Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-03-29


report NORTH for n command we're re-
oeivod, We we're sorry TO lose him But
IL was not long separation. for some
of as, 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 gronn who had
greeted the new Lieutenant with the
the name OF DANDY Jack"
We did not care TO remain long on
shore, even though discharged. and
seeking out the gnn-boat that DANDY
Jack had been ordered 20 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- wars men
who were attached to each vessel, be-
anne the piyots that gave this new cle-
ment strength.
OF course there we're many disparag-
ing remarks passed about "Dandy Jack"
the new hands voting him a milk-sop,
and declaring that We would never smell
powder while he Was in command. We,
who had been with him in the boarding
81 the Judah, knew better. and told our
comrades to wait, for notwithstanding
he fact that DANDY Jack" insisted on
wearing hid gloves and patent leather
4 boots. and on having the decks scrubbed
and the bright work cleaned. they would
/ find that he would not order them To 90
ON when danger stood in the way, but
would call for them Ia follow.
| Many incredulous smilesgreeted 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 Wecruised
l along the Atlantic seatoard 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 hf cause Of its strong
discipline. This landing party was
DANDY Jacks" hobby, and felt that
| no would let no occasion 10 employ IL
pass unimproved. Several times. when
we were patroling the coast, the ship
was run close in, and we were exercised
at storming imaginary carthworks. and
the spirit and dash shown by our com
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 leisurcly southwark
again, when We made out a sail making
for us. The decks were cleared for ac-
ton. but we found this was superiiuous
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 the junior of our skipper. came on
board, and though we had no positive
knowledge. rumor soon spread through
the ship saying that SOME expedition
hsd been determined ON.
We were certainly headed south. and
the ships kept in company arriving the
next morning at an inlet Just north of
.he Florida line, whore We found several
more Of The little squadron gathered. 4
council quickly convened on board OF
the flagship and the result was an
afternoon Of preparation, every thing
Z ' inning ~ ~ tahhAHF= w 'bhl ~ ifhlAh
Jack" was in his element, and II was
soon seen that he was the leading spirit
Of the affair. as the other commanders
made frequent visits to our vessel.
just below shutdown we all hove up
anchors and steamed northward, keep.
ing the coast we'll In view, and little
after night-fall we came to where anoth-
or vessel OF the fleet was anchored. We
made no signals, for such we're the or
ders. and her captain was evidently OK
pecting MS. but came to anchor. and
were ordered to turn in, as We would bc
called early
II was hut three in the morning when
We were reused from our hammoclis, and
found that a hot breakfast was already
waiting Us. This was promptly attended
to- and the boats we're then lowered.
armed and manned. and ON pulling to
ward the flagship, We found our com.
rades gathering there. and just as thu
bell struck eight for four o'clock, We
bent To our oars at the command OF
Give way" and made for the dim loom
that told whore the shore lay.
DANDY Jack" was in our boat and
our boat Vas in the van. Soon we saw
that We bad entered the mouth OF an
inlet. and ~ A. quickly noticed that VI
were headed for the southern bank
The morning was misty, and backward.
but the pallar of the coming day was
growing In the east, and We knew that
We would ~uon be- discovered IL a good
watch was kept. when We felt the boat
keel grind ON the sand. and DANDY
Jack" said in the soft, clear tome thai
was his pccnliarity
STEADY now, boys, and get ashore n
,oon as You can, and be sure To keel
your arms dry
lie led the way. jumping lightly 4
the sand. and Nc followed, forming ranks
with our faces from the water.
The indistinct line of an elevation
rose hundred yards or So from us. hu
We did not think this was fertilization
till. just as We fixed bayoncts. SHARP
startled cry echurd from il:
"Who goes there?''
Forward cried Dandy Jack" a
he led the way on, not waiting to SCI
whether the either heats were all in.
\ sharp report rang out, followed by
the call ITO arms, 70 arms and w
rushed on after our commander.
wlry AMI liyht ~ foot he kept litti
ahead OF us and we sas him serambi,
up the carthwork We we're assaulting.
and stand. with his sword waving us on,
Rt its crest.
Already We were nearly up with him.