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

How an ''Old Confcd.'' Held Deyvcv :,
Prisoner.
fHicnao Tibunc.


it is to have met the enemy and be-
come his, for on the night Of March
il, 1868, when as Lieutenant Dewey
he was executive officer Of the United
States steamer Mississippi, he fed
from the burning hulk Of that vessel
and was captured by Confederate ar
.illcrymen. This happened on the
banks of the Father of Waters" at
'ort hudson, Miss, and is said to
have been the only instance when
)cwcy ever was prisoner.
But Lieutenant Dewey was not long
prisoner ON that occasion. He had
then the same nerve. dash and cool
ness now recognized the world over as
Characteristic Of the man, and made a
brilliant and successful break for lib
erty, reioining his captain, Mclan-
chthon Smith, and other officers Of
the abandoned steamer. These had
sought safety on the Richmond, a
short distance up the river.
Dcwcy's capture is we'll remembered
by j. j. Mcdaniel, a cotton merchant
now living at Mincola, Tex. Mr.. Nc
Daniel, who then was mere lad in
his teens, was serving in the Confed-
crate army as member Of Conn any
=, First Alabama artillery, which was
ranged along the west river bank lie
enjoys the distinction Of having been
one Of the guard which covered Lieu
tenant Dewey and small handful Of
sailors-less than doxen-Tho fell
into the hands Of the enemy that dark
night in March thirty-six years ago.
Admiral Farragut had given the
order to the feet to pass Port Hudson
for the double purpose Of stopping
communication between Red river and
the rebels on the eastern banks of the
Mississippi, and to communicate with
the Union feet and army above. Ad-
miral Farragut was aboard the flagship
Hartford and in his memorandum for
commanding officers, which accompan-
led the general order for passing the
batteries he stated particularly that
special attention must be given the
steamers lying at Port Hudson. In
other words, he ordered that these
vessels be shclled, with the hope Of
setting the cotton on fire and destroy
ing the boats.
For some time the naval forces of
the Union side had been cndeavcring
to pass Port Hudson to open commu-
nioation with the north" writes Mr..
Mcdaniel. THE Confederates had
made an equally determined stand
against it, and to assist them had many
strong batteries upon the river bank
to counteract every movement OF the
northern feet. The Confederate forces
were under the command of General
Gardner, while Colonel Steadman
commanded TIC Alabama regiment Of
artillery. The batteries on the river
bank were numbered from one to nine
from right to left.
"On the night Of March II ON effort
was made by Farragut's feet to run
the blockade, which was partially sue
cessful. The success was won only
after terrific artillery engagement
and the loss to the Union navy BY fro
and explosion of the steamer Missis-
sippi.
1t was from the burning steamer,
the Mississippi, that Lieutenant
Dewey escaped in the darkness and
smoke only to be taken by the artil-
lerymen of our sidc-the same Dewey
who now is admiral OF the United
States navy. Captain Melanchton
Smith, his officers, with the exception
Of Dewey, and many others escaped in
three boats to the Richmond, which
was farther up the river.
"Thc northern fleet was ranged in
single file up and down the river, with
the Hartford, carrying Admiral Farra-
gut, leading with portfolios closed.
The Switzerland, which afterwards
was lost, passed the batteries in safe
ty under cover Of the Hartford. 1t
was smaller than the Hartford The
night was dark, with intense smoke
hanging low over the river and beyond
its banks. Both vessels were painted
black and with all lights out tho
smaller boat hiding behind its mate,
both were enabled to get through
without injury.
The Mississippi, boat of 1000
tons burden, was next in line. 1t was
the first vessel to open fire on our
batteries. Battery No. .. hot-shot