Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-24

cned their appctites. There was no
sllulking: in fact. there was no chance
to skulk. if there had been such a
disposition. They stood to Their WORE,
white and black side by side There
was no thought of social differences
then and whenever shot was be
lieyed to have been well placed the
cheers of the men rang out above the
roar of the guns.
Soon after the fight began ADMIRAL
FarraGut, finding that the loW-hanging
smoke from the guns interfered with
his view from the deck. went up the
rigging of the mainmast as far as the
futtock-s hrouds, Immediately below the
maintop. The pilot. Martin Freeman
was Pm the top directly overhead. and
the fleet captain was on the deck be
low Seeing the admiral in this eX-
posed position, where. If wounded. he
would be killed by falling to the deck;
Fleet Captain Drayton ordered
Knowles the signal uuartermaster, to
fasten a rope around him SO that he
would be prevented from falling.
Finding that the Brooklyn failed to
obey his orders. the admiral hurrledly
inquired of the pilot if there was SUI
fcient depth of water for the Hartford
to pass TO the left of the Brooklyn.
Receiving affirmative reply. he
said: Il will take the lead, and I'M
mediately ordered the Hartford ahead
at full speed AS he passed the Brook
lEn a voice warned MIN "a tHt III pc
does to which he returned the con-
temptuous answer. Damn the torpe-
does This is the current story. and
may have some basis of truth. But as
a matter of fact, there was never 4
moment when the din of the battle
would not have drowned any attempt
at converse ton between two ships. and
while it is quite probable that the al
miral made the remark it is doubtful
if he shouted it to the Brooklyn
Then was witnessed the remarkable
sight of tie Hartford and her consort
the Metacomet. passing over the dreaded
torpedo ground and rushing ahead far III
advance of the rest OF the fleet. the extri-
cation Of which from the confusion caused
by the Brooklyn's halt required many
minutes of valuable time. The Hartford
was now moving over what il called the
middle ground" with shallow water on
either side, so that II was Impossible to
move except As the charmed permitted
Taking advantage OF tire situation. the
Confederate gunboat Selma kept directly
I'm front of the flagship and raked her
fore and at. doing more damage III real
ity than all the rest of the enemy fleet.
The OTHER giiahuatS. The Gaines and Ire
Morgan, were in shallow water on our
starboard bow hut they received more
damage from the Hartfords hroadsides
than they were able 70 infiict. Meanwhile
the ram Tennessee. which up TO tbs time
had conterted herself with SIMPLY fflhg
at the approaching fleet. started Tor the
Hartford apparently with the intention
of striking her amidships At the same
time, the water battery and portion OF
the guns of Fort Morgan had fine
chance at our side
We Were now al the second pe:ion Oh
the fight when success seemed trembling
in the scales The Hartford and her mate
had reached about Il mile beyond the fort
and the same distance in advance o.
most of the fleet. which were still under
the guns of the fort Had the ram kept
on il could have hardly failed to sink us.
as our shot glanced harmlessly from its
side and we were unable. Oh account OF
the narrow channel. - move out OF its
way. But. for some reason, ADMIRAL Bil-
chanan lwho hal comma ndad the Merri-
mac in her fight with the Monitors
changed lis course ard made for the fec.
at the fort. Perhaps the water between
us was too shallow. or perhaps he t:o.Eht
us an easy IRE. for las iaisufe. ana lcil-
sidered it more important 10 ,iaSei't
other vessels from getting inside. What
ever the reason. his course "as ctarge!
ard we were safe.
our greatest annoya nce now VAS fro:
the three gunboats. particularly trcnl the
selma, which was handled witt; grea.
ability Three times Capt Jouett com.
manding our iisht-draugnt consort. liz,
Netacomet. the fastest vessel In the fleet
requested permission from the aGrIira
to leave lis and tackle the Selma br
, the admiral replied. Wait a little !ons
err
:.
But finally We emerged from the mar
row channel into the deep water OF tn,
bay, and then the desired order wa:
given. Already men had been stationed
with sharp axes ready to cut the cable.
which bound the two SHIPS together. ane
the admiral had hardly waved his hand
to Capt Jouett before the ropes Were
severed, and. as the crew gave three
hearty cheers. the Metacomet dartel
forward after the Selma.
The latter did not care to wait. bu
endeavored 10 escape NJ the ba%- y
brisk chase ensued. but the Metacome
was too much for her adversary. AMI
when one Of her shots wounded the cap
tain and killed the first lieutenant.
speedy surrender followed. and in hal