A letter from a Union Soldier Aboard the Monitor to his Family Describing the Battle of the Ironclads “This [the ramming by the Merrimack ] was the critical moment, one that I had feared from the beginning of the fight—if she could so easily pierce the heavy oak beams of the Cumberland [another Union ship] she surely could go through the 1/2 inch iron plates of our lower hull. A moment of terrible suspense, a heavy jar nearly throwing us from our feet—a rapid glance to detect the expected gush of water— she had failed to breach us below the water & we were safe. The sounds of the conflict at this time were terrible. The rapid firing of our own guns amid the clouds of smoke. . .mingled with the crash of solid shot against our sides & bursting of shells all around us. . . .I think we get more credit for the mere fight than we deserve, any one could fight behind an impenetrable armour—many have fought as well behind wooden walls or behind none at all.” William F. Keeler, March 1862 Use the excerpt and your knowledge of social studies to answer the question. Which of the following statements is a fact that Keller expresses in his letter?