Goldsborough ordered tugs Dragon and Zouave to remain constantly in company with USS Congress and Cumberland, "so as to tow them to advantageous position in case of an attack from the Merrimack or any other quarter."
However, at this date -- two months before the historic engagements at Hampton Roads -- Union naval commanders were seeking a defense against the powerful Confederate ironclad.
Commander William Smith, captain of the ill-fated Congress, had said earlier, "I have not yet devised any plan to defend us against the Merrimack, unless," he added, "it be with hard knocks."
--Old B-R'er
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