Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-29
letter from Commodore 'FatnaII.-The Destruction
the Virginia.
The following is copy Of letter addressed by Com
mod DE Tatnali to Secretary Mallory:
R1CuN1ND VA Nav d 1860

mod Je fRtnai to Secretary mallory
RICHMOND, VA, May a. 1862.
SrR:-Tn detailing to you the circumstances which
oousd the destruction of the q. S. steamer Virginia,
gnl her movements few days previous to that event,
begin with your telegraphc dispatches to me OF the
h aud 5,h instants directing to take such posi-
ton 10 the James river as would entirely prevent the
enemy's ascending it.
General Huger commanding at Norfolk, on learning
that had received this order called on me and declar
ed that its execution would obige him to ABANDON i'm
maiiaeIy his Forts "Craney Island" and "Sewelis
Point" and their guns to the enemy. Informed him,
that as the order imperative, must execute it,
but suggested that he should telegraph you and state
Il consequences. He did 3d. and the 9th instant,
you teegraphed to endeavor to afford protection to
Norfolk well as the james river, which replaced me
in my original position. | then arranged with tae
General that be should notify when his preparations
for the evacuation of Norfolk were sufficiently advan-
ced to enable NE to act independently.
On the 7lh nstan., commodore HoIus reached Nor
folk with orders from you 10 consult with aud such
officers might select in regard TO the best dsposi-
ton to be made Of the Virginia r" uuder the present
aspect OF things.
We had arranged the Conferences for the next day,
the 8h but that day before the hour appointed the
enemy attacked the SewePs Point Battery and left
Immediately with the "Vrgnia" to defend H.
We found six Of The enemy'5 vessels, including the
irOnc0d steamers "MOnit0r" AMI "NangatuCk" shell
ling the battery. We passed the battery and stood d.
reCty for the enemy for the purpose OF engaging him.
1 d
Minnesota" and Vanderbilt" which an bored
below Fortress Monroe got under way and stood up to
that point apparently with the intention Of Joining
their squadron IN the Roads. Before, however, we got
within gun-shOt the enemy CEASED firing and retired with
all speed md the protection of the guns of the For
tress followed by the Virginia until the shells from
the Rip RaPs" passed over her
The "Vrginia' was then placed al her mo0rings near
SeweIs Point, and | returned 10 Norfolk to hold the
Conference referred to.
1t held the 9tb and the officers present were
Colonel Anderson and Captain --, OF the Army,
selected by General Hugcr, who was too unwell to at
ted himself, and, OF The Navy, myself, Commodore AOl-
Iius, Captains Sterrett and Lee Commander Richard
l.. Page and Leuenants Ap. C4tesby jones, and j.
Pembroke Jones.
The opinion was unanimous that the "Vrginia" was
then employed to The best advantage, aad, that she
should continue for the present to protect Norfolk and
thus afford time 10 remove the public property.
Ga the next day. al ten o'clock a. M, we observed
from the Virginia that the flag not flying the
SeweIl5 Point Battery and that it appeared to have
been abandoned despatched Lieut. j. p. Jones, the
Flag Lieutenant, to Craney Island, where the Confed-
crate Fl g was still flying and he there learned that
large force of the enemy had landed the Bay shore,
and marching rapidly to Norfolk that the SeWeli8
Point Battery abandoned ard troops were re-
treating then dispatched the officer to orIOk,
10 Jnlcr with General Huger and Captain Lee. He
found the Navy Yard in flames, and that all its officers
had lett by Rail Road. GA reaching Norfolk he iouad
that &c eal Huger and all the other officers OF the
army had also lett, that tue enemy were within half
mile Of the city, aud that the Mayor treating for
Its surrender.
Ga returning to tie ship, be found that Crany Is
land and all the DINER batteries he river had been
abandoned
It Was now wen o'clock in the evening" and this ua-
expected Information rendered prompt measures neces-
sary for The sltety Of the Virginia"
The pilots had assured me that they could take the
ship with draft OF eighteen feet, to within forty miles
of II Chm0nd
Ihis, the Chief Pilot, blr Parrish, and his Chief AS
sistant, Mr. Wright had asserted again and again lad
tie aftruoon of the 7h in my cabln in the presence
of Commodore HOlin5 and Captain SerTett IN reply
TO Question Q! mine, they both cmphaticaly declared
their ability 10 do 80.
ConGing in th, Sc assurances, and, alter consulting
with First and Flag Ljeutenants, and learning that
the ulcers, generally, thought it the most juflcOus
course determined to Tighten the ship once, and
run up the river tor the protection of Richmond.
Al hands having been called deck, | stated tC
them the condition Of things, and my hope that, by get
ting up the river lore the enemy could be made awar
OF our design we might capture his vessels which ha'
ascend II, and render efficient aid II the defence
Richmond, but that, to effect this would require al
their energy IN tightening the ship They replied witt
three cheers, and went 10 work at once.
The pilots were deck, and heard this address tC
the
Being quite unweli had retired to bed. Between
one and two c ock in the morning, the First Ljeuten
ant reported that after the had worked TO
five six hours, aud lifted the ship, as to reLd3r he
unit for action the pilots had deClar their inability t.
cary eighteen feet above the jamestown Flats, up +
wI, point tie Shore each side occupied by tn
enemy
Ga demanding from the chief pilot MIR. Parrish, a
explanation Of this pllpable deception, he replied tina
eighteen feet could not be carried after the prevalence
OF Eastery winds, and that the wind for the last tw
days had been Westerly.
had no time to lose. The ship was not in a COR
ditiOn for battle, even with an enemy OF equal force
and their force was overwhelming Therefore, dete
Mined with the concurrence OF the First and Fla
Lieutenans, TO the crew for future service, b.
landing them at Craney Island the only road for retr
open u.s. and to destroy the ship to prevent her al
ing into the hands of the enemy. | may add, that a
though not formally consulted the course was approve
by every commissioned officer in the ship.
There is dissenting opinion. The ship was al
cOrdIngjy put shore the mainland, in the V
cuity OF Craney Island, possible and the crew LAM
ed she was then fred, aud after burning fercely lOI
and aft for upwards Of an hour blew up little beto
FIVE on the morning of the 18th.
We marcLei for Suffolk twenty-five miles, an
reached it in the evening, aud from thence came /
Railroad to this city.
1t will be asked what motives the pilots could nav
hal to cave me. The only imaginable one is th'
they wished to avoid going into battle.
Had the ship rot been lifted, to render her u
fit for action desperate contest must have ensue
with fore against Us too great to Justify much kOE
OF success and, battle is not their occupation the
ad 1ptcd this ctitta course to avoid it. cannot IL
ague any other motive, for bad no reason TO dstIu
their good faith to the COntederacy.
My Acknowledgements are due to the First Lieute
ant, APP Caesby jones' for his untiriDg exertions az
for the aid he rendered me in all things. The detail
for firing the snip and landing the left to hir
and everything was conducted with the most pere
order.
TO the other officers of the ship generally, al
thankful for the great zeal they displayed throughor
hn iryjD lOpryN H-tStc bT1E tbrEph up 6r