The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-03
WHEN DEWEY WAS A PRISONER.
Captured BY the Confederates After His
Ship Was Burned Near Port Hudson.
Ernni The 81 LouiA GLnh,. D,nlorrnk

From the ST. Louis Globe Democrat
MOUNT PLEASANT. Tex. Aug. 23-Capt J. J.
Mcdaniel. prominent cotton merchant and
well-lnown ex-Confederate soldier OF Mineola.
bears tho distinction OF being tho only man
who ever held Admiral Dewey prisoner OF war
In the spring OF 1863. whom Gen. Banks was
preparing to invest the Con fsderate stronghold.
Port Hudson, on the Mississippi River. prior to
placing his army in position. it became neces-
sary to send war vessels to that point and. IL
possible. run tho blockade and thus cut of the
supplies OF the Confederate forces. which were
contributed from Shreveport on transports
down Red River. Farragut's fleet was de-
sratched to do the work. and on arrival began
bombardng and throwing shells from the NOR
tar vessels into the lines occupied by the Con-
federats forces commanded by Gen. Gardner
Tho position OF the Confederatss was con-
sidered very strong on account OF the forth
fications. consisting OF nine batteries. with
from eight to ten guns EACH on a bluff and
two mortar batteries down the river. George
Dewey was n Young lieutenant Just from the
Naval Academy. on ono OF the largest vessels Of
this fleet. the Mississippi. com manded by Capt
Smith. This vessel had ffty-four large guns
800 small arms. 48O marines and officers with
the capacity OF turning loose broadside OF
twenty-seven guns at ono time Said Capt
Mcdaniel in an interview to-day:
After one OF the most terrible artillery
engagements eyer yer saw and the loss by
United states navy the Mississippi. on
which was Lieut.; George Dewey the Fed
the night Of March 81 It Was Then then and n"
there that Dewey got his first lessons in
fleet was arranged in single fiie up and down
The river With the Hartford port holes closed
was fastened to the Hartford on the opposite
side from the Confederate batteries Both vos-
sells were PAINTED black; and the night was as
line and was the first vesse to open 1re on our
batteries Battery No. 9, hot-shot battery on
was the first battery to receive the IRE OF the
enemy's fleet. This was commanded by Capt
Ramsey Of the Alabama artillery and was the
siXey ''' ""'' '''0 ''""'' '"'' 'A''"-
The process Of firing was necessarily slow
produced in the guns, There were only four ,
shots fired, three Of which took effect. set the
G1 TT nn on it tbs
save their lives, Lieut. George Dewey. with
$50 men lowered boats and escaped to the op-
poSite side OF the river and took refuge in q
sugar mill. During the night force Of 300
ContederPtes crossed the river in llieboats.
and the $50 mar!nee. and brought them prls-
onera to Port Hudson, Being surrounded.
no Do om ha ps Ssr
own men. and not wishing to hold them up be-
tween US and the enemy, they, were immedi:
was in the fight. and commanded the Coufed-
crate batteries that did this work"
A Sign Painted on Cemetery Fence.
In a by nelGhborinR city" said New
Yorker. Il read on fence along one part OF a
cemetery. this sign: For Sale. Iots and Plots
In this Beautiful and Picturesque Cemeuery.'
ALL We set forth tho beauties OF our burning
grounds in various ways in print and don.