Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-30
CAPT. 1hoMAs NAcDoNoUGH,. u.
NcToRY OVER BRITISH
AT LAKE CHAPLAIN Aa1

bright new uniforms. and were armed
with sabers and small out effective arms.
The plan was to ride over and crush
the Americans. They appeared most
field at a full gallop.
The Americans did not move to either
retreat or fire a, gun. AS the MeXicans
drew near they were astonished that no
sign came from the enemy. AstonlShed,
they halted within a few hundred yards
of the American line. At this instant the
American commander gave the order:
Fire" The slaughter twas terrific and
effective. The Mexicans not killed or
wounded retreated as rapidly as they had
advanced. and the retreat was followed
up by the Americans SO closely that San
ia Anna surrendered.
Commander David ID. Porter, one of the
most gallant and active officers of the
navy, was three times honored for his
valiant services during the civil war. The
three specific events for which he was
voted the thanks of Congress were in
connection with the long and eventful
campaign along the Mississippi river and
its tributaries The first was for his sue
cessful attack on the post of Arkansas,
January II, 1863 the second for his serv-
ices in opening the Mississippi river to
peaceful commerce during the summer
and winter of 1854. and the third for
his daring capture of Fort Fisher, Janu-
airy -, 1865.
Commander Porter has been charged
with extreme activity and the too fluent
use of the pronoun l in his reports of en-
gagements, but the impartial student of
history excuses this tendency in the
ardent ambition of the man to do valu-
able service for his country. To say the
least. his career was q most brilliant one
and he reflects great credit OH the Ameri
can navy
Capt. A. III. Foote. who was afterward
made an admiral and who was the Chris
tan of the American fighting force dur
ing the civil war. was twice 'honored by
Congress First it was for gallantry in
action at Fort Donelson and Fort Henry.
These forts on the Tennessee and the
Cumberland rivers were taken one after
The other and practically without blood
shed 1t only took an hour the morning
OF February IA, 1865 to take Fort Don
olson. Fort Henry was little more
difficult, but his success was just as bril-
liant.
The second occasion was for the tax
ing of Island No. 10 on the Mississippi
river which was accomplished April =,
1866, after an engagement lasting twenty
five days This was one OF the memOra-
BILE naval events of the civil war.
IT is said of Foote that he always be-
gan battle by calling his men ana
officers about him on the deck and Of
rSfing up a prayer 70 oob-
His amens were usually broadsides in
to the vitals of the enemy. lie fought
like he prayed, with religious fervor.
Yet with humane regard Tor the rights
of men. The engagement at Island NO.
10 was bloodless, yet one OF the most
decisive battles of the war. 1t was
here that Foote dropped one of his
boats down the river below the fort
bound island under cover of night and
a terrific storm that seemed to pc sup
piled unexpectedly by Providence. All
precaution had been taken to conceal
the presence of the boat. The ex-
haust pipe was turned into the hold of
the ship to muffle the sound.
In some manner this accelerated the
draft In the engine furnaces, and just
as the ship was stealing by the fort or
the enemy the smokestacks blaZed up
with a livid fire that aroused the enc
my and brought a fusillade of shots that
came near proving the undoing of
Foote'S men. But the ship made the
run with little damage and subse-
auent attack on the island from both
ends secured a substantial victory.
Admiral Foote was the first prohibi-
ZIONIST of the American navy, and was
one Of the first to suggest and secure
abstinence on American battleships
Lieut.. J. l.. Worden was another gal
liant officer OF the civil war TO be twice
Honofeu bE Congress me III tiiiie "a9
for his gallantry in the historic engage
ment between the Monitor and the Mer-
rimac. March 3. 1852 This reso. ut1on
was adopted July IL following. Febru-
airy ). 1865, he was again honored Tor
distinguished conduct on the same coca
sion. This was in the nature OF contln-
ued applause from the Congress and the
people. Lieut. Worden was the nrst
prisoner of war to be held by the insur-
gent forces. Early iii the war he was
dispatched with an important message TO
Gen. Bragg, stationed al Pensacola, Fla.
On the way down he memorized the mes
sage and destroyed the writing. He man
aged to pass unmolested through the
Confederate lines and delivered his mes
sage orally.
On the way back his identity was dis
covered on account of his mission having