The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-22
The Claims or the Monitors Crew on the
Government.
TO TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
UNITED STATES SHIP BRANDY VINE,
III Do Va

UNITED STATES SHIP BRASpywSg)
HAxrroR ROADS, Va, Jan. IS, 1868.
Considering that our condition since lost our
vese tho Monitor, is vol worthy OF public attention
beg to give yen brief statement, which hope you
will by modifying and inserting in some portion
Of your admirable newspaper. II is wen known that
thirty six Of the Monitors were provdentally
saved from the sad doom that met the other sixteen Of
ihe shipmates the memorable night OF the sOth ult
when she lost. or the above number there only
twenty OF the old crew, who volunteered their
services, and left New York her in March, 1862 The
Aphting qualities OF the Monitor then known
and often were The crew booted r New York and else
where for rskng their lives in such old tub. Never
theess they not the least prevented from joining
her by any such dscouragements but then as well as
afterwards they dspycd the creates, courage and inre
pidty. the daring commander, Captain worden, has
often testified The Monitor left New York for Fortress
Monroe the 9th day OF March, 1902 arriving the
latter pace the night q the sth, tho noted day when
the monster Mcrrmac, from Norfolk, male her terrific
swe~p, scattered terror and throughout the
whole region We beg N observe that the Monitor in
making the passage New York Fortress Monroe
encountered terrible weather, aud this was sufficient
proof that she not seagoing vessel Nevertheless
sth Il March while making The paesape) yet they
found that important occasion steady ct their post
and could no, have shown better courage deter
minaton to couauer than they showed In fighting the
Msrrimac. The following day they visited by some
from the neaas q the departments and the thanks
q tho ASSISTANT secretary of the Navy Mr. Fox who also
prcmss tia, any favor the crew might request from the
De, arir,sut would b. most readily granted
since then, ihs Mentor and her crew rendered tho
county important services the James until they
ordered further sou,h, when, ne rs vel known,
their ncbo little vessel foaudsred and sank thereby
losing a the bravest that brcahed the
breath " iae But the remainder u the now sur.
wing Conscious that they did everything 10 their
po~sr ts.ssve their gallant shp when niesing with
~ind ant waves. rhey were rescued by tue Rhoic
Island ~hch vessel had the Moaitsr tow On boarh
q the nhote Island day tvo snbselsent the re-
ndef % the old crew e toe Monitor who left New
Safk IN her beng ouy txsn,youe. thought proper TO
vrte pctiton 20 the department for their discharge
from he service based entirely AMI wholly on Assistant
Sc rttary f9xs Trunise 10 them. The petition
senird taronsh Their generous aud brave captain Captain
hansheadl Who cordially approved Of their scheme aud
ffhguiy promised them that no would tender the
" The drpartmsnt and would DO any possible favor On
her behalf tgt they are sorry say they havenct
heard wQrd yeiuearly three weeks nowirom The de-
been kept beard tho Rhode Island for seven days,
they ~efe nsefred on board the United states store.
shia rrsnfywne yns OF fortrcss Monroe, where they
are 81 present. Vow three weeks nsve tcary utnsprel
slrce Their vessel was ost and they nave TO say that
oil this time has been spsnt BY them IN the greatest
misery and Ny not having anything W their
sa hsy hs,s % BEANS y s ~ =, III hs,
snr.rs al a. "A a som.bsdy 20 blame, although
unable 10 uacs him The department know ne well
as ourselves ihe true ooua,cn We arr ~ ssy know We
ss had op a. the time, which was indcsd very little
shall ws psay you Mr. Editor, 20 call the attention Of
the sovernmeus vel ~ of the country 81 large 70
Cur m,sersSls condition, also 70 the propriesy Of
yssss,,ns cur Discharge, based the dspartmenss
r,onis~ 70 In March last Aleo please mentioo
80 and call TO mind tn crews OF the Cumberland and
%ngrsssbcw they were satshcd Ter the oxs they aus
,srad In losing their clothes &C. They received SIXTY
s11f,s Ia hes N ,eof and cannot sec why not
setttisa n b. esia also should u be given rcasnu
thai lhsI s ilsGr sE.9 whs 70 act'oa bed 70 cav tia,