New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-22
THE AMERICAN NAVY.
ADMIRAL PORTER'S HISTORY OF ITS Exs
PLOTS DURING THE REBELLION.

THE WORK OF rREAsoN-HENRY DoNELsoN. yrcKs
BURG AND sHILoH-A:GREAT UNLEARNED LESSON.
Admiral David ID. Porter is writing a A" History Of
the Navy During the Civil War" He expects to
complete it during the coming autumn. About ono
third Of the manuscript of the work IL already In
the hands of the Sherman Publishing Company II
will be an octave volume of over nine hundred
pages The announcement will come "a surprise
to some Of the younger citizens of the literary world
when it is remembered that Admiral Porter is not
only seventytwo years of age but that he has just
issued to the world 9O0-page novel written in six
months, and that he has two books. each Of
500 pages, in press. And this vgor and industry are
accompanied by the fact that hardly tinge of gray
has made an appearance in his chestnut-colored
hair and that his whskers only show. be puts it,
about hair in ten gray. and little gray hair
under the jaw"
The TRIBUNE is permitted to give extracts from
this history of the exploits of the Navy during the
Rebellion. The scope of the work embraces not
merely the service of the Navy. but that of the
Army where the two co-operated. great deal OF
space given to the narrative of some of the graver
issues of the war. For example. the chapter on the
momentOus contests of the iron-clads Mcrrlmac aud
Monitor is of sxtyfve large manuscript pages, and
to the siege of vicksburg three long chapters are
given. In a chatty note to the publishers Admiral
Porter says al have spoken very fairly Of many OF
the Confederate officers many Of them were gal
liant men, and gave us great deal OF trouble; they
showed indomtabe spirit aud energy" Following
are given extracts of the work. taken somewhat at
random.
THE WORK OF TRAITORS
The manner in which the Southern leaders pre-.
pared for rebellion by crippling the Nations Navy,
and the success of the Government in restoring it to
hal foil hu npnir al
Porter:
When Mr.. Tousey handed the Navy Department.
to Mr. wees it was rather demoraiized condition.
Southern officers resguing right and left Officers
of tue Bureau talking Of going with their
States and there want of confidence In all quartcrs
When men who had held the highest and most inhuen-
tia positions In the Navy forward and offered ther
designations there apparently no one upon whom the
branch Of the naval service No connahder could be
who would be faithful TO the flag and the secretary
true to the Government II bad state Of affairs for
Secretary commence his administration with but the
eyentful year 1s6l62 will show that the operations ana
achievements OF the Navy such that great credit
reflected not only upon the Department put apon me
Department In carrying out the measures tending 50
greatly TO cripple the Confederate cause.
Some there were, who. rebels at heart and purpose
held for several previous to tho war h positions
had done ali they could TO dispose of the Navy that
could be used in event OF trouble between the NORTH
and the SOUTH The object destroy all its
to cripple navy yards dlsmantle the ships or have
them distant stations 80 as 90 render y 10
the ships aud yards into the hands OF the seces
sonists. M, ... a..
events the that the Rebellion was the result OK
measures forced upon tne sJn'n J't , IN his election
they the death blow to the hopes they had chershe
OF extending slavery into new states ana lcrrores II
any one supposes that the Rebellion was au mpnsiye
measure, let him dismiss such an idea Ior wa oia W
the Colorado ships built he and others had
draft NJ wal
any Southern PORTS; so 1t seems that the thought OF
secession had been maturing or years, anu @ wm1 ,; ~
large instead OF small on the ground thas
The dignity OF the alton called for these cumbersome
structures n really for the purpose OF Gripping the
Government in the Southern states should secede
thirty small gunboas or dozen monitors the Rebellion
would have been unable to raise Its head
experience have bad before us We are at the present
time in a condition than we were on the breaking
When President Lincoln entered upon the duties of
his office position toward Virginia differed somewhat
South It was deemed desirable thst tne Tovernmsns
should do nothing TO wound the sensitive leeu OF to
VlrgiaEs and General Scottthe Genea-ine Mel Oh oas
Army was particularly that the Governments
should give the state OF Virginia no excuse 70 secede
war virginia OF the principle cnayy yards nied with
Southern officers. within the Limits OF tue state.
considered loyal and had in his day stsod high IN tho
service, but no was now old. and az tnc When ne
10 have completely lost his head.
The ret 81 ae q SsS m IN %es s
His position was a difficult one for man
advanced in years, FOR the duties wcto
complicated aud such as only an expert eoud De ex-
pected iathom. Mr.. Wcles was surrounded Win o-
GERS ana clerks whose atty was doubted ana one ou
reau Of the Department In particular presided over oy
an officer OF Southern birth and OF National reputation
was the headquarters OF naval officers who were oltiu8
the downfall the country TO which they ows thelr po
sltion and whatever Importance they possessed
A short time before Fort sumter was hred upon tnc
commandant OF the Washington Navy Yard gave large
party at his quarers the occasion OF the marriage VI
his daughter which the President ana ns Capipes
were invited. number of disloya naval officers werc
present and the house here fcstooncu WIN
the American flag, to the bridal Ded let Just aier
sumter was fired on, this commandant, with most OK
those under his command uneludng MS new so-ina"s
resigned their commissions and lett the Wdsnnstou
Navy Yard To itself At that very time the
OF Virginia had been resolved upon which a.
know 10 these disoyai officers although not 20 the Gov
ernmen the action of the ecsssiOnists had Deen
DELAYED and kept secret that the blow would De more
decisive and enable the c0pspraOrs 10 seize tue pubic
pronerty at Norfolk and elsewhere to help them carry
out their designs.
THE NORFOLK NAVY YARD
The destruction of the Navy Yard at Norfolk
and the events and circumstances of winch it was
the result arc dwet upon at lengths
At one time 1t was thought doubtful II Washing
ton could be held the people the North unprepared
for such an emergency, slow IN getting troops 10
the capital Those who had been plotting against the
Government the Navy Department felt sure that the
Norfolk Yard would fall the hands OF the Secession
ss rs everything possible had been prepared for tnas
event. They opportunity to impress upon the
mind of the Secretary the Navy the Importance Of
doing nothing offend the state Of Virginia aud give