New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-03
FIERY SOUTFIERNERS READY TO fight.

the resisted us. refused to obey
ders. we certainly would have shot. and if you
have ever been at one of our target matches
you would know what that means"
Through the news dispatches the world knows
how the battle turned out. The Grace flag
ship of the Mississippi fleet, fled the first ap
pearance of the schooner Majestic which headed
the Louisiana fleet. The next day the Tom.
''bumboat," if YOU please captured the Tipsy. of
Gulfport, without firing a shot. and the captain
and engineer were taken to New-Oreans where
they are still under bonds to answer to fourteen
separate charges. Then the Mississippians went
home and turned the quarantine over to the
United States Revenue Cutter Service.
For several days the Louisianians stayed on
the boundary line, fighting a continual fight
against salt water mosquitoes from the neigh
boring marshes. Fortunately this member OF
the mosquito family under circumstances
carry yellow fever infection. but he made the
duty at the front mighty unpleasant
There were several wOrdy brushes between the
opposing forces IF Mississippi had determined
on making stand there surely would have
been a fight. All that was needed the
drop of a hat. The trouble is still to be thrashed
out In the courts, and II is not unlikely that
when the matter of national quarantine again
comes up in Washington the delegates from
both States VIII forget State rights for the
time and favor the measure.
Commander BostiCk and his men are not
fresh water sailors by any manner of means.
1t is not a social organization. as many such
bodies have grown To- be. The officers are thor
oughly competent. as the eXamna tons which
they must pass show. Many of them served in
one capacity or another in the Spansh-Ameri-
War.
A few years ago the Navy Department was
asked TO loan to the NewOrleans organiza ton
the Stranger The New-Haven naval militia also
wanted the trim white craft and the rivalry
was keen. On November - the department
telegraphed to New-OrleanS that they could
have the Stranger if they put crew board
and in readiness to sail from Norfolk, Va. by
December 3. If New Orleans could not do this
the Stranger would be given to New Haven.
1t was hard task set the New orleans mi
litia. Officers and men volunteered readily how
ever. and there mad scurrying 10 arrange
for leaves OF absence from their several employ
ments. On the morning of December j. after
some forty hours of travel by train. the New
Orleans militamen. spick and span in their blue
and white uniforms. marched into Norfolk. and
the Stranger was theirs. They sailed her out to
sea, along the coast, across the Gulf and up the
Mississippi to New Orleans. In her they have
weathered some of the most severe storms the
Gulf OF Mexico has seen. Twice a month
they get up steam and spend a Sunday cruising
out into the Gulf.
The Navy Department has decided recently to
loan New-Orleans the Eunboat Bancroft. and
the milttamen waiting the call TO bring her
from the Northern navy ward In which she is
being repaired. The Stranger viii not he sent
away. as there enough militiamen and off,
GERS To man both