[34]
for supplies, a squadron consisting of the Monitor, Naugatuck and Galena (iron-clads) and five large men-of-war, commenced to bombard our batteries at Sewell's Point.
The Merrimac immediately left Norfolk for the scene of conflict.
As she approached the squadron at full speed the Vanberbilt, one of the fastest steamers then afloat, which, we understood, had been fitted with a prow especially for ramming us, joined the other ships.
We regarded the attack as an invitation to come out, and we expected a most desperate encounter.
Much to the disappointment of our Commodore, and greatly to the relief of many others besides myself, as soon as the Merrimac came within range they seemed to conclude that Sewell's Point was not worth fighting about, and all hurried below the guns of Fortress Monroe and the Rip-Raps.
The Merrimac pursued at full speed until she came well under the fire of the latter port, when she retired to her moorings at the mouth of the river.
After the evacuation of Norfolk the Merrimac was taken above Craney Island and blown up on the 11th of May.
The Monitor was then up James river, having gone up the day before, and was probably more than fifty miles away.
She had refused the gage of battle offered her by the Merrimac daily since the 11th of April.
Wherefore doth she claim prize money?
In stating the above facts I do not wish to detract one iota from the just deserts of the brave officers and men of the Monitor.
They did their whole duty, but not more gallantly than their less fortunate comrades on the Cumberland, Congress, Minnesota and other ships in the Roads, and are therefore no more entitled to prize money.
Those on the Merrimac by no means regarded the Monitor as a lion in her path.
Having served on the Merrimac from the time work was first begun upon her until the night of her destruction, in justice to all concerned, and that honor may be done to whom honor is due, I simply desire the facts to be known.
The following letter from Captain W. H. Parker to the Norfolk Landmark, is also an interesting and unanswerable statement of the question:
