Among the wounded was Captain Buchanan, who was forced to relinquish the
command of the Merrimac. For his gallantry, he was thanked by the
Confederate Congress, and promoted to full admiral and senior officer of
the Confederate navy. As soon as he recovered from his wound, he was
placed in charge of the naval defenses of Mobile, Alabama, and there
superintended the construction of the ram Tennessee, which he commanded
during the action with Farragut two years later. His handling of the
vessel was daring almost to madness, but she became disabled and was
forced to surrender. Buchanan was taken prisoner, and never again took
part in any naval action.
Let us return to Hampton Roads.
The news of the disaster to the Union fleet spread gloom and
consternation throughout the North, and corresponding rejoicing
throughout the South. The remaining ships in Hampton Roads plainly lay
at the Merrimac's mercy, and after they had been destroyed, there was
nothing to prevent her steaming up the Potomac and attacking
Washington. It seemed as if nothing but a miracle could save the country
from awful disaster.
And that miracle was at hand.
Among the coincidences of history, none is more remarkable than the
arrival at Hampton Roads on the night of March 8, 1862, of the strange
and freakish-looking craft known as the Monitor.
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