The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-02-27
Loss OF THE MIssIssurn

FprroR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: On the
date of March 26, 1863 lhe New Orleans
Era contained the following poem on tae
loss of The L. s. S. Mississippi The sigma
ture over which the lines were printed
merely read by a Mississippian ~; but II
was generally understood at The time that
they were composed 10y DIR. Robert T. Mac
conn. who was Senior Surgeon Of the ship
when she went down. at the battle of Port
Hudson, on the night of March Ia, 1863.
Your present correspondent had the sails-
faction OF correspondence with Surgeon
Maccoun. confirming the TACT CT hiS being
the author and contributor Of the poem.
DIR. Maccoun spent the latter part OF his
life on the Retired LAST with hrs residence
in Baltimore, where he died. The writer,
who was one of the crew OF the old Missis-
eippi when she was lost, was a'terward
attached TO the Katabdin and many were
the DAYS We used 10 get together when off
the blockade along the Texan coast, and
read from an old scrap-book, sitting on the
lee side Of tie big Parrot gun forward.
Newspapers were scarce on board then. IL
Is from this same old sali-water-soaked
scrap-book the writer is permitted 10 copy
The words, for The possible pleasure of some
one who may remember life IN the W-st
Gnlf Squadron.-JAMEs w. KEsLER, Cap
tain's Clerk, L. S. N, Honesdale, Pa.
Hark! tie voice OF bnsy Rumor
Swiftly flies from door to door;
Sad fhe nerf-our slanch old frigaie
Mississippi, is 40 more.
Proudly Der The irackless ocean
Freeaoni'e flsg she long nuiurled;
Through the din aud smoke OF battle
on tlse bolts Of death ebe hurled
Now she sleeps beneath those waters
Whence she drew her lionored name
Where she gained her fairesi laurels.
Won a bright undying fanse.
Twice brave Perry's honored pesnans
O'er the seas she gladly waved:
Forenosi iu tlse rank Of baIsie
Fierce Ulloa's guns she brayed.
Meath Fort jackson and 81. Piiiiip,
Led by FnFFapGI fbe bold.
Treason reDsbed at the ouise,-~
Every flashing broadside told.
On that glotioas a prsi morning,
Mid the Southern feet al bay,
Like mn nraHnciie she bounded
Crushing those TINT stopped tile way.
Proud Manassas felt her thunder;
Long she fought itlout avail,
Tiii n ieHgth i'sr wRiis were riddied.
Spile her LoRrded ooai-ol-ssil
Up tic swift and mighty river
With the feet siIe dauntless goes:
Where tlie heavy guns are bristling
There ler deadly brOadsde glows.
ficrcest Rns llIs final combat
Shrouded I'm the gloom Ol night,
Long aud fearful wrs lie struggle
Ia The sad unequal Ggli.
Stranded meath tie heavy fortress.
NAngbt tie good old ship could save:
Nainiy siroye be4 bold commander
Backed by both slsnch and brave
"oSher hands shall no, pouse tiDee."
Gallant Smith Ht last exclaimed:
Bring the torch. my trusty sailors.
Never siiAii these decks be stained
Now the hands that priced and loved her
Lii the match and famed The flames;
Men like These could meier surrender,
Branded with dshonored names.
10. how swift the conilagraiioni
Strargers hauds she now defies;
Like phantom ship she scemeth.
Blazing meath tire lurid skies.
Row the burning mass is moving
Down iie dark and rapid stream;
Harki the iosni guns booming
See Their hery missiles g.eani.
IT'S grand but mournfnl picture;
Breatbless gaze boiil friend and foe
TIL crash that rends the heavens
Sinks tbe glorious wreck below.
Long COWS that mighty river
Where thy scattered fragments sleep,
Loyal bcnrts shall still regret thee
Aged wHndefer OF ihe deepl
Leap Year Philosophy.
tzicaison Globe
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