The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-12-26

l, What was origin of the civil
war?
?. How many battles were fought
and how many men were enlisted on
both sides?
3. Who were the Commanders OF
the Union and Confederates?
4. Why vas the battle of Manassas
significant? Which side was victori-
GUS?
5. Name the Generals on each side?
s. The Confederate battle nag was
changed.--why?
How did Jack son get the name
"Stonewally'
s. What was effect of battle on
each side?
Which was the first to secede7 When
did Alabama secede?
IL. Give some interesting current
President. and members of Cabinet of
the Confederacy? Where was first
capital?-
IL. Give some interesting current
event of the work of our Alabama
Veterans, Sons or Daughters.
The "vIrginias at Hampton Roads. !
This Confederate iron-clad. SO unlike
the officers and men strangers to each
other, and new to every part Of the
ship. were Immediately launched from
the dock into battle, and from what
was supposed to be an experimental
trial of sailing and floating capacity.
into the fiercest fight OF modern times :.
Discharging workmen. the Virginia
moved out into the channel. Flag Of
ficer Buchanan turned her into waters
swarming with enemy and covered
with line of battle ships. that had
never lowered their flag to an enemy.
Immediately her defects became ap-
parent, not more than five knots an
hour could be got out of her. and she
obeyed her rudder SO reluctantly that 1t
took nearly an hour to turn her Her
draft confined her to narrow channel.
thus depriving her of every advantage
obtainable by maneuvering.
But in that unmanageable water
logged vessel. Captain Buchanan, on
the Sth of March. 1852, steamed slowly
down Elizabeth River, accompanied by
eigh, to make her trial trip trial of
battle. The movement was hailed
with huzzars from citizens and soldiers,
from wharves and batteries. but silent
ly and without response. the gallant
ship and her escorts plowed their way
toward the enemy. Down the river the
virginit and her satalines reached
Hampton Roads. At Fortress Monroe
lay the Federal fleet of eleven boats,
mounting 100 guns. At Newport News,
riding at anchor. was the Cumberland,
thirty guns. and the Congress. nifty
guns. In addition to this formidable
battery of guns afioat, must be added
the guns on the land side of FORTRESS
Monroe. Notwithstanding the infor-
nation which leaked through the lines
as to the progress that was making
upon the Virginia at the navy yard.
her appearance. II not unexpected, was
unprepared for. The Congress and
Cumberland lay at anchor off Newport
News, with boats hanging from the
lower booms, washed clothes flying in
the wind from the riggings and no in
dieation whatever of preparation or
readiness for battle until the Virginia
was within three-quarters Of mile,
when ever man was astir and the SHIPS
were cleared for action. In that cir
Gle of guns from battleships, shore
batteries and gun boats. whose con-
centrated fire could be directed to any
position in Hampton Roads, Captain
Buchanan led his little feet, composed
of the Virginia. ten guns; Beaufort.
one; Raleigh, one, when in action to
be reinforced by the Patrick Henry.
twelve guns; Jamestown, two, and
Terser, one, a total of twenty-seven
guns, against an armament of 500 guns,
of which 100 could be brought into &C
ton at any moment at every point. AT
Sewelrs Point. Captain Buchanan turn
the virginia, with her gun boat escort.
towards Newport News, to engage the
frigates, Cumberland and Congress,
gunboats and shore batteries.
Reserving FIRE until within less than
a mile, the forward pilot gun of the
Virginia opened the engagement with
the Cumberland, and the action be-
came general almost Immediately. To
reach her selected foe. the Virginia
had to pass the Congress, to which
she gave a broadside. and received an
equally liberal compliment From
these boats and shore, batteries, there
was now poured apon the Virginia
and her little boats, the concentrated
fire of 100 heavy guns at short range.
The Virginia brought her ramming
power into action and struck the
Cumberland a telling blow. delivering
the fire OF her big gun at the very
moment. The destruction was great
as she rounded to and came up, she
again raked her adversary with heavy
fire. At this many were Killed ana
wounded and all were subsequently,
carried down in the sinking ship. The
scars of the fight were scarcely per-
ceptible on the Virginia. Heading up
stream to turn, the gallant but slow
moving ship enabled the guns to be
put into action which were turned up
on the Congress Just as she slipped
her anchor and ran up her jib to eff
feet her escape. Her effort was un-
avaiiins. she grounded and the Vir-
ginia at a distance of 200 yards, rid
ana har utdaa until rhe white flag was
run up. The Cumberland was slowly
sinking, deck after deck submerged in
thirty minutes. The ship cantered to
port, her oficers and men delivered
their parting fire and Immediately
leaped into the water and the Cum
berland sank with the American flag
hying at the peak. The Beaufort had
been dispatched to receive the sur
render of the Congress. take aboard
her dead and wounded and set fire to
the ship.
The swords of the officers were sur
rendered, among them being a broth
err Of Captain Buchanan. and soon she
was enveloped in flames. Darkness
had closed over the waters and put an
end to further lighting for that day.
The Confederate fleet steamed proudly
and triumphantly back to its anchor
age, having sent thrill of joyful en-
thusiasm throughout the length and
breadth of the Confederate States:
dismay and disgrace. all over the Uni
ted States and revolutioni2ed naval
construction throughout the world
From their anchorage, the crews of
our vessels saw waving from the
masts of the sunken Cumberland the
flag of the United States and heard
the booming of the guns of the burn
ing Congress. until her magazine ex-