Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-13
MERRIMAC VS.. MONITOR.
A Graphic Description Of the Fight
In Hampton Roads by an
Eyewitness.
How a Ledger News Paragraph
Makes History for the
Future.
To the Editor Of the Ledger:

10 the EdltOr OF the Ledger:
l noticed in your issue Of last Friday
afternoon a local item which read: ITO
day is the anniversary Of the battle Of
Hampton Roads between the Merrimac
and Monitor, in 1862, in which the Mer-
rimac was worsted," or words to that
effect; the copy is not before me. Now,
Messrs. Editors, | am not certain as to
the date, but l do claim to be of the
fight, for l saw the first shot fred and
the last. The first was on Saturday
evening and the last on Sunday morn
ing. The facts are these: / was, ct the
time of the engagement, a member of
Company Il, Sixth Virginia regiment,
stationed at Craney Island, Va, FIVE
miles from Norfolk and about eight or
ten miles from Newport News Point, or
the mouth Of the James river, where the
Federal blockade was held by two sew
enty-four gun ships and a very strong
fort on either side of the point. Some
time between the hours Of twelve and two
o'clock, as best l can recollect, the Con.
federste States Merrimae steamed down
the Elizabeth river, crossed Hampton
Roads and entered the mouth of the
James river, whers the Federal ships
Congress and Columbia we're holdin . the
blockade. The fort on Hampton
Roads opened fire on her, but
she paid no attention to it aud never
fred a gun until midway between the
two ships that were lying apart perhaps
some three hundred yards. She then
gave both Of them q broadside salute,
Immediately turning her head for the
Congress and struck her amidships,
about at the waters edge, with her PROV.
She then backed out and went for" the
Columbia, who had, in the meantime,
slipped her cable, and as the tide was
then at an ebb and the wind about south
west, drifted round the Point some short
distance from the mouth of the James
and there grounded. After the Congress
had sunk in the deep waters of the
James, and the white flag had been
hoisted to the Aag-pole on the shore fort.
ress, and the work Of destruction along
the shore and wharves had been com
pleted, she rounded TO and, | think, If
my memory serves me correctly, steamed
away for the point where the Columbia
was grounded, and kept up her FIRE on
this i'll fated ship till after dark. Some
time after dark i cant say at what
hour) the grounded ship was observed to
be on fire, and some time after midnight
her magazine exploded. This ended
the blockade for the time being. Next
morning, which was Sunday, the Merri.
mac engaged the Monitor Il think there
we're two monitors), that wGs backed
by the entire naval force that was
available from Fortress Monroe, and
but for her heavy drauEht of water
she would undoubtedly have grappled
the Federal Monitor, and towed her up
the Elizabeth river. After considerable
duelipg at long range on the part of both,
aud the Merrimse having accomplished
that days work, lie, the breaking Up Of
the blockade, and having also her wound.
ed commander, the brave Buchanan, on
board, she l%eisurely steamed up the Ella
abeth to the navy yard, amid the shouts
and cheers Of the "rehela" on every
side, without any injury savs to her
prov, which was done when buttiug"
her antagonist, and which amounted to
nothing. Messrs. Editors, give the devil
his dues. She was a grand piece OF
mechanism, the grsndest that has
ever hoated; and her charge across
Hampton Roads and the mouth Of the
James river, has never been equaled in
naval warfare. Indeed, it was the bold.
est and grandest charge ever made, sur
passing anything in the history Of thi
world, end no ship ever accomplished {
more signal and glorious victory thar
did the Merrimac on that memorable
day. 1t was witnessed, | expect, bl
100, 600 persons, from every nation anC
every cline. / don't think the Merri
mac got the worst of it,
Yours, truly, HARRY.