The Virginia's late Trip--Yankee account.
The
Fortress Monroe correspondent of the Baltimore
American, in his report of the second appearance of the steamer
Merrimac in
Hampton Roads, says:
‘
Fortress Monroe, April 11, 1862.
I said two days ago that we were looking for the
Merrimac and sunshine together.--Both are here this morning.
About 7 o'clock a signal gun from the
Minnesota turned all eyes towards
Sewell's Point, and coming out from under the land, almost obscured by the dim haze, the
Merrimac was seen, followed by the
Jamestown and
Yorktown, &c.
There was instantaneous activity among the troops and vessels in the upper Roads to get out of the way. Several steamers loaded with troops got out of the way. Steam tugs ran whistling and screaming towards all sorts of vessels, out of harm's way.
The
French and
English vessels then moved out of the way as if they had been informed of the scene of conflict.
On our part, no movement was made.
The Monitor, with steam up and in fighting trim, lay quietly near her usual anchorage.
The Naugatuck (Steven's Battery) came out and took position alongside the
Monitor.
Signals were made between our vessels, the fort, and the
Rip Raps, but no movement was made.
Curiosity grew rapidly into suspense.
Our inaction seems unaccountable except upon the supposition that the desire is to get the
Rebels further down.
The position is one of defiance on both sides — the rebels challenging us to come up to their field of battle, and we are daring them to come down.
’
In regard to the prizes taken, he says:
‘
"There was a rebel steamer, not built for war purposes, leaving the protection of the
Merrimac and her consorts, where it appeared to unprofessional eyes she could easily be cut off, and yet no attempt was made on our part to do it. Of course there were good reasons for this policy; the crowd could not see them.
’
