Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-03-06
THE BATTLE OF HAMPTON ROADS
Fittieth Anniversary Of the Battle Of the
Merrimac and Monitor Occurs
Next Saturday.
Story of the Battle Told by War Correspondent

Cumberland, the Merrimac now turn
ed her attention to the sailing frigate
Congress. While the Merrimac was
engaged with the Cumberland, the
Yorktown and the jamestown, which
had successfully passed the Nation
al batteries at Newport News, had
tackled the Congress. Until the Cum
berland went down, the Congress
made a gallant and successful resis-
lance. With the help Of the Zouave,
she then managed to run aground un-
der cover of the strong batteries just
named. There she was beyond reach
Of the Merrimac's prov, but she was
not beyond the range of her guns. As
soon, therefore, as that vessel came
up, she opened fire upon the unfor-
tunate Congress. Lieutenant Smith,
Acting Master Moore, and Pilot Will
lam Rhodes, with nearly half the
crew, were killed or wounded. The
Merrimac moved backward and for
ward slowly, firing at a range Of less
than a hundred yards. Further re-
sistance would have been worse than
foolishness; and so Lieutenant Prem
dergast hauled down the flag. A tug
came alongside to haul her off; but
the batteries on shore drove off the
tug; and the Merrimac, despite the
white flag which Was flying over her
in token Of surrender, again opened
her fire upon the battered and help
less vessel. Later in the day, the
Merrimac returned and set the Con-
gress on fire by red-hot shot. About
midnight the fire caught her maya
zine; and she exploded with trem-
endous noise. About half of the whole
crew, 218 out Of 434, responded to
the call of their names next morning
at Newport News. In little more
than two hours the Merrimac had
destroyed two of the best ships in
the National service.
Attack on the minnesota"
When the Merrimac first made her
appearance in the early part of the
day, the flagship of the National
squadron, the Roanoke, and the
steam frigate Minnesota, Captain
Van Brunt, were lying at Fortre S
Monroe, several miles distant. These
were at once signalled to hurry for
ward to the assistance of the Cum
berland. It was not possible for
them to be forward in time to render
any effective aid. When passing Sc
wallis Point the Minnesota came with
in range Of the Confederate batterys
there, and had her mainmast crippled.
She drew twenty-three feet Of wat
err; and although it was known that
the water was dangerously shallow,
it was thought that, the bottom be-
ing soft, it would be possible to push
her through. When within about a
mile and half of Newport News, the
vessel grounded and stuck fast.
While in this helpless condition, the
Merrimac came down upon her. For
tunately it was not possible for the
Merrimac to get within a mile Of he1
intended victim. At this distance an
ineffective fire was opened by both
vessels. It was now seven o'clock
and counting, no doubt, on an easy
victory on the morrow, the Merrimac
retired behind Sewall's Point. It was
Saturday night March 81, and, wher
the sun went down, the prospect fol
the following morning was the re.
verse Of cheering to the Nationa
commanders. There could be NJ
doubt that the Merrimac would renew
the battle in the morning. The Min.
nesota would be the first victim; and
helpless as she was, her destruction
was certain. The harbor of Hamp
ton Roads would be lost. The Merri
mac would be free to prosecute he,
work Of destruction. Fortress Monroe
would be in danger; and who coult
say that the harbor Of New York wa!
safe, while such a monster wa!
afoat?
:, Arrival of the Monitor.
Happily relief was at hand. A
nine o'clock that night, the Monitor
Ericsson's new iron clad turret ship
arrived at Fortress Monroe from New
York. This vessel had been built a
Green Point, Long Island, New York
under the direction Of it's invento,
Captain John Ericsson-a Swede b,
birth, but who had been a residen
of the United States for twent
-|years. Ericsson had already wo
distinction as a practical scientist i
Sweden and in England; and in 184z
having come to the United States, h
9 built for the government, the U.
Steamer Princeton, the first screw
: propeller in the world. The Monte
= was one of three vessels-the othe
: two were the Galena and the Ne,
t Ironsides-which were constructe
y to meet the emergency, and by spec
n ial requirement of the government