The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1908-03-13

utlldut Cuallthst'
Slowly steamed into harbor tie
Merrimac, ship ofthe Southland,
Only two days completed, but brave
in her iron-clad armor,
Driving straightway to the Cumber-
land, pride of the Union.
Mid the echoing shells, the cries Of
the sailors intermingled
As in desperation the Cumberland
sank to watery grave in the
ocean.
Now still with its work unfinished,
the Merrimac slowly departed,
Leaving the Cumberland sunk, but
the other ships safe from dis
truction,
Sailing away to the south to land her
dead and her wounded.
But with the next days sun she gal
lantly sailed into harbor,
Waving her flags to the breeze, and
gracefully showing her victory.
The Merrimac now determined to
conquer the vessel Congress,
For with her armor Of iron she chal-
enged the strongest of vessels.
So with destructive guns she open
ed fire on the Congress,
Setting ablaze the vessel, which
burned far into the nighttime.
Gently the tapping waves sorrow
fully moaned in sympathy;
Storming its sides with her beak,
the Merrimac
Opened a passage for fire which
blazed like a reed demon.
Sailing out Of the harbOr, the Merri-
mae left behind the Minnesota.
Guarding Monroe alone, without
any hope Of assistance.
But during the night help came with
the darkness in shape of the
Monitor,
"a cheese-box on raft, - twas
scornfully called by the people.
With the first streak Of dawn, the
Merrimsc made her entrance,
Confident, sure Of victory, DER the
wooden mailed ship Minnesota
Surprised indeed was she then when
there in view the Monitor,
Riding the ripping waves, a. it con-
stantly tugged at its anchor.
Now commenced the battle, the reign
Of shell and Of fire.
War was declared between the first
two irOn-clad vessels,
Each firing in mighty fury against
the shield of the other,
Loudly the cannon rang, with echo
ing shell replying,
out Of the port holes smoke arose
and covered the vessels,
lowering DER the water, and with
its misty, opiate hand,
Darkened the mighty deep, the
region Of Pluto;
Only pierced by the cannon that
fired continually onward,
Like as the lightning pierces the
thunder clouds of the heavens,
Carrying destruction and death, the
forerunner Of disaster.
Thus will we leave the fight between
these knights Of the navy,
Let the dispute live on as to which
side won the fight,
But let us remember the brave who
gave their lives in the battle,
Whether our men or the North's, let
us give the honor due them,
Let their memory forever live on the
purest page Of our history.
But let the South for US be first, be
the ruler Of the nation,
And that flag that waved DER the
Merrimac be ever our emblem Ui
honor.
Battered, defeated and torn, but pure
AS the souls that defended,
Live on forever and ever in oul
minds andour deepest affections
We sincerely congratulate Park'
Morris on her success in winning The
reward Of s. Offered for the best essay
on 1.-THE Battle Between the Merri
mac and Monitor"
There were seventy-eight contes
tants from the training school ana INT
public school, and to have received
the award of merit over so many wa
i'm itself great honor for one 30 young
A careful reading Of our younI
friends composition, which we pm
above. will show that the honor ha
been worthily won.
While the difficult and ambition
task of writing in blank verse natuI
ally resulted in many mistakes Il
form, the vivid presentation OF tn
scene of conflict and the many strls
ing aud poetic figures Of speech ren
der most appropriate the style OF con
position selected. There is consider
able literary value in this piece, and
prophecy of high literary attainment
in the future for our talented youn
friend.
Hampden-Sldney alumni.
The final work on the Alumni Ca