110 Southern Historical Society Papers.
General McClellan, in a dispatch from Fairfax Courthouse, dated March 12, 1862, to Captain G. V. Fox, Fort Monroe, says :
Can I rely on the Monitor to keep the Merrimac in check, so that I can make Fort Monroe a base of operations ? Answer at once.
To which Captain Fox, in a dispatch dated March 13, replied :
The Monitor is more than a match for the Merrimac, but she might be disabled in the next encounter. I cannot advise so great depend- ence on her. Burnside and Goldsborough are very strong for the Chowan River route to Norfolk, and I brought maps, explanations, &c. , to show you. It turns everything, and is only twenty-seven miles to Norfolk by two good roads. Burnside will leave New Berne this week. The Monitor may, and I think will, destroy the Merri- mac in the next fight, but this is hope, not certainty. The Merrimac must dock for repairs.
We here give a dispatch from J. G. Barnard, Chief Engineer, to G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, dated Fairfax Court- house, March 12, 1862, which says:
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 much time would Stevens require to finish his vessel, so far as to enable her to contend with the Mer- rimac ?
General M. C. Meigs, in dispatch to Captain Dahlgren, dated War Department, March 13, 1862, says :
I would not trust this city and the fleet you see coming into the river to the strength of a single screw-bolt in the Monitor's new machinery. If one breaks the Merrimac beats her.
On March 14, 12 M., General Meigs telegraphed to Captain Dahlgren :
I have seen nothing yet to satisfy me that in the next engage- ment the Monitor will not be sunk.
On March 14, General Wool telegraphed to Hon. E. M. Stanton from Fort Monroe :
I beg you will send me more troops. The Merrimac is preparing, and they are strengthening her weak points. It is thought she will
