USS Weehawken-- Part 4: Hero and Commendations for John Rodgers

With only five shots, the Weehawken had blown the roof off the Atlanta's pilot house and pierced the grounded ironclad's casemate, putting two of the four gun crews out of action.  With no hope of withdrawing, there was nothing left for the Atlanta's commander, William A. Webb, to do but surrender.

Captain Rodgers became a national hero in the North for this. and received commendations from the Secretary of the Navy Welles, President Lincoln and Congress.  He was promoted to commodore and ordered north to command the new Union ironclad USS Dictator.  Both the Weehawken and Atlanta returned to Port Royal.

--Old B-Runner