Lincoln Watching the results from Hampton Roads

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OTD - March 9, 1862 President Lincoln receives a report from Gen. Wool at Fortress Monroe, Va., that the Confederate ship Merrimac entered Hampton Roads preceding day and destroyed USS Cumberland and USS Congress, and that other ships and Fortress Monroe itself are in danger. This calls for an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss defense measures in the event the Merrimac starts toward Washington.Most of the cabinet arrive at the White House in the afternoon. Sec. Stanton divulges information that preparations are under way to stop Merrimac from reaching Washington by blocking the river channel. The President awaits news of the battle between USS Monitor and Merrimac at the telegraph office with members of cabinet. After 4 P.M. a dispatch reaches War Office describing fight between Monitor and Merrimac from 8 A.M. to 12 M., when Merrimac withdrew. Lincoln and two cabinet members present. Lincoln then walks back to the White House.

 

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March 10, 1862 President Lincoln and everyone at the White House are excited about the naval battle at Hampton Roads the prior day. Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Wells states "The 'Monitor' could be boarded and captured very easily . . . she should not go skylarking up to Norfolk." In the evening Mr Lincoln calls on Lt. Worden, commander of Monitor nearly blinded by a shell in yesterday's engagement, to express admiration, and "bursts into tears while greeting the sailor."