March 12, 1862 (Wednesday): The Merrimac Paralyzes McClellan's Movements

Hampton Roads

FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE,

March 12, 1862. 

G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy:
    The possibility of the Merrimac appearing again paralyzes the movements of this army by whatever route is adopted. How long a time would it require to complete the vessel built at Mystic River, working night and day? How long would Stevens require to finish his vessel, so far as to enable her to contend with the Merrimac? If she is uninjured, of course no precaution would avail, and the Monitor must be the sole reliance. But if injured so as to require considerable repairs, these things are important to be considered. The General would desire any suggestion of your own on this subject.
    By order of Major-General McClellan:



J. G. BARNARD,
Chief Engineer.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, March 13, 1862. 

Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN,
Fairfax Court-House.
    The Monitor is more than a match for the Merrimac, but she might be disabled in the next encounter. I cannot advise so great dependence upon her. Burnside and Goldsborough are very strong for the Chowan River route to Norfolk, and I brought up maps, explanation, &c., to show you. It turns everything, and is only 278 miles to Norfolk by two good roads. Burnside will have New Berne this week. The Monitor may, and I think will, destroy the Merrimac in the next fight; but this is hope,not certainty. The Merrimac must dock for repairs.



G. V. FOX.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 9, Part 1, Page 27.

With the Virginia (Merrimac) still operable, Union war planners had to account for the damage it could do to McClellan's expedition.  It battled the Monitor at Sewell's Point, across Hampton Roads from Fort Monroe (McClellan's destination).  The ship referenced as being constructed at Mystic was the Galena, an ironclad sloop which would prove to be much less effective than the Monitor.   The route discussed by which to turn Norfolk involved Burnsides' force, which had taken possession of New Bern.  The Chowan route, by water and land, would be about 100 miles from Northeast North Carolina to behind Norfolk.