Smyrna times., 1862-03-20
Honor to the Brave

We have felt from the beginning of this war
ing 10 US than there was shown at first. AS
the nation awoke at the bombardment of Fort
Sumter, 10 the great exertions that were neces-
ssry, SO from the battle OF Somerset aud the
death Of ZoIIcoffer, it seemed to arouse to the
sense Of hernism which is the natural element
OF America. There is immense potentiGlity in
eur people, but sometimes for a time they do
not seem to snd their true impulse and centre.
Al Fort DOnelson there was true fighting,
and il the surrender had not come SO soon. there
would have been deeds worthy Of our old re-
nown. The pursuit and the victory led by Gen.
Curtis, in Arkansas, deserve the admiration of
agfsIeful people. and the rewards which should
always follow successful achievements At
which brave nIen found to do was well and
cOursgeousIy done.
There were still wanting, bowever, some
examples of daring, individual courgsge, which
shsuld satisfy eur people and keepUp their NOR
ale. We are happy to say that they have been
furnished by our gaIaSt navy. The service in
the Monitor was one entirely new, and the
men 10 her were exposed 10 the attack OF the
nosI formidable vessel in the New World, ex.
sspling only their own. 10 Captain Worden
an3ihis crew we recognize the spirit OF the
best days Of our own or any other Republic.
We are glad to see the resolution of Mr.
Dixon, is the United States Senate. in regard
to Jchn Davis, common seaman at Roanoke
Island. We De not see how il is possible fol
human courage TO exceed ais. With the mag
szine on FIRE almost at his feet, he actually eai
spon an open barrel of powder, protecting il
from any spark OF FIRE with his own body.
We are greatly delighted with Lieutenant
Morris, the Commander Of the lost Cumberland
asd with his modest report of the fight to iht
Secretary of the Navy. Most glorieusly ha
the Cumberland died never did national YES
Sci have prouder fate. One such example in
spires whols people, That refusal to surren
drr was just what the nation needed. Ou
soldiers grow more and more he,oic, the furihe
We 60 inis this war. Every man an the Cum
0ertana seems to have stood fearlessly at hi
Psst. When one magazine was flooded, the
obtained Supplies of ammunition from anoIher
when sll below was drowned out. the ammu
h'Ien was Brought on deck. When The sailor
were killed at The guns the marines took the
Their place ;,s they fell, officers seized rsmmt
aud cartridge. The terrific fire of the irOi
Clad d'herriHars against their wooden vesse
'ns tearing asunder Of the very beams Ihi
p"snd q together the rushing of the wav,
mFspgh The open aRd ragged fractures; II
prospect Of eeriain death FROM one or the 9th
sosree. seems only to have stsadied the nerv
These sravs men. They fred gun after q,
a'sAs ship isas settling ia the water, and
Hresell broadsids as she was going down..
Lstihe words OF the brave Morris be henc
'of'h classic: "All did their duty. aud
SANK with the American flag flying ct |
peak" e
we take u for grated that every offis
saved from ile CumberIand will be promot,
Llssienant lherris should be made Capt.
stance, and the next irsn.cIsd steamer ina,
aunchsd should be named the CUMsgRLARD
vxfsrop y laN v,<.r.,.,,, g.. -. 49,.