The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-10
MEMORABLE NhTALFIGHI'
Battle of the Congress, Cumber-
land. and Merrimae.
An Interesting Letter From the Late
Commander ManIey, Then Acting
Lieutenant on Roard the First
Named Vessel Disputed Points
Cleared Up by the Narrative.

letter written by the late Commander
he Haven Manley, OF the United States
Navy. to the late Hon. John NJ BromweIl,
Of Media, Pa, in which the battle be-
tween the United States ships Congress
and Cumberland, and the Confederate
steamer Merrimac is described, was late
ly discovered by Horace R. Manley the
brother of the dead commander. Mr.
Manley died in 1893, having been retired
from the Navy in 1882. He was on The
Congress. as master, at that time acting
as lieutenant.
by reason of the historical Importance
attached to the incident, as well as the
clear description of some heretofore dis
puted points the letter, which for the first
time was published in the Chester pa
Times" a few days ago. is reproduced.
After a few Introductory remarks Mr.
Manley's account proceeds as follows:
The day above mentioned opened
with light and pleasant bTeezes from the
west and with a clear sun whose rays
were unobstrueted by a single cloud At
o'clock in the morning, being the officer
of the deck, loosed sails to dry, by or
der of Lieutenant Pendergrast, our ex-
ecutive officer. The morning was fine and
the usual daily routine of a Saturday was
gone through with namely, a field day
as We cali it, or a general scTubbing CT
all the decks, preparatory to Sundays in
spection by the captain AT noon I was
relieved of the deck and went below. In
about half an hour from that time. while
we officers were smoking. after taking
lunch, word was sent by officer of the deck
TO Lieutenant Commodore. Joshua B.
Smith, that the MeTrimac was coming
down from Norfolk We went on deck ard
observed her with our glasses, accompan-
led by three small gunboats all flying the
rebel flag The MeTrimac had also an Ad-
miral's flag forward. Upon looking up the
James River We observed the jamestown
and Yorktown coming toward US on that
side. At first We thought the Merrimac
was only making trial trip, but she soon
convinced US by the way she headed that
she intended to pay US q visit Accord
ingly We made all preparations 10 re-
ceive her, sails were unfurled, the
small arms hastily loaded. q boat sent
ashore TO notify General Mansfield of her
coming etc. The Cumberland, about 500
yards from US, was busily engaged. The
rebels steadily advanced, we had beaten
to quarters and the men were ready for
the work before IS
Our ship was heading down the river
Tor soCtheast) and the tide being young
food was not strong enough TO spring our
ship by the spring on the cable. The Mer-
rimac had now approached to within 500
yards OF our starbOard bow and none OF our
guns would as yet train upon her, but the
Cumberland having two pivot guns opened
fire upon her. the shot falling OF from her
iron bound sides without effect She now
opened her broadsides upon the Congress
firing at our main deck batteries and berth
deck. 7 was standing near the main hatch
about the centre of the ship, and the first
broadside killed nearly all the crews of the
mounting No :, by shooting the carriage
from under It. The captains Of those guns
reported their case to me and I told them
10 man any of the other guns that they
saw were short handed. We tried now to
bring our ship by setting the spanker.
which succeeded. The MerTimac gave US
broadside. passing about 300 yards from
US. steamiug directly for the Cumberland
which ship she ran into with her iron prov
striking her on the staTboard bow. We
rapidly worked our starbcard stationed
guns. but now owing to her change of posi-
tion We worked the port battery Pumping
her every time but without effect. The
Cumberland being run into the second time
rapidly went under and was soon hors du
combat. At this time the Minnesota COM
ing to our assistance grounded. and the
Roanoke and ST. Lawrence. not being able
10 get up returned to Hampton Roads The
Congress then had to stand the whole brunt
SA tHS DSltlS- Inc An6IIlludC seeing mat
we could get no assistance from the ships
below, returned 10 US the second time, and
TO prevent her from striking US like she
did tbs Cumberland and to be able to keep
our guns above water to fight as long as
possible, we slipped our cable and ran the
ship ashore. The rebel came on and took
M a position about I50 yards astern Of US.
firing her shot and shell into Us with great
rapidly and destruction. We had but two
stern guns TO bear on her, the crews of
which were moved down as fast as replac-
ed. Soon they were disabled. one having
tbs muzzie broken off and the other having
the carriage knocked from under
The ship was also on fire for the sew