The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-01-31
WHOLE No. 2,19O

ashore the t@g waved the American err
sign. The Stars and Stripes were wav-
ing over Vicksburg!
Admiral Porter's secretary pitched an
official envelope upon the forecastle Of
the Wilson.
"Let go that line!' shouted Captain
Dan.
The dispatch boat sprang like grey
hound from the leash and shot up the
river like a rocket. She carried the big
gest item of news yet sent to Washing
ton.
Admiral Porter chose to enter Vickr-
burg with the flagship alone, leaving the
rest Of the feet in the Yazoo to await
orders. This was sore disappointment
to many. AS an especial favor three Of
the surgeons of the Rover and myself
were permitted to go with the flagship.
At 1870 A. NJ, Saturday, July a, 1869,
the Blackhawk started on this memor.
able journey. What scene. AS we ran
down the shining river our battery
| bow and broadside-fired the national
| salute, one hundred guns! The morning
was magnificent. As we swept around
| the bend, in front of the city, the steep
bluffs swsrmed with spectators, our boys
| and the Confederates the blue and the
| gray about equally intermingled. Tie
whole congregation seemed to be their
nd Ill tod
grand unanimous hurrah.
"ELAzE AwAY!'
Just then the boatswain reported that
the regulation salute had been expended
| and asked if he should cease fringe
Captain Bruse referred the question to
he Admiral. Porter was walking the
quarterback, his spy glass under his
arm, his eyes lit with the light of tri-
umph. Captain Bruse made the inquiry:
The salute is completed, sir. Shall they
cease firing?"
mo" said the Admiral, "blaze away,
blaze away"
He never gave an order more omplete-
ly to every ONES unqualified appreciation.
l felt so exalted that l almost wished we
were loaded with tie cargo of the Lyon,
at Cypress Bend, and that l had the
match to touch it off.
We rounded to, amidst the crashing Of
artillery atloat and ashore. The last
time Admire Porter was saluted by those
guns each charge had hundred pounds
of iron in front of its wad. AS the bow
of the flagship Coated on the gravel
sprang for the shore and was the first of
the Mississippi squadron to touch the
soil of Vicksburg redeemed. picked up
pebble and bullet as mementoes.
Soon after we had made fast General
Grant with all his staff of corps COM
manders rode down the steep to receive
and exchange congratulations with tho
Admiral. 1t was amartial spectacle. No
holiday soldering there, even if it was
Fourth of July. AS gazed upon that
crowd Of distinguished men, dusty,
weather-beaten, grimed with the stains
of service and the smoke of war, l felt
Iu previous meetings with General Grant
| had always been impressed with the
peculiar sedateness with which he SEEM
ed to regard all that happened. Anxious
to see whether at this grand elimination
of grand sndeavor his philosophy might
be stirred to that citation natural to any
mortal beneath such focus Of fortunes
smiles, hurried to the head of the gang
way stairs to witness this memorable
meeting.
Followed by his escort of heroes and
with the inevitable cigar stump, not lit,
as usual, between his teeth, General
Grant slowly mounted the steps. His
countenance wore that grave and sad e1-
preston which always made me fancy
| whenever l saw him that he had Just
heard Of the loss Of his last friend. At
the head of the stairs stood Admiral
Porter, who received the General with
considerable empresssment. His eyes
sparkled and he looked that "Vicksburg
is ours" He held out his hand:
Good morning, General Grant,
GLOW are you Admiral?" said the
great captain, with about the animation
| Of tone and manner usually exhibited BY
casual Acquaintance whom exchanging
salutations in a barber shop. They hook
ed arms and started aft toward the cabin,
| --@