Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-01-17
MEMOIRS OF THE WAR.
"reminiscences of Confederate Navy
Man in the War OF the American
Rebellion.
Incidents ON Confederate NIan.of- War
Capt. johnson Resolves 60 Penetrate
shermAn's Lines.
Written for tho Gazetto.

Written for the Gazette.
In so far as the writer was personally
concerned, he is compelled to say that the
five or six months he spent aboard the
Pee Dee while that vessel lay at the Pee
Dee navy yard in Great Pee Dee river in
1864 were as pleasant as any in those
bright days before the war, when peace
shed her calm and prosperous rays over
the land. We had not much 20 do, par
ticularly the purser's steward, who was
like his superior officers in this respect, II
in nothing else. True, the decks were
washed down by order OF the executive
olcer each morning, even though ice
sheeted the planks. But what OF thaty
| As compensation they--the washers
were allowed to go ashore almost as often
as they wished. True, drilling at the guns
and handling buckets at -quartersn
/ was little tedious sometimes, but as an
Offset the drillers had plenty 20 eat aud ut
! the best. On weekdays the men permitted
/ on shore passed the time IN visiting the
neighboring farms, lolling around the
railroad depot, or whilod away the time
with the operatives of the yard, who were,
( like themselves, under stringent regula-
lions and therefore possessed OF fellow
feeling. On Sunday one OF the ships boats
was put at the service of any Of the crew
who desired TO attend religious services
of a church which stood near the river
some miles below the yard. Often there
were some who went. But, dear reader,
the greatest pleasure both of officers and
men consisted In those attentions to the
fair that so become the military aud
which are usually so gracefully received.
South Carolina has been celebrated for
the beauty as well as the aristocratic tone
of her women, and, whilst this was strict
ly true OF the lovely daughters Of
the Palmetto state before aud during
the war, few places In the state could
boast OF finer female forms or faces than
Marion district. And whilst the 'loyely
dears" knew that they were pretty, they
invariably treated any Of the crew who
claimed their notice with that polite dig
nifty always the companion of good breed
Ing. It was a splendid opportunity here
for the young officers, particularly those
foppishly inclined, TO indulge in fiirta-
ton, exhibit the very handsome Confede-
rate naval uniform To the adniriug ladies',
aud pass, in the attractive society of ac-
cumplished women, those fieeting and
occasional rcspites from military duty
which the stern aud cruel clash of arms
might soon wrest from them forever.
Nor was the opportunity sighted. AS
aforesaid there were such nice-looldng
officers aboard as Lieut.. Telfair, the as
sstant surgeon, and my principal, the
purser; all young men and evidently
brought up in full knowledge OF the mys-
teries of the dIawing-Toom. These, and
others WHO wore the Confederate shout
der-straps carried on, especially toward
the close Of our career AT the yard, pretty
! extensive lirtations. AS for the mtn
they, too, had their AFFAIRS" which,
though OF less note than those Of the
officers, were probably productive OF as
much happiness. Even the pursers
. steward confesses to one OF these
affairs" which he will nalrate for the
benefit OF those who shall, in future, nayl.
! gate the uncertain but blissful and 10.
! mantle ocean Of woman. Also, Gs a
warning to those who have 10 encounter
circumspect and adverse "mamma,n in.
sngated and seton by some wretched
, and puny "home-guard, such as were to
lie found IN every neighborhOod during
the great contest of which write
,, Who will blame the purser's steward,
then young and romantic and a petty
officer of the Confederate States steam
sloop-of war Pee Dee, II he should plead
guilty TO the "soft impeachment" He
,, had, while on military duty on board the
steamer, "delicate affair."" In fact.
He had seen the beautiful fair one, was
captivated, passed some restless nights
on account OF her charms, and managed,
by what means deponent saith not, 10 con
yey to her some tokens OF his admlring
regard. These being well received, a
meeting was arranged, and the petty OH
Ger was transported at beholdng the
graceful daughter Of the Pee Dee In all
. her glorious loyeliness. She was truly a
real beauty. Her eyes, deep, splendid
: aud thoughtful, rlvaled anything | had
: ever seen; and whilst they beamed upon
T, me with calm and easy grace forgot for
> the moment the peIils of the time and the
} uncertainty and hardships OF a terrible
! and bloody war. Our first Interview was
0 brief, but in these few moments told he
Z all. During my speech her fair bosom
= rose gracefully as a gentle sea, and a
J slight pressure from her tapering and
, vuluptuous tinger was the only mute hui
y expressive response. After and subse.
: quentlyl had the honor OF standing in
me presence Of this lovely angel OF the
s Pee Dee, when more but the eternal stars
beheld, and malicious eyes and lying and
polluted tongues were absent. But about
the time the Inflated steamer left the
: "Yard' on her only and unfortunate trip,
an incident occurred which separated us,
Z in all probability, forever. As the vessel
was expected soon TO leave, asked and
, Obtained permission to see the lovely
Girl again.
: The dusk Of coming night had settled
on the surrounding plantations, forests,
on the reddish, lazy river, and the bril-
liant stars from the evening sky, glitter
Ing with soft radiance, oyernung the ro-
mantle scene. The evening star, queen
ON that night OF all the celes.
tial train, shone calmly, sadly,
grandly down, type Of the beautiful
being, for whose light step | was lntently
listening. To elude an observation
J thought possible | was muiied up, bui
g little OF my face was visible above Its sur.
roundings; and over all my military scaI
! sat jauntily and served TO envelop my
Features In stu greater obscnriy. AT The
: tryating place paced to and fro with the
: anxiety OF the merchant who walks the
: beach In expecting the arrival OF his rich
ly-laden vessel. Presently ] heard foot
steps. My heart beat violently. saw
: hgure approaching IN tie deepening
gloom. Like myself, II was also muffied
!, and, although evidently female form,
soon PEI ceiyed that, II II were indeed She
that form had lost much Of its grace, anc
I that step its lightness. had nnsglyings
! hut determined TO solve the problem, NJ
Q the Consequences be what they mgnt
rhe mysterious figure, which had thui
aroused NY suspicious, approached close
7 ly and ia silence.
/ and ~ Vnn have rnNna -