Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-31
WHEN DEWEY WAS CAPTURED.
COnfcderntes Got Him in 'S:s in Front
of Port Hudson.
Mount Pleasant (ni) Correspondence Of the Globe
Democrat.

Capt. ]. J. Mcdaniel. a prominent cotton
merchant and well-known ex-confederate
soldier of Mineola, bears the distinction of
being the only man who ever held Admiral
Dewey prisoner of war. In the spring of
1853. when Gen. Banks was preparing to
invest the confederate stronghold, Port
Hudson, on the Mississippi river, prior to
placing his army in position, it became
necessary to send war vessels to that point,
and, if possible. run the blockade, and thus
cut OF the supplies of the confederate
forces. which We're contributed from
Shreveport on transports down Red river.
Farragut's fleet was dispatched to do the
work. and on it's arrival began mbartling
and throwing shells from the mortar YES
sells into the lines occupied by the confed-
crate forces. commanded by Gen. Gardner.
The position of the confederates con-
sidered very strong on account of the forti-
fications consisting of nine batteries with
from eight TO ten guns each, bluff, and
two mortarbatterieS down the river George
Dewey was young lieutenant, just from
the Naval Academy. on of the largest
vessels of this fleet, the Mississippi, COM
manded by Capt. Smith. This vessel had
hfty-four large guns, 800 small arms, $50
marines and officers. with the capacity of
turning loose a broadside of twenty-seven
guns at one time. Said Capt. Mcdaniel in
an interview today:
After of the most terrible artillery
engagements l ever saw. and the loss by
lire OF one of the finest vessels of the
MISSISSIPPI. on which was Lieut.. George
Dewey, the federais succeeded in running
the blockade on the night of March 81. 1t
was then and there that Dewey got his first
lessons in the destruction of war vessels
farrdsuts fleet was arranged in single
HE UP and down the river, with the Hart
lord tpcrt holes closed) in the lead. The
Switzerland smaller vessel was fastened
To the Hartford on the opposite side from
the confederate batteries. Both vessels
were painted black. and the night was as
dark as Egypt The Mississippi was next
IN line. and was the first vessel to open fire
ON our batteries Battery No. 9, a hot-shot
battery on the extreme end of the line next
10 the enemy. was the first battery to re-
CeiVe the fire Of the enemy's fleet This
was commanded by Capt. Ramsey of the
1st Alabama, and was the only battery
which used red-hot shot exclusively
Inc process OF firing was necessarily
SOW on account of handling the balls and
the heat produced in the guns. There were
oniy four shots fired. three of which took
effect. set the vessel on fire and burned it
up 1t became necessary for all on board
To get off the ship to save their lives. Lieut.
Georgr Dewey. with $50 men, lowered boats
ana escaped to the opposite side of the
river and took refuge in sugar mill
During the night a force of 300 confeder-
ates crossed the river in lifeboats pro-
ceeued TO the mill, captured Lieut. Dewey
ana 3s' marines and brought them prisoners
10 Port Hudson. Being surrounded and
having no place to keep prisoners where
they could be protected from the fire of
their own men. and not wishing to hold
them up between us and the enemy they
were Immediately sent to Baton Rouge ana
exchanged. ! was in the fight. and con-
this work