The National tribune., 1906-02-22

the river and Mississippi Sound. A
portion OF Gen. Grants force could be
transported there with but little labor
to themselves and with very little loss
Of time. The place would be invested
before the enemy could anticipate our
movement"
Unfortunately political considerations
prevented the carrying out OF this plan
The isolated condition of Texas invited
the Vaccinations Of Napoleon III, and
IL was deemed all-important that the
United States Flag should be firmly
planted on some portion Of that great
State. Banks was instructed to take
what troops could be made available
and establish the Flag at some place
along the coast. Unfortunately, again,
he entrusted this work to Maj. Gen.
William Il. Franklin, whose long mill
distinct success. and the mortifying fail
ure of Sabine Pass resulted.
More Fears for New Orleans.
At the time the Union cause looked
darkest, the construction Of some pow
erful irOnclads was begun in the French
navy yards. There is much mystery
connected with the building Of these
Undoubtedly they were started with the
conniyance OF the French Government,
and intended to further Napoleon HIS
schemes with regard to Latin En-
pire In America. Louis Napoleon revel-
ed In plots, cOnspiracies and dark, hid
den ways He preferred to do things
secretly and mysteriously, even IL they
could be better done in the broad day
light. How far into his dreams en-
tered the idea OF recovering the old
French Province Of Louisiana and in
cooperating ii with Mexico, and includ-
ing Texas. Is not known. There were
certainly plans entertained looking to
this. and Prince Polignac, a French
nobleman, who entered the Confederate
service, and became q Brigadier and
MajOr-General in the Confederate regu-
lar army, was active In the negotiations
whatever they were. Napoleon then
felt himself to be the most powerful
man In the world, and capable of ac-
complishing whatever he might plan
Whatever his plans were, they had to be
radically revised after Vicksburg and
Gettysburg. The six ironclads might
have been started to carry out the EN-
peror's plans, and after the Union
victories changed these they were as
sumed TO be building for the Confed-
crates, and to destroy Farragut's fleet
and recover New Orleans. That is, such
was the open secret. Officially, they
were said to be building for the EN-
peror Of China" but this deceived no
one. At the time that Port Hudson
fell some OF them were In such q state
anxiety at New Orleans, but this dis
appeared as the completeness Of the
Union victories became evident. OF the
six built only one actually passed into
the hands of the Confederates, and this
too late to be Of any service. She was
the Stonewall Jackson, a powerful ram,
with heavily armored sides and carry
ing a 3O0-pound rife and two TO-
|. pound rifles She left France in March,
1856, went to Lisbon and thence to
Habana, where she created no little
excitement in the South Atlantic
Squadron. which prepared to attack
her. The war ended before this was
done. she was turned over to Spain,
which gave her up TO the United States.
and she was later sold to Japan.
The Troops in Restful Camps.
AS soon as Dick Taylor made good
his retreat across Berwick Bay Banks
ordered his troops to 60 into as pleas
ant, healthful camps as could be found.
and take the rest they desperately
needed after their exhausting camN
paign. The nine-months troops were