The March 3rd Historical Marker Data Base was about Longfellow's "A Nameless Grave" which he must have seen at Newport News, Virginia. It is on a marker placed there by the American Legion in 1965 in honor of 252 American sailors, five Confederate and 247 Union, who gave their lives to defend a cause they believed in on March 8, 1862. It is located at Christopher Newport Park and right by the wreck of the USS Cumberland and CSS Florida.
Two were from the CSS Virginia, three from the Confederate gunboats Raleigh and Beaufort, 127 from the SS Cumberland, 120 from the USS Congress, three from the USS Minnesota, and three from the Union steam tender Whitehall.
The following day, the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia had the first clash of the ironclads with no fatalities.
A Salute to the Unknown. We May Not Know Your Name, But You Are Honored for Your Gallantry. Longfellow Put It Well. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
