Battle of Hampton Roads.
Reading edition
By Ossian D. Gorman.
Ne'er had a scene of beauty smiled On placid waters 'neath the sun, Like that on Hampton's watery plain, The fatal morn the fight begun. Far toward the silvery Sewell shores, Below the guns of Craney Isle, Were seen our fleet advancing fast, Beneath the sun's auspicious smile.
Oh, fatal sight! the hostile hordes Of Newport camp spread dire alarms: The Cumberland for fight prepares-- The fierce marines now rush to arms. The Merrimac, strong cladded o'er, In quarters close begins her fire, Nor fears the rushing hail of shot, And deadly missiles swift and dire; But, rushing on 'mid smoke and flame, And belching thunder long and loud, Salutes the ship with bow austere, And then withdraws in wreaths of cloud.
The work is done. The frigate turns In agonizing, doubtful poise-- She sinks, she sinks! along the deck Is heard a shrieking, wailing noise. Engulfed beneath those placid waves Disturbed by battle's onward surge, The crew is gone; the vessel sleeps, And whistling bombshells sing her dirge.
The battle still is raging fierce: The Congress, "high and dry" aground, Maintains in vain her boasted power, For now the gunboats flock around, With "stars and bars" at mainmast reared, And pour their lightning on the main, While Merrimac, approaching fast Sends forth her shell and hot-shot rain.
Meantime the Jamestown, gallant boat, Engages strong redoubts at land-- While Patrick Henry glides along, To board the Congress, still astrand. This done, we turn intently on The Minnesota, which replies, With whizzing shell to Teuser's gun, Whose booming cleaves the distant skies. The naval combat sounds anew; The hostile fleets are not withdrawn, Though night is closing earth and sea In twilight's pale and mystic dawn. Strange whistling noises fill the air; The powdered smoke looks dark as night, And deadly, lurid flames, pour forth Their radiance on the missiles' flight; Grand picture on the noisy waves! The breezy zephyrs onward roam, And echoing volleys float afar, Disturbing Neptune's coral home. The victory's ours, and let the world Record Buchanan's[1] name with pride; The crew is brave, the banner bright, That ruled the day when Hutter[2] died.
[1] Commander of the "Merrimac."
[2] Midshipman on the "Patrick Henry."
Macon Daily Telegraph.