While John's excellent response does not decide "who won" -- which I admit was too much to ask -- it does shed light on the strategic aspect of the mere presence of The Virginia after the battle.  I think he mixes the words "Monitor" and "Virginia" at times, but you can get the gist of what he is saying.

I am now happy.  I am now not paranoid.  

Randy Cabell :))
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Virginia War Museum 
To: Randy Cabell 
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 9:04 AM
Subject: Re: Will the REAL winner please stand up.


    Your Civil War relative recorded a very real event - the April 11, 1862 sortie into Hampton Roads by the C.S.S. Virginia.  Since the March 9 engagement, the Virginia had been in drydock undergoing repairs.  The Monitor was anchored near Fort Wool and was held in reserve by the Federals as protection against Major General George B. McClellan's transports in the York River during the initial stages of the Peninsula Campaign.  Likewise, the Virginia was managed to close Hampton Roads and warships shelled Sewell's Point.  The Federal ships are compelled to break-off action when the C.S.S. Virginia emerges from the Elizabeth River.  The Monitor refuses to engage the Virginia.  This would be the last opportunity for the two ironclads to fight as the Virginia was scuttled by her own crew on May 11, 1862 following the capture of Norfolk by Union troops.
    The question still remains, which ironclad won the March 8-9, 1862 Battle of Hampton Roads and I would have to give the Virginia the victory.  The Confederate gained control of the harbor, the James River to the Union's use.  When the Virginia did come out into Hampton Roads so that smaller Confederate vessels could board and capture the Monitor.  In turn, the Monitor hoped that the Virginia would leave Hampton Roads and enter into the Chesapeake Bay so that specially modified steamers could ram the Virginia.  Therefore April 11 was just part of the ironclad stalemate in Hampton Roads, however, one of the gunboats supporting the Virginia, the C.S.S. Jamestown, did capture 3 Union merchant ships off the entrance to Hampton Creek because of the inactivity of the Monitor.  
    This situation virtually happened again on May 8, 1862, when the Monitor and several other Union ironclad sank two Union warships and one transport, damaged 5 other Union warships, captured 5 transports and closed the James River to Union shipping at the beginning of the Peninsula Campaign.  This strategic control of Hampton Roads causes McClellan to alter his plans; thereby, delaying his advance against Richmond in a critical fashion.  While the Monitor did stop the Virginia from destroying any additional Union wooden warships, the Union ironclad was damaged during the fight with the Virginia and was held in a defensive role until the Virginia's destruction.  The next offensive effort by the Monitor, the May 15, 1862 Battle of Drewry's Bluff proved to be a fiasco for the Union.  The Monitor's gun could not be elevated to fire against the Confederate batteries on the bluff.  Several of the Confederate heavy guns firing against the Union flotilla were manned by members of the C.S.S. Virginia's crew.  These men played a significant role defending Richmond from capture by the Union navy.  
    The bottom line is that both the Virginia and Monitor were experimental warships that changed naval warfare forever.  The Virginia's successful attack upon the Union fleet on March 8, 1862 proved the power of iron over wood.  Thereafter, the Union leadership was overwhelmed by thoughts of what the Virginia might be able to do (few understood the Virginia's limitations - speed, draft, unreliable engines, etc.).  Men like Flag Officer Louis Goldsburough commander of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron suffered from 'ram fever' or 'Merrimack on the brain' and allowed the Virginia to maintain strategic control over the James river despite the overwhelming superiority of Union resources, equipment and men.  
    I trust this brief synopsis of events will prove helpful to you.  It would be great if you could send me a transcript of your relative's letter and more information about his service (unit designation).  
    If you would like to learn more about the C.S.S. Virginia, you might wish to purchase a copy of my book, C.S.S. Virginia: Mistress of Hampton Roads.  You can obtain a signed copy sending $25.00 plus $5.00 shipping to 
            John V. Quarstein
            Virginia War Museum
            9285 Warwick Boulevard
            Newport News, Virginia
                                23607
The entire story of the C.S.S. Virginia is included in this book including a detailed account of the April 11, 1862 events in Hampton Roads.
    I do indeed appreciate all of your interest in the C.S.S. Virginia and look forward to your reply.  Meanwhile, I have the honor to remain,
        Your obedient servant,
        John V. Quarstein
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Randy Cabell 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 9:00 AM
  Subject: Will the REAL winner please stand up.


  After posting a question on VA-HIST about the aftermath of The battle between the Monitor and the Virginia, somebody suggested that you folks have the greatest expertise.

  I have a copy of a letter from a distant relative, Robert Brown, to his wife, an excerpt the following:

  "....We have just received news from the Merrimac now called the Virginia. She left Norfolk this morning at 6 o'clock and returned about one o'clock with three Yankee vessels, two brigs and a schooner, one of them heavily loaded. This she accomplished without firing a gun. The Monitor kept under the protection of the guns at Fortress Monroe, being afraid to meet the Virginia."  Part of a letter from Robert Brown to his wife, 11 April 1862


  Obviously, that was a month after the battle.  One respondant on VA-HIST said that the pilot house of the Monitor was so badly damaged, that "THEY" did not want to risk the ship, and ordered it NOT to go out.  Now that looks like to me a different ending than the "fought to a draw" what we are all taught.  e.g. If they were to prizefighters, and one refused to come out of his corner and meet the challenger after getting mauled, then the one who does go out is declared the winner.

  Obviously we cannot draw the same comparison, but it does appear to me that the "draw" should be slanted in favor of the Virginia since she apparently continued to annoy/wreak havoc among the Union ships.

  Randy Cabell


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