The National tribune., 1896-07-02
PICKET SHOTS.
From Alert Comrades All Along the
Line.
Noted Capture.

VSoteu Sapiufos
RP. Miller, Cincinnati, o., writes: In the
Autumn of 1861, small detachment of YES
sells from the Gulf Squadron was blockading
| the coast of Texas, under Capt. Henry Eagle,
| from the frigate Santee. At that time the
Confederates were fitting out several priva-
teers; among them, 1.-THE Royal Yacht,
which was being prepared in Galveston
| Harhor, TO be let loose on Federal commerce.
| This fact was known to Capt Eagle, and he
made preparation to destroy the vessel before
she could get to sea.
"On the 7th of November, an expedition
was fitted out and placed in command of
| Lieut.. James T. Jouett two launches, with
two howitzers and picked crew of men.
The two launches entered the harbor upper
ceived at lao p. m, intending, if they could
pass the armed schooner guarding the en-
| trance and the forts, to surprise and burn
the Confederate war steamer Gen. Rust.
THE boats succeeded in passing the
schooner and Bolivar and Point Forts but
in attempting to avoid the sentinels on Peli-
can Fort grounded on Pelican Spit and were
discovered by the enemy. 1t was then too
late too capture the Gen. Rust, as the alarm
was given at once, and lively fire opened on
US.
1.-THE boats turned about and pulled for
the Royal Yacht, which we boarded and car
ried after short and sharp hand-to- hand
conflict, making good use with our cutlasses.
After securing our prisoners, IL in number,
and spiking the guns, we set fire to the
schooner, rs the pilot on whom Lieut.. Jou-
EFT depended 10 take the vessel out had been
shot.
Lieut.. James Z. Jouett was severely
wounded. We had altogether eight wound
ed and two killed out of % men, only one
boat being engaged in the conflict, because
the other one did not get alongside in time
to be of any assistance. This was gallant
and wellexecuted affair. A boarding party
against an enemy well armed and prepared
for such an event is always a dangerous
undertaking."
How He Got There.
A. w. Slayton, Lieutenant, Co. p, 5th
Mich, writes regarding Comrade Howe's
recent problem of manuvering COM
pany: eff Comrade Howe means by
Company in two lines the ordinary
formation of the company in two ranks,
marching company front, / would give the
command: Without doubling, right face,
file left-March.' And when the last man
stepped from the bridge, order : BY company,
into line-March!' II he means the company
marching by platoon front, second platoon
behind the first, then / would say, Without
doubling right face, file left-March' And
when the bridge was cleared. command By
platoons into line-March!' Thus the first
file would not lose step, while those behind
would hustle little in reforming the lines"
Almon l.. Switzer, Co. ID, 1st Mass. Cav,
Naugatuch, Conn.,, writes: Next time you
take the boys out, study your route little;
they are getting TOO old to be handled the
way they handled us in war time. | would
first order, By twos from the right, dOu-
BILE quck-March! Head of column, half
lefty Opposite center of bridge, Head of
column, half right!' which would plainly
indicate to every man that the crossing was
the objective point. At the other end of
bridge l should order, Head of column, half
right!' Then, Head of column, front or
half left, front into line-Halt!' Those
orders at proper intervals, l think, would
put any company of properly-drilled in
fantry, cavalry, or artillery on the other side
of the river in line, faced to the front, just
exactly as at the first, in the least number
of seconds"
Didn't Know the General.
Daniel p. Donnell, Co. E, Goth Iowa, New
Jul pOliY BliSS, WIlCS WHICH, iCSL-
ment was at Corinth, in October, 1862, the
late Gen. T. W. Sweeny commanded our
brigade for awhile. was on guard at the
Generals Headquarters put on early
in the morning-and received my instruc-
lions, and lett alone. A Colonel came out
in full uniform. / gave him the proper
salute. In few minutes the General came
out with an old battered hat on and dirty
old army blouse on his back going rapidly
to the rear. He soon came back. 1 took no
notice of him when he arrived. At the door
of the tent he turned square in front of me
as / stopped at the end of my beat, and said |
in a voice of thunder:
"' Why in - don't you salute. What |
regiment do you belong TOP
81 said: The Cd Iowa.
az l thought So said he, and went into |
bis tent without another word.n
Scattering.
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE has letter for |
Capt. Henry Manning.