The Greensborough Patriot

Aug. 7, 1862

Page 1

 

The Merrimac’s Destruction.

            A court of inquiry has acquitted Com. Tatnall of all blame for destroying the Merrimac.  He is found “not guilty” on each charge.

            The finding of the Court, after stating these facts, adds :--

            The Court do further find that the accused had, while in command of the Virginia, and previous to the evacuation of Norfolk, thrown down the gage of battle to the enemy’s fleet in Hampton Roads, and that the enemy had declined to take it up—that the day before Norfolk was evacuated, a consultation, at the instance of the Secretary of the Navy, was held by a joint commission of Navy and Army officers, as to the best disposition to be made of the ship—that the accused was in favor of passing Fortress Monroe, and taking the ship into York River, or of running down before Savannah with her—that in this he was overruled by the council, who advised that she should remain on this side of Fortress Monroe for the protection of Norfolk and Richmond, and that, in accordance with this advice, he proceeded to regulate her movements—that after the evacuation of Norfolk, Westover, on James River became the most suitable position for her to occupy—that while in the act of lightening her for the purpose of taking her up to that point, the pilots for the first time declared their inability to take her up, even though her draft should be reduced to its minimum of eighteen feet—that by the evacuation of Norfolk and the abandonment of our forts below Westover, both banks of the James River below that point were virtually given up to the enemy—that the ship being thus cut off from Norfolk and Richmond, was deprived of all outward sources of supply, save those of the most precarious and uncertain character—that her store of provisions would not last for more than three weeks—that when lightened she was made vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy, and that after having been lightened there was no available means of bringing her down to her proper draft and fighting trim, and that she had but two small boats, each capable of handling not more than fifteen or eighteen men at a time, even in smooth water.  Such being the facts and circumstances under the influence of which the “Virginia” found herself after the evacuation of Norfolk, it was in the opinion of the Court, only necessary for the enemy to continue to refuse battle, as he had done since it was first offered by Capt. Tatnall early in April and thenceforward to keep a strict watch about the “Virginia,” in order, when her provisions were exhausted, to make her his prize and the crew his prisoners.

            Being thus situated, the only alternative in the opinion of the Court was to abandon and burn the ship, then and there, which, in the judgment of the Court was deliberately and wisely done by order of the accused.

            Wherefore the Court do award to the said Capt. Josiah Tatnall an honorable acquittal.