The storm that rained upon the Virginia was of solid shot and shell, while it had been impossible to provide the Confederate ram with anything but shell. The armor of the Monitor was thicker than that of her antagonist but the inclination of the sides of the Virginia, causing the shot to glance harmlessly, offset that advantage. The Virginia suddenly ran aground and the Monitor was quick to avail herself of the mishap, but before we were certain of the peril of our champion she was off and making an effort to run down the Monitor. The bow of the Virginia was directly against her antagonist and we saw the Federal ship careen dangerously. When they separated a shell from our ironclad struck the pilot-house of the Monitor. We afterward learned that her commander, Lieutenant Worden, was disabled.
The Minnesota was helpless and as the Virginia turned toward her we expected that she would be sunk. But, probably to the delight of those on board the frigate as well as to the infinite dismay of us who looked on, our little steamer went on her way toward Sewell's Point and then to the Navy Yard. Our disappointment was very great and as we were rowing home my uncle said reflectively:
"By George, it looks as if the Lord was on the side of those damned Yankees."
It was the first time I had ever heard him admit the possibility that Providence could be on the wrong side of anything.
We heard later that, so certain seemed the destruction of the Minnesota, her captain was making preparations to fire and abandon her when, to his surprise, the Merrimac, or Virginia, as we renamed her, turned homeward.
Our captain afterward explained that he thought his last shot had disabled the Monitor and he dared not stay any longer in those waters because the Virginia had so heavy a draught that it was impossible for her to cross the bar after ebb-tide.
XII RICHMOND AFTER SEVEN PINES
In the Battle of Seven Pines, May 31 and June 1, 1862, Pickett's Brigade played a most important and gallant part, an account of which may be seen in General Joseph E. Johnston's report and in General Pickett's own report as given in "Pickett and His Men."