The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-03-13
MER|DEN man
WHOFOUCHT IN
Great BATTLE
Charles A. Burr, Survivor of
Engagement Between the
Monitor and the Merrimac-
Injured in Civil War But
Wants no Pension

Meriden, March 13.-In thiAcity there
is a real hero, a hero of a great naval
battle, a hero unknown to many To-
contact. He is decorated with no gold
Or bronze medals, he wears no golden
shoulder straps on his coat, his pic
ture is never seen in the hall of ma
tional heroes, and in the long years
that have passed since the famous
battle he has been forgotten by the
government, unrecognized by patriotic
orders, and gradually he sank into OBJ
livion until a few days ago when his
real heroic identity was discovered.
Charles A. Burr, of Murray street,
the well known moving contractor, is
the man i'm question.
Saturday was the fftieth anniver-
sary Of the battle between the two
ironclads, the Monitor and the Mer-
rimac, and it was celebrated in many
cities throughout the country. Last
Friday an article appeared in the Chi
cago Tribune stating that William
burst of Philadelphia was the only
survivor of the Monitor. A large full
length photograph of Mr.. burst was
shown and it was considered quite a
distinction for Philadelphia to have
the "only survivor residing within
her boundaries. On Saturday a full
company of United States marines I'M
officer, marched to Mr.. bursts home
and escorted him through the princi-
pal streets of Philadelphia.
Unhonored And Unsung.
But in Meriden, how different. Few
people were even aware of the fact
that Mr.. Burr took any part in the
Civil war and the day Of the anniver-
sary passed for him as it has in
years gone by, with no public dem
onstration, no acknowledgement from
the government, nor was he wined and
dined by any patriotic organization.
Not that he cared Mr. Burr is an
extremely modest and unassuming gen.
tleman and does not seek notoriSty,
therefore it was with difficulty that
amy information was obtained from
him.
In an interview with a Reporter Of
the Meriden Record, Mr.. Burr reluct-
anly told a few facts in reference to
his part in the engagement. He Has
shown the photograph Of VIM. burst
and he Immediately recognized him as
one of the crew of the Monitor. He
stated that Mr.. burst took no part
in the battle as he was only a cabin
boy or a steward, Mr.. Burr remem-
bers distinctly all that occurred on that
memorable day when the Monitor and
Merrimac met in a supreme struggle
and fought the battle which complete
ly changed the methods of naval war
fare.
His Own Story of the Battle
The following is the story as told
by Mr.. Burr: II remember we'll the
morning that we sailed from Hampton
Roads to meet the Merrimac, which
before the Monitor was built wrought
destruction among the wood vessels.
We sailed down the bay and soon
sighted the Merrimac. Drawing near
err we opened up fire on her and she
returned shot for shot. For hours we
we both sent shot and shell at each
other but with no effect I was a
gunner on the Monitor at that time
and was in the thick of the fight. I'm
a short while our faces became black
ened from the powder and smoke and
our eyebrows were singed but other
wise we were unlnjured.
After firing away at each other for
some time, the Merrimac attempted to
ram us and this was where the skill
fu. manoeuvering was brought in. She
was unsuccessful in this attempt, how
ever, and the fighting continued About
8 O'Clock in the afternoon the Merrimac
withdrew, and set down in history
you'll find the Monitor declared the
victor, but of that am not sure.
mo one was killed on either side.
The thirty-five Of us who were on
board the Monitor prayed for darkness
that the battle might cease for time.
We were terribly tired and were very