In addition to her 8-9 March battles with Federal warships Cumberland, Congress and Monitor, CSS Virginia took part in a few other actions during her brief career. Among these were two efforts to produce a rematch between the opposing ironclads, in the hope that a Confederate victory would free Hampton Roads and the lower Chesapeake Bay of Union domination, or that a triumph by the Union ship would open the James River as an avenue to attack Richmond, the Southern capital city.

The first of these attempts happened on 11 April 1862, when Confederate ships advanced into Hampton Roads. CSS Jamestown and CSS Raleigh steamed ahead and seized three exposed transports, while Virginia covered their movements. Since the Southern ironclad did not directly threaten the principal Union positions, USS Monitor refused the challenge and no general action ensued.

Just short of a month later, on 8 May, Monitor and other Federal ships shelled Confederate batteries at Sewell's Point to test their strength, and, hopefully, provoke Virginia to come out far enough to be ambushed. This time, the Confederates chose the path of caution.

However, by early May Southern commanders had decided to evacuate Norfolk. This was tardily reported to the local Confederate Navy leader, Captain Josiah Tattnall, leaving him with few options concerning Virginia's future. If her considerable draft could be reduced by several feet, she might be able to steam out of Norfolk and up the James far enough to help protect Richmond. If not, she would have to be destroyed to avoid capture. As it turned out, the ship could not be lightened enough in the short time available, and on 11 May, CSS Virginia was run aground near the entrance to the Elizabeth River, abandoned and set afire. She was destroyed when the flames reached her gunpowder supplies.