Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-03-07

it was not long separation. Tor some
Of u.s. as new men. we're sent down to
take the place Of those whose terms OF
service had expired, and among those
were several OF the group who had
greeted the new lieuter ant with the
the name of DANDY Jack"
We did not care to remain long on
shore, even though discharged and
seeking out the gun-boat that Dandy
jack had been ordered to command, we
shipped for three years, feeling sure
that we should not be idle. Those were
the busy days OF the blockade, for though
men were plenty, they were not drilled
hands, and the few old men-of-war's men
who were attached to each vessel, be-
,ame the pivots that gave this new ele-
ment strength.
or course there were many disparag-
ing remarks passed about "Dandy Jack"
the now hands voting him milk-sop.
and declaring that we would never smell
powder while he was In command. We,
who had been with him in the boarding
Of the Judah, knew better, and told our
comrades to wait, for notwithstanding
the fact that DANDY Jack" insisted on
wearing kid gloves and patent leather
boots, and on having thede scrubbed
and the bright work cleaned, they would
find that he would not order them to go
ON when danger stood In the way, but
would call for them to follow.
Many incrcdulous smiles greeted these
assertions. but we did not take them to
heart, patiently biding our time, and
feeling confident that DANDY Jack"
would not be found wanting We cruised
along the Atlantic seahoard for some
time, blockading inlets and small ports
on the Carolina and Georgia coasts, and
at last reported TO the officer who had
command of the little squadron that
guarded the ports of the lower stretch
| of the Atlantic shore.
| By this time we had become thor
oughly drilled and well-organized crew.
| and landing party had been formed
that was formidable because of its strong
discipline. This landing party was
DANDY Jack s. hobby, and ! felt that
/ he would let no occasion to employ 1t
pass unimproved Several times, when
we were patroling tho coast, the ship
| was run close in, and we were exercised
at storming imaginary earthworks, and
mander at these times proved to my
mind at least that he had some object in
| view.
We had run north toward Savannah,
hoping to pick up little prize money,
and were steaming leisurely southwark
again, when we made out sail making
for us. The decks were cleared for ac-
ton. but we found this was superfiuous
work, as in reply to our signal the near
ing craft set the number of the fleet, and
soon came alongside, Her captain, who
was tho junior of our skipper, came on
board and though we had no positive
knowledge "A rnmor soon spread through
the ship saying that some expedition
had been determined on.
We were certainly headed south, ant
the ships kept in company, arriving Tho
next morning at an inlet just north o
the Florida line, whore we found seyera
more OF the little squadron gathered. 4
council quickly convened on board o
the flagship, and the result was al
. afternoon of preparation, every thini
rointing to a landing. or course "Dand.
Jack" was in his element, and it wa
, soon seen that he was the leading spiri
of the affair. as the other commander
made frequent visits to our vessel
just below shutdown we all hove II
, anchors and steamed northward, keef
ing the coast we'll in view, and u littl
after night-fall We came to where anott
or vessel of the fleet was anchored. W
| made no signals, for such were the OF
= ders and her captain was evidently e>
pceting us, but came to anchor, an
: were ordered to turn in, as We would b
: called early.
1t was but three in the morning whe
q we were reused from our hammocks, an
: found that hot breakfast was alread
! waiting as, This was promptly attende
to. and the boats we're then lowered
armed and manned, and on pulling t.
. ward the flagship, we found our con
!, rades gathering there, and just as til
bell struck eight for four o'clock, "
!, bent to our oars at the command {
. Give way" and made for the dim loo
! that told whore the shore lay.
p Dandy Jack" was in our boat, al
our boat was in the van, Soon we sa
+. that we had entered the mouth of 9
inlet, and We as quickly noticed that Y
- were headed for the southern ban
u The morning was misty, and backwar
- but the pallor of the coming day W
+ growing in the east, and we knew tn
,s we would soon be discovered If go
10 watch WAS kept, when we felt the boa
~ keel grind on the sand, and Dant
"A Jack" said in the soft, clear tone Tn
"a was his popularity;
:. steady now, boys, and get ashore
re- soon as you can, and be sure to ke
~ your arms dry.
10 lie led the way, jumping lightly
r the sand, and We followed, forming ran
N with our faces from the water.
"a The indiStiuct line of an elevate
10 rose d hundred yards or SO from us b
"a | we did not think this was fortihcati
Ir till, Just as we fixed bayonets, Il sha
a startled cry echoed from it;
:. "Who goes thereaH
Nv Forward. cried Dandy Jack
ID he led the way on, not waiting To 5
" whether the other boats were all in.
sharp report ragg out, followed
l. | the call To arms. 10 arms. aud
A, | rushed ON after our commander.
Wiry and light of foot, he kept lit
rs ahead OF us. and we saw him scramh
as | up the earthwork we were assaultin
st and stand. with his sword waving us q
he at It's crest.
Already we were nearly mp with hi
a | .,HYs FAl1