The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-10-28
Captain John Mxtchol.

Mr.. Paul 81. Hayne in his column OF ''Reminis-
cences and anecdotes Of the late war;" published
in the Southern Opinion, has the following:
John Mitchell the Irish patriot, as he is general
l called, has endeared himself to the hearts Of our
Southern people by his able, consistent and gene
rous championship Of our cause during period OF
twelve or fifteen years.
Mr.: Mitchell has spoken in our behalf, written in
our behalf, and, i'll large and general sense,
iaborcd to advance our interests, if his chival-
rous patriotism, baffied and banked in one quar-
tor 1--WE ,' refer, Of course, to Ireand), had been
anotherl To the South he has given his best
energies the noblest fruits Of his spended talents
and liberal culture--but more far more than this,
he has given us likewise his Oaon flesh and blood
bus eldest son was captain in Fort Sumter, and
there upon the ramparts Of that immortal fortress
some time in the year 1854 he laid down his life for
we desire to pay brief tribute to his memory.
It was on o bright January morning, in 1862,
that obeying orders just received, weleft Charles
ton to take up our abode for the time in the famous
fort we have mentioned. Having disposed of our
'inspediInentd" in quarters free and airy that a
sea-eagle would have reioiced to keep us company,
we repaired with certain brother officers to the
.outer walls, where, from under the lee OF great
"columbiad," we beheld scene, the features of
Which are even noD wonderfully distinct and real.
The ocean Tapped the rocks beneath with long,
tranquility Of wave and sky that one found It diff
cult to believe such destined for spectacles
OF blood and rninl Multitudes Of gulls and ocean
birds OF every variety SKINNED the surface OF the
water, or lazily hoated on languid wings through
the deep-blue atmosphere Ear within the bar,
and snugly anchored to the southward, there were
fleets Of fishing boats manned chiefly BY negroes,
snd showing like large ink-blots against the water
line. The numerous bnoys which marked the
channel stood mohonless, except when the light
est and most dainty Of breezes would ripple the
waves and heaye their white and green bulks with
. slow sweep, like tho sweep Of a pendulum A
single steamer-the smoke from its chimneys
rising almost perpendioularly in the air and then
naeltinng into misty clouds labored towards tho
city which had II never We looked more pesceful-the
and good will towards all mankind But as the
eye. returning from these objects, cruises, 80 to
speak-across the intervening pillows, while they
gradually passed upon strong ebb tide sea-ward,
ones sight was arrested BY the long, black hulls Oh
no less than Ave h hbloe.ading vessels. .aancies Of
Christian worship were rudely dispelled, and the
real condition OF things about us forced itsefupon
the reluctant mind. Meanwhile IN the ofing-and,
strange to say just above the largest Of the block
aders-a single group Of clouds had gathered.
..Look, there!" exclaimed one OF our companions
the poet Of the garrison-'.an ohen boys, an
suddenly descending, demands to be heard" Our
friend was accommodated instantly, and in ten
minutes, having silenced us by q pompous wave
OF his hand he favoured the small, but Of course
discriminating, audience with the following verses
Across this murmurous ocean tide . .,
see the despot's veasels ride; s-,st
And DER them, like o frowp OF doom,
The blood-red vapours sterniy loom.
[Somebody suggested at this point that tho
"vapours" were not "blood-red" >" but quite the
contrary. Indignant frown from the poet and a
calling to order" on The part of the other list
eners.
Both God's and Natures kind decree r5l X H
Ordained he ocean waves are free 80
But tyrant hate and tyrant win
Would battle God and Nature still
Ol minons OF yon brainless fool,
Who apes the wiser patriots rule,
Yc may our ports our trade control:
tEnthuGiasto appla usel
Whereer the thoughts and hopes OF men
Ascend beyond thy vulgar ken
Whereer pure liberty upholds
Her banne-, with it's star-oright folds e.!
Thon would'st destroy the patriots trust,
And turn his nobleSt deeds to dust;
Would'st wiring his heart, pollu.o his shrine.
And lower the hero's faith to thinei
Vain, vain thy ships may rule the wave q =
Thou canst not aw0 the true, the brave;
And patriot PASSIONS curb'ess sea
HhaN yet o'erwhelm all knaves like theei
''Thats q complimentary allusion to Monsieur
Lincoln, presume ?" said quiet voice behind ug
''Rght, sir" replied the poet "and hope that
no hyVkk