The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13

THE FIRST IRON-CLAD NAVAL EN-
GAGEMENT IN THE WORLD. BY
Z. Y. White. Of Portsmouth. Va
MIR. Whites book is a history Of facts
OF the great naval battle between the
Nierrmac- Virginia c. s n. and the
Ericsson Monitor. L. s. y. which took
place in Hampton Roads, March Sth and
9Th. 1S62
As "a preliminary to what the outhor
considers an intelligent study OF his sub
Ject. he gives the history Of the Merit
mac. from tho time she was placed I'm
commission Pa 1915. 10 the time when on
April 70. 1851 she was dismantled and
burned 20 the water line BY the com-
mand 81 the Federal authorities who
tnon evacuated Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Va After mature consideration the au-
thor saws the Confederate authorities de-
termined TO raise the Merrimac and upon
her hull construct a powerful battery for
the protection OF Norfolk harbor, AMI
the mouth Of James River. Upon plans
supplied by n Nirginan the work OF
construction proceeded until its compile
ton. He then gives the dimensions Of
the reconstructed iron-clad and mentions
the change or name which made her af-
forwards known as the Virginia, also
the fact that he held the position OF as
siStant engineer on the vessel.
He describes the stirring events %
March =. 1852. and the sinking OF the
United States battleships Cumberland and
Congress by the Virginia on that day
The letter n the Washington CORES
pondent. showing the impression made
throughout the North by the daring OF
the Virginia and the skill with which
she WIS handled is introduced by Mt
White, who further introduces the testi-
mony ~ an eyewitness &c the battle who
was within the Federal lines at Old Point
and who said; AT sundown Of Saturday
night there was nothing TO dispute the
empire OF the seas with the Virginia ana
had a land attack been rnade by Ma
gruder then God only knows what our
fate would have been, The st. Lawrence
and the Minnesota aground and helpless
the Roanoke with broken shaft-these
were our defenses by sea. while on land
We were doing all possible To resist a
night invasion but who could hope that
these would have much efficiency The
heavens were afiame with tho burning
Congress. The hotel was crowded with
fug1uves, and private hospitality waR
taxed 70 the utmost The heavy night
hung dark the hills and waters Ger. but
the night was not half 20 heavy as our
hearts, nor SO dark as our prospects,
The account given by the same eve-
witness OF the duel between the Virginia
and the Monitor on Sunday. March 9th.
IS considered by Mr.. White 20 be mis-
written history. He gives the account IN
fun and then corrects Il by his own state
ments- This IS what he says:
we caught and aid run into the Afoni-
tor and came near running her under
water, not that We struck her exactly NJ
right angle. but with OUT starboard bow
drove against her with q determination
OF sending her 10 the bottom. and SO
near did we come 10 sccompllshi-e ON
object that from the ramminF and the
shot ~ our rife gun that blinded her
commander she Withdrew to shoal uya-
Ter near the Minnesota. never again to
offer or TO accept battle with the Virginia
7 wish 20 emphasize tho Hacts Just related
OF the pUrposed collision with the Monitor
and our desire 10 repeat Il and OF her
withdrawal rom the field and her re-
1usa then OF thereafter to engage In hat
tie With the VirFrla"
Mr.. White reooslnts tho inprov ements
made % the Virginia after March 9, 1852
and tells Of how she went down TO Old
Point and offered battle to the Monitor
ana the Vanderbilt without success. also