The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-02-28
ug flames, while we slowly retraced our
MO W hnolx TO tho shin

report North for a command were re-
ceived, we were sorry to lose him But
it was not long separation, Tor some
of us. as new men, were sent down to
take the place of those whose terms OF
service had expired, and among those
were several of the gropp who had
greeted the new lieutera 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-
came the pivots that gave this new ele-
ment strength.
Of course there were many disparag-
ing remarks passed about "Dandy Jack"
the new hands voting him mllk-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 the decks 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 incredulous 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 seabOard 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 wasformidable because of it's strong
discipline. This landing party was
DANDY Jacks hobby, and felt that
he would let no occasion to employ it
pass unimproved. Several times, when
we were patroling the coast the ship
was run close in, and we were exercised
at storming imaginary earthworKs, 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 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 feet, and
soon came alongside. Her captain, who
was the junior of our skipper, came on
board, and though we had no positive
knowledge, a rumor soon spread through
the ship saying that some expedition
had been determined on.
We were certainly headed south, and
the ships kept in company, arriving the
next morning at an inlet just north of
the Florida line, where we found several
iiOlN vi VIC liUUIC PdUllcGeu. y
council quickly convened on board OF
the flagship, and the result was an
afternoon of preparation, every thing
rointing to a landing. OF course ''Dandy
jack was in his element, and it was
soon seen that he was the leading spirit
of the affair, as the other commanders
made frequent visits to our vessel
T,,-+ hn11
anchors and steamed northward, keep
ing the coast we'll in view, and little
after night-fall we came to where anoth-
er vessel Of the feet was anchored We
made no signals, for such were the Or
ders. and her captain was evidently ex-
pecting us, but came to anchor. and
were ordered to turn in, as we would be
called early.
1t was but three in the morning when
we were reused from our hammocks. and
found that a hot breakfast was already
waiting us. This was promptly attended
to, and the boats were then lowered.
armed and manned, and on pulling to-
a'trd the flagship, We found our COM
faies gathering there, and just as the
bell struck eight for four O'Clock. we
beat to our oars at the command of
Give way" and made for the dim loom
that told where the shore Law.
DANDY jack was in our boat. and
our boat was in the van. Soon we saw
that we had entered the mouth of an
inlet. and we as quickly noticed that we
were headed for the southern bank.
The morning was misty, and backward,
but the pallor Of the coming day was
growing in the east, and we knew that
we would soon be discovered if GOOD
watch was kept, when we felt the boats
keel grind on the sand, and DANDY
Jack" said in the soft, clear tone that
was his popularity:
STEADY now, boys. and get ashore as
soon as you can. and be sure to keep
your arms dry"
lie led the way, jumping lightly &c
the sand, and we followed forming ranks
with our faces from the water.
The indistinct line of an elevation
rose hundred yards or so from US. but
we did not think this was ratification
till, just as we fixed bayonets sharu
startled cry echoed from it:
WHO goes there?''
Forward" cried Dandy Jack" as
he led the way on. not waiting to see
whether the other boats were ali in.
sharp report rang out, followed by
the call TO arms! to arms!" and we
rushed on after our commander.
WHY and light of foot. he kept a little
ahead OF us, and we saw him scramh,a
up the earthwork we were assaultinc
ana stand. with his sword waving us on.
at its crest
Already we were nearly up with him.
" red flash shone out, followed by
the rattle of muskets. and this was suc-
ceeded by desultorv discharnns tho