material, time and labor entirely for
nothing. Had Congress made the appropriations as asked, and had the
money been forthcoming at the Treasury--New Orleans might not have
fallen as she did.

Later still, when the "Virginia" was blown up on the evacuation of
Norfolk, a howl of indignation was raised against Secretary, Department
and all connected with it. A Court of Inquiry was called; and Commodore
Tatnall himself demanded a court-martial, upon the first court not
ordering one.

The facts proved were that the ship, with her iron coating and heavy
armament, drew far too much water to pass the shoal at Harrison's
Bar--between her and Richmond. With Norfolk in the enemy's hands, the
hostile fleet pressing her--and with no point whence to draw
supplies--she could not remain, as the cant went, "the grim sentinel to
bar all access to the river." It was essential to lighten her, if
possible; and the effort was made by sacrificing her splendid armament.
Even then she would not lighten enough by two feet; the enemy pressed
upon her, now perfectly unarmed; and Tatnall was forced to leave and
fire her.

People forgot the noble achievements of the ship under naval guidance;
that, if destroyed by naval men, she was the offspring of naval genius.
With no discussion of facts, the cry against the navy went on, even
after that splendid defense of Drewry's Bluff by Farrand, _which
alone saved_ Richmond!

As a pioneer, the "Virginia" was a great success and fully demonstrated
the theory of her projector. But there were many points about her open
to grave objections; and she was, as a whole, far inferior to the
smaller vessels afterward built upon her model at Richmond. Armed with
the same gun, there is little doubt but the "Monitor" would have
proved--from her superior lightness and obedience to her helm--no less
than from her more compact build--at least her equal. Officers on the
"Virginia" shared in this belief of her advantages over her terrible
antagonist.

On the whole, the experience of the war tells of honest endeavor and
brilliant achievement, under surpassing difficulty, for the Confederate
navy. That it was composed of gallant, noble-hearted men, none who were
thrown with them can doubt; that they wrought heart and hand for the
cause, in whatever strange and novel position, none ever did doubt.

They made mistakes. Who in army, or government, did not?

But from the day they offered their swords; through the unequal c