ports, that echoed back from the batteries on shore
in rolling reverberations. The pleasure-seeking tugs from Norfolk had
scuttled back again out of the way of the great cannon-balls that were
skipping along the water in every direction. Neither of the combatants
had received any serious injury. On board the "Monitor" the only hurt
was received by a gunner, who was leaning against the iron wall of the
turret just as a shot struck outside; he was carried below, disabled.
But at last one lucky shot fired from one of the disabled guns of the
"Merrimac" ended this gigantic contest; sending each contestant to her
moorings, without an actual victory for either side. This shot struck
full and fair against the gratings of the pilot-house, through which
Lieut. Worden was looking as he directed the course of his ship. The
concussion knocked him senseless. Flakes of iron and powder were
driven into his eyes and face, blinding him completely for the time.
He fell back from the wheel, and the "Monitor" was left for a moment
without her guiding spirit. All was confusion; but in a few moments
Worden recovered, and gave the order to sheer off. The "Monitor" then
drew away, while Worden was moved to the cabin, and the second officer
sent to his station in the turret. Lying on a sofa in the cabin, his
eyes bandaged, and the horror of life-long blindness upon him, Worden
asked faintly, "Have I saved the 'Minnesota'?"--"Yes," answered the
surgeon. "Then," said he, "I die happy."

While these scenes were transpiring on the "Monitor," the "Merrimac"
lay quietly awaiting her return. The Confederate officers say that she
waited an hour, and then, concluding that the "Monitor" had abandoned
the fight, withdrew to Norfolk. The Northern officers and historians
say that the "Merrimac" was in full retreat when the decisive shot was
fired. It is hard to decide, from such conflicting statements, to
which side the victory belonged. Certain it is, that not a man on the
"Merrimac" was injured, and that all damages she sustained in the
fight were remedied before sunrise the next day. Later, as we shall
see, she challenged the Union fleet to a new battle, without response.
But with all these facts in view, it must be borne in mind that the
purpose of the "Merrimac," that bright March Sunday, was to destroy
the frigate "Minnesota:" in that purpose she was foiled by the
"Monitor," and to that extent at least the "Monitor" was the victor.

Lieut. Worden, af