OPERATIONS IN VIRGINIA: Another Cannonade of Sewall’s Point; Detailed Reports of the Battle of Williamsburgh (5/11/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 5/11/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

FORTRESS MONROE, Friday May 9, via Baltimore, Saturday, May 10.

The Merrimac remained off the point all night. The Monitor went up this forenoon and fired a few above into Sewall's Point.

The Rip Raus battery also opened briskly, a large number of the shots striking in the wood.

Many comparison are drawn between the enterprise of the naval fleets here and at New-Orleans.

U.S. FLAGSHIP MINNESOTA,

HAMPTON Roads, Va., May 9, 1862.

His Excellency the President of the United States:

Sir: Agreeably to a communication just received from Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, I have the honor to report that the instructions I gave yesterday to the officers commanding the several vessels detailed to open fire on Sewall's Point, were -- that the object of the more was to ascertain the practicability of landing a body of troops thereabouts and to reduce the works if it could be done; that the wooden vessels should atacK the principal works in enfilade, and that the Monitor, to be accompanied by the Stevens, should go up as far as the works, and there operate in front. On the Merrimac's appearance outside of the works, the Monitor had orders to fall back into fair channel-way, and only to engage her seriously in such a position that this ship, together with the merchant vessels intended for the purpose, could run her down. If an opportunity presented itself, the other vessels were not to hesitate to run her down, and the Baltimore an unarmed steamer of light draught, light speed, and with a curved bow, was kept in the direction of the Monitor, expressly to throw herself across the Merrimac, either forward or aft of her plated house, but the Merrimac did not engage the Monitor,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4061985/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Operations in Virginia: Another Cannonade of Sewall’s Point – 2-5
The Evacuation of Norfolk – 5
Department of the Rappahannock: A Brigade of Rebels Six Miles Below Fredericksburgh – 5
Important from the Southwest: Beauregard’s Army Said to be Retreating Southward – 5-6
Morgan’s Cavalry Coming North – 6
News from Washington: The Meeting of the Conservative Congressmen – 6
Department of the Shenandoah: Reports from Deserters – 6
The Mountain Department: Gen. Milroy Threatened by the Combined Rebel Forces of Jackson, Johnson and Ewell – 7
Editorial: Light Breaking Upon the Rebels – 7-8
Editorial: Metropolitan Morals in War Time – 8
Editorial: Personal Rights at the South – 8-9
Sick and Wounded – 9
The Mountain Department – 9-10
The Fight in Hampton Roads – 10
From the Gulf: Eleven Thousand Rebels at Pensacola – 10
Items from the South – 10
Movements of Rebel Cavalry – 10