Battle of Hampton Roads Trivia

Confederates covered the sides of the CSS Virginia with pork fat before her battle on March 8.  According to Executive Officer Catesby ap Roger Jones, this was done in the hopes “that it would increase the tendency of the projectiles to glance.”  During the battle on March 8, the heat and flames from exploding shells hitting the Virginia caused the grease to sizzle.  Midshipman Hardin Littlepage recounted that the ship seemed to be ‘frying from one end to the other.’  He also overheard two crewmen, Jack Cronin and John Hunt talking to one another. Hunt said ‘Jack, don’t this smell like hell?’ to which Cronin replied, ‘It certainly does, and I think the we’ll all be there in a few minutes.’

On March 8, 1862, 2 men were killed and 8 men wounded on the CSS Virginia.  One of those wounded, William G. Burke, listed his primary occupation before the war as ‘comedian.’

William Cline, a marine on the CSS Virginia, recalled that on March 9, 1862, ‘We began the day with two jiggers of whiskey and a hearty breakfast.’  Meanwhile on the Monitor, the crew had not slept in nearly three days and few among the crew had time to eat their breakfast of hardtack and coffee before the battle with the Virginia  began.

During the battle on March 9, Lieutenant John Randolph Eggleston of the CSS Virginia  stopped firing his gun at the Monitor.  When questioned by Jones, the commander, Eggleston replied “It is quite a waste of ammunition to fire at her.  Our powder is precious sir, and I find I can do the Monitor as much damage by snapping my finger at her every five minutes.’

During the battle on March 9, the Monitor fired 41 shots at the Virginia, 20 of which actually hit the Confederate ironclad.  The Monitor received 23 hits – most from the Virginia, but some were from the USS Minnesota which was firing ricochet shots (much like skipping stones across the water) – some of these shots accidentally hit the Monitor.