Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-02
A SCRAP OF HISTORY.
From tho Mobile Tribune ]

From tho Mobile Tribune.l
A late number of the Philadelphia
Inquirer reiterates false statement
which has been circulated extensively by
Northern papers, which, if allowed to 60
uncontradicted, may find its way into
history as truth. 1t is to the effect that
on the second days fight in Hampton
Roads, the Merrimac was driven off by
the Monitor. We feel called upon to
correct the statement by giving the facts
as they occurred under our own observa-
tion. In order to present them in con-
nected form, we shall give brief nara
tive of the occurrences of the two days,
as they remain impressed on our mem
ory.
On the 9Th of March, 1862, there sal
lied forth from the ruins of the Norfolk
Navy Yard, an experimental vessel, an
improvised iron. clad, the old Merrimac
reconstructed and named Virginia. She
was commanded by an old naval officer,
Franklin Buchanan, citizen of Mary
land. The people Of two cities thronged
their respective wharyes and bade the
vessel God speed as she steamed past
in the narrow channel. She was going
on her trial trip. Every one on board,
but one, thought she would return to the
navy yard after she had made q simple
trial of her machinery. "We are getting
pretty near the enemy only to try our
engines" was the thought of officers and
men, as they found themselves below the
Instructions and still no signs of return
ing. Faces were turped inquiringly to-
wards the old commander. He was
walking up and down the deck, conver-
sing with officers near him, and looking
entirely too unconcerned to mean
fight" and yet the vessel is getting pain
fully near the enemy. The latter are
plainly visible now. OFF towards the
left, under the land batteries at Newport
News, are seen looming up the great
black hulls of the Congress and Cumber-
land. There are seventy heavy guns
peeping through the portfolios of those
vessels and thousand trained gunners
stand behind them. Well, the Virginia
has ten such guns, and two hundred men
around them. To be sure they are pro-
tected by armor, but no one knows
whether it will prove effective or not.
Almost directly ahead of the vessel,
between the Rip Raps and Fortress Mon
roe, are seen the frgates st. Lawrence,
Colorado and Minnesota-vessels carry
ing batteries of fifty guns each Some
half dozen gunboats are also there.
The Virginia by this time is heading
direct for Newport News, There is heard
n sound of the drum, and its long roll
has hardly ceased, ere the crew are at
their stations and the ship is ready for
battle. I" 1t begins to look as if the old
man means to fght" All doubt con-
eerning that is soon removed. Coming
down on the lower deck and calling his
crew around him, Buchanan addresses
them in brief and eloquent language.
They respond with three hearty cheers
and return to their guns. Nothing is
heard now but the ominous creaking OF
the engine and the jarring sound OF the
shaft. Nothing till the silence is broken
by the sound OF gun. 1t comes from
tugboat, commanded by Lieut.. Parker,
who is coming on astern, and who has
fred without orders A little more
time elapses when there comes
sound as if young volcano had
broken loose 1t comes from the broad
side of the Congress-only fifty yards
off. There are a few moments OF smoke
and confusion, orders givon by the wave
of hand. recoiling of guns, and passing
of dead and wounded belew decks The
smoke had scarcely passed away, when
there is q vibration throughout the ship
frame that almost throws her crew from
their feet. Those in the after part OF
the vessel look inquiringly at one an
other Their doubt is SOON relieved by
,be cheers of those stationed forward.
@Tbe Cumberland is sunk Backing
ont from her victim the Virginia turned,
took her station under the stern OF the
Congress (which vessel had run aground
in attempting to escape. and forced her
10 surrender. This is very good for
ono dav." remarked one of the officers
70 Catesby Jones, the executive oiiioer,
ne the latter passed along the deck, 80
farn replied Jones, "but it is only be,
gun There are three more to hight
The ST Lawrence, Minnesota and Colo
sado, we're then on their way up. 1hey
we're too late. .,
AS night came on, the Virginia With
drew from the scene Of her victory, re-
eeived without replying to the Gre Of the
Minnesota and the ST. Lawrence, an
cbored under the Confederate batteries
st SewelPs Point, and sent her dead and
sounded on shore-among the latter her
noble commander, who was shot By a
sharp shooter on shore, while standing
on he deck Of his vessel directing the
removal of the officers aud crew OF the
Congress. previous to her destruction.
Among the former was his own brother.
The early light Of the next day showed
the ouiet waters Of the Roads, rolling