The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-19

If | live a hundred years / will
never forget a single detail of those
TWO days fights. When we cas-. of
our mourin%s at II a m. on the first
day ana proceeded down The Elizabeth
river, The MsrrimaC was absolutely un.
triod. She had never had a trial trip
Naturally we watched her every move
n3th an intense degree of expectancy.
soon after getting under way the boa :
swain pipCd to dinner. The meal had
been prepared in The ward room. and
a message was sent me by the caterer
that had better take bite mt once.
rs it might he my last chance to do 50.
lie put 1t cheerfully. Passing along the
gun deck for that purpose. was grca.-
~ struck by the cOuntonanccs Of the
gun crews as they stood mOtionless at
their post with ramruf and sponge III
hand. These men looked pale and de-
tcrmincd standing straight and stin
ana their nerves wrought llp - a high
degree of tension.
owing down into the ward room |
found u number Of officers around tho
table daintily rartaking of cold tongue
ana biscuit but n; one end of the ia.
Die sa- Or. Garnctt examining a case
or surgical instruments. with lint and
bandagcS lying around. The sight tool;
away all my appetite and returned 10
my post.
Mark YOU well the chances We ran
Here we We're with an un.ried cxpcri-
hheht making bee line 10 fight sim
gle handed fleet of the hes material
N me United Sta;cs navy, composed of
the fri%atcS Congress minnesota
Roanoke ST. Lawrrncc--cach with hat.
terieS Of 60 guns. and the Cumberland
WIN 80 guns. ] was ten guns agains.
'i'ree hundred. and three hundrct,
men against three thousand and at the
same time exposed to the fire of thn
batteries at Newport News, mannnd ~.
30 guns ana 1000 men Surely the
crew "r the Nerrimac were brave men
In the meantime we were Ceiling
nearer and nearer the fleet. CHANGING
out the port | read the signals from
the bright coored little nag running un
ana down the rigging. They read. "rhn
Merrimnc has come down. but nf
r'ursr: she VIII not dare TO attack our
iif%" force" whry all thought she ~, :
g2ing 10 escape up the James river ana
rum away hut they were soon to he I'M
deceived. Suddenly the Mcrrimac
headed directly towards; the Curbor-
NM t,hia caused the scales to drop
from their eyes Tnpsails are shaken
"ui and the clothes lines. holding the
Sah"tS clothes, are pulled down I'M
cer'inomlpusiy. Just at this time AG-
''''' - -''''h''ll l'iN!llIlRI, che oil tho
EraHa"St men who ever drew n breath
of salt air. assembled the ship's Grey
nr"unI him on the gun deck and nd
dressed them rs follows: Sailors. in
IL few minutes YOU will have The long
expected opportunity to show your de-
Notion 10 your country and orr cause.
Remember that You are about To strike
for your country and your homes, Your
wives ana your children Every man
is expected 10 do his duty. Beat TO
quarters"
The surrounding shores for miles are
lined with people. Norfolk and Ports
mouth were emrtied OF their 1900
troops. Nearly every one in the two
cities rushed 10 the waters edge To wi,-
ness the result OF what many consider
ed an iil-stared enterprise. No naval
battle was ever Witnessed by more
people.
Suddenly there was !, nur Of smoke
and lash from the lned pivot gun
OF the Cumberland, followed by Il Coo
tinuons crash Of artillery from the
Congress, the Newport News batteries
ana the gun boats The Mcrrmac
churncd her way gr.mly towards the