Battle Name: |
Hampton Roads |
Other Names: |
Monitor vs. Virginia (Merrimack), Battle of the Ironclads |
State: |
Virginia |
Location: |
Hampton Roads |
Campaign: |
Peninsula Campaign (March-September 1862) |
Dates: |
March 8-9, 1862 |
Principal Commanders: |
Lt. John Worden [US]; Capt. Franklin Buchanan and Lt. Catesby R. Jones [CS] |
Forces Engaged: |
4 warships [US]; 1 warship [CS] |
Estimated Casualties: |
433 total (US 409; CS 24) |
Description: |
On March 8, 1862, from her berth at Norfolk, the Confederate ironclad Virginia steamed into Hampton Roads where she
sank Cumberland and ran Congress aground. On March 9, the Union ironclad Monitor having fortuitously arrived to do battle, initiated
the first engagement of ironclads in history. The two ships fought each other to a standstill, but Virginia retired. |
Results: |
Inconclusive |