The smoke in the south came nearer.  I had walked and stood until I needed rest; I sat on the ground.

Now, at our left, toward Fortress Monroe, we could see three ships moving up toward the two which were near us.

The strange vessel come on; we could see a flag flying.  The design of the flag was two broad red stripes with a white stripe between.

The big ship was nearer; her form was new and strange; a large roof, with little showing above it.  She seemed heading toward Fortress Monroe.

Suddenly she swung round and came slowly on toward our two ships near Newport News.

The two Federal ships opened their guns upon the rebel craft; the batteries on shore turned loose on her.

Lydia put her hands to her ears, but soon took them away.  She was used to wounds, but had never before seen battle.

From above—­the James River, as I afterward knew—­now came down some smaller rebel ships to engage in the fight, but they were too small to count for much.

Suddenly the Merrimac fired one gun, still moving on toward our last ship—­the ship at the west; still she moved on, and on, and on, and struck our ship with her prow, and backed.

The Union ships continued to fire; the batteries and gunboats kept up their fire.

The big rebel boat turned and made for our second ship, which was now endeavouring to get away.  The Merrimac fired upon her, gun after gun.

Our ship stuck fast, and could not budge, but she continued to fire.

The ship which had been rammed began to lurch and at last she sank, with her guns firing as she went down.

Lydia’s face was the picture of desolation.  Her lips parted.  The Doctor observed her, and drew his arm within his own; she sighed heavily, but did not speak.

The rebel ship stood still and fired many times on our ship aground; and white flags were at last seen on the Union vessel.

Now the small rebel ships approached the prize, but our shore batteries, and even our infantry on shore, kept up a rapid fire to prevent the capture.  Soon the small ships steamed away, and the great craft fired again and again into the surrendered vessel, and set her afire.

Then still another Union ship took part in the contest; she also was aground, yet she fought the rebel vessels.

The great ship turned again and steamed toward the south until she was lost in the thickening darkness.  Meanwhile, the burning ship was a sheet of flame; we could see men leap from her deck; boats put off from the shore.

“The play is over; let’s go to supper,” said the Doctor.

“I want no food,” said I.

“You must not stay in this air; besides, you will feel better when you have eaten,” he replied.

Lydia was silent; her face was wet with tears.

Groups of soldiers stood in our way; some were mad with excitement, gesticulating and cursing; others were mute and white.  I heard one say, “My God! what will become of the Minnesota to-morrow?”