The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-14

through the frigate, tearing four rooms into one
and exploding a couple of charges of powder,
which set fire to the ship, but the flames were
promptly extlnguished. Another shell passed
through the boiler of the tug Dragon. causing an
explosion.
Then the Minnesota concentrated her broad
side upon the Merrimac, and kept up an inces-
SAINT fire; and, although it is said fifty shot struck
the ~slanting roof of the iron clad, they did no ap-
parent damage.
By the time the Merr1mac fired her third
shell, the little Monitor had come up with her
again. and placed herself between the Minnesota
and the enemy, compelling the latter to change
her position. While doing this, the Merrimac
grounded. and the Minnesota poured into her
the fire of all the guns she could bring 10 pear.
| AS soon as the Merrimac got off the bottom, she
proceeded down the bay, then suddenly turned
and attempted to run the Monitor oo"n: OUT
falling in the attempt, she concentrated all her
broadside guns on the little vessel, which was
keeping up a rapid hire.
Suddenly the Monitor was seen to move away
from the Merrimac in rather an erratic manner.
| and it was at this instant that Lieutenant Wor-
den was so disabled that he could no longer di-
rect the movements of his vessel. He was look
ing through one of the Sits in the pilot-house,
when a she'll exploded in front of the opening,
driving the powder into his face and eyes, rem
dering him blind and helpless. He turned over
the m of the vessel to the executive Off
Ger, Lieut.. S. d.. Green, who was in the turret,
with instructions to continue the action. and the
vessel was again headed towards the enemy and
her lire recommended.
During the time between the fall Of Lieuten-
ant Worden and the arrival OF Lieutenant
Greene in the pilot-house, the Monitor was en-
tirely under the control of the man at the wheel,
who, having no one to direct him, and doubtless
being excited by the fall of his commanding
officer, Steered off on another course without any
particular aim or object. This is substantially
the view given of the occurrence by Professor
Solely III his work. 1.-The Blockade and the Cruis-
ers, and he obtained mis- information from the
late Commander Greene.
Professor Solely further says: Seeing the
Monitor draw OFF, Van Brunt, under the supposl-
ton that his protector was disabled and had left
him, prepared for the worst, and made ready to
destroy his ship; but at this point the Merrimac
withdrew to Norfolk. Greene fired at her twice,
or at most three times. He then returned TO
the Minnesota, and remained by her until she got
afoat." This is no doubt a correct version of the
affair. The Merrimac moved off (those on board
Of her glad to do so in an apparently creditable
manner), knowing that if the battle lasted much
longer the Monitor would be successful.
When the confederates saw the Monitor NOV
ing away, they naturally concluded she was dis
abled, or had run short of ammunition. and
their first idea was to proceed again to the at
tack of the Minnesota.
By Captain Van Brunt's account, the Merri-
mac and the two confederate gun boats did head
towards his ship, and realizing his helpless con-
dition he made every preparation TO destroy the
MINNESOTA, QeLefIniUeO tndC she SnOulu nOG ldIl
into the hands of the enemy. Captain Van
Brunt goes on to say: IA short time after the
Merrimac and her consorts had changed their
course, and were heading for Craney island"
In writing history it is no more than fair that
both sides should have a hearing. Lieutenant
Greene. in his report to the Secretary of the
Navy, dated March II, 1862, says:
"At 8 A. NJ. perceived the Merrimac underway and
standing towards the Minnesota; hove up anchor and
went to quarters.
stA4 ak A NJ WIG ooapad Ga NJ 4ba Narrip,oc and
continued the action until 1880 A M, when Captain
Worden was injured. Captain Worden then sent for
me to take charge of the vessel. We continued the
action until 1915 P. M, when the Merrimac retreated
to Sewel's Point, and we went to the Minnesota and
lay by her."
This is rather a mcager report OF so important
a transaction, but no one else in the squadron al
hampton Roads, 50 far AS known, says anything
about the matter except Captain Van Brunt,
who writes: For some time after this the con
federates concentrated their whole battery upon
the turret and pilot house of the Monitor, and
soon after the latter stood down for Fortress
Monroe"
A confederate officer on board the Merrimac
says: SAT length the Monitor withdrew over
the middle ground where we could not follow,
but always maintaining a position to protect the
Minnesota. To have run our ship ashore on a
falling tide would have been ruin. We awaited
her return for an hour, and at 2 P. NJ. steamed
for Sewell's Point and thence to the dock-yard
at Norfolk. Our crew were thoroughly worn
out from the TWO DAYS uSnC. AltnOupn Cuere is
no doubt that the Monitor first retired, the bat
tie was a drawn one as far as the two vessels
engaged were concerned, but in its general re-
suits the advantage was with the Monitor"
This seems to be a fair statement and its
author pays a high tribute to the Monitor. He
says: 1.-THE Monitor was well handled and saved
the Minnesota and the remainder of the feet at
Fortress Monroe" which seems evident enough.
for had the Monitor failed to appear every vessel
in the roads must have been captured or de-
stroyed.
There is glory enough in this fact for the little
Monitor without claiming more for her. She
saved not only the squadron. but the honor OF
the Nation, and her gallant commander is fully
entitled to all the honors he received. Had he
not been disabled at such an inopportue moment
he would. in our opinion, have compelled the Mer
rimac to surrender: for the tide was ebbing, andi in
another hour the Merrimac could not have ma
neuvered and would have grounded; the Monitor
then could have taken position under the iron
clad's stern and knocked her frame in.
Thus ended this remarkable engagement,
which. in the bravery and ability displayed on
both sides, has never been excelled; and the for
eign officers who witnessed the conflict, could
judge from it how desperately we could meet a
foe attempting to invade our shores.