Sorry, Bill, but I think you're wrong. Lt. Davidson was never in command of the Virginia.
According to the official report made by Flag-Officer Frank Buchanan on March 27, 1862, to S.R. Mallory, Sec. of Navy, CSA, when he (Buchanan) was forced to leave the ship on March 9, 1862, he turned over command to Lt. Catesby Jones. Lt. Jones later reported to Buchanan that during the battle, "Lieutenant Davidson fought his guns with great precision. The muzzle of one of them was soon shot away. He continued, however, to fire it, though the wood work around the port became ignited at each discharge. His buoyant and cheerful bearing and voice were contagious and inspiring."
For all of Buchanan's report, see http://www.civilwarhome.com/buchanan
The report on the link you sent, reports that Lt. Davidson was promoted to Commander on June 1864, partly for "attacking the steamfrigat Minnestota on the night of Apr. 9, 1864." Who ever wrote that has a bigger problem with dates that I do, as not only is the month wrong, so is the year.
As for the Virginia, when Norfolk was evacuated by the Confederates, on 10th May 1862, the further disposition of the ship became a problem. The ship was lightened three feet to take her up the James, but the pilot refused to attempt this. The commander blow the Virginia up in the morning of 11. May 1862. The Monitor sank while under tow by the Rhode Island in December of 1862, when it took on water during a hurricane. Some of the crew was able to board the Rhode Island, but most went down with the Monitor.
If you have information that disproves the report of Commander Buchanan, I'd love to see it. At this time, I'd much rather know the truth than be right. Afterall, some day one of my great-grandchildren may read my reports, and I sure don't want them laughing and saying things like, "Silly Gramma Joanne, she sure was confused."
Joanne
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