The record-union., 1898-10-10

H-uSNiieel steamboat, Suc0 as were
used on the river. Before attempting
the passage Of the batteries the officers
ana men were busy making the usual
preparations for a fight These con-
sisted in clearing away all superfluous
spars, placing splinter nettings, etc. The
hartford had her lower yards athwart-
shlps, resting on the hammock nettings
and chain cables were swung on each
SIDE from the extreme ends. Other
chalns We're coiled vertically along the
slaes, especially in front Of the boilers
inns was done on all the ships. Every
eHort was always made to protect the
oollers and engines, upon which sc
much depended.
GETTING UNDER WAY.
1T was a little after dark on the
evening of March 23d when we got
unoer way from Profits Island. about
seven miles below Port Hudson. In
my capacity of signaler. 1 was al
loWed to give the signal for the feet
10 get under way and follow the flag
snip IN echelon order 1t was done Inv
displaying red lantern over the stern
or the Hartford, which led. Answer
Ing lights soon showed that the ships
according to a plan which had been
lound to- work well elsewhere. Each of
the three sloops, the heavier vessels.
had a gunboat lashed to her port side
the side opposite the enemy's bat
terles at Port Hudson. The advantage
OF this order was that the stronger
snip protected the weaker, and it was
OF great value also to have two sets Of
10
slppi, as the odd one of the seven, came
after the three pairs, and behind her at
a considerable distance We're a number
or mortar-boats, guarded by the iron
cIad Essex. 1t was not intended that
these should pass Port Hudson, their
purpose being to engage the shore bat
teries and divert the fire from us as
much as possible while we were pass
ing.
1t was warm, damp night, with
out breath of air stirring We moved
up slowly against the strong current
and the water in the river was so low
that the ships bottom-the Hartford
drew about seventeen feet-often act
uaIly touched and, scraped on the river
bed. We were in danger of grounding
at almost any time, and if it had NOT
been for our pilot, old Carrell, who
knew every inch of that part of the
river thoroughly, we should very likely
have done so. The Admiral always
placed great confidence in Carrell and
stuck to him persistently when some Of
the officers protested against his beset-
ting fault Of drunkenness. The Ad-
miral knew that as long as Carrell was
sober he had no superior, and proba bly,
no equal, among the Mississippi pilots.
'As the ship steamed on my father
walked up and down the poop, watch
ing for the first sign of the enemy's
guns. 1 remember his stopping once
to tell me the best way of stanching a
wound or using a tourniquet, If l
should be hurt. The men were at the
guns, and every officer was on the
alert at his post. At last fires began
to gleam along the banks and rockets
were sent up. Having located US as
we'll as they could, the Confederates be-
gan firing from a battery a little in
front of US. When we got up so that
our broadsides could reply, the Hart
ford's guns did good work. She carried
Dahlgren 9-inch guns, eleven on side.
The fires of the batteries on shore were
our targets and the men blazed away
at them vigorously. Far from needing
to be urged on, the gunners had to be
restrained, and many of the Admirals
orders at this time were given to stop
too rapid firing.
A MAGNIFICENT SCENE.
1T was wild, magnificent scene, as
the action grew hotter. The numerous
bonfres on the shore lighted up the
river and the lines Of batteries blaZed up
brilliantly with blue and yellow flames.
The shells thrown by the mortar boats
in our rear were whizzing like meteors.
There was a continual roar from the
great number of guns constantly in
use. Many shots and shells struck the
ship, but did very little damage. We
were exceedingly fortunate
Then a new difficulty arose. The
smoke became so thick and hung so low
over the ship that the pilot could not
see ahead, even from his post In the
mizzentop, where he had gone for a
better view. and from where he was
communicating with the deck by means
of speaking tube. The firing was in
stantly stopped, and it was found. to
our horror that the current had turned
the ships bow toward the east bank
the batteries. The next ship, the Rich
mond, was dangerously near US, too. I
don't know just how near we came to
running ashore; some said that we
touched bottom once; but I know that
the overhanging banks. with their trees
and vines, loomed up fearfully close in
front Of us. 1t was a critical moment
Then we had reason to be thankful for
ha "a MI
Her engines backed vigorously and fin-
ally succeeded IN turning us around
with our head up the river again. This
happened just where the stream makes
a sharp bend and the current is es-
pecially strong.
"A few minutes after we were well
started again, it was reported that
there was a ram on the port bowl
This announcement, usually without
Of rams bearing down upon
US, was a continual bugbear while the
fleet was in the river. 1t used to vex
the Admiral greatly, because it tended
to disturb the men unnecessarily. Re-
ports Of the rams, alleged to be of ter
rible power, were often brought by the
negroes who found their way to the
river banks. The Admiral often said
that every one seemed to have the
ram fever and he wished he could
break it up In this instance, how
ever, no chances could be taken, and
the order was given to Call away the
boarders!' My father intended to have
a hand in this fight himself, if there
was to be any, and he seized his own
cutlass and started forward. He was
at that time nearly 50 years DID, but
active and energetic. This
ram rumor failed to materialize, how
ever, like most of the others, and we