You would not know it from the Monitor‘s log book, but Friday, April 4, 1862 was an important day. It marked the official beginning of McClellan’s Peninsular Campaign, as Union troops began their slow move from Fortress Monroe up the Peninsula. Meanwhile, over in Gosport, The Virginia came out of drydock. Now repaired, she boasted a new and deadlier ram – 12 feet in length with a hard steel tip.
Remarks Friday April 4th/62
From Midnight to 4 A.M. light airs fine weather steamers arriving with
troops
Louis Stodder
From 4 to 8 A.M. wind E.S.E. pleasant weather at 8 AM the workmen
employed on the Pilot house came on board
Geo. Frederickson
From 8 AM to Meridian Fresh breeze from S.E. and pleasant weather
mechanics employed on board William Flye
From Meridian to 4 P.M. wind same swell washing over deck Hatches
caulked down delivered 6 incendiary shells to gun boat Penobscot E. V. Gager
From 4 to 6 P.M wind & weather same
Louis Stodder
From 6 to 8 P.M Light breeze from the eastward & squally Geo. Frederickson
From 8 P.M. to Midnight Moderate breezes from E. and cloudy with
Lightning and some rain
William Flye
