Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-12-12


ebrated marine battle which revolu.
tionized naval warfarc-the fight be-
tween the Mcrrimac and the Monitor.
About II o'clock on the morning OF
March the Merrinac steamed up
Hampton Roads to point near the Con-
grcss, and commanded her to surrcn-
der I'm see you in HI first, replied
Captain Joseph Smith, who was in com
mand OF the Congress. After firing one
shot at the Congress the Merrilnac
turned and went toward the Cunbcr-
land, which was anchored Il short dis
lance away. Ten minutes later she
sent the Cumberland to the bottom.
Then the victorious vessel again turned
her attention to the Congress, which In
the meantime had grounded, and could
not retreat. The Merrimac lay across
the stern Of the Congress, and lost no
time in beginning the attack. The
guns on the vessels were soon bclch-
ing forth shot and shell. In 4 few
minutes scores of the four hun
drcd and fifty men on board the
Congress had been killed, while but lit
Tie injury had been done to the iron
covered Merrilnac and her crew. Capt.
Smith and his second lieutenant were
killed early in the fight Mr., Curtis
was sesonl captain Of gun No. 5.
While at his post Of duty shell en-
tered the port hole Of gun No. T, dis
mounted the gun, andkilled seven men.
1t soon became evident to those on
board the Congress that it would be
suicidal to offer furthcrrcsistancc, and
her flag was hauled down, signifying
that She had surrendered Many Of
the crew tool, to the boats ind pulled
madly for the shore, but nearly one
fourth the number were killed by shots
from the Mcrrmac. The tug boat Blu
ford, with a detachment Of the Mcrri-
macs crew on board, came alongside
the Congress to make prisoners of the
defeated seamcn.
As the l'uford reached one side Of the
Congress Mr.. Curtis sprang overheard
from the other side. Great confusion
prevailed at the time, and he was not
detected. Thirty prisoners were re-
moved to the lIuford, the other men on
the Congress having been killed or
having escaped in the boats. Several
jumped overheard and were drowned,
MI, Curtis, who was clothed in his shirt
and trousers, had to swim nearly mile
before he could touch bottom Owing
to his intense excitement he was in no
condition for such n trying ordeal, and
was about to give up the struggle when
he at last reached shallow water. 1t
was bitterly cold, and he was almost
frozen when he crawlcd out on the
river bank, completely exhausted
Encamped near the shore was the
Fifth Indiana regiment, and the bold
swimmer soon found himself in the
midst OF friends, who gave him hearty
welcome, and furnished him with dry
clothing. The next day he witnessed
the fight between the Merrimac and
the Monitor. Ilc remained with the
Indiana regiment n few days and then
went aboard the Minnesota, which was
lying in Hampton l,oads, near Fort
Monroe. When one hundred volun-
tccrS were called for to join I,urnsidcs
feet at llattcras Inlet, n. G., his voice
was one of the first to respond. lie re-
NAMED in the navy until the close Of
the war,and came out without scratch.
Only four Of the men who were on
l. ....1 N. d.. 4, ~ ,..
board inc congress wheh inc hght took
pl'oe ni' no" ,''nH' so iar as Mr.
,lrJiS knows They nrr bnsi1ne him.
sclf william Ranks n woodworl.er -
Sou,h uoston. Johp prrsc = f,wror -
JIn,yhon eopntv Mass and Amos
Gallon If sumaervile Mass
Wv rpaia 4 /, us, ~ .;vtr al.
Ihonrh he d,es not nnnc,r T. hs
Ibat old liz ia contractor and has
constructed mnnv hnild;nas IN nostor
AS locked out unop JI.mnton po,ds
md ,hc surrpupd;rg country to.d,ys
Ia said. sthc stirrinr srrnes ~ Ia
thrcc dec,drs ,,o Vow r;r,a,, ro
,ol,cd. md cm,,a n.s;,r ,,,o,,,ra Z,
,hc forrs Of nv ola com.
:, NV '''N'. ~. wy a"V's " ny oio eo'n,