Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 20.djvu/29

 The Merrima'- or Virginia.

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3. On May 8th the Merrimac drove the Monitor, Naugatuck, and six other United States war vessels from Sewell's Point to within one and a half miles of Fort Monroe, and seeing no disposition to engage returned to anchor. On this occasion, the Federal fleet declined the action, says Commodore Goldsborough, United States Navy, " because the Merrimac did not place herself in deep water, nor in a position of advantage," to be attacked by the Monitor, Nau- gatuck, Minnesota, Illinois, San Jacinto, and to be run down by the Baltimore, Arajo, Vanderbilt, and all other vessels that might be on hand to coach the Monitor. The Merrimac drew twenty-three feet of water, and with the exception of the Minnesota, there was no ves- sel in the Federal fleet that drew as much as fifteen feet. Moreover, they claimed the superiority of the Monitor over the Merrimac a fact we admitted then, and admit now. Comment is unnecessary. Like Jack Bunsby, let us say: "The bearings of this observation lays, in the application on it," and dismiss the subject with the "observation" of the Marquis of Montrose

" He either fears his fate too much,

Or his deserts are small That dares not put it to the touch, To gain or lose it all."

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE MERRIMAC BY THE CONFEDERATES.

The conference in Norfolk of May gth as to the disposal of the Merrimac had resulted in the decision that " the Merrimac was then employed to best advantage, and that she should continue for the present to protect Norfolk, and thus afford time to remove the public property." Commodore Tatnali upon this joined his ship, at anchor near Sewell's Point. On May loth, about 10 A. M., it was observed that no Confederate flag was flying at Sewell's Point battery and that the fort seemed to be abandoned. Flag-Lieutenant J. Pembroke Jones was immediately sent to Craney Island, and there learned for the first time that a large force of the enemy had landed at Bay Shore and were rapidly marching on Norfolk, and that our troops were retreating. Lieutenant Jones was then sent to Norfolk to confer with General Huger, in command at that place, and with Captain Sidney S. Lee at the navy-yard. At the navy-yard he found everything in flames, and that all the officers had left on the railroad. At. Norfolk he was informed that General Huger and all his officers had left and