The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-03-20
"DANDY JACK. +"
i Hero in Kid Gloves and Patent
Leather Boots.
sDsndy Jack!"

aDsndy Jacks
This was the involuntary exclamation
ebat came from several of the group OF
hue Jackets gathered about the main.
mast Of the Colorado, when the new
lieutenant we were expecting came up
sbe Ward-room hatchway, and stepped
out on the starboard side of the quarter
deck.
he was a trim and dapper little fell
Low. barely five feet five in his shoes;
slim and yet with certain wiryness
sanding out that to the careful observer
tod Of strength. His clothes looked as
though they had just come from the
tailor, 50 bright and fresh were they.
His cap, resplendent with it's un-
furnished ornaments, set jauntily on a
bead whose every hair seemed to have a
place and occupy it. His black side
Bhiskers we're as carefully arranged,
and kid glove clothed the hand that
be held out for the trumpet that de-
noted bis charge Of the deck, while
pstentleather boots shone beneath the
smoOthly-buttoned CATERS on his feet.
We we're used to the neat clothes and
bright ornaments, for many of our Off
GERS were noted examples of we'll
dressed manhood, but we had not been
educated up to the standard wherein kid
gloves and patent leather were blended
With salt water and tar, and our criti-
eisns, Il not loud, were many.
But Dandy Jack" flor the name thus
hvolnntarily given clung to him), if he
knew Of these, gave them no attention,
and a daily acquaintance with them
soon made US accustomed to the innova-
ration, and we quickly discovered that
ouf new lieutenant was thorough mas
tsr Of the different drills we found
thrust upon US by the opening of hostili-
ties We had been ordered South, and
we're lying of Fort Pickens, with the
Confederate flag in plain sight, as it
auttered over the walls of Barrancas
ana hchae, and at the truck of the flag
san IN the navy-yard at Warrington.
o1eameB from Pensacola ran down to
she last named place, and now and then
schooner winged her way alongside of
sne soa,wall fronting the buildings. But
mare we're no signs of warlike prepara-
ucns on board of these, and so they
brought us no excitement.
inc case was changed, however, when
one morning we saw, hauled under the
alears and already partially armed,
@aooner whose yacht-like build and
aaAish spars told of an adaptability for
AlFateef purposes that could find ready
s1ployment if once allowed to get out
I ne waters of the Gulf, SO full of
- Yankee traders. To capture this
eAsei, or destroy her, was an object
'aat our officers much desired, and an
apealhon was soon proposed, and as
quickly organized.
he did not know the number of Cuns
y aoR large crew the schooner car
w, sat we did know that heavy and |
=. -o'sas ~ batteries, manned by numer-
u sonlederate force, protected her. |
~. sns was moored directly in their
-Hge Yet this was not considered dis
sslalng, Tor one can not expect such
ss ss'sfpsAses to be devoid of danger. Were
-. ~ :. g It would take from them great
s1sM sae charm that makes men seek
y sASasement they now possess.
~. = course the preparations for the ex-
e.s s-.aOa were carried on secretly, SO
n. y lntlmation of them should reach
saaiay, and on the 18th of Septem-
ss sy Thing was ready for the dash
u 4sfe 70 make that night. Five of
n. ssas we're to compose the expedi-
m asaaed by the first launch under
Nh. nnand of Lieutenant Russell.
m. nv me second officer in rank was
.,sIas. ~ alght was just suited to such an
t. go = We meditated, being one of
|sAsr saoomy, mist-pervaded seasons
eos.s oleets become the mostindistinct
,ll,is. ~ ! not too dark to discern outlines
Ao.ss algner than the low sides of the
.shIp,se = were in. After leaving the ]
ea,s 4. 4 pulled slowly and with mufaed
|kI.ss 2 Q the shore of Sante Rosa .
|kssaIs. ma , cautiously followed this,
d 49, veil under the shadow Of Fort .
Assslsss @ latil we reached a point whose
ehooss. WIN the navy yard and the
mined lao been accurately deter
.asae, aere the boats were ranged in {,
Il ~. 50 snen the whispered command !
on sosh 80 made US bend steadily to {
gsaing 49, 1910, aaa, IN little time we were
Il sos,s y forward, the oars making '
ssls mn, save ~. . light plash that was +
4 a "a. iiKe the wash of low waves. '
aaAs lssn moments we saw ssDandv t
so.ss ,sa! eagerly forward, and heard a
sssa snasa lnere she is, give way, my '
M sssa ~ u low but clear tone. +
- = give way, just as an excl b
ofs distance from us cried; b