March 9, 1862 (Sunday): Preparing for the Merrimac to Ascend the Potomac

The Monitor and Merrimac (Virginia)

Washington, D. C., March 9, 1862-2 p. m.

Brigadier General HOOKER, Commanding:
     Please have the following communicated to Captain Wyman as soon as possible:
     The Merrimac has got out harbor, and had pretty much used up our ships at Hampton Roads.
It is impossible to say what she may attempt, but as a proper precaution it is proposed to be ready to block the channel of this river in the event of an attempt to enter it.
    By direction of the President it has been agreed on by General McClellan, General Meigs and myself the Secretary of War present, to fill some canal-boats and other craft and tow them down near the place where it would be advisable to sink them. I wish you therefore to sent up some of the steamers to tow down.
    You have no doubt received my dispatch to send a fast vessels to observe the mouth of the Potomac. Let this duty be well looked to.
    Will General Hooker please to inform me of this reaching Captain Wyman.



JNO. A. DAHLGREN,
Commandant, Navy-Yard.

Series I., Vol. 9, Part 1, Page 20.

The Merrimac (CSS Virginia) put a scare into the Government the previous day, sinking the Cumberland and Congress.  The irony of the preparations described here to block the Potomac is the Virginia was in no way seaworthy enough to venture up to Washington.  At the time this message was written, the Virginia and Monitor were locked in combat in Hampton Roads.  The Monitor battled the Virginia to a draw, removing a great source of apprehension to Union war planners.