Kelsey Davies Merrimack vs.

Monitor Over the course of the past two days, March 8-9, part of the peninsula campaign took to the waters and history was made. Off the coast of Newport News, Virginia, hosted the clash of Union and Confederate naval forces. Confederate commander, Captain Franklin Buchanan left Norfolk banks looking to interrupt the Unions blockade. President Lincolns ordered the Unions naval forces to block a number of southern ports. While the Union seemed to have the advantage of numbers - 1,400 solider to 188 - the Confederacy appeared to have the advantage aboard the CSS Virginia (Civilwar.org). Built on top of what used to be the hull of the USS Merrimack, the CSS Virginia headed for the old-fashioned wooden USS Cumberland. The CSS Virginia is one of the first-ever ironclad battle ships ever employed in battle. According to the History Channels website, CSS Virginia was originally used as the flagship of the Pacific fleet in the Caribbean before being sunk by Union soldiers. It was then recovered, reinforced, and then re-launched with its new name in February of 1862 (Battle of Hampton Roads, 2013). The ship was outfitted with iron plates that were locally produced at Tredegar Ironworks in Richmond (Tredegar.org). The plants name derives from a Welsh town also know for its manufacturing tradition. Complete with an iron ram, the CSS Virginia faced off with the USS Cumberland only to drill a gaping whole in its side (Hampton Roads). Following this victory, Buchanan steered his crew and ship towards the next target: USS Congress. Thats quite a bit of symbolism right there. Union services tried to escape the same

fate as the Cumberland, and even though it avoided the Virginias battering ram, it was forced to surrender to Buchanan. Not before Buchanan was injured however. Looking to follow military tradition, Buchanan was on deck awaiting a formal surrender from the USS Congress and was shot in the thigh. No longer able to be in command, Catsby Jones assumed his role (Hampton Roads). Enter, the USS Monitor. Nicknamed the cheesebox on a raft because it almost never was (Thulesius, 2006). Ericsson, the ships engineer, was a Swedish born child prodigy; a very skilled man, his designs pushed the envelope and caught the attention of many (Thulesius, 2006). However, with the personal approval of Abraham Lincoln himself and the naval Ironclad Board, Ericsson was told to construct the vessel complete with rotating turret (Thulesius, 2006). And so on March 9, 1862, Monitor confronted the returning Virginia and the battle that ensued would change and shape naval warfare forever. This was the first time the world had witnessed two ironclads clash and although there was consistent fire from both ends, the day ended in a draw. What was not inconclusive though, the innovations (ironclad war vessels, rotating turret, battering ram) presented from both sides of the Civil War Union and Confederate changed the future of naval confrontations forever.

Part 2: Annotated Bibliography of Resources Works Cited Battle of Hampton Roads. (2013). The History Channel website. Retrieved September 30, 2013, from http://www.history.com/topics/battle-of-hamptonroads. Coming from the History Channel, this resource provides a plethora of trusted information. With resources for facts, photos of artifacts, and interactive activities, The History Channels website provides a museums glimpse at the Civil War as a whole. Plus too, Hampton Roads is discussed in detail. One note is that the source provides links to relevant articles along the same topic or interest. It is a good sources for both an overview and a what next? or what else? approach. Hampton Roads. The Civil War Trust website. Retrieved September 30, 2013, from http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/hampton-roads.html?tab=facts The Civil War Trust website is an online account from the largest national non-profit organization devoted to preserving Civil War battlefields. Along with saving the physical land where battles were fought, this organization aims to protect the history, stories and memories associated with the soldiers that fought on both Union and Confederate sides. The concerned historians not only focus on land preservation but look to educate and inform the public about the Civil Wars importance to our nation. By putting on events and programs, members hope to spread awareness of their cause to appreciate the history we walk by on a daily basis.

The History. The American Civil War Center at Tredegar website. Retrieved September 29, 2013, from http://www.tredegar.org/civil-war-tredegarhistory.aspx Tredegar.org is the website associated with Historic Tredegar, located in Richmond, Virginia. The museum is the first of its kind to interpret the Civil War from Union, Confederate, and African American perspectives. It provides a detailed history of Tredegar Ironworks, founded by Francis B. Deane who named the building for his Welsh hometown.1 The source provides a way to view one event from three different perspectives and also collectively as a nation. Thulesius. (2006, October 04). A cheesebox on a raft. America's civil war, Retrieved from http://www.historynet.com/uss-monitor-a-cheesebox-on-a-raft.htm Olav Thulesiuss article A Cheesebox on a Raft was first published in Americas Civil War magazine. The piece provides a much deeper look into the Monitors history of construction; however, this is understandable because Thulesius also authored John Ericssons biography. Ericsson just happens to be the naval engineer responsible for designing the Monitor. Somewhat biased and heavy towards the Union, it is a very reliable source of information.

Im so particularly interested in this fact because my ancestors on my paternal side of the family are also from Tredegar, Wales. Although not relevant to Virginia SOLs, it was something that struck me as interesting.
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Part 3: Annotated Teaching Resources

1. Civil War Trust. Creating a historic site lesson plan. Retrieved October 1, 2013, from http://www.civilwar.org/education/teachers/lesson-plans/creating-ahistoric-site-lesson-plan/historicsitelessonplan.html a. In conjunction with the Civil War Trusts goal of sharing the importance of conserving historic landmarks, teaching students the value of having them is important. What is interesting that since the Hampton Roads battle was fought at sea, it could spur intriguing conversations about how to preserve the memory of battles where the land cannot be conserved. 2. Civil War Trust and The Center for Civil War Photography. Civil War 3-D Photography Lesson. Retrieved October 1, 2013, from http://www.civilwar.org/education/teachers/lesson-plans/civil-warphotography-as-a-primary-source/civil-war-photography.html a. Visuals are key for learning in any subject but having something to look at is valuable for students. Seeing something concrete is more meaningful then listening or reading a description. In this way, looking at and learning how to deduct meaning from pictures is a very important skill for students to develop and have. 3. Take a Virtual Tour through Tredegar where the CSS Virginia was constructed.

a. Virtual Tour. American Civil War Center at Tredegar. http://www.tredegar.org/virtual-civil-war-tour.aspx b. Since budgets or time dont always allow for field trips, using a technology to do a virtual tour is advantageous to once again, give students something to look at while teaching. Currently on display in the centers flagship exhibit is In the Cause of Liberty showcasing a few artifacts including a drum and hat. 4. How to Engage Young Students in Historical Thinking (2010). Retrieved October 1, 2013 from http://www.edutopia.org/historical-thinking-skills-K6 a. Teaching students how to think critically about different historical events instead is more rewarding then presenting information to be lapped up. Similar to the articles specific example of George Washington, the Civil War has the ability to still conjure up feelings of North and South depending on what state youre learning the information in. Rather, if one is always challenging students to consider another perspective, this creates a more aware student. 5. Clash of Armor program at the Mariners Museum in Newport News, VA. a. Clash of Armor: The Battle of the Monitor and the Virginia. The Mariners Museum website. Retrieved on October 1, 2013 from http://www.marinersmuseum.org/education/maritime-historyschool-programs

b. The Mariners Museum is the best possible resource especially if the classroom is in or near the Virginia Beach area. This program is geared towards the exact fourth grade SOL but is still accessible to students in 4th-12th grade. Not only do students get an up close and personal account of the history, but they also explore how the battle site is still under excavation. With artifacts still being discovered from sea, its a great resources to check with for up to date facts.