The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-01-21
An Incident of the Late Mnr.

One day in May, 1868, while Gen. Grant
was completing the Investment OF vlcksburc, an
iron-cad gun-boat belonging to the Mississippi
Squadron was lying at the bank of the river on tho
Louisiana side. An Army oflcer was ushered into
the cabin of the commanding oticer OF the vessel
and after a courteous reception stated that he
was member Of the stan OF Major General -.
whose division was route to the crossing point OF
the river that several hours would eapse before the
crossing could be effected and that the General being
very much fatigued, had sent him, with his comp-
ments to ask II he could come on board and have a
few hours rest. Reply made that the command.
ing officer would very gladly receive him, and such
officers OF his sta rs he chose to bring, and would do
all In his power to make them comfortable, hut he
was about to stand up the river to ascertain the po-
sition OF rebel batteries The aid replied that he was
sure the General would like to sec how they did
things In the Navy. shortly afterward the General
with one or two other officers, went on board The
vessel Immediately proceeded up the river all hands
being at quarters. There was no one on the upper
deck but the commanding officer, his two aids,
aquartermaster and the Army officers In action no
one should have been exposed that deck but some.
times, when at long range and with the
firing slow, risks were taken. There was good
or those tmesl pllot.h very solldly built and
sheathed with ron In shape nearly truncated cone.
The outside was thoroughly creased, idea pre-.
vailed that 1t might shot to defect Presently
the vessel would be abreast OF large tree, which
had been found former visits up the river to he
range mark for heavy gun In the rebel works, to
which had been given the name of Whistling Dick.
Those on deck belonging to the vessel Immediately
placed themselves the lee of side OF the pilot
house, ready when they should see the fash OF the
gun to stoop down and find at least some protection.
There pieces of canvas handy for use In pro-
tecting ones clothes from the grease which was black
with coal-dust. The Captain told the Army officers
what his custom was, and advised them to follow his
example. Upon this there deal OF snickerlng and
nudging among the guests, but not In an offensive
manner. one remarked in a somewhat facetious
tore that 'they did not dodge In the Army,
''ths Is something new, - etc, etc. No reply was
made Soon the quartermaster called out 'There she
comes.' The Captain said, Down" Quickly those
belonging to the vessel took canvas and crouched
down behind and close to the pllot-house In few
moments was heard the whir-r-r-r-r-k -klunk of
the heavy, long 7-inch shell from 'Whisting Dick -
as 1t came toward and passed the vessel striking
the water not more than sixty feet beyond Glancing
up the Captain observed that there was an add-
tion to the number OF those seeking protection behind
the pilot-house. In fact so rapidly did the Army
officers Join their naval friends there that they neg
lected to protect themselves from the grease, but
crouched down SO closely that some OF them bore
the marks upon their foreheads noses, and chins,
not to count their clothes. As all rose, the Captain
laughlng httle sptetulIy, SAID, ~ Well, General,
what do You think now of the way they do these
| things In the Navy ~ to which reply was made
with Scottish accent, ''I didn't know the damned
things made such noise.'' IL Is proper to state
that the General had probably never heard anything
heavier than l2-pounder shot coming toward him.
and he before as he did frequently after this incl
dent proved himself to he of the bravest of men.
The nexttlme 'Whistllng Dick fired the
Army gentlemen very prompt In seeking the
shelter as their friends of the Navy.
MISSISSIPPI.