The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-18
plates BY guns Of hitherto unknown

plates by guns of hitherto unknown d.
mansions. The Mcrrmac was un,nanage-
able; the Monitor worked Beautifully.
She steamed close up to US and around
u.s. sometimes within few feet OF us.
I could see that black hull come past the
open port hole at which 1 stood. with
an immense cheese box upon 1t revolv-
Ing slowly. We could not see the guns
Eof the Monitor except when they were
ready to fire. The terrific hammering OF
her immense projectiles on the iron work
outside my station sprung the woodwork
inWards. 1t appeared as though they
We're trying to make breach there. It
was only occasionally that my guns got a
shot at the monster. The heat was fierce,
the atmosphere Sitting. Finally, seeing
that our shots made absolutely no i'm
preston on the Monitors hull, ceased
firing, as it was merely a waste of am
munition. Catesby Jones came by and
told him Of our conclusion. Never
mind he responded, we are getting
ready to ram her.
& That was difficult matter. for the
Monitor evaded us; but, after much ma.
noeuvering. we finally rammed her, but
inflicted only a glancing blow. They
said afterwards that mo damage was
done, but the Monitor Immediately re-
treated. and did not fire a shot after
wards. She headed for shoal waters
and was no longer a factor in the fight.
All the other Federal ships had retreatcd
under cover Of Fortress Monroe.
After brief consultation. Catesby
Jones, who was in command after the
wounding of Buchanan. decided to retire
for the day. as nothing further could
be done. and the men were worn out
with the two days at the guns.
" y
For three months the Merrimac was
cock Of the walk at Hampton Roads.
One day We heard great bombardment
in the lower bay, and steaming down
will full speed, found n Federal fleet,
with the Monitor at the head circling
round and round and bombarding our
shore batteries.
1--WE made for them and at the sight
of us they scattered like a flock of
geese and huddled for safety under tho
guns of Fortress Monroe. We sent one
Of our small tug boats into the James to
cut out n number Of small vessels from
the Federal fleet lying there, to try to
entice them out; but nothing could bring
them from safety to attack us.
1.-THE crew of an English man-of-war
was lying in the Roads, manned the
yards and cheered us enthusia stically' II
was fragrant violation OF neutrality, !;
do not doubt.
"As I have said, 1t was pure bluff that
won out. The Merrimac was nothing but
floating battery, confined to the waters
of Norfolk. and was never the terrible
engine Of war the enthusiasm our friends
made her She could not have gone
through another battle with such record
as that she made In those two days,
''When Norfolk was evacuated by Inc
land forces. there was but two courses,
either to stay and be starved into sub
mission. or to sink our boat. We choose
the latter course. secure In the knowl-
edge that no foot of any foeman would
ever tread upon her decks, She had
made gallant fight, had made the North
crn cities of Washington, New York and
Philadelphia tremble with fear; had IN.
f,cted incalculable damage on Federal
shipping, had all but caused the recog-
milton by England of the Confederate
Stntes, and had revolutionlzed naval war.
fare almost without damage to herselr
md hut few casualties to her crew.
"When finally the day came when we.
must sink her, the people gathered from
hundreds OF miles away. The city was
IN mourning. Women came from PETERS
hurr to weep over the destruction OF
ono NJ the chief hopes of the Confeder-
acv When she was blown up and her
remoIns had sunk the news cast
damper on the hopes of the Confederates
throughout the South"