Virginia entered the duel with Monitor after an exceptionally destructive attack on the Union wooden fleet. It had destroyed USS Cumberland and USS Congress and driven USS Minnesota aground. Monitor arrived as Virginia returned to finish Minnesota, but the Confederate ironclad had expended most of its ammunition. Monitor prevented a further loss, while ammunition supply constrained Virginia after its earlier success. Endurance and rearming can determine what even a tactically dominant warship can accomplish.
Notable Point · 14:38-15:06
Virginia's destructive attack and ammunition limit
Before Monitor blocked the attack on Minnesota, Virginia had already destroyed or disabled major Union ships and was nearing the limit of its ammunition.