Wythe in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Stalemate in Hampton Roads

In a “big glass case”

— 1862 Peninsula Campaign —

Stalemate in Hampton Roads Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

1. Stalemate in Hampton Roads Marker

Inscription.

Stalemate in Hampton Roads. In a “big glass case”. After the March 8-9, 1862, Battle of Hampton Roads, CSS Virginia went into drydock for refitting. USS Monitor guarded Union Gen. George B. McClellan’s transport vessels in the York River near Fort Monroe, and the Federals reinforced the bows of fast steamers to ram Virginia if she ventured into the Chesapeake Bay. The Confederates concocted a plan (but did not execute it) to disable Monitor’s crew after reading a report in Scientific American: immobilize the turret, pour chloroform into it, cover the pilothouse with a tarpaulin, and wait for the vessel to surrender. More practically, Virginia received a new 14-foot-long ram as well as armor-piercing shot for her Brooke rifles to use against Monitor., On April 11, Virginia, under Flag Officer Josiah Tattnall, entered Hampton Roads at 7:10 A.M. The Federal transports there scattered to the protection of Fort Monroe. Monitor, commanded by Lt. William N. Jeffers and reinforced by the iron-hulled Naugatuck, remained in the channel between Fort Monroe and the Rip-Raps under orders not to engage Virginia unless she entered the open waters of Chesapeake Bay. Virginia steamed around Hampton Roads until 4:00 P.M. while the Federal fleet watched, hoping that Monitor would attack. Lt. Joseph N. Barney in CSS Jamestown, meanwhile, captured two Union brigs and an Accomac schooner along Hampton Flats in front of you. Virginia, flying the captured flags upside-down in disdain, fired at Naugatuck and finally returned to Gosport Navy Yard., The Northern press lambasted the Federals’ lack of response, and Acting Assistant Paymaster William Keeler of Monitor expressed the crew’s frustration: “I believe the Department is going to build a big glass case to put us in for fear of harm coming to us.” Almost a month passed before the two ironclads again challenged each other for control of Hampton Roads. . This historical marker was erected by Virginia Civil War Trails. It is in Wythe in Hampton Virginia

After the March 8-9, 1862, Battle of Hampton Roads, CSS Virginia went into drydock for refitting. USS Monitor guarded Union Gen. George B. McClellan’s transport vessels in the York River near Fort Monroe, and the Federals reinforced the bows of fast steamers to ram Virginia if she ventured into the Chesapeake Bay. The Confederates concocted a plan (but did not execute it) to disable Monitor’s crew after reading a report in Scientific American: immobilize the turret, pour chloroform into it, cover the pilothouse with a tarpaulin, and wait for the vessel to surrender. More practically, Virginia received a new 14-foot-long ram as well as armor-piercing shot for her Brooke rifles to use against Monitor.

On April 11, Virginia, under Flag Officer Josiah Tattnall, entered Hampton Roads at 7:10 A.M. The Federal transports there scattered to the protection of Fort Monroe. Monitor, commanded by Lt. William N. Jeffers and reinforced by the iron-hulled Naugatuck, remained in the channel between Fort Monroe and the Rip-Raps under orders not to engage Virginia unless she entered

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the open waters of Chesapeake Bay. Virginia steamed around Hampton Roads until 4:00 P.M. while the Federal fleet watched, hoping that Monitor would attack. Lt. Joseph N. Barney in CSS Jamestown, meanwhile, captured two Union brigs and an Accomac schooner along Hampton Flats in front of you. Virginia, flying the captured flags upside-down in disdain, fired at Naugatuck and finally returned to Gosport Navy Yard.

The Northern press lambasted the Federals’ lack of response, and Acting Assistant Paymaster William Keeler of Monitor expressed the crew’s frustration: “I believe the Department is going to build a big glass case to put us in for fear of harm coming to us.” Almost a month passed before the two ironclads again challenged each other for control of Hampton Roads.

Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1916.

Location. 37° 0.149′ N, 76° 21.665′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Wythe. Marker is at the intersection of Chesapeake Avenue

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

2. Stalemate in Hampton Roads Marker

(Virginia Route 167) and East Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Chesapeake Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hampton VA 23661, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Battle of Ironclads (here, next to this marker); Fertile Hunting Grounds For The Indians (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Development Of Olde Wythe (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Church at Kecoughtan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Olde Wythe During Colonial Times (approx. ¼ mile away); Admiral Sir George Cockburn on the Chesapeake / The War of 1812 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hampton Roads – World’s Greatest Harbor (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wythe’s Birthplace (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.

More about this marker. The top of the marker contains a picture with the caption “CSS Virginia (center), steams around Hampton Roads while the U.S. fleet watches (left) and CSS Jamestown (right) captures two Federal brigs and a schooner. - Courtesy Newport News Division of Historic Services and Museums.” The lower left of the marker features photographs of CSS Virginia Commander “Capt. Josiah Tattnall, courtesy Newport News Division of Historic Services and Museums” and USS Monitor Commander “Lt. William N. Jeffers, Courtesy Library of Congress.”

Also see . . . Tidewater Virginia, The 1862 Peninsula Campaign. Civil War Traveler. (Submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008

3. Stalemate in Hampton Roads Marker

Two markers are found at this location on the Hampton Roads waterfront.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,606 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.