Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-04-21

folded and discussed, in order to have
the benefit Of bis knowledge and large
experience, and the valuable suggestions
knew he could give US. To this he
readily assented, and Commodore
Maury was sent for, but being engaged
at the time, sent a message that be
would call the next morning at nine
o'clock. BE was punctual in his at
tendance as was his custom), and Zar-
vona explained his plan and the means
by which he proposed to carry it into
execution. His plan was to go to Balti-
more, unite with him ten or dozen
resolute, daring young men, take pas
sage on the st. Nicholas, ana at given
signal take control Of her, and depose
the ofiicers-Zarvona assuming the com
maud. The st. Nicholas was said to be
the mail boat on which were carried the
mails for the "Pawnee," and was in the
habit of running alongside of her in the
night unckallenged, aud discharging the
mail This was the scheme, and we all
considered it feasible.
The question then came up as to the
manner of executing it. We were to
call upon the Secretary of the Navy and
procure from him the necessary number
of Colts navy pistols and a supply Of
ammunition, cutlasses, etc., to arm as
many men as the vessel could carry.
All these things we're promptly furnished
by Mr.. Mallory and sent on TO Fred
ericksburg. We we're also to apply to
Mr.. Walker, the Secretary of War, for
an order to General Holmes, com.
manding at fredericksburg, to select six
hundred OF his reliable troops, who
should be sent to the mouth OF Cone
, river by an hour to be agreed upon, and
who should carry with them the arms
sent mp by the Secretary of the Navy.
The st. Nicholas was to be there and
receive so many Of the troops as could
be used in boarding and securing the
Pawnee, the residue Of the troops to re.
main at Cone river to guard the vessels
that Zaryona might capture before he
reached that place. He did capture a
large amount of coffee, ice, aud other
articles Of much value to the State and
Confederaey. The scheme was approved
BY the President, and we went actively
! to work to carry it out. The troops did
not reach Cone river, however, until
some hours after the appointed time,
owing to some misapprehension of the
orders. What the misapprehension was
or how it occurred, / have never learned
Hence the st. Nicholas, with her prizes
was taken to fredericksburg, aud the
cargoes there landed. Captain Alexan
der accompanied Zarvona to Baltimore
and aided greatly in effecting the cap
ture OF the st. Nicholas. 1t was regarded
asa 1fAfrtni tif
BOLD AND HAZARDOUS ENTERPRISE
when it was undertaken, and the Con.
federate and State authorities, who were
alone in the secret, awaited the result
most anxiously.
After Zarvonas and Alexsnders re-
turn to Richmond, / Commissioned the
former as colonel, and the latter as cap
tain, with the cordial approval OF the
Council and the convention then in ses-
sion.
After the capture of the St. Nicholas,
the Northern people became exceed
ingly bitter towards Zarvona, and he re-
quested me, by legislative act, to have
his name changed from Richard Thomas
to Richard Thomas Zarvona, which was
done, and he was commissioned colonel
by the name of Richard Thomas Ear
vona.
The boldness and snccess of this act
made Colonel Zarvona well and favor
ably known to, and caused him to be
most highly appreciated by the people
of Virginia and the South. Vast num-
bers OF citizens Of Richmond called to
make his acquaintance and to pay their
respects to him--to express their thanks
land tender their congratulations. His
room ut the Executive Mansion was gen.
orally crowded with visitors from the
city and the country, upon all Of whom
he made q very favorable impression.
Many of the people Of Virginia will
doubtless recollect hims et6wu1
1t that time he was about twenty-o one
years OF age, Of rather small frame, un-
usually active, and possessed wonderful
energy and determination. He wore
the Zousve dress, aud the cap CORE
spending with it. His hair was cut very
close, His habits were good, and while
with me never knew him to taste ar
dent spirits.
When subsequently captured on the
Patnxent steamer the FederaIs impris-
Oned him, FIRST in Fort McHenry, and
aiterward in Fort Lafayette, and kept
him confined until the close of The war.
After his release | received several let.
ters from him, in all of which he COM
planned that his health had greatly
suffered from his long confinement and
harsh treatment. ..tr f....
became very much attached to him,
and appreciated him most highly for his
integrity and his intellect; for his cool
ness and his courage for his public and
private virtues, and for the possession of
all those qualities that make up the man.
How true it is, and yet how sad it makes
US feel to know it, hieis..r
"That while the years, an endless host,
Come pressing swiftly on,
The brightest names that earth can boast
Just glisten-and are gone" e.
March 29, 1875. JOHN LEToHER.
The Capt. G. W. Alexander referred
to above was afterward promoted to q
cOlonelcy. and is now resident of Mem
phis.