The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-06
FIGHTING THE MERRIMHc.
The 1st n. Y. MED Rifles Participated n
the Struggle.

Editor National Tribune: I wish to tell
what 1 remember of the Monitor Merrimao
fight recall distinctly the incidents.
About p. m, March J, boots and
saddles" sounded in our little command,
encamped at the Chesapeake Female Semi
nary, overlook ne Hampton Roads The
battalion OF the 1st n. Y. Mounted Rifles
in eager haste, at the heels of Gen. Max
Weber, galloped to Newport News.
Emerging from the woods the Merrimac
Shells at the roots OF giant tree so feet
ahead of US, for a moment blocking our
way. We refined up in rear of some brick
buildings on the bluff.
Many of the Merrimac's shells went over
our heads, burying themselves in the plain
IN the rear. party went to the rescue OF
the 9th n. Y, who were leaving the Cum
berland, just sinking below the waters
edge. The Menimac had not yet left her.
Soon she engaged the other vessels-the
Congress near by, the Minnesota, st. Law
renee and Roanoke farther away and creep
ing TO the shallow water nearer shore be-
low US.
We went to the waters edge and, lying
down, used our Spencer carbines against
the sides OF the Merrimac, especially at
the portfolios when opened.
Capt buchanan of the Merrimac was
hit by any small weapon the credit is due
to Serg't John d. Lee, Troop A, 1st N. Y.
Mounted Rifles, an expert shot, whose
eye was undimmed and aim sure that day.
We attracted the Merrimac's attention. and
she flung some of her shells at us while
pounding the Congress.
We saw the crew of the Congress leave
her burning decks, and the Merrimac's
boat approaching her. After some further
/,hOtS the Merrimac retired behind SewelPs
Point, very much to our relief.
Toward night a guard was or
dered out towards Yorktown to find out as
the (YIlmOrpdl "a
forces. Soon retiring, the command was
ordered to camp, and the blazing frigate
was an impressive sight; in the dusk of
| night, about 10 p. M, she exploded.
Next morning at reveille horses were
saddled for any emergency, while officers
| and men climbed TO the roofs of stables and
outbuildings of the Seminary and anxiously
scanned the woods ringing the Elizabeth
River. Near 10 a. m. three columns OF
smoke fiOated over the woods, and the
Merrimac. attended by two other vessels,
proudly started for our fleet.
No swifter was the onset of the Merrimao
than the approach of the Monitor. There
was no display Of timidity from start to
finish. The bravery of the Monitor was
our admiration as we watched through our
glasses hardly mile away every phase OF
the fight.
1t was of two hours duration, the Moni-
tor holding her ID close quarters all the
time. The only lei i'm the Monitors fir
ing was when the command was tfans-
ferred from the gallant Worden to Lieut..
Green, and all understood the reason after
wards.
1t was at this time that the Merrimao
drew off toward the other shore, and when
the Monitor followed her she turned her
Prov toward Elizabeth River and steamed
away, with the Monitors shells following
her.
What OF her consorts, the vessels that
sailed out so proudly in the morning, with
rigging gay with flags, decks crowded with
ladies and gentlemen of Norfolk, and bands
playing martial music, expecting to dine at
old Fortress Monroe that day7
The Monitor was hardly warmed to the
fray before these withdrew behind the
fringe of woods, vanishing as the Merrimao
did later in the day.
In those days we watched intently the
Elizabeth River for the temperance of
the Merrimac, and only once do / recall
seeing her. after several weeks. when, VEN
turing out. she swOoped down upon a
schooner carrying forage, / believed that
had anchored too near the rebel side of the
river. The Merrimac quickly returned to
the cover of the river and it's batteries.
The night following the landing of Gen.
John E. Woods troops at Ocean View for
the capture of Norfolk, Va, the Merrimao
committed suicide as it were and sank in
the bed of the Elizabeth River.-Edgar A.
Hamilton, Major and Brevet Lieutenant
Colonel LIST n. Y NJ r.