Battle of Hampton Roads

Also:

Battle of Monitor and Merrimac

On March 8, the Confederate ironclad, C.S.S. Virginia (formerly the U.S.S. Merrimac, which had been captured by the confederates and fitted with iron plates) steamed into Hampton Roads to attack the ships of the Union blockade. Protected by its iron armor, and with its battering ram and cannon, the Virginia managed to destroy two Union ships, the Congress and Cumberland, and run three others aground.

The next day, when the Virginia headed out to finish its work, she found that she was facing the U.S.S. Monitor, a Union ironclad which had been built to answer the threat posed by the Virginia and which had just arrived at Hampton Roads. For four hours the two ships fought a fierce battle, but neither's ordnance could penetrate the other's iron protection. In the confusion, and after an exhausting and violent battle lasting hours, the ships disengaged, each believing it had won the day. The battle was essentially a draw, though as the Union was able to maintain its blockade, they had the better claim to "victory." The biggest result, however, was that this battle signaled a fundamental change in naval warfare. The days of the wooden navel ship was numbered and from thence both navies began to put their resources into armored ships.

J. Hamilton. "The Engagement between the 'Monitor' and 'Merrimac.'" From Samuel M. Schmucker's The History of the Civil War in the United States.. Revised and completed by Dr. L. P. Brockett. Philadelphia: Jones Bros. & Co. and Chicago: Zeigler, McCurdy & Co, 1865, 4 x 6 1/4. Engraving.

In 1863, even before the Civil War ended, historian Samuel Mosheim Schmucker (1823-1863) produced A History of the Civil War: with a preliminary views of its causes, and biographical sketches of its heroes. It contained a series of terrific engravings of scenes from the Civil War mezzotinted by John Sartain and his son Samuel. This unusual image of the battle between the Monitor and Virginia is a good example of their work. $125

"First Naval combat between Iron Vessels." From The Great Rebellion. Connecticut: Hurlburt, Williams, & Co., 1862. 4 1/2 x 7. Engraving. $85

Alonzo Chappel. "Naval Conflict in Hampton Roads--Action Between Monitor and Merrimac." From Battles of the United States by Sea and Land. New York: Johnson, Fry & Co., ca. 1865. 5 x 8. Steel engraving. $85

W. Momberger. "Naval Combat between the Monitor & Merrimac. Hampton Roads, March 9th 1862." From John S.C. Abbott's The History of the Civil War in America. New York: Henry Bill, 1866. 4 1/2 x 7 1/2. Engraving. $85

Prints from Harper's Weekly

The terrific combat between the two iron-clad ships caused a sensation in both North and South, so it is not surprising that within two weeks Harper's Weekly had an issue with a story about the battle and a number of images. Even before the battle, news of the threat posed by the 'Merrimac' had reach the North, so an image of the ship was included as early as February 15th.

"The Iron-Clad Frigate 'Merrimac,' Sloop of War 'Germantown," Off Craney Island." From Harper's Weekly. New York, February 15, 1862. 4 3/4 x 9. Wood engraving. $25
"Lieutenant Worden, U.S.N., Commanding the 'Monitor,'" and "The Ericsson Steel-Clad Battery 'Monitor.'" From Harper's Weekly. New York, March 22, 1862. Cover page with text. Wood engraving. $35
"The Rebel Steamer 'Merrimac' Running Down the Frigate 'Cumberland' Off Newport News" and "Ericsson Battery 'Monitor' Driving off the 'Merrimac." From Harper's Weekly. New York, March 22, 1862. Double page, 13 1/4 x 20 1/4. $75
"Exact Picture of the Rebel Steamer 'Virginia' ('Merrimac')." From Harper's Weekly. New York, April 12, 1862. 3 3/4 x 9. $25
"The 'Monitor' As She Is--Interior and Exterior." From Harper's Weekly. New York, April 12, 1862. 13 5/8 x 9 1/8. $50
Worret. "The Battle Between the 'Monitor' and the 'Merrimac,' in Hampton Roads, March 9, 1862." From Harper's Weekly. New York, April 12, 1862. 4 1/4 x 9. $35