Changes

As ''Monitor'' approached Cape Henry on the afternoon of 8 March, CSS ''Virginia'', the former U.S. steam frigate ''Merrimack'' — now rebuilt as an ironclad ram — steamed out of the Elizabeth River into Hampton Roads and attacked the wooden hulled Union warships blockading Norfolk. Flag Officer [[Franklin Buchanan]], the Confederate commander, singled out sailing sloop ''Cumberland'' as his first victim.

As ''Monitor'' approached Cape Henry on the afternoon of 8 March, CSS ''Virginia'', the former U.S. steam frigate ''Merrimack'' — now rebuilt as an ironclad ram — steamed out of the Elizabeth River into Hampton Roads and attacked the wooden hulled Union warships blockading Norfolk. Flag Officer [[Franklin Buchanan]], the Confederate commander, singled out sailing sloop ''Cumberland'' as his first victim.

She opened the engagement when less than a mile distant from ''Cumberland'' and the firing became general from blockaders and shore batteries; but most shots from the Union guns glanced harmlessly off the Confederate ironclad's slanted sides. ''Virginia'' rammed ''Cumberland'' below the waterline and she sank rapidly. Buchanan later reported the Union sailors remained “gallantly fighting her guns as long as they were above water.” Buchanan next turned ''Virginia's'' attention on the frigate ''Congress'', which had run hard aground while attempting to close, and the set her ablaze with hot shot and incendiary shell. She also damaged ''Minnesota'' before retiring to Sewell's Point for the night.

She opened the engagement when less than a mile distant from ''Cumberland'' and the firing became general from blockaders and shore batteries; but most shots from the Union guns glanced harmlessly off the Confederate ironclad's slanted sides. ''Virginia'' rammed ''Cumberland'' below the waterline and she sank rapidly. Buchanan later reported the Union sailors remained “gallantly fighting her guns as long as they were above water.” Buchanan next turned ''Virginia's'' attention on the frigate ''Congress'', which had run hard aground while attempting to close, and the frigate was set ablaze with hot shot and incendiary shell. She also damaged ''Minnesota'' before retiring to Sewell's Point for the night.

''Monitor's'' crew could hear the roar of cannon as they rounded Cape Henry into [[Chesapeake Bay]] and headed toward the scene of battle. But all was quiet when she hove to alongside ''Roanoke''. Captain Marston directed Worden to assist battered ''Minnesota'', hard aground off Newport News.

''Monitor's'' crew could hear the roar of cannon as they rounded Cape Henry into [[Chesapeake Bay]] and headed toward the scene of battle. But all was quiet when she hove to alongside ''Roanoke''. Captain Marston directed Worden to assist battered ''Minnesota'', hard aground off Newport News.