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The battle at Hampton Roads was part of the Peninsula Campaign

that lasted from March to August of 1862. There was a total of five

ships engaged in the battle. From the US Navy, there were four ships,

the USS Congress, USS Minnesota, USS Cumberland, and the USS Monitor.

The CS Navy had one ship, the CSS Merrimack. On March 8, 1862, the CSS

Merrimack steamed into Hampton Roads. She proceeded to sink the USS

Cumberland and then ran the USS Congress aground. Captain Buchanan

then set his sights on the already handicapped USS Minnesota. The USS

Minnesota was run aground on one of the shores. Capt. Buchanan did not

know, but the USS Monitor was lying in wait, ordered to protect the

wounded USS Minnesota. Lt. Worden steamed out into the middle of the

bay to meet the CSS Merrimack. The USS Monitor fired first in a drawn

out battle that lasted about four and a half hours. "They fired shot,

shell, grape, canister, musket and rifle balls doing no damage to each

other" (Lavy 3).



After four and a half hours, the CSS Merrimack withdrew due to

falling tides. The USS Monitor did not make chase because of a crack

in the turret. The results of the battle were inconclusive, neither

side could claim victory. The estimated casualties resulting from the

battle were extensive. The Union lost about 409 sailors and the

Confederacy lost about 24 sailors. The battle was so impressive to

the leaders of both the Union and the Confederacy, that they

contracted their Naval yards to have more ironclad ships built.

Additions to the Confederate fleet included the CSS Tennessee, a 209

foot long blockade runner with four broadside cannons and pivoted
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