Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-12-29
"WHIsTLINo DICK"
A. "Reminiscences as Told by Rear ADJ
miral James A Greer, United
States Navy.

One day in May, 1863, while Gen.
Grant was completing the investment
of Vicksburg, the Benton, an IRON
clad gunboat belonging to the Missis-
sippi squadron, was lying at the bank
of the river on the Louisiana side.
An army officer was ushered into the
cabin of the commanding officer of the
vessel, and after a courteous recep-
tion stated that he was a member of
the staff of Maj. Gen. -, whose di-
vision was en- route to the crossing
point of the river; that several hours
would elapse before the crossing
could be effected, and hat the gen.
eral, being very much fatigued, had
sent him with his compliments to
ask if he could come on board and
have a few hours rest. Reply was
made that the commanding officer
would very gladly receive him and
such officers as he chose to bring, and
would do all in his power to make
them comfortable, but he was about
to start up the river to ascertain the
position of confederate batteries.
The aid replied that he was sure
the general would like to see how
they did things in the navy. Shortly
afterwards the general, with one or
two other officers, went on board.
The vessel Immediately proceeded
up the river, all hands being at quar-
tiers. There was no one on the up
per deck but the commanding officer,
his two aids, a quartermaster and the
army officers.
In action no one should have been
exposed on that deck, but sometimes,
when at long range and with the fir
ing slow, risks were taken. There
was a good (for those times) pilot
house, very solidly built and sheathed
with iron, in shape nearly a trun-
Gated cone. The outside was thor
oughly creased, as an idea prevailed
that it might cause shot to defect.
Presently the pilot called out to the
capain Ito look out" as the vessel
would soon be abreast of a large tree,
which on former visits up the river
had been found to be a range mark
for a heavy gun in the confederate
works to which had been given the
hohiC VI Nhiobiln6 blCh. luOS6 Oh
deck belonging to the vessel imme-
diately placed themselves on the lee
or off-side of the pilot-house, ready,
when they should see the flash of the
gun, to stoop down and find at least
some protection. There were pieces
of canvas handy for use in protecting
ones clothes from the grease, which
was black with coal dust.
The captain told the army officers
what his custom was, and advised
them to follow his example. Upon
this there was a deal of snickering
and nudging among the guests, but
not in an offensive manner. One re-
marked in a somewhat facetious tone
that they dia not dodge in the
army" This is something new,"
and SO forth.
No reply was made. Soon the quar-.
termaster called out: There she
comes" and the captain said:
Down" Quickly those belonging to
the vessel took canvas and
crouched down behind and close to
the pilot-house. In a few moments
was heard the whir-r-r-r-plunk of the
heavy long seven-inch shell from
Whistling Dick, as it came toward
and passed over the vessel, striking
the water not more than 60 feet be-
yond. CHANGING up, the captain OBJ.
served that there was an addition to
the number of those seeking protection
behind the pilot-house. In fact, so rap
idly did the army officers join their
naval friends there that they neglected
to protect themselves from the grease,
but crouched down SO closely that some
of them bore the marks upon their fore
heads, noses and chins, not to count
their clothes. AS all rose, the captain,
laughing a little spitefully, said: "Well
general, what do you think now Of the
way they do these things in the navy ?''
to which reply was made with a Scottish
accent: 81 didn't know the - things
made such a noise"
1t is proper to state that the general
had probably never heard anything
heavier than a 12-pounder shot coming
toward him, and he before, as he did
frequently after this incident, proved
himself to be one of the bravest of men.
The next time "Whistling Dick" was
fired the army gentlemen were very
prompt in seeking the same shelter as
/. their friends Of the navy.