. Abraham Lincoln and the battles of the Civil War . time the power and efficiency of the ram asa means of offense. The side of tlie Cumber-land was crushed like an egg-shell. TheCongress and Minnesota, even with our disa-bled bow, would have shared the same fatebut that we could not reach diem on accountof our great draught. It also showed the power of resistance oftwo iron-clads, widely differing in construc-tion, model, and armament, under a firewhich would have sunk any other vessel thenafloat in a short time. The Monitor was well handled, and savedthe Minnesota and the remainder of the fl
. Abraham Lincoln and the battles of the Civil War . time the power and efficiency of the ram asa means of offense. The side of tlie Cumber-land was crushed like an egg-shell. TheCongress and Minnesota, even with our disa-bled bow, would have shared the same fatebut that we could not reach diem on accountof our great draught. It also showed the power of resistance oftwo iron-clads, widely differing in construc-tion, model, and armament, under a firewhich would have sunk any other vessel thenafloat in a short time. The Monitor was well handled, and savedthe Minnesota and the remainder of the fleetat Portress Monroe. But her gunnery waspoor. Not a single shot struck us at thewater-line, where the ship was utterly unpro-tected, and where one would have been had the fire been concentrated on any one • In his report to Captain Buchanan, I-ieutnanl Jones says : Ft was not easy to keep a flap; flying. Theflag-staff were repeatedly shot away. Ilie colors were hoisted to the smoke-stack and several limes cut downfrom it.— COMMANDERS OF THE FRANKLIN BUCHANAN. COMMODORE JOSIAH TATNAIX. Vol. XXTX.—75. 746 THE FIRST FIGHT OF IRON-CLADS. spot, the shield would have been pierced; orhad larger charges been used, the result wouldhave been the same. Most of her shot struckus obliquely, breaking the iron of bothcourses, but not injuring the wood struck at right angles, the backingwould be broken, but not penetrated. Wehad no solid projectiles. excei>t a few of largewindage, to be used as hot shot, and ofcourse made no impression on the in all this it should be borne in mindthat both vessels were on their trial trips,both were experimental, and both receivingtheir baptism of fire. On our arrival at Norfolk, CommodoreBuchanan sent for me. I found him at theXaval Hospital, badly wounded and sufteringgreatly. He dictated a short dispatch to Mr. Mr. Mallorys office and with him went toPresident Daviss, where we met Mr. Benja-
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