We remain untill Death your Affectionate Crew

THE MONITOR BOYS.

The "Merrimac," after being repaired and altered to some extent,
sailed down the bay on the 11th of April, for the purpose, as her
officers said, of meeting the "Monitor" again. She steamed into the
Roads, and exchanged a few shots with the Union batteries at the
rip-raps; but the "Monitor," and other Union vessels, remained below
Fortress Monroe, in Chesapeake Bay, out of the reach of the
Confederate vessel. Again, a few days later, the "Merrimac" went to
Hampton Roads, and tried to lure the "Monitor" to battle; but again
the challenge passed unanswered. It is probable that the Federal naval
authorities did not care to imperil the only vessel that stood between
them and destruction, out of mere bravado. Had the "Monitor" come out,
an attempt would have been made to carry her by boarding. The crew of
the "Merrimac" were prepared for the attack; and four gunboats
accompanying her were crowded with men, divided into squads, each with
its specified duty. Some were to try and wedge the turret, some were
to cover the pilot-house and all the openings with tarpaulin, others
were to try to throw shells and gunpowder down the smokestack. But all
these preparations proved useless, as the "Monitor" still remained
quietly at her anchorage. On May 8 a third trip was made by the
"Merrimac." When she came down the bay, she found the Union fleet,
including the "Monitor," hard at work shelling the Confederate
batteries at Sewall's Point. As she came towards them, they ceased
their cannonade, and retired again to the shelter of Fortress Monroe.
The "Merrimac" steamed up and down the Roads for some hours; and
finally Commodore Tatnall, in deep disgust, gave the order, "Mr.
Jones, fire a gun to windward, and take the ship back to her buoy."

Back to Norfolk she went, never again to leave that harbor. On the 9th
of May the officers of the "Merrimac" noticed that the Confederate
flag was no longer floating over the shore-batteries. A reconnoissance
proved that the land forces had abandoned Norfolk, and it was
necessary to get the ship away before the Union troops arrived and
hemmed her in. Her pilots declared that if the ship was lightened they
could take her up the James River; and accordingly all hands threw
overboard ballast and trappings, until she was lightened three feet.
Then the pilots claimed that with the prevalent wind th