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

abandon the vessel and set out for the
opposite shore. A number took re-
fuge in a sugar mill near by and were
captured by detachment of Confede-
rate forces. A few were caught near
shore. Next day all the prisoners
were sent to the prison quarters, where
Twas assigned to guard duty.
''The manly form and digni6ed ap-
pearance 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 I
know then that he was destined to be-
come the most famous nan-o' -warsman
that ever trod the deck of vessel Of
! this or any other nation.
"Dewey was not long on our hands.
he 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 9 button belonging to himself
from the Mississippi. Everything
was destroyed save the, clothing in
which he escaped from the vessel.
However, he was captain Smiths ex-
ecutive officer, and one of the ships
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
telegraphic stationary belonging to the
Mississippi.
sDewey took his capture with ad-
mirable coolness, and was set down by
all who met him as every inch a gen.
tleman. AS prisoner he recognized
the courtesies shown him by his cap
tors and neglectednone in return him
self. While he had little to say, his
regret at his capture seemed to be
mingled with some amusement. He
certainly betrayed little concern.
''To return to the fight. 1t was a
hot one, and Dewey was in the thick
it. 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 the loss
was considerable. j had the honor Of
being private who did my duty as I
saw it, and I 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 a prisoner in honorable warfare
the now renowned Admiral George
Dewey"
Miss Maud Mcdaniel, daughter of
j. j. Mcdaniel, who tells this inter-
testing narrative of Admiral Dewey's S
younger days, is now visiting friends
at 100 Oakland boulevard, in this
city.
;'My father has spoken Of the en-
gagement at Port Hudson many times, :"
said Miss Mcdaniel, "and wien Ad-
miral Dewey began to attract general
attention he remembered him as the
dapper young lieutenant wbom he had
under guard after the trouble at Port
Hudson. My father has many anec-
do.es Of the war aud now treasures
most those which relate to Dewey and
the events prior to and following the
Port Hudson affair. He was little
more than boy at the time, and nat
urally enough was attracted to Lieu
tenant Dewey. He was actually sorry
for him, but in the light Of events l
guess he wasn't sorry long.
Lieutenant Dewey took care of
himself then, and I haven't heard Of
anybody lately whois sorry for him
now that he is Admiral Dewey. But
know one thing. Ny father always
said Dewey was gentleman-every
inch Of him-but Of course everybody
else thinks so, too.
| Mr.. McDaniel's statements are sub
stantiated by the records Of the navy
department Under date Of March
Is, 1863, Captain Mclanchton Smith,
in his report of the destruction OF the
Mississippi, says Of Lieutenant Dewey
in a letter to Gideon Wells, secretary
of the navy:
II consider that | should be neg
lccting most important duty should
| omit to mention the GOODNESS of my
executive officer, Mr.. Dewey. and the
steady. fearless and gallant manner in
which he and the officers and men OF