226
The Merrhnac
On March 8, 1862, off Newport News, in Hampton Roads, the
Confederate ironclad Virginia (known to the Federals as the
Merritnac) sank the Union frigate Cumberland and set the Congress
on fire and captured her. Two distinct ballads in the Frank C.
Brown Collection celebrate the battle. (See also 'The Cumberland,'
No. 225.)
'The Merrimac' From Charles R. Bagley, early address, Moyock, Curri-
tuck county; c. 191 4- 16.
1 The Merrimac she went out ;
The Yankees wa'n't a-thinking.
The fust thing the Yankees knew
The Cumberland was a-sinking.
Chorus:
Holler, boys, oh, holler !
Hurray for Dixie !
You oughter seen her go down.
2 She turned around, she steered about,
She went up a little higher.
Half -past seben P. M.
The Congress was on fire.