The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-07-23
From the New York World
The Future Of the Ham Fleet.

Nhe uture OF the Athh Aieets
As no hostile feet floats on the Mssis-
sippi or its tributaries, IL is likely that
the function Of the ram feet is at an end
The Arkansas is up the Yazoo river, but
is blockaded in by the same means by
which we are kept out II is possible
that the rebels are hoping 10 finish. her,
so as 10 make her impregnable, that she
may, at the next great rise, come out and
scuttle our whole feet tits also certain
that they are constructing shore batteries
with which 70 resist the ascent of our
boats. The large transports up the river
will doubtless be burned on our ap-
proach.
Another reconnaissance by rams and
gunboats is in contemplation up the va
zoo, to complete the destruction of the
Arkansas. After that shall have been
completed, il is supposed the rams will
be taken for Government dispatch boats.
for which they are admirably suited. be-
ing proof against rifle shots and field ar
tillery, aud when lightened of their load
Of logs will be very fast
In contemplating the expiration of
their service we are led 10 state they have
admirably filed the purposes for which
they were designed. Conceived and built
by private enterprise, they arrived on the
ground in time TO prevent another such
disaster as happened 20 the Cincinnati
and Mound City at Plum Point. The
service they rendered TO the country at
Memphis is fresh in the public mind, and
the readiness with which they stood
willing TO do more in their descent to the
river.
Something, also, is due to the com
manders and officers of the feet, who
have risked life and limb in the cause. II
is generally known that no appropriation
could be had for the construction of
rams, so that old boats had to be bought
and the cost Of altering paid for out of
money devoted TO repairs. These boats
are not all the lamented colonel could
have desired, but they are the best the
penury of the government would admit
him TO build. They were designed to
test the principle of warfare, and in the
moment of test the leader lost his life
Besides himself, there are many choice
and daring spirits on board, who have
faced greater peril than falls to the lot of
most soldiers. For example, the engi-
neers of the Queen of the West, which
went first into the action at Memphis.
were almost certain that The boilers would
explode at the shock of conclusion with
the enemy's boats, and yet they fearlessly
and gloriously stood at their posts, ready,
if need be, to perish by the most awful of
deaths in order that the success Of their
enterprise might be demonstrated. Not
less remarkable was the fidelity Of the
colored firemen ON that occasion. These
men have been for years in the habit of
passing as the legal slaves of knd-heart-
ed employers TO shield themselves from
the injustice and inhumanity of the laws
of New Orleans, which have long impris-
oned and re-enslaved freemen who have
visited that port in the pursuance of their
| honest labor. Children and followers of
Toussaint L'Ouyorture, they, too, recog
niZed in this an opportunity TO die, il
need be, in the cause Of liberty and right
The efficiency of this mode Of warfare
has been abundantly demonstrated in
| the fight Of the rams at Memphis and in
the battle in Hampton Roads. Henceforth
our vessels of war will be built so as "a
combine the excellences of armor- proof
riiled cannon, and powerful beaks with
power to crush in the sides of hostile
vessels. The advocate and practical ex,
FOUNDER of the principle has fallen mar.
tyr 10 his country's cause and has receiv-
ed the praise of greatful nation. Bnt
his brave associates who survive hin
and who shared his dangers will not, VIZ
think, be forgotten or neglected in the
general distribution of honOrs which
await the soldiers of the republic.