Year: 1879

PAPERS except to gain information about the
expected to do, SO. thanks to God hope have ac
quilted myself to the satisfaction OF my friends as
well as my country.


Before the war broke out it panied him exceed
ngly to think that he should have to lift his
hand against the South and in this letter his fiery
return to the city Of his childhood is referred to
thus:-


1t is a strange thought that am here among my
relatives, and yet not one has dared to say Il am
happy to you.' There is reign of terror in
this doomed city; but. although am abused as one
who wished to kill all the women and children.
still a feeling OF respect for me.


In private letter he gives free expression to his
opinions of keeping seagoing vessels in a river like
the Mississippi After passage Of the batteries
vicksburg he writes to his wife:-


l was in my favorite stand the mizzen rigging.
when all at once the captain OF the gun the poop
deck wished to fire at battery which would require
him to point his gun near me. and requested me to
get down. which l did. to avoid the con-
cussion: l was only moment in doing so
when the whole mizzen rigging cut away
just above my head! Although the shot would
not have struck me. would have tumbled on deck.
But thank God. l escaped with only touch on the
head, which did not break the skin. and has not
given me thought since This shot cut the
haiyards that hoisted my flag which dropped to half
mast without being perceived by This circum-
stance caused the other vessels to think that
killed.


his confdence:-


trying to undermine l much
any one but don't choose to act upon it until the
time comes. l fortity myself well as can and
trust to my honesty for the rest Some will try to
injure me. but defy them.


He kept his eye well upon the events OF the war
elsewhere but was sceptical about good many Of
the stories they first to hand. In the same
letter he says:-


The repulse Of Mcclellan at Richmond q great
blow to the Federal cause. There is doubt in my
mind that they beat us at lying. They spread re-
hat fhAyl hum
when they have nifty thousand. 1t makes me 80
angry that have no patience. The officers
little that comes in the shape of reports. They
keep every body stirred up. l mean to be whipped
or whip my enemy. and not be scared to death.


In another. fortnight later. he says


AS to intervention don't believe in it, and if it
does come you will find the United States not
easy nut to crack as they imagine. We have
had less the country would be better oil. Now they
scare everybody to DEATH


Another side of this old sailors character
in the following. also from New Orleans:-


Loyal and went to the opera last night. Do not
be shocked. 1t was concert given by the young
ladies of New Orleans to raise money tor the poor.
We all thought We ought to go. so took box for
myself and staH 1t was q beautiful sight and tho
singing. suppose, was very fne But you know
two facts-I am no judge and 1 am admirer Of
operatic music. could but feel, however. that
was giving my money to help those who would not
give Christian burial if they could help it.
Still poor creatures feel could say. Lord,
forgive them. for they know what they do"


The following lets into one of the secrets Of
battle. 1t written by Admiral Porter to Farra-
gut:-


Do not, for Gods sake. let the rebels take you by
They line their vessels with cotton bales. which
sist shot perfectly. Let me recommend a very hard
cotton wad over your shell. thoroughly saturated
with turpentine. squeezed nearly dry. set fire to
the city OF Vicksburg in that way.


During his sail past the batteries OF Port Hudson
his only board with him. but Farragut
refused to let the fleet surgeon bring the youth be-
low.


Tho Admiral, he says, listened patiently, but re-
plied:-
on board by chance. and he is not in the services
but being here he will act as OF my aids. to
aist in conveying my orders during the battle and
we will trust in Providence and Ia fortune de Ia
guesre


1t was so. The son remained unharmed on board
and furnishes picturesque account Of the battle.
which took place by night. In this he says:-


As the action became general the pyrotechnic dis
mortars anchored below could be heard in contra
distinction from all other sounds. eliciting more
thirteen.inch shells, with their burning fuses
passed the heavens like meteors. The old
ship quivered at each discharge of her Dahlgrens
and seemed mass of fire. The enemy had started
bonires at different points to perfect their aini and
these added materially to the illumination and
hanced the grandeur Of the scene. Sud
denly brighter light shot up into the sky. and it
reported
could be seen on fire and appeared to be the Mis-
sissippi.


We referred above to his trust in the '.fortune of
war;" In letter written before Mobile he says:-


My sister writes me long letter. begging not
to risk my llfe How little people know of the risks
Of life! Drayton made his clerk stay below because
he was young married man. All my staff
Watson, Mckinley and Brownell-worein in exposed
position the poop deck. but escaped unhurt,
while poor Heginbotham killed. He was good
man and loss to Dray ton.



may be gained from q small circumstance. When
the Hartford was steaming up before the Port Hud-
batteries and every eye strained for the
opening shot his thoughts reverted to his son, who
stood behind him.


He had not time. says the bographer. to say much,
but in the most affectonate manner gave him some
practical hints as to the mode OF using tourniquet
and s,anching wound. Taking from his pocket q
simple piece of hempen rope about yard In length,
to which securely fastened at one end
piece of wood he showed how quickly the rope
could be passed round o wounded limb and twisted
tightly by means Of the piece of wood. which acted
as lever.


His belief in will power. and of the power of his
own will in particular was as notable as it was JUS
tifable.


The following shows that Farraaut had no
bition for Presidential honors threatened him


suppose you the notice of me Jack tho
Giant Killer, declaring that when had taken
Mobile they would give me o suitable force to take
Charleston and then run me for President of the
United Statesl As TX u man VINO had tOiled up the
ladder OF life for two years. and had reached
the top round in his profession, did not need lit
tic rest. My opinion Is that IL survived those
two engagements there is little doubt that Presi-
Dental campaign would finish After have
finished my work hope to spend the remainder
of my days in peace and quiet with my family on
the banks OF the Hudson.


That this was not idle talk was proved by his
refusing the nomination of tho democratic party.
The battle of Mobile Bay is graphically described
At one moment Of the fray tho Brooklyn. one of the
vessels of tho leet was to back by the Admi-
raj on board the flagship Hartford.


"what's the troubleY' was shouted through tho
trumpet from the flagship to the Brooklyn.


'Iorpedoes!" was shouted back in reply.


damn the torpedoes!' said Farragut -Four
bells! Captain Drayton. go ahead Jouett, full
spcedl' aud the Hartford passed tho Brooklyn.
sumed the head OF the line and led the loot TO VIC