Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-28

Norao and .r 20 run by the Federal bat
,eries at Newport News and operate on
the r,ght flank OF General Joseph n.
Johnston. This movement was accom-
nl,.brd In due time by running the Date
Ties Mt night and without disaster. tnougn
the Beaufort In making the attempt
grounded and remained just Oppose she
battery in easy range until near usy glesA.
Our station henceforth being tnc oa"ae'
cnnn,s for the remaining career OF the
N.rr,mac. The beleaguerment OF hicn-
mond. in the ewes Of the Confederate oV.
srnment. necsssitated the evacuation OF
Norfolk. and though the Merriinac, now
alone was adeauate 10 the defence OF NOT
folk on the water. Il was possible 10 take
Tho citv in rear. now that johnston army
was concentrated at Richmond. oy ianulhg
A strong Federal force on the DAY shoIe anu
also west Of Craney Island. and making
combined attack from the cas-. ano VS.,
Valuable stores and materiais WEI: ses , AZ
the navv.yard. aud General Huger. IN com
mand al Norfolk. was quietly engaged IN
shipping them into the interior ny river
aud raIl. when the desertion OF tne tug
boat -cautain in the service OF the Conieue-
racy much fastened matters
Secretary Mallory, being advised OF the
probahle abandonment OF NorioiA, hai
sent Commodore Holllns 10 that pace 70
consult with Commodore Iatnaii anu such
other officers as might be seiec,eu, as 20
the best disposition To be maze Vi the
Merrimac in this contingency. Inc con
ference was arranged for May sth, ont on
tGis morning tbs Monitor, Naugatuck,
and other United States vessels alta ,Aei
our battery at Sewelrs Point. Inc Mcrrl-
mac cot under way Immediately 10 tenner
.uch assistance as might be needed. ooin-
modore fatnali's account OF tho mat Is
o. follows: s.,.,,.l
"lfpon getting into the Roads we found
six OF the enemy's ships. incIudlng the ron
clads Stevens, Monitor, and Nausatuch,
shelling the battery. We passed the oaetery
aud stood directly for the enemy 10 engage
him. aud 1 thought en action certain, par
ticniarly as the Minnesota and NanderDiIt,
which were anchored below Fort Mon
roe. cot under way and stood up 70 that
noint apparently with the Intention or
ioinlug their squadron in the Roads. Be
Tors we got within gunshot tne enemy
ceased firing and retired with ali speed IN
der the protection OF the guns at tne
fortress. followed by the Merrlmac unth
the shells from the Rip Raps passed over
us. We thereupon returned TO our anchor,
ace near Sewell's Point, aud | proceeded
TO Norfolk for the purposes OF the confer
ence called for this day.
let us see what the Federal account has
TO say Of the affair. Commodore Golds-
borough, United States navy, then IN COM
msnd of the station at Fortress Monroe,
saws: go,
1.-THE Monitor had orders 10 fall back
into fair channel way, aud only 10 engage
seriously in such position that, miS sap
foretber with the merchant vessels, IN
tended for the purpose, could run her (the
al Intvn The other vessels were
not 10 hesitate to run her down, and the
Baltimore. ar unarmed steamer OF high
speed and curved bow, was kept on the
direction OF the Monitor. especially 20
throw herself across the Merrlmac forward
or aft Of her plated casemate, but the
Merrimac did not engage the Monitor; nor
did she place herself where she could have
been assaied by our rams to any aiyan-
tage." Let Us sum tn matter up.
SUMMING UP.
I. On the 9th OF March, the only occa-
sion upon which the Merrlmac and
Monitor did engage. II is in evidence from
Federal official sources, that the Monitor
twice retired from the engagement OF the
day: the Merrimac retired only when the
action WAS supposed TO be concluded.
2. On April 18th the Merrimac, in the
presence Of two French and one English
war vessel. O1Arcl tue SlpullDI hut iiS
Stevens iron battery battle. Then to pro-
woke them t. accept it, cut out three Fed
eral transports almost under their guns,
but without bringing them 10 issue.
8. On MAY sth the Merrimac drove the
Monitor, Nsugatuck, and SIX other United
States war vessels from SewelPs Point to
within one and half miles OF Fortress
Monroe. and seeing no disposition to en-
gage returned to anchor. On this occa-
sion the Federal feet declined the action,
saws Commodore Goldsborough. United
States navy, because the Merrimac did
not place herself in deep water, nor In
position Of advantage 10 be attacked by
the Monitor. Naugutuck. Minnesota, Hi
nois. San Jacinto, aud TO be run down by
the Baltimore, Arajo. Vanderbilt, and
all other vessels that might be Oh
hand to coach the Monitor. The
Merrimac drew twenty-three feet OF
water. and with the exception of the
Minnesota there was no vessel In the
Federal fleet that drew as much as fifteen
feet. Moreover they claimed the superlori-
ty Of the Monitor over the Merrimac-a
fact We admitted then. aud admit now.
Comment is unnecessary. Like Jack
Bernsley. let u say The bearings OF
this observation lays in the application on
it.n and dismiss the subject with the
observation" OF the Marquis of Mont
rose
ale either fears his fate too much.
or his deserts are small
That dares not put It to the touch,
Ill