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guns were very much heavier； and the Merrimac while still
keeping up the fight made toward the mouth of the river。
Suddenly she turned and steamed directly at the Monitor； and
before the latter could get out of her way struck her on the side；
but the ram was bent and her weak engines were insufficient to
propel her with the necessary force。 Consequently she inflicted no
damage on the Monitor； and the action continued； the turret…ship
directing her fire at the iron roof of the ram； while the latter
pointed her guns especially at the turret and pilot…house of the
Monitor。 At length； after a battle which had lasted six hours； the
Monitor withdrew； one of the plates of her pilot…house being
seriously damaged and her commander injured in the eyes。
When her foe drew off the Merrimac steamed back to Norfolk。
There were no men killed in either battle； and each side claimed a
victory； the Federals upon the ground that they had driven off the
Merrimac； the Confederates because the Monitor had retreated
from the fight。 Each vessel however held the strength of the other
in respect； the Monitor remaining as sentinel over the ships and
transports at Fortress Monroe； while the Merrimac at Norfolk
continued to guard the entrance into the James River。
As soon as the fight was over Vincent Wingfield； greatly pleased
that he had witnessed so strange and interesting a combat； rode
back to Norfolk； and the same evening reached Richmond； where
his description of the fight was received with the greatest interest
and excitement。
OHAPTER VIIL M'CLELLAN'S ADVANCE。
IT WAS not until three weeks after the fight between the ironclads
that the great army under General McClellan arrived off Fortress
Monroe； the greater portion of the troops coming down the
Potomac in steam transports。 Vast quantities of stores had been
accumulated in and around the fortress。 Guns of a size never
before used in war were lying on the wharfs in readiness …to be
placed in batteries； while Hampton Roads were crowded with
transports and store vessels watched over by the Monitor and the
other war ships。 McClellan's army was a large one； but not so
strong a force as he had intended to have taken with him； and as
soon as he arrived at Fortress Monroe he learned that he would not
be able to expect much assistance from the fleet。 The Merrimac
completly closed the James River； and were the more powerful
vessels of the fleet to move up the York River； she would be able
to sally out and destroy the rest of the fleet and the transports。
As it was most important to clear the peninsula between the two
rivers before Magruder should receive strong reinforcements； a
portion of the troops were at once landed； and on the 4th of April
56；000 men and 100 guns disembarked and started on their march
against Yorktown。 As soon as the news of the arrival of the
Northern army at Fortress Monroe reached Richmond fresh steps
were taken for the defense of the city。 Magruder soon found that it
would be impossible with the force at his command to hold the
line he had proposed； and a large body of negroes and troops were
set to work to throw up defenses between Yorktown and a point on
the Warwick River thirteen and a half miles away。
A portion of this line was covered by the Warwick Creek； which
he dammed up to make it unfordable； and erected batteries to
guard the dams。 Across the intervening ground a weak earthwork
with trenches was constructed； there being no time to raise
stronger works； but Magruder relied chiefly upon the swampy and
difficult nature of the country； and the concealment afforded by
the forest； which rendered it difficult for the enemy to discover the
weakness of the defenders。
He posted 6；000 men at Yorktown and Gloucester Point； and the
remaining 5；000 troops under his command were scattered along
the line of works to the Warwick River。 He knew that if McClellan
pushed forward with all his force he must be successful； but he
knew also that if the enemy could but be held in check for a few
days assistance would reach him from General Johnston's army。
Fortunately for the Confederates； the weather； which had been fine
and clear during the previous week； changed on the very day that
McClellan started。 The rain came down in torrents； and the roads
became almost impassable。 The columns struggled on along the
deep and muddy tracks all day； and bivouacked for the night in the
forests。 The next morning they resumed their march； and on
reaching the first line of intrenchments formed by the
Confederates found them deserted； and it was not until they
approached the Warwick Creek that they encountered serious
opposition。 Had they pushed forward at once they would have
unquestionably captured Richmond。 But McClellan's fault was
over…caution； and he believed himself opposed by a very much
larger force than that under the command of Magruder；
consequently； instead of making an attack at once he began regular
siege operations against the works on Warwick Creek and those at
Yorktown。
The delay saved Richmond。 Every day reinforcements arrived；
and by the time that McClellan's army； over 100；000 strong； had
erected their batteries and got their heavy guns into position；
Magruder had been reinforced by some 10；000 men under General
Johnston； who now assumed the command； while other divisions
were hurrying up from Northern and Western Virginia。 Upon the
very night before the batteries were ready to open； the
Confederates evacuated their positions and fell back； carrying with
them all their guns and stores to the Chickahominy River； which
ran almost across the peninsula at a distance of six miles only from
Richmond。
The Confederates crossed and broke down the bridges； and
prepared to make another stand。 The disappointment of the
Federals was great。 After ten days of incessant labor and hardship
they had only gained possession of the village of Yorktown and a
tract of low swampy country。 The divisions in front pressed
forward rapidly after the Confederates； but these had managed
their plan so well that all were safely across the stream before they
were overtaken。
The dismay in Richmond had for a few days been great。 Many
people left the town for the interior； taking their valuables with
them； and all was prepared for the removal of the state papers and
documents。 But as the Federals went on with their fortifications；
and the reinforcements began to arrive； confidence was restored；
and all went on as before。
The great Federal army was so scattered through the forests； and
the discipline of some of the divisions was so lax that it was some
days before McClellan had them ranged in order on the
Chickahominy。 Another week elapsed before he was in a position
to undertake fresh operations； but General Johnston had now four
divisions on the spot； and he was too enterprising a general to
await the attack。 Consequently he