Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-03-06

proportion to the joy that prevailed
throughout the Confederate states
and the JOY was great-there was de-
preston Of feeling in the North. At
the close Of the second day the stu
alton was reversed. There was de-
preston Of feeling in the South-all
the greater because of the previous
joy. The hearts Of the Confederates,
in truth, sank within them. But there
we're great rejoicings in the North.
Cheers and congratulations rose up
on all sides. The glad intelligence of
the success Of the Monitor was fash
ed from state to state and from city
to city; and from the Cabinet, from
Congress, from State Legislatures,
from town councils, from Chambers
of Commerce, from Boards of Trade,
from public bodies of all kinds, as
well as from special meetings of the
people, thanks and praise were pour
ed out upon the Monitor, upon her in
ventor, upon her brave commander,
and upon all the officers and men who
took part in the heroic struggle and
helped to bring about the glorious
result. The rejoicing was UNIVERSAL;
and the praise was as unstinted as
the gratitude was genuine and pro-
found. Hampton Roads became i'm
mortal; and the little Monitor acquir-
ed reputation such as was never
before enjoyed by any ship of war.
Plgrimages were organized and I'M
dertaken to visit the scene of the
conflict and the victory; and all
ranks and classes of the people, from
the President downward, rushed to
see the little wonder"-the strange
vessel which had done such effective
work. The excitement was not con-
fined to this country alone. The sue
cess of the Monitor created a pro-
found interest throughout the civil
lied world. The battle at Hampton
Roads had read the world a lesson.
1t proclaimed the superiority of such
a vessel as the Merrimac with her
sloping sides and inclined armor to
the ordinary iron-clad. It also pro-
claimed the fact that inclined armor
was inferior to turret.
Powers of Monitor Were Unknown.
There was, no doubt, just cause
for regret that the Merrimac was al
lowed to escape, aud that she was
not holly pursued and compelled to
surrender. There can be no doubt
now that the Monitor was quite equal
to such task. It was developed in
an investigation after the battle that
the Monitor had on board wrought
iron shot, each weighing 1874 pounds
but this shot was not used as the cap
acity and strength of the 11-inch
Dahlgren guns were as yet imperfect
ly known. In answer to a question
put by the War Committee, as to why
the battle was not more promptly de-
|cided against the Merrimac, Mr.. New
ton, the Chief Engineer of the Mon
itor said: ut was due to the fact
that the power and endurance of the
11-inch Dahlgren guns, with which
the Monitor was armed, were not
known at the time Of the battle
hence the commander would scarcely
have been justified in increasing the
powder charge above that authorized
in the Ordinance Manual. Subsequent
experience developed the important
| fact that these guns could be fired
with 80 pounds Of common powder,
with solid shot. If this had been
known at the time Of the action, I am
clearly of opinion that from the close
quarters at which Lieutenant Worden
fought his vessel, the enemy would
, have been forced to surrender" Mr..
): Newton did not doubt that but fol
the injury received by Lieutenant
? Worden that officer would have pur-
sued and 'badgered" the Merrimac
to surrender. These reasons, it must
, be admitted, are sufficiently satisfac.
, tory. If they do not remove all re.
: greet that the Merrimac made her es.
cape, they at least completely exon.
: crate the National commanders. l:
they missed prize, posterity will no
Judge them harshly. ="
Saved the Union Cause.
g As it was, the Nationals had wol
: a great victory, and had just reasol
a to be well pleased. But for the time
9 " arrival Of the Monitor, the Mime
9 sofa would have shared the tate Q