CONFEDERATE FLAG.
On the morning of March 9th, when the Merrimac steamed out to finish her work of destruction, a stupendous cannon ball came thundering against her black side. As the turret of the little Monitor swung round, there came another and another,—such a battering as never ship's side had felt before that day.
The broadsides returned by the Merrimac fell harmlessly on the flat deck and iron turret of the Monitor.
This battle lasted for nearly three hours. Neither vessel was injured to any extent. Finally the Merrimac withdrew, leaving the Monitor in possession of the bay.
In one respect, this was the most wonderful battle ever fought upon the water. It showed to all the nations of the world that new navies must be built. In one day all the war-ships in the world had become old-fashioned. The days for wooden war vessels were over.
Let us now return to Captain Farragut. As I have said, by the 18th of April he had succeeded in taking all his vessels over the bar of the Mississippi. But still greater difficulties were ahead of him.
Before he could capture New Orleans, he must pass the two forts, Jackson and St. Philip, on opposite banks of the river. First of all, however, he must break through a barricade which was below the forts. This reached from shore to shore, and was made of old hulks of vessels and cypress logs, fastened together with huge iron chains.
MAP OF THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI.
Should the barricade be broken and the forts passed, there was still a Confederate fleet to be overcome. This consisted of fifteen ships, gunboats, and steam rams similar to the Merrimac. They were drawn up across the river above the forts. Captain Farragut was not discouraged by any of these things, but began at once to carry out his plans.