When the Confederate iron-clad Merrimac was sent against the Union
vessels in Hampton Roads President Lincoln expressed his belief in the
Monitor to Captain Fox, the adviser of Captain Ericsson, who constructed
the Monitor. “We have three of the most effective vessels in Hampton
Roads, and any number of small craft that will hang on the stern of the
Merrimac like small dogs on the haunches of a bear. They may not be
able to tear her down, but they will interfere with the comfort of her
voyage. Her trial trip will not be a pleasure trip, I am certain.
“We have had a big share of bad luck already, but I do not believe the
future has any such misfortunes in store for us as you anticipate.” Said
Captain Fox: “If the Merrimac does not sink our ships, who is to prevent
her from dropping her anchor in the Potomac, where that steamer lies,”
pointing to a steamer at anchor below the long bridge, “and throwing her
hundred-pound shells into this room, or battering down the walls of the
Capitol?”
“The Almighty, Captain,” answered the President, excitedly, but without
the least affectation. “I expect set-backs, defeats; we have had them
and shall have them. They are common to all wars. But I have not the
slightest fear of any result which shall fatally impair our military
and naval strength, or give other powers any right to interfere in our
quarrel. The destruction of the Capitol would do both.
“I do not fear it, for this is God’s fight, and He will win it in His
own good time. He will take care that our enemies will not push us too
far.
“Speaking of iron-clads,” said the President, “you do not seem to
take the little Monitor into account. I believe in the Monitor and her
commander. If Captain Worden does not give a good account of the Monitor
and of himself, I shall have made a mistake in following my judgment for
the first time since I have been here, Captain.
“I have not made a mistake in following my clear judgment of men since
this War began. I followed that judgment when I gave Worden the command
of the Monitor. I would make the appointment over again to-day. The
Monitor should be in Hampton Roads now. She left New York eight days
ago.”
After the captain had again presented what he considered the
possibilities of failure the President replied, “No, no, Captain, I
respect your judgments as you have reason to know, but this time you are
all wrong.
“The Monitor was one of my inspirations; I believed in her firmly when
that energetic contractor first showed me Ericsson’s plans. Captain
Ericsson’s plain but rather enthusiastic demonstration made my
conversion permanent. It was called a floating battery then; I called
it a raft. I caught some of the inventor’s enthusiasm and it has been
growing upon me. I thought then, and I am confident now, it is just what
we want. I am sure that the Monitor is still afloat, and that she will
yet give a good account of herself. Sometimes I think she may be the
veritable sling with a stone that will yet smite the Merrimac Philistine
in the forehead.”
Soon was the President’s judgment verified, for the “Fight of the
Monitor and Merrimac” changed all the conditions of naval warfare.
After the victory was gained, the presiding Captain Fox and others went
on board the Monitor, and Captain Worden was requested by the President
to narrate the history of the encounter.
Captain Worden did so in a modest manner, and apologized for not being
able better to provide for his guests. The President smilingly responded
“Some charitable people say that old Bourbon is an indispensable element
in the fighting qualities of some of our generals in the field, but,
Captain, after the account that we have heard to-day, no one will say
that any Dutch courage is needed on board the Monitor.”
“It never has been, sir,” modestly observed the captain.
Captain Fox then gave a description of what he saw of the engagement and
described it as indescribably grand. Then, turning to the President, he
continued, “Now standing here on the deck of this battle-scarred
vessel, the first genuine iron-clad--the victor in the first fight
of iron-clads--let me make a confession, and perform an act of simple
justice.
“I never fully believed in armored vessels until I saw this battle.
“I know all the facts which united to give us the Monitor. I withhold no
credit from Captain Ericsson, her inventor, but I know that the country
is principally indebted for the construction of the vessel to President
Lincoln, and for the success of her trial to Captain Worden, her
commander.”