A REVOLUTION IN NAVAL ARCHITECTURE.

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"but little encouragement from any one lars, of which half a million was furn while the Virginia was progressing. Hun- ished by the government, the rest by the dreds-I may say thousands-asserted projectors, were spent on her construcshe would never float. Some said she tion in about twenty months, when the would turn bottom-side up; others said work was interrupted. An equal sum, the crew would suffocate; but the most it was calculated, would secure her comwise said the concussion and report from pletion. Her plan, combining on a vast the guns would deafen the men. Some scale the various conditions now urged said she would not steer; and public as the most important in the construcopinion generally about here said she tion of iron-plated vessels, certainly enwould never come out of the dock. You titled the eminent mechanicians, her prohave no idea what I have suffered injectors, to credit for priority in skill and mind since I commenced her; but I invention in devices of this nature. knew what I was about, and persevered. Some of her inboard arrangements are of the most intricate character, and have caused me many sleepless nights in making them; but all have turned out right, and thanks are due to a kind Providence, whose blessings on my efforts I have many times invoked."*

All this argued an entire revolution in naval architecture of a character which would have struck the soul of a Decatur or Bainbridge with dismay. In place of the lofty tapering spars, the white wings of canvas, and the beautifully modelled hull, the attributes of the gallant frigate of the olden time, on whose deck her commander seemed to be in league with the noblest powers of nature, the free breath of the winds and the ceaseless play of waters, the proud eminence of the quarter-deck was degraded to the inglorious confinement of some well-riveted iron box or tube, half submerged, forging its way through the waters by a slavish

As an experiment in the science of naval warfare, the encounter between the two iron-clad vessels was, at the time, of peculiar interest. England and France were at the very moment constructing iron-plated ships of war of vast size, and devising extraordinary batteries of a similar character for coast defence. The British Parliament was debating the sub-mechanical power, with but little assistject, and inspectors, engineers, and lords of the Admiralty, were busy in testing various formidable contrivances, none of which, in economy of construction, lightness of draft, and general efficiency, appeared comparable to the unheralded work of Mr. Ericsson.

At home, attention was called anew to the subject of iron-plated vessels, several of which, already in hand, were approaching completion under government contract, and particularly to the forwarding of the Stevens battery at New York. This work, the most gigantic of its class, was first suggested to the government by Robert L. and Edwin A. Stevens in 1841, and was commenced at Hoboken, opposite the city of New York, in 1854. About three quarters of a million of dol

* Charleston Mercury, March 22, 1862.

ance from or dependence upon the versatile will or quick inspiring intellect of man. In the steam frigate the captain or commodore shared his authority with the engineer, but he had still his deck to walk upon and his sailors to command. Here he was to be "cabined, cribbed, confined" in a gloomy apartment, fit only for a stoker, to be begrimed with smoke, and, in time of action, stunned with the shock of his iron ramparts. How would Nelson, who went into an engagement blazing with stars and orders, disdaining protection from the fiery hail around him, chafe and fret at his narrow quarters in a segment of a chimney-from which, if his physical powers were equal to the pressure of such an atmosphere, and he did not swoon on the instant, he might indeed conquer, but the

victory would be a triumph, not so much of mind as of matter of the iron shield rather than the iron will.

early limit to the weight of these iron structures on the ocean, checking the fierceness of attack, the opportunity for resistance will be much greater where there will be little necessity for movement. Batteries of the largest size may rest in quiet havens, and others of the smallest build may ply about their waters, powerful for purposes of protection, when neither could survive a passage on the broad ocean. In this way the dangers of invasion may be lessened, and wars be checked.

But everything, however unpleasant, has its compensations. If war is thus to lose something of its beauty and attractiveness, the end for which wars are undertaken may be more speedily and surely attained by agents so destructive, unless both parties being equally well provided, like the mailed knights of the middle ages, they batter one another with no ill effect beyond a few dints on the armor. It might be thrown out, in- In another light, the cost of these gideed, as a curious subject of speculation, gantic engines gives to the nation, able whether these enormous engines of solid to procure or produce them, an immense iron and these vast rifled diameters dis- superiority over less wealthy or less scicharging hundred-weights of the wrought entific countries. As invention advances metal in a single ball, will really lead to they will become more expensive, and the suppression of war. May they not the disparity between first and second rather, while the passions of men furn- class powers will be greater. A great ish the fuel, tend only to promote a riv- advantage also will be gained by the naalry in the mechanical arts; nation striv- tion first in the field with these destrucing against nation to produce bulwarks tive agents. Political problems hitherto and artillery of the greatest strength difficult of solution may be solved by and size. The most powerful empire earlier possession of the iron-mailed sea will then be that which has the largest warriors. It is hardly too much to say forges and the most cunning artificers. that any power who shall be permitted One result, however, certainly will fol- to enjoy any considerable superiority in low. Greater security will be given to the new weapon, whose triumphs are home defences. Forts may be strength-foreshadowed in the exploit of the Monened, and harbors guarded beyond all itor, will be, for the time, mistress of precedent; for while there must be an the world.

CHAPTER LIX.

THE BATTLE OF NEWBERN, N. C., MARCH 14, 1862.

ROANOKE ISLAND and the region of North Carolina resting upon Albemarle Sound, as we have seen, were taken possession of by the army of General Burnside and the fleet of Commodore Goldsborough, early in February, 1862. These valuable points commanding direct communication with Norfolk having been thus secured, the Union forces were left

free to push their conquests below in the important portion of the State, presenting a ready means of approach by the waters of Pamlico Sound and its tributary rivers. Washington, on Pamlico river, and Newbern, on the Neuse river, were the chief depots in this quarter of the staple productions--the lumber, tar, turpentine, and naval stores of the coun

THE EXPEDITION TO NEWBERN.

try. Newbern, in its size and position, was one of the chief cities in the State. Though numbering, according to the Census of 1860, but 5,432 inhabitants, its population exceeded that of the capital, Raleigh, by several hundreds, and was second only to the seaport Wilmington. In social consequence, having formerly been the seat of government, its possession was of no little influence in the State. It was, moreover, by the Atlantic and North Carolina railroad, immediately connected with Beaufort on the ocean forty miles below, and with Goldsboro' sixty miles in the interior, the chief station on the Wilmington and Weldon railway. Situated at the junction of two rivers, the Trent and the Neuse, once gained, it might, without difficulty, be held by gunboats. In every way, as a healthy and convenient location for the troops, for its control of the trade of a large district, and as a base of military operations for a descent upon Beaufort, or for further advances inland, its possession would be of the utmost value. Newbern, in fact, was the next desirable prize for the Union army in North Carolina.

The first week in March saw the preparations in progress for a reëmbarkation of the troops from the headquarters of General Burnside at Roanoke Island. The immediate destination of the gunboats and transports was Hatteras Inlet. The force intended for the expedition was assembled at that place on the 11th, and the following morning was set in motion in the direction of Newbern, the new point of attack. The day was unusually calm and pleasant, and its favorable influences were more keenly appreciated in contrast with the severe storm of hail and rain, a not unusual visitor of the locality, which had raged but a day or two before. The water, indeed, in this storm-haunted region of Hatteras, was so smooth, and the light north-westerly breeze so gentle, that the sailing vessels were entirely dependent for their ad

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vance on the steam transports which took them in tow.

The military force of the expedition, in all about 8,000, was composed of the three brigades of Generals Foster, Parke, and Reno-the regiments of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts soldiers, who had encountered the hardships at Hatteras, and fought at Roanoke. The fleet of gunboats, six in number, in the absence of Commodore Goldsborough, whom the bold and destructive raid of the Merrimac had recalled to the waters of the Chesapeake, was commanded by flag-officer S. C. Rowan, the next in rank.

Early in the morning, previously to starting, the following order from General Burnside was read to the various regiments: "The General commanding takes pleasure in announcing that the Army of the Potomac, under General McClellan, is now advancing upon Richmond, and was, at the latest dates, occupying Centreville, the enemy having evacuated all the advanced fortifications before Manassas, and those on the Potomac. He again calls upon his command for an important movement, which will greatly demoralize the enemy, and contribute much to the success of our brothers of the Potomac Army. He has full confidence in the ability of this force to produce the desired result." To coöperate with the main army, to promote the interests of his friend, the commander-inchief, to advance the cause of the Union, were, far beyond any thoughts of himself, the paramount motives of General Burnside at this crisis. A more selfdenying order was probably never issued on the eve of so important an engagement. The General's thoughts were of others, not of himself.

The distance from Hatteras across the Sound, some fifty miles, was traversed during the day without difficulty, and at evening the vessels of the expedition were anchored off the mouth of Slocum's

Creek, a tributary of the Neuse, about eighteen miles from Newbern. This was the spot which General Burnside had selected for the landing of the troops. On the way to the river, the Picket, one of the gunboats, had fallen in with two boats laden with grain. They were chased ashore, captured, and the crews, a planter and his sons, carried to General Burnside, who received them with great kindness, purchasing some meal of the owner, and presenting him beside with that much sought for luxury, under the blockade, a supply of coffee. Another boat was picked up containing a party of young colored people, who had come out, as they said, "to look after their friends."

with flags flying, bands playing, and 5,000 bayonets flashing in the sunshine, which now streamed over the fleet.

"It was almost ten o'clock when the Alice Price stopped near the shore. Her paddles had hardly ceased their revolutions when a small boat, containing Sergeant Poppe and three men of Captain Wright's company of the 51st New York, put off from her side, and carried the stars and stripes to land. When the color-sergeant planted his colors, and the dear flag was given to the breeze, one long, loud shout went up from the flotilla and fleet. The signal to cast off tows was now given, and the swarm of boats made the best of their way to the beach; but the water shoaled so gradually to the westward of the creek that they ground

The next morning, Thursday, the 13th, all was ready for the disembarka-ed while yet sixty yards away. In a tion of the troops. "At daylight," says a correspondent, who has furnished the public with an animated account of the scenes which followed, "the rain was falling heavily, and it seemed as if we were to have every disadvantage of weather added to the obstacles which lay in the path of our advance on the city. By eight o'clock, however, patches of blue sky were to be seen here and there, and in a little time the rain ceased. The signal to prepare for landing hoisted on each of the brigade flag-boats was greeted with cheers throughout the fleet, and it was not long before the different regiments were in the launches, ready for the signal to land. At nine o'clock the Patuxent, laden with troops, headed for the mouth of Slocum's Creek, followed by the Alert with fourteen boats in tow, the Union with the 4th Rhode Island aboard, the Pilot Boy with twelve launches, Levy with thirteen, and the Alice Price, General Burnside's flag-boat. The Price, steaming past the others, led the advance, and, running to within a few yards of the shore, stopped and signaled the Pilot Boy to follow in her wake. From the transport fleet to shore the boats sailed in a long, graceful sweep,

moment the soldiers were over the gunwales, and the water was swarming with them, as they waded to land carrying their pieces and ammunition under their arms to keep them dry. The crowd was so great that some boats containing portions of the 8th Connecticut and one of the Massachusetts regiments headed for the opposite bank of the creek, and the men were all ashore before the error was seen and an order could be sent them to land with the others. In the boat flotilla there were six navy barges with howitzers, the whole battery being under command of Lieutenant R. S. McCook of the Stars and Stripes, and the guns respectively of J. B. Hammond, Acting Master of the Hetzel; E. C. Gabaudan (Commodore Rowan's clerk) of the Delaware; Lieutenant Tillotson (Union Coast Guard) of the Perry; Lieutenant T. W. B. Hughes (Union Coast Guard) of the St. Lawrence; C. H. Daniels of the Decatur, and Mr. E. P. Meeker (Commodore Goldsborough's secretary) of the Ohio. Each gun was drawn by twelve sailors, assisted, as occasion required, by soldiers who stepped from the ranks and lent a hand with cheerful alacrity. Beside this battery of navy guns, two Wiard rifled

THE UNION TROOPS GO FORWARD.

Along the river, by the mouth of the creek, the ground was marshy and miry enough to make the labor of dragging the field-pieces very heavy. Our path led for a little distance through a fringe of woods, in which the Spanish moss was hanging from almost every tree-a sadcolored drapery, but quite appropriate, I thought, for the journey to the spirit-world that many were then treading. I recollect standing beneath a thick canopy of this moss with the gallant young Hammond, who fought so bravely at Roanoke, to watch the men as they labored to get his gun through a bit of mire, and thinking which of these twelve would meet his death before we got to Newbern. Alas! every man of them was killed or wounded. After leaving the woods we came upon a strip of beach, and, after marching a mile through the sand, ankledeep, struck across a piece of fallow land and came upon the county road. One of the finest sights of the day was the march of the column diagonally across this clearing, the thick-set hedge of bayonets shining like frosted grass in the sunshine, and the long line of blue-clothed men, undulating like a great snake, over the inequalities of the ground. A little way up the road we found an extensive cavalry barracks, some distance back, in a wooded ravine. So great had been the hurry of leaving that the officers had left their breakfast untouchedthe men theirs in the mess-tins. Furniture, books, clothing, all the conveniences of camp life, were strewn about the cantonment, and in the stables one solitary little pony was found tied, and appropriated by an aide-de-camp, whose undignified appearance when mounted

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elicited many a jest and laugh from his friends of the several staffs.

"The rains of the week preceding had brought the country into a sad plight, and our troops marched for five miles through mud and water, such as one would hardly expect to find this side of the heavy clays of Yorkshire. There was no straggling or hanging back, however, for the officers met every loiterer with the order to close up ranks and keep together. The 24th Massachusetts, having the right of the 1st brigade, was, of course, at the head of the column; the 11th Connecticut brought up the rear of the 3d brigade. We had proceeded perhaps five miles when the skirmishers. came upon a clearing with a line of breastworks and batteries apparently a mile in extent. The column was immediately halted, and a reconnoissance being made by Captain Williamson, Topographical engineer on General Burnside's staff, it was found deserted. The work must have required the labor of a thousand men for a month, being constructed in the most thorough and scientific manner. A deep and wide moat extended along the front, and an abattis of felled timber had been made on both flanks. No guns had been mounted, the enemy probably thinking the division was to move first on Norfolk, and that no great haste was required in preparing the nice little thing for our reception. A mile further on, a road crossing our line of march ran down to the river. Thinking that the enemy might have a fortification on the beach, with a large supporting body of infantry, a reconnoissance was ordered by General Foster, and Lieutenants Strong, Pendleton, Captain Hudson, and others of his aids, riding down found a large battery, which had been deserted in haste. They waved a white handkerchief as a signal to the gunboats, and a boat put off immediately from the Delaware, and the national flag was hoisted on the parapet.

"All the afternoon it had been rain