Just as Lieutenant Worden of the Monitor was looking through the slit in the turret to take aim, a shell struck outside and filled his face and eyes with powder and iron splinters! He was insensible for some time.
When he came to himself, his first question was, "Have I saved the Minnesota?"
"Yes," was the reply, "and whipped the Merrimac."
"Then I don't care what becomes of me," he answered.
After more than three hours of this frightful combat, the humbled Merrimac steamed back to Norfolk, the victorious little Monitor giving a series of farewell shots as she sailed away.
Thus ended this marvelous battle, the first in the world's history between ironclad vessels. All Washington retired to sleep that night with a sense of relief, for it seemed as if the nation had been saved.
The brave Worden shortly after the famous battle went to Washington. President Lincoln was at a cabinet meeting when he heard of the lieutenant's arrival. He rose hastily and said, "Gentlemen, I must go to that fellow."
When Lincoln entered his room, Worden was lying on a sofa with his eyes and head heavily bandaged.
"Mr. President," said he, "you do me great honor by this visit."
"Sir," said Mr. Lincoln, with tears in his eyes, "I am the one who is honored by this interview."