Image 6 of The Republican journal (Belfast, Me.), November 5, 1908

Description

Naval Events in Hampton Roads Continuation of the Story of the Cumber land and the Merrimac By Oapt John O Johnson of Liberty In my last I left the Cumberland sunk the Congress on fire and the Merrimac having accomplished her work of de struction for that day and flushed with victoryhad retired behind Sewells Point with the intention of completing on the morrow the entire destruction of the Union fleet What wild excitement what grief what anxiety what terrible forebodings for the morrow possessed the Union fleet when night fell on that ever to be remembered 8th day of March 1862 can never be described On shore and afloat all was panic confusion and consternation It was by all odds the darkest night for the Union cause during the war of the Rebellion The Minnesota hastening to the relief of the Cumberland and to participate in the fight against the Merrimac had grounded within two miles of Newport News remaining a helpless spectator of the sinking of that noble ship and the burning of the Congress The frigate St Lawrence eager to succor her con sort had also grounded near the Minne sota The Roanoke like the others on