The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-09-20

4
opposite shore a number took re-
fuge in sugar ill near by and were
captured By detachment Of Confcdc-
rate forces. a few were caught near
shore. Next day all the prisoners
were sent to the prison quarters, where
| was assigned to guard duty.
"Thc manly form and dgnified ap-
pcarancc Of one Of the prisoners at
tracted my attention. made inquiry
{ concerning him and learned that he
was Lieutenant George Dewey, Of the
United States navy. Little did
know then that he was destined to be-
come the most famous man o -warsman
that ever trod the deck of vessel of
this or any other nation.
dewey was not long on our hands
lie felt that he was needed with his
feet, and he reached it, but he alone
can tell how he slipped away and re-
Joined Captain Smith on the Rich
mond. But this much is certain.
Lieutenant Dewey did not save so
much as button belonging to himself
from the Mississippi. Everything
was destroyed save the clothing in
which he escaped from the vessel.
However, he was captain Smith cx-
ccutiye officer, and one Of the Ship 8
crew told me later that to Dewey be-
| longed the honor and credit of saving
and turning safely over to his captain
one boat signal book and one naval
teicgra phic stationary belonging to the
Mississippi.
Dewey took his capture with ad
mirable coolncss, and was set down by
all who met him as every inch gen
sleman. AS prisoner he recognized
the courtesies shown him by his cap
tors and neglected none in return him
self. While he had little to say, his
regret at his capture seemed to be
mingled with some amusement. lie
certainly betrayed little concern.
TO return to the fight. 1t was a
hot one, and Dewey was in the thick
oft. One officer of the Mississippi was
killed, three were taken prisoners, and
the killed, missing and prisoners of
the crew numbered nearly sixty. The
total crew numbered about 300, Off
GERS and men. On our side tho loss
was considerable. j had the honor Of
being a private who did my duty as
saw it, and still find pleasure in the
reflection that am not ashamed Of
having been private, and that at one
time had the honor and credit Of hav-
ing o prisoner in honorable warfare
the now renowned Admiral George
Dewey"
Miss Maud Mcdaniel, daughter Of
j. j. Mcdaniel, who tells this inter-
csting narrative Of Admiral Dewey s
younger days. is now visiting friends
9. l6e Oakland boulevard, in this
city.
! "My father has spoken of the en-
gagenent at Port Hudson many times" /"
said Miss Mcdaniel, "and when Ad-
miral Dewey began to attract general
attention he remembered him as the
dapper young lieutenant whom he had
under guard after the tFoubio at Port
Hudson. My father has many anec-
doscs of the war and now treasures
most those which relate to Dewey and
the evonts prior to and following the
Port Hudson affair. He was little
moro than boy at the time, and nat.
urally enough was attracted to Lieu
tenant Dewey. lie was actually sorry
for him, but in the light Of events
guess he wasn't sorry long.
Lieutenant Dewey took care Of
himself then, and I haven't heard Of
anybody lately who is sorry for him
now that he is Admiral Dewey. But
I know one thing. Ny father always
said Dewey was gcntleman--cvery
inch Of him-but OF course everybody
else thinks so, too
| Mr.. McDaniers statements are sub
stantiated by the records Of the navy
department. Under date Of March
IS, 1868, Captain Mclanchton Smith,
in his report Of the destruction Of the
Mississippi, says Of Lieutenant Dewey
in letter to Gideon Wells, secretary
of the navy:
II consider that should be neg
Letting most important duty should
omit to mention the GOODNESS of my
executive officer, Mr.. Dewey, and the
steady. fearless aud gallant manner in
which he and the officers and men OF
the Mississippi defended it, and the