Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-23

ton that the charge made by the Fed
eral Government that these men were
more deeply dyed an traitors" than
any others, because of their having
owed higher duty to the Government
for their education. was, and is, utterly
false and peculiarly unjust. These men
were not politicians: far from it. They
loved the flag under which they had
sailed, and whose honor they would
have defended with the last drop of
their blood If assailed by foreign foe
They were, with their families, entirely
dependent upon their salaries. But the
war cloud came; it burst upon their
beloved native Southland. They deemed
that their highest obligation was to
their native States, on whose soil they
were born, and from which they were
appointed. They. impelled by a sense
of duty, resigned and rendered their
service to their Mother States in their
struggle in self-denfence and for indie
pcndence.
ANONYMOUSLY DISMISSED.
Those of them who were on duty were
generally ANONYMOUSLY dismissed, and
only those who were on leave or wait
ing orders were permitted to have their
designations accepted. This was a most
remarkable course and evidence of Bit
tcrness. The South had no war or
other vessels. so that those who resign
cd had burned their bridges behind
them. and had little or no prospect Of
professional distinct ton. a true or more
unseltlsh band OF pure patriots was
never known. No class of men better
knew or understood their own power
lcssness or the strength of their enc
mics. Notwithstanding this. they went
out on every conceivable boat or YES
sci of the period. and in many instances
in open boats with raw recruited volun-
teers-not only went alongside OF these
war vessels, but actually boarded and
captured them. Who does not recall
tho boarding ana capture of the United
States steamship Underwater by the
brave Wood. Loyal. Gift. Hoge. Saun-
ders. II. S. Cooks and others. and the
boarding and capture of the United
States steamer Water Witch by board
crs from open boats, led by the gallant
lamented Thomas Il. pelot? such
matchless courage is not found in the
annals of history, before or since. With
the most mserably equipped ana vul-
nerablc boats. they went out to fight
powerful vessels and fleets. any one Of
which was more than double. treble. or
uuadruple their superior in every par
ticular. Who does not remember the
brave BeNerly Kcnnon. of New Orleans,
who in small side-whecT steamer
Governor Moorc). with an exposed
walking beam engine, went out and at
tackled each and every one of the for
SHIPS VI tHe Hecl OF
Admiral F'aragut. and this skillful and
intrepid young officer, when his bow
gun was dismounted by the enemies
actually selected tho United States
steamship Naruna. Commander Boggs
as the nearest, ran head into her and
sunk her there and then-and then.
with his guns disabled his crew gen
orally dead and wounded-and sur
rounded by enemies, ran his ship on
shore and burned her, refusing to haul
down her flag.
Look again at the gallant Isaac n.
Brown. on the Mississippi. with his SIN
gle vessel (Arkansas), spreading dis
may and destruction among the pow
erful Federal fleet. many of whose YES
sells were far superior to his.
NEARER HOME.
Come nearer home and look ut the
brave buchanan on his untried Virgin
la (Merrmac) going down to attack the
powerful fleet in Hampton Roads,
whose great strength, armament and
discipline he thoroughly knew. sinking
the United States ships Congress and
Cumberland. and driving others in
Hight and CONSERVATION under the guns
of Fort Monroe. and again at Mobile,
on the Tennessee. battling with Farra-
CUTS powerful fleet Look at the brave
Tucker. Barney Parker and others aid
ing I'm this wonderful dash in Hampton
Roads in small, vulnerable vessels. and
afterwards going right under the Fcde-
raj vessels. cutting out supply vessels.
and bringing them to Norfolk See the
brave Tattnall who finally succeeded
buchanan CATER he was woundcd) in
command OF the Virginia. which had
driven the boosted Monitor in abject
fear into shoal water. where she could
not follow. and held her there trcmb-
ling, while these prizes. which they
were to defend. were captured and ta-
ken away. amid cheers from foreign
war vessels in view of the dashng.
overwhelming courage.
Sec again the same noble old veteran.
Tattnall. with Richard l.. Page by his
side, go from SavannSh with the sin
gle. improvised gunboat Savannah.
with two guns ana attack the whole
powerful fleet of Commodore Dupont
at PortRalal- sc.
Look ut the distinguished Scmmes,
who in the Sumter ana Alabama. swept
the ocean of merchant ships. defying
the Federal fleets and sinking the
United States steamship Ha;tcras, sent
out to catch him, and which, inds-
crectly. got too close to nina mistake
not often made.
Look at that grave. iron hearted
Thomas Jefferson Page, who. near Co.
runna, Spain. was followed in the
Stonewall. of three guns. by the United
states steamship Niagara and Sncra-
mentO, arnregatiup fifteen runc cont