The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-01-17
RUNNING THE FORTS.

Alex w, Pearson, OF Nineland, n.
j., writes story Of how Porter ran by
Vicksburg. Mr.. Pearson was pay
master ON the steamer Red Rover, at
tached to tho Mississippi squadron.
He tells how the gauntlet was run in
this manner:
The ironclads were anchored in the
Mississippi, just below the mouth of
the iaxoo, in the order of procession
they were to take in passing tho block
ade. All seemed ready, and everybody
was on the qui vive for tho start. Past
ID o'clock that night We heard the deep
tone of the boatswain's mate, of the
Louisville the had voice like lion,
calling: "All hands, Up anchor,"
There! They are oif!" was the word,
and We hurried on deck t. get a part
ing glimpse Of our "forlorn hope" We
brcathlessly listened to the rattle Of
the chain cables as they came in. and
could distinguish the dark outlines of
tho iron.clads as they swung ia the
stream. Then there was signal from
tho flagship. and again we heard the
hoatswain: "Let 80 anchor." The
cables ratified out again. and all was
still. We drew a long breath. They're
not going to.night.~ Something has
happenedi" SO all hands turned in.
Thus, upon successive nights. WAS
the fleet practiced in the preliminaries
of DEPARTURE, until all became so used
10 tho performance that the movement
was as mechanical as amy other drill,
and spectators ceased to regard it with
especial interest.
Meanwhile the three transports which
were 10 SO below were getting ready,
ii was decided to economics life hy ~
moving the crews from these steamers.
leaving only two pilots At the wheel and
two engineers to handle the engines,
The duty OF guiding these large and
defenseless steamers through the tom.
pest Of fire they were destined to tray.
erse seemed extra hazardous, The post
Of the pilot particularly, perchel NJ
in tho sky.parlar, was uneomfor,ahly
isolated and distinguished when luts-
pounaer shot and she'll were living
about regardless of consequences, The
loneliness in itself VAS kind of "poker-
ish," Danger. like misery, loves com.
pany,
10 avoid the diSagreealle RESPONSE.
lility of ordering chosen Individuals Il
occupy these persloas positions. Almi
raj Porter called for volunteer nj.
lots Every pilot in the slaad.
ron volaaseer.l, Even tho two
old Nestors who presided ut til,
wheel Of tho Red Rover sot me to write
an application requesting that they
might ho "permItsed IL have the pleas
ure" Of taking one Of the steam trans,
ports past Vickshmg,
q THIS PILOTS ae TUX NiSs,sslrrI
Here was another ai,fcul,y. All We're
- eager for the post ef honor that i,
was \ delicate matter to make selection
cannot forhear depressing hego Il
place on record my humble tribute O,
respect aud admiration for the pilots eI
the Mississippi river, Taken as class
their gallantry eatyles comparison
Accustomed ~ grave responsibility in
sudden emergencies. hrcSi to decide ani
act Instantly, when upon such action
may depend the safety of hundred,
coniiaing in their care. in the face q
imnlinent peril aeliherase yet prompt
with courage which has stood al
tests, their seeming r,cAlessness springs
not from regardlessncss. hnt from 1
heroic contempt of Sanger and in I'll,
performance If what they understood
to he legitimate duty. verify helies,
that the pilot 1 the Mississippi squad
ron would have volunteered to take III,
fleet of steamers over Niagara falls.
These who were SD fortunate rs IL III
permitted the pleasure" requested I,
arrange their surroundings according
to their Judgment: that is, they didn'E
want amy surroundings. Reasoning
philosonhicalls, that cannon Sho. oft
TN does mere harm ly the splinters i
scatters than hy Itself, they had In,
pilot house, which shelters the vince
on the lofty decks Of these Western
steamers, removed. leaving the whee
rnd themselves exposed. This settled
lhe splinter business, except such "a
might come from a shot striking til,
lpokes Of the wheel. One Of the pilot:
remarked TO ne when inspecting hi,
pos. Of duty and honor. They'll hay,
| 10 take center shots To rails ! the hail
on us now." Still, there was an unus
ual nskedness about the elevation cal
cnlated to make tne feel as 1 once fel
when topping ont tall hay tack it til,
midst of sindictiye thunderstorm
Was head center" jus. then, an.
felt so.
| A coNsInERATE ADMIRAL.
When Admiral Porter VAS ready I.
start OH his excursion past Nieksbnr,
We learned it on the hospital ship
Porter always haI fatheriy care fo
and interest in tie comfort aud salts
faction Of those Of his comrades VII,
had suffered isy tile fortune of war
He knew that the poor wounded All,
helpless heroes iangnisairg in th'
wards Of the Eel ESser felt A keel
sympathy with him and with those h,
would like with him In this desperate
undertaking, and he knew that al
eagerly wished to sec what might b
seen ot spectacle which promised t
BE- opa Vt tremendous import aud *