The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-02-04

stationed about the ships, rang ont into the
still night air. Two red lights had been run
up TO the mizzen-yardarm Of the flagship,
which was the signal for the ships TO weigh
anchor aud prepare for action. Every man in
the feet knew that the two red lights pOrtend-
ed hot work for them, aud none but the Su-
preme Ruler Of battles knew on which standard
victory would perch.
Notwithstanding the disadvantages with
which they would have 10 contend. the brave
biue-jackets were prepared 10 do their whole
duty, and 10 uphold the honor Of the beautiful
flag of the Union that proudly waved over
their heads
A report had gone the rounds Of the feet
that two foreign naval officers Frencbman
and an Englishmau-had visited the rebel
dolenses "a few days before the battle. and re-
ported on their return that IL was almost an
imposslbiity for the Union feet 10 pass the
obstrnctiOns, aud that the attempt would prove
disastrous; but the brave old hero in command
thought otherwise and was determined 10
prove that the Yankee blue jacket is the equal
aye the supcrior-in point Of courage and
daring, 10 any frog eating Johnny Crapeau I"
OF blarsted John Bull
THAT EVER TRoD DECK,
I and that they would not finch from the ordeal
/ before them.
! II was nearly o'clock before the feet was
/ fully under way. II advanced In three diyis-
! ions. line ahead, in the following order: First
| Division, Capt Bailey, leading with the Cayuga
| Blk guns. Lieut. Commander ". b. Harrison:
/ Pensacola, "a guns, Capt H. w. Morris; Mis-
/ sssppi, II guns Commander VI. Smith !;
] Oneida, nine guns. Commander s. b. Lee !;
] Naruna, 10 guns. Commander G. = Boggs !:
/ kaiahdin, four guns, Lieut. Commander G. IL
PrcbIe; KineO, four guns, Lieut. Commander
q. VI. Ransom; Nissahickon, four guns Lieut.
/ Commander A. N. Smith. Center Division
4 under the immediate command Of Admiral
| Farragut, who led his division with the Hart
| ford, 20 guns, Commander Richard Wainrght /;
! Brooklyn, "a guns, Capt. 4. Il. Craven: Rich
mOnd, 20 guns, Commander James Alden /;
/ Third Division, Capt. III. II. Bell, commanding,
who led with the gunboat Sciota, four guns,
Lieut. Commander Ed. Donaldson; Iroquois,
nine guns, Commander John De Camp, Kenus-
bee, four guns, Lieut. Commander g. H. Russell:
| PinOla, four guns, Lieut.. Commander Pierce
Crosby; ltasca, four guns Lieut. Commander
&. ii. B Caldwell Winoua, four guns. Lieut.
Commander 4. y. Nichols
The reader will please bear In mind that this
memorable naval battle WAS fought in dark.
ness aud ia dense cloud Of smoke rendering
u almost impossible TO distinguish friend from
foe aud 10 clearly observe the movements OF
each vessel during the engagement The
writer will therefore confne himself 10 the
movements of his own ship, aud To the Incl.
dents coming under his own observation ia his
immediate vicinity.
After getting into line the Brooklyn fol.
lowed close ia the wake Of the Hartford. The
crew stood 10 their guns awaiting the order "a
open fire. Soon the bright flashes aud thun.
dering reports ahead told Us that the leading
vessels OF the First Division were already under
fire. Slow progress was made, owing 10 IA,
strong current against which we were moving
aud IL was well on 10 { o'clock before we reached
the line Of Ere. Still slowly advancing in ia,
, intense darkness and thick smoke,
GUIDED ONLY by THE FLASHES AHEAD,
the Brooklyn suddenly ran afoul Of some noat
ing object, which al FIRST was thought 10 be on,