Day 2: March 9th, 1862
The first day of the battle left the Union in defeat and demonstrated the strength of iron armor. However, the appearance of the Monitor bolstered the US Navy and proved that the only defense against an ironclad, was yet indeed another ironclad.
With the first light of the morning of Sunday, March 9, 1862, we looked eagerly out over the bay. There was the Minnesota lying aground where she had struck the evening before, and near her was the strangest looking craft we had ever seen before. A cheese on a raft, as she was designated by a correspondent, James Barron Hope.
- Eggleston, "Captain Eggleston's Narrative of the Battle of the Merrimac"
Based on armaments alone it was hardly a fair match. The Monitor had only two cannons while its Confederate counterpart had eleven. The Virginia was also much larger when compared to the Monitor. Despite these differences the armor on both ships made it impossible for either to gain an advantage.
Thus she continued circling around us, and every now and then throwing the heavy missiles against our sides; we, in response, as she passed around, brought every gun aboard our ship to bear upon her... with as little effect as her shots were doing to us.
- Norfolk Virginians, 03/23/1891
Neither ship could hurt the other. Only one casualty occurred the entire battle.
From Meridian to 4 PM clear weather. At 12,30 rifled shell struck the Pilot House severely injuring Commander Worden.
- Monitor Logbook, 03/9/1862
The Battle Ends
After eight hours of fighting and a failed attempt by the Virginia to ram the Monitor, both ships broke off the fighting and retreated to safer waters. Both sides claimed victory, but in reality the conflict itself ended in a stalemate.
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Katherine Potter - The Outcome of the Battle
After a stormy passage, which proved us to be the finest sea-boat I was ever in, we [the Monitor] fought the Merrimac for more than three hours this forenoon, and sent her back to Norfolk in a sinking condition. - Alban Stimers, Letter to John Ericsson
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...in a word having accomplished all that they [the Virginia] designed and having no more material to work upon, our noble vessels left the scene of their triumphs and returned to the yard, where they await another opportunity of displaying their prowess. - Macon Daily Telegraph, 04/13/1862
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