Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-01-21
The Monitor-Merrimac Fight.

tnat OIHcef was III command AZ Il OTlrtse
Monroe at the time of the Monitor-Mer-
rimac fight, has published his "recol-
lections of that affair in a thin pamph'
let, having been requested to prepare
them by G.. V. Fox, the assistant naval
secretary at the time. Col. Cannon's most
original contribution, perhaps, to the
literature of the battle concerns the first
acquaintance Of our government with
the Merrimae. As early as December
1861, mechanic in the Norfolk navy
yard communicated the character of the
work of the Merrimac to Gen. Wool,
and about February 10, full plans of the
rebel campaign aud details of the pro-
gress of the work were obtained through
the same source Col. Cannon was sent
to Washington with the news. He
found Secretary Stanton sick, and was
taken into cabinet meeting by Mr..
Lincoln. The government was therefore
not taken by surprise when the Merri-
mac came out, and had really nothing
with which to oppose her, but the wood
en- vessels, which up to that moment in
the naval history of the world had been
the highest form of naval strength. Col.
Cannon further says that the first sus-
picion that the Merrimac was on her
way down from Norfolk was derived
from the fact that the French corvettes,
whose officers had been up to Norfolk
under flag of truce, all got up steam
on Saturday morning, without having
given any formal notice of their depart
ure at the fortress. Gen. Wool tele-
graphed this fact to Gen Mansfield at
Newport News, and the morning was
spent in preparations, which prevented
simultaneous land attack by Gen.
Magruder. The Merrimac appeared
about noon. Col. Cannon misstates the
date on one occasion; the sinking of the
Cumberland and the capture and des-
truction Of the Congress were ON the 9Th,
the fight between the iron-clads on the
9th of March, Sunday.
For so famous fight it is rather sim
gular that there should be such diver
sity of statement as to which first retired
from the field. Mr.. Greeley in his his
tory says that, at the close of the COM
bat, the Monitor stood down toward
Fortress Monroe, but the Merrimac and
her tenders did not see fit to pursue
her." There is considerable evidence
that this is an error. The Baltimore
American account, from which Greeley
elsewhere quotes, says that the Monitor
followed the Merrimac until she got well
under SelWell's point, and then return
ed" The count of Paris, who singu-
larly, does not mention the incident of
the French corvettes, makes contempt
raneous the opening of seam in the
Merrimac by one of the Monitors shots
and the wounding of the commander of
the latter, Lieut. Worden, by cement
flying in his eyes. The Merrimac gave
up the game and retired, " says the count,
leaving the Monitor on the battle. field.
Col, Cannon tells more probable and
intelligent story, which goes far to har-
monte the authorities He says that
after the wounding of Lieut.. Worden,
the Monitor retired and remained out
Of action for about half an hour" which
doubtless gave rise to Greeley's idea
As soon as the injuries to the pilot-house,
by which her commander had been
wounded, were examined, she REIN
gagged, forced the fight by lying athwart
the stern of the Merrimac, delivering
her fire rapidly and with telling effect.
The Merrimac, unable to shake her off
or to stand the pounding, commenced
the retreat to Norfolk" The Monitor
stuck to her like king. bird to a
hawk" as was said by participant, and
pursued her until she was brought I'M
der the fire of the rebel batteries"
The count of Paris makes one state.
ment which we do not find elsewhere.
He says that Buchanan, the brave COM
mander of the Merrimac, who was kill
ed the first day, and whose place could
not be filled, owed his death to the fire
of the infantry, ranged on the beach at
Newport News, when the Merrimac got
pretty close to the shore, in her efforts
to destroy the Congress, which had been
run aground there. A rifle bullet could
enter where cannon-ball was arrested
, Springfield Republican.
THE CHIEF REAsoNs.-Y Yesterday
when two colored citizens met on the
walk near the City Hall, one of them
: angrily exclaimed
MisSpr Tonao if ,,o,, Joo, - l.