The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-10
THE VIRGINlA-MERRIMAC
BEHIND THE SCENES nv TIE CON.
FEDERA TIE VA Wy DEPARTMENT.
Osstins the Msrrimsc Ready ct the Norfolk
Navy ysrd--She Was to Burn New
York ~ She Corld.


epitome OF the history of the Southern
Confcderacy. The letters are from Ste
phen x. Mallory. Secretary OF the Navy II
the Cabinet or tho Confederate states
and contain orders and instructions TO the
various commandaDts OF the Norfolk
Navy Yard. relating TO the famous IRON
clad Virginia. better known both North
and South as the Merrimac. They begin
confidently. and continue with suggest
Ton begotten of confidence; then they ad-
NIT that damage has been suffered, ana
urge on repairs. then follows doubt ana
then comes the order. "Sauve qui peut
save all you can and destroy the rest.
so might the history OF the Confederate
States be written
The letters. official copies Of the origi-
nails. were found IN Richmond just after
the war. and submitted to William IL.
Seward, Secretary Of state who returns
them with his thanks. having retained a
copy Of them for the files OF the depart
ment." The black edgng Of his letter
and envelope Is tho official mourning for
the death Of President Lincoln
The first OF the letters dated "Confed-
crate States Navy Department, Rich
rnond. Feb. q. 1852" and directed 70 Flag
Ofhccr Franklin Buchanan, Is as follows:
You are hereby detailed from the office
OF orders and Detail" and will proceed
rest for the command Of the naval de-
fences OF James River
You will hoist your flag on the Virginia,
or any other vessel of your squadron,
which will for the present embrace the
Virginia Patrick Henry. jamestown,
Tcazcr. Raleigh and Beaufort.
The Virginia is a novelty In naval con-
struction. Is untried. and her powers I'M
known. and the department will not give
as n ba
enemy. Her powers as ram are re-
rarded as very formidable. and It is hoped
that YOU may bc able TO test them.
Like tho bayOnet charge of infantry,
this mode OF attack while the most de-
etructivc. viii commend itself 10 you in
the present scarcity OF ammunition. II
is one also that may be rendered destruc-
tive at night against the enemy at an
Choir.
Even without guns the ship would be
formidable as a ram.
Could you pass Old Point and make a
dashing cruise OH the Potomac as far as
Washington, it's effect upon the public
mind would be important to the cause
The condition Of our country and the
painful reverses we have just suffered de-
mand our utmost cXeTtions. and COnvinc-
ed as am that the opportunity and the
means for striking decided blow for our
navy are now for the first time presented,
] congratulate you upon il and know that
your judgment and gallantry will meet
all just expectations.
Action-promp, and successful action
now would be OF serious importance to
our cause; and with my earnest wishes
for your success and for the happiness
Of yourself. officers. and crew.
The next letter. written only one day
before the Nirginia-Merrimac ran amuck
among the United States fleet In Hamp-
ton Roads. shows more clearly than ever
how valuable the little cheese box on a
raft" was TO the Federal Government:
I submit for your consideration the at
tack OF New York by the Virginia. Can
the Virginia steam TO New York and at
tack and burn the city? She can. |
doubt not pass Old Point safely. and in
good weather and a smooth sea she could
doubtless go TO New York. once in the
bay she could shell and burn the city and
the shipping. Such an event would eclipse
all the glories Of all the combats of the
sea. would place every man In II pre-
eminently high. and would strike blow
from which the enemy could never re-
cover. Peace would inevitably follow.
Bankers would withdraw their capital
from the city, the Brooklyn Navy Yard
and it's magazines and all the lower part
OF the city would be destroyed and such
an event. by A single ship, would do more
10 achieve an immediate independence
than would the results Of many cam
paisns.
can the ship go there? Please give me
your views.
But the Virginia was destined never TO
reach New York. The encounter the fol-
lowing day in Hampton Roads, which
opened so brilliantly for the formidable
ironclad. virtually ended her career. The
first day of the battle in the Roads was
one Of absolute triumph for her. she
bore down upon the Northern war ships
awaiting her IN after disdain Of the we'll
aimed shots which glanced harmless
from her iron shield as if peas. She des-
troycd easily the Cumberland. Congress,
the tug Dragon, and damaged seriously
the Minnesota. Darkness checked her
victorious career, and the arrival before
morning of the "chee3e box on raft"
the Monitor. partially revived the sinking
hopes Of the Federal forces. The little
ironclad was a pigmy beside the huge Nir-
Cinia but the battle between them on
March . ended with the discontinue of !
the large vessel and its retreat To the
Norfolk Navy Yard.
The Confederate Government urged on |
the repairs with all expedition. The fol- |
lowing letter to Flag officer Forrest, com |
manding the navy yard, Is the second in |
two days, and indicates the anxiety Of |
pleted:
The work Of getting the Virginia and IT, |
iron plated gunboat i'm course of con-
struction at Norfolk ready for sea at the
earliest possible moment is the most i'm
pOrtant duty that could devove upon a
naval officer at this time, and yet this
department is ignorant as 10 what pro-
gress is being made upon either. | am
not advised that a days work has been
done upon the Virginia since she went
into dock.
/ must request YOU TO keep the DEPART
ment informed daily Of the progress
made on the Virginia. II YOU require ad-
dtional officers or clerks 10 enable you
20 have this done. they will be sent you
at once.
Every means possible 10 hasten her
readiness for sea must be eXerted and the
must be kept constantly and |
promp. ly advised Of her progress.
on March 24th capt. :. : Lee suppressed
ed Flag Of1cer Forrest in command at
Norfolk. and received these urgent or
ders:
You will take immediate steps 10 raise
the Columbus and Delaware in order 10
use them. II necessary, TO close the ap-
10 Norfolk.
You will Immediately place the Ger
or Confederate States or both
II necessary, in such positions as will en-
able you To sink one or both OF them az
short notice at the best point and in the
best manner 10 obstruct the approach Of
the enemys ships 10 Norfolk. -
Gen. Randolph thinks that either ship |
Fan be so placed as TO act like swing
ing gate, TO keep "a passage open for our
"a, a.. ,.1A 4