The First Fight Between Ironclads

March 9, 1862, was the date of the Mouitor's battle with thegiant Merrimac. When the lilliputian steamed into H a m p t o n Roads sbo looked like "a tin can on a board" alongsidë the great vessels arouud her. Thewooden frigate Minnesota lay aground in the ohaunel where tho Merrimao had left her at the olose of the action theovening bef ore. To destroy hor as she lay helpless was the first purpose of the Merrimac. As she upprouched her victiiu, Captain Worden made straight for herwith the Monitor, aud g o 1 1 i n g alongside stopped the eügiuos and conuneuced flring. Licnttiiiant S. Daua Greone ooinmauded in the tnrret whero tho only gnns, two iu nnmber, were located. H'. rau ont a gun aud takbig delibérate aim pulled the lock strijig. The ram qnickly opened with a broadsideCaptain Wordeu remained in the pi lothouse, passing bis orders to Greene by the lips of seamen. Greeno conld see iiothing of the euemy except as the revolutions of the tiirret bronght him into view through the ports opened for iiring. "How does the Merrimac bear?" he would ank tho captain. "Ou the starboard beuni,"or "On the port qnarter, " as it chanced to be. Then the trouble was tor Greone in the closed turret to determine the direction of the hearings. Not to be baffled, the turret was set revolving and shots taken "on the fly. " But thi3 demanded a cool head at the port. A reckless shot migbt destroy the pilothouse of the Monitor, captain and all. Once the Merrimac struck the Monitor a glancing blow, aud at the instant of colusión Greene planted a solid 180 pound shot pon her casemate, but it rebounded, doing no damage to the ar mor of the ram. The enemy's shots also rolled off the Monitor's sides, but one finally struck the square pilothouso where Worden stood and disabled him for the rest of the action. He ordered the Monitor to sheer off, but Greene coming forward found the damage to the house and gearing less thau at first snpposed. Taking bis station in the pilothouse he turned the vessel's head in the direction of the Merrimac and ordered tho gillis to open. The ram, however, didn't waitfor asecondround, but steamed off into Elizabeth river, leaving the iiekl to her uluokv BiSt.