Civil War Battles
Hampton Roads
Also called
Monitor vs. Virginia (Merrimack) -- Battle of the Ironclads
Hampton Roads
Also called
Monitor vs. Virginia (Merrimack) -- Battle of the Ironclads
Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia
Campaign: Peninsula Campaign (March-September 1862)
Date: March 8-9, 1862
Principal Commanders:
Lt. John Worden [US];
Capt. Franklin Buchanan [CS]
Lt. Catesby R. Jones [CS]
Forces Engaged: 4 warships [US]; 1 warship [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 433 total (US 409; CS 24)
Description:
On March 8, 1862, from her berth at Norfolk, the Confederate ironclad Virginia steamed into Hampton Roads where she sank Cumberland and ran Congress aground.
On March 9, the Union ironclad Monitor having fortuitously arrived to do battle, initiated the first engagement of ironclads in history. The two ships fought each other to a standstill, but Virginia retired.
Result: Inconclusive