The famous Civil War battle between the U.S.S. Monitor and the C.S.S. Virginia is revealed from contemporary journals and letters.

Includes index.

"To bury us forever" -- "Iron against wood" -- "There's something in it" -- "Prompt and successful action" -- "Ericsson's folly" -- I lived ten good years" -- That thing is a -comin' " -- "We vowed vengeance on the Merrimac" -- "One of the greatest naval engagements" -- "The Virginia no longer exists" -- "The Monitor is no more" -- "Ram fever."