Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-09-03
THE MONITOR MERRIMAC.
STORY OF THE BRILLIANT CA.
REER or THE NOTED CONFED.
ERATE IRONCLAD.
u. Il. Ecrleston in Philadelphia Times.

navy yard at Norfolk in 1861 they set
fire to the vessels lying there in ordina4
ny. Among these was the Merrimac, one
of class of vessels which, when they
were built, were considered the finest
specimens Of naval architecture aHoat.
On the occasion in question the Merri-
mac was burnt to the water line. Her
machinery remained intact and it was
determined by the Confederate authori-
ties 10 make of what remained of her an
ironclad ram that would give some trou-
bic to the enemy's vessels lying III the
waters OF Virginia. A structure Of oak,
slipping like the roof Of u house, was built
upon the old hulk, and this woodwork
was covered with plates of wrought iron,
two inches thick. The ends of these
plates, where they rested on the edge of
the hulk, extended about u foot under
water. Below that line the vessel was
vulnerable as she had ever been. The
rudder chains, too, were perfectly I'M
protected, lying exposed on the "fan-
tall or that portion of the hull which
extended out abaft the shield. The
wheel was under the forward part of the
shield and the pilot was protected by q
huge hollow cone of cast iron, perforated
with holes for him to sec through. The
battery of the Merrimac consisted Of ten
Dablgren guns, one 1I-incb, pointing for
ward, and another pointing aft, and eight
9-inch guns on the sides.
At last there is sign OF life on board
the two irigates. Their swinging booms
go alongside; their boats are run to the
davits, the Congress pipes down wash
clothes, and now we hear the long roll of
our own drum and fife calling rs to
quarters There is no longer 3 doubt Of
our captains intentions. He soon APP
pears on the gun deck, making stir
ring appeal to tho crew and then takes
his station near the wheel.
| commanded the third division oiguns
and was stationed amidships Of theshiela.
From that station my view of what was
going on outside the vessel was restrict.
ed to the guu-port, and that was nearly
filed by the gun For time ! could
see only the rim Of the horizon on the
distant shore. But suddenly the side OF
a g,eat ship close aboard, came in view.
saw her but moment, for the smoke
from her broadsde of twenty-five guns,
promptly answered by our own, soon en-
veoped her and us 4 few moments of
the thunder of battle, of sulpburous
smoke, of the passing below Of the
wounded, and then there is thud aS il
the vessel had suddenly run aground.
There is cheering forward, and soon
Flag-Lioutenant Minor passes aft and
cries out:
We've sunk the Cumberland"
The next time saw the Congress she
was aground with some of her sails set.
We had taken Hpa raking position under
the stern and few shots from orr
broadside guns brought down her flag.
Lieutenant Minor was sent in q ships
cutter to receive her surrender, and at
the same time two tugs that had been I'M
provised as gunboats ran alongside to
take of prisoners. The tugs were driven
uh by sharp-shootcrs on shore, and Minor
and one Of his boats crew were wound
cd by mtisket balls fired ont Of the gun
deck ports of the Congress. Buchanan,
then on the upper deck, on top of the
shield, shouted down the hatChway:
destroy that Id ship. They are
killing our men under flag Of truce"'
Sadly we proceeded to obey the order,
for we believed that the firing on Minor
was done without the knowledge Of the
officers of the Congress. Nevertheless we
resumed our firing, while officers ON the
poop deck of the doomed vessel were
waving their white haudkerchiotS. But
we did not kecpit up long, for it was APP
parent that the Congress had already
been set on fire by our hot shot. About
this time Buchanan was borne below,
wounded by q sharpshooter on shore.
eve have done very good days
work." remarked to Catesby Jones, as
sometime during the afternoon he passed
at my division.
Yes he replied, "but it isn't over.
The Minnesota and st. Lawrence are
coming up from Fortress Monroe"
Our crew was made up in a great
measure of green countrymen detailed
from the different volunteer regiments
stationed about Norfolk, but there were
some trainedseamen among them. From
the time of taking them III hand till the
day of going into action, III Interval of
about two weeks, we drilled them in
Cessantly at the guns of the receiving