The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-09-20
Chicago Tribune.
Admiral George Dewey knows what

Admiral George Dewey knows what
it is to have met the enemy and be-
come his, for on the night Of March
II, 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
tillerymen. This happened on the
banks Of the ssFasher Of Waters at
Port Hudson, Miss, and is said to
have been the only instance when
Dewey ever was a 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 s.ne nan, and made a
brilliant and successful Sreak for lib
erty, rejoining his captain, Melan-
chthon Smith, and other officers Of
the abandoned steamer. These had
sought safety on the Richmond. a
short distance up the river.
Dewey 5 capture is.well remembered
BY J. j. Med a cotton merchant
now living al Mineola, Tex. Mr.. Nc
Daniel, who then was mere lad in
his teens, was serving in the Confed-
crate army as member Of Comp any
F, First Alabama artillery, which was
ranged along the west river bank. He
enjoys the distinction Of having been
one Of the guard which covered Lieu
tenant Dewey and small handful Of
sailors less than dozen-who fell
into the hands Of the enemy that dark
night in March thirty-six years ago.
Admiral Farragut had given the
order to the aeet 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-
miralF lFarragnt 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
ether words, he ordered that these
vessels be shelled, 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 endeavoring
to pass Pert Hudson to open commu-
niicstion 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 counterfeit every movement OF the
ncrthernaeet. The c Confederate forces
were under the command Of General
Gardner, while Colonel Steadman
: commanded the Alabama regiment Of
artillery. The batteries on the river
bank we're numbered from one to nine
from right to left.
"On the night Of March IA an effort
was made by Farragut's feet to run
the blockade, which was partially sue
csssful. The success was won only
after terrific artillery engagement
and the loss to the Union navy by FIRE
and explosion Of the steamer Missis-
sippi.
cit 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 side-the same Dewey
who now is admiral Of the United
States navy. Captain Melancbton
Smith, his officers, with the exception
Of Dewey, and many others escaped in
three boats to the Richmond, which
was farther up the river.
'sThe northern feet was ranged in
e:ngle file up and down the river, with
the Hartford, carrying Admiral Farra-
gut, leading with portholes closed.
The Switzerland, which afterwards
was lost, passed the batteries in safe
ty under cover Of the Hartford. II
was smaller than the Hartford. The
night was dark, with intense smoke
hanging low over the river and beyond
it's banks, Both vessels were painted
black and with all lights out the
smaller boat hiding behind its mate
both were enabled to get through
without injury.
:sThe Mississippi, boat Of 2,O0(
tons burden, was next in line. 1t was
the first vessel to open fire on oul