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Civil War Illustrations

The First Naval Battle in Hampton Roads 

battle scene, two boats on fire, one sinking into the water

Landmarks and ships are labeled, from left to right, as: Sewell's Point, Craney Island, Rebel Steamer Merrimac, Rebel Steamer Jamestown, Rebel Steamer Yorktown, U.S. Ship Cumberland, U.S. Ship Congress, Newport News.

Caption: The first naval battle in Hampton Roads, between the Rebel iron-plated steamers MerrimacYorktown and Jamestown, and the United States wooden sailing frigates Cumberland and Congress – Sinking of the Cumberland by a blow from the Merrimac, Saturday, March 8 – From a sketch by our special artist at Newport News – See page 289 [for related story]

Source: Illustration from Leslie's Illustrated News, March 22, 1862, pages 296-297