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| Officers on deck of the original “monitor” --the newly fledged fighter of the navy After the brilliant battle in Hampton Roads, high hopes centered in the “Monitor” for still greater achievements. On May 9, 1862, under Lieutenant-Commander W. N. Jeffers, she led a squadron against the Confederate works at Sewell's Point, and as she engaged them the “Virginia” ( “Merrimac” ) came down the river, but the two antagonists did not give battle to each other. On May 11th the “Virginia” was destroyed by the Confederates and it was determined to send the “Monitor” and several vessels up the James River in an effort to capture Richmond. On May 15th, the Federal vessels were confronted by the hastily constructed Fort Darling at Drewry's Bluff. These works were all that stood between the Federals and the Confederate Capital, but behind them were the former gunners of the “Virginia” ( “Merrimac” ) and the “Monitor” again found them formidable foemen. Although she herself was not seriously injured by their fire, the “Galena” and other of her consorts were so cut up that the attempt to take Richmond by the water route had to be abandoned. |
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[165]
Review of Reviews. New York. 1912.
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