court do award
the said Captain Josiah Tatna honorable acqutta
L. EOSsEAU, Captain.
FRANK BUCHANAN, Captain.
G.. N. HOILlNS, Captain
ROBERT G. ROBB. Commander.
VI. MASON, Comm mander.
EBEN FARRAND, Commander
A. Is. FAIRFAX, Commander.
NJ r MACRY, Commander
GE5RGE MINOR, Commander.
WI. i. MAURY Lieutenant.
Y. y. PEGRAN, Lieutenant.
R0tiEkT OJLD, Judge Advocate.
ma Court thsn adjoaned until morning at ten O'Clock.