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[597] in it. Accordingly, the 8th of March found them in perfect security. The Congress and the Cumberland, riding at anchor near the tall pines of Newport News, had not even a solitary tug to enable them to move about, while the commander of the latter vessel had gone to attend a court-martial on board the Roanoke. The other three frigates were anchored several miles from there, in sight of the sandy shore of Fortress Monroe, in the rear of muddy banks which are only ploughed by narrow and difficult channels. In the mean while, during the calm of a beautiful spring morning, the Confederates were making active preparations for battle. Five steamers, formerly employed as packets on the Chesapeake, had been armed, the Patrick Henry with six guns, the Jamestown with two, and each of the other three with one. This flotilla had descended the James River, and passing off Newport News during the night stood in for the Virginia, which, on the morning of the 8th, was coming out of the port of Norfolk, near Nansemond River, under the command of Captain Buchanan. At one o'clock in the afternoon the lookout on the Congress discovered the Confederate steamers descending with the tide towards Newport News; in their midst the armored hull of the Virginia was perceived. The enemy so long expected was easily recognized, and orders were immediately given to clear the decks for action. But the Cumberland and the Congress were out of reach of all assistance and unable to manoeuvre by themselves. Buchanan took advantage of the opportunity offered, without losing a moment, and steered direct for the Congress, which was nearest to him. The latter vessel has commenced firing upon the strange craft, which is only within three hundred metres of her, without producing the slightest perceptible effect. At this moment the Virginia opens her two forward portholes, fires two shells, which burst between-decks of the Congress; then, turning away from the frigate, she heads straight for the Cumberland, whose large missiles are beginning to fall upon her roof. Her first object is to silence the more powerful artillery of this second adversary. The crew of the Cumberland see the danger, but cannot avoid it, for it is too late to put the vessel under sail. All her fire is concentrated
Philadelphia, Jos. H. Coates and co., 1876.
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