South Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Congress Cumberland
Give Them a Broadside Boys, as She Goes
| | 1862 Peninsula Campaign | |
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
1. Congress – Cumberland Marker
In this section of the James River directly in front of you lies the remains of the USS Cumberland. At this location and along the shore to your left were the Union batteries that protected Camp Butler.
On March 8, 1862, the Confederate ironclad ram CSS Virginia attacked the Federal fleet blockading the James River. The conversion of the Virginia during the past year from the former steam frigate USS Merrimack, scuttled when Federal forces evacuated Norfolk in 1861, had been a remarkable test of Confederate ingenuity and resources.
The Virginia, appearing like a floating barn belching smoke, and armed with 10 guns, steamed toward Newport News Point, commanded by Flag Officer Franklin Buchanan, CSA. Methodically passing the 50-gun USS Congress, the Virginia rammed the 30-gun Cumberland, creating a hole large enough for a carriage to drive through. The Cumberland quickly began to sink into the James River with her guns firing and 121 men aboard. With her ram embedded in the Cumberland, the Virginias engines struggled to free her from being pulled under the waves. The ironclad survived because her ram broke off, thereby freeing her to attack the Congress, which had run aground endeavoring to escape the Virginia.
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Lieutenant Catesby Roger Jones, CSA, assumed command of the Virginia. The ironclad moved to attack the USS Minnesota, one of three vessels that had run aground coming to the aid of the Cumberland. The Union vessel was only saved from destruction because the tide had ebbed. The Virginia returned to Norfolk, determined to finish destroying the Union fleet on the morrow.
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 1862.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 36° 58.668′ N, 76° 26.068′ W. Marker was in Newport News, Virginia. It was in South Newport News. It could be reached from West Avenue north of 26th Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker stands at Christopher Newport Park along the waterfront. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Newport News VA 23607, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 6, 2021
2. Congress – Cumberland Marker
The marker has been soiled or damaged.
Regionally, this marker was on Virginia’s Peninsula, in Hampton Roads, in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Newport News (within shouting distance of this marker); A Great Confederate Naval Victory (within shouting distance of this marker); Sons of the Flag (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Victory Arch (about 600 feet away); Headquarters, Hampton Roads (about 600 feet away); Victory Avenue (about 600 feet away); Welcome Home (about 700 feet away); Newport News Victory Arch (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
Other markers no longer nearby. Newport News Point (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Collis Potter Huntington (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); A Nameless Grave (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. Two pictures appear at the top of the marker. One, sketched by F. Newman, shows The Sinking of the Cumberland by the Iron Clad Merrimac, off Newport News, VA March 8, 1862. The other picture is of soldiers on shore watching the burning Congress as the Monitor and Virginia face off. It has the caption Battle between
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
3. Markers in Christopher Newport Park
Two markers are found at this location. The Congress – Cumberland marker is on the left in the photo.
Regarding Congress Cumberland. went by and there was construction, I didn't see the marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
4. Markers on the James River
The James River, final resting place for the USS Congress and USS Cumberland, is seen in the background of this photo.
Photographed by Mike McKeown, February 28, 2025
5. Construction in the area where the marker formerly stood
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
6. James River
In these waters, on March 8, 1862, the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia attacked and defeated the USS Congress and USS Cumberland, and heavily damaged the USS Minnesota. Darkness and falling tide finally ended the battle. This photo was taken from in front of the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,948 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on March 1, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on February 7, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on March 1, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. 6. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
