The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-06-20
GRAND MIMIC WAR SCENE.
Reproduction of Monitor Merrimac En-
gagement at jamestown Exposition

9a9ement az Jamestown Exposition.
There are many people now living la
! the vicinity of Hampton Roads who
will remember the terrible days or
March S and 8, 1862, to the last hours
Of their lives. On those days the bray.
est of them risked the missiles of
death and thronged the shores to be.
come eyewitnesses of the most unique
naval engagement in the history Of the
world, the struggle between the Merri
mae and the Monitor.
To those who witnessed this famous
event as well as to those millions of
visitors to Norfolk, Va, from all parts
OF this and other countries to whom
the details of the battle are familiar
as matters of history one feature Of
the jamestown exposition will be of
especial interest. This Aill be the
spectacular reproduction OF the great
engagement which occurred just Off
the exposition grounds In Hampton
Roads, and the presentation will be
given In as realistic manner as the per
feet equipment of the present day will
allow. The historical location SO near
the actual scene Of the occurrence
lends added interest to the reproduc
ton, and 1t is sure to be one of the de-
cided attractions of the exposition
The scene Of the battle will be cycn-
rama and will be as grand sight as
the human eye ever beheld. The scene
opens the day before the battle be-
h., Il ,,l,
Just setting upon the leaping flames Of
the burning Congress and the sinking
Cumberland, with her cannon booming
and her crew cheering as the ship set
ties beneath the waves and the brave
fighters going down to death rather
than surrender. The victorious Merri-
mac is seen slowly steaming away to
the shelter of the Confederate shore
batteries to await the coming of dawn
to complete the work of destruction
This sunset scene will be one of the
most gorgeous ever beheld and will be
q revelation of this character of scenic
effect Twilight comes on, and the
lurid light of the burning vessels casts
its reflection upon the waters, reveal
ing the other vessels of the federal
feet, to which it seemed as forecast
Of their own doom on the morrow. AS
the darkness appears the stars twinkle
and the scene becomes tranquil. Then
come rolling clouds, forked lightning
and peals Of thunder, and storm
bursts In all its fury. Rain falls in tor
rents, and the scene will have every
appearance of reality. After the storm
has subsidized the stars again show
themselves and the moon appears In
all her glory.
After awhile the day begins to dawn,
and the sun peeps over the eastern ho-
rizon, and the audience beholds the
most beautiful sunrise that can be I'm
agined. Out on the water they will see
the Merrimac steaming down upon the
Minnesota The Confederate ironclad
has been repaired after her damages
from ramming the Cumberland the
evening before and draws closer and
closer to the federal ship. The Mime
sofa lies helplessly stranded in shallow
water, but suddenly from the rear
darts the Monitor. The Merrimac puts
on all steam, and soon the battle be-
tween ironclads Is on The cannon will
be seen In action, and the crack and
roar. of the guns will be as real as It
was during the time of the great fight.
The audience will be thrilled with the
working of each gunboat, and every
movement will be in harmony with the
most authentic records Of the great
battle. Just at the climax the curtain
will be drawn, and the audience will
be left to determine which was victor
The engagement will be so repro.
duced that no exception can be taken
by the visitors from any section Of the
country.
The Merrimac and Monitor used In
the reproduction will be made Of steel,
and by the effect of the new appli-
ances Of electricity they will appear to
the spectators the actual size Of the
vessels when they were engaged In this
historic battle.