West harbor. The member who had asked they were in imminent danger. Colonel the question astonished the would-be En- Bailey, believing that their capture or design by requesting him to recommence his struction would involve the destruction of voyage, as he would never get to Key the Union army, the blockade of the Mis'West in the manner he had just tried. sissippi, and even greater disaster, proThe long description was again gone posed to Major-General Franklin, on the through with, the same as before, and at 9th of April, 1864, previous to the battle of Pleasant Hill, to increase the depth of the water by means of a dam, and submitted to him a plan of the same, which was approved.

General Banks placed at the disposal of Colonel Bailey all the force he required, consisting of some three thousand men and two or three hundred wagons. All the neighboring steam-mills were torn down for material-two or three regiments of Maine men were set at work felling trees, teams were moving in all directions bringing in brick and stone, quarries were opened, flat-boats were built to bring stone down from above, and every man seemed to be working with unequaled vigor, probably not one in fifty believed in the success of the undertaking, the falls being

rocks, and over which at the existing stage of water it seemed impossible to make a channel.

the retreat commenced, Colonel Bailey, about a mile in length, filled with ragged engineer of the Nineteenth Corps, learned that the Red River was rapidly falling, and became assured that by the time Admiral Porter's fleet could reach Alexandria, there would not be sufficient water to float the gunboats over the Alexandria dam, made of the bodies of very large Falls. It was evident, therefore, that trees, brush, brick, and stone, cross-tied

The work was commenced by running out from the left bank of the river a tree

with heavy timber, and strengthened in The Neosho followed next-all her

every way which ingenuity could devise. hatches battened down, and every precauThis was run out about three hundred feet tion taken against accident. She did not into the river; four large coal barges were fare so well as the Lexington, her pilot then fitted with brick and sunk at the end having become frightened as he approached of it. From the right bank of the river, the abyss, and stopped her engine, when a cribs filled with stone were built out to full head of steam had been particularly meet the barges, all of which was success-ordered. The result was that for a mofully accomplished, notwithstanding there ment her hull disappeared from sight, un was a current running of nine miles an der the water. Every one thought she lour, threatening to sweep everything be- was lost. She rose, however, swept along fore it. over the rocks with the current, and fortuAfter eight days of hard labor it was nately escaped with only one hole in her found that one day more would raise the bottom, which was stopped in the course water sufficiently to enable all the vessels of an hour. The Hindman and O-age to pass the upper falls. Unfortunately, both came through beautifully without the pressure of the water became so great touching a thing, and the Admiral thought that it swept away two of the stone barges that if he was only fortunate to get the which swung in below the dam on one side. large vessels as well over the falls, his fleet Seeing this, Admiral Porter jumped on a would once more do good service on the horse and rode up to where the upper ves- Mississippi. sels were anchored, and ordered the Lexington to pass the upper falls if possible, and immediately attempt to go through the dam,-thinking to save the four vessels below, and not knowing whether the persons employed on the work would ever have the heart to renew the enterprise.

The Lexington succeeded in getting over the upper falls just in time, the water rapidly falling as she was passing over. She then steered directly for the opening in the dam, through which the water was rushing so furiously that it seemed as if nothing but destruction awaited her. Thousands of beating hearts looked on, anxious for the result. The silence was so great as the Lexington approached the dam that a pin might almost have been heard to fall. She entered the gap with a full head of steam on, pitched down the roaring torrent, made two or three spasmodic rolls, hung for a moment on the rocks below, was then swept into deep water by the current, and rounded to safely into the bank.

Thirty thousand voices rose in one deafening cheer, and universal joy seemed to pervade the sea of faces there present.

Colonel Bailey and his men set cheerfully to work to repair the damage, although they had been working for eight days and nights, up to their necks in water, in the broiling sun, cutting trees and wheeling bricks. The Admiral also made the best of the mishap, saying that it was on the whole very fortunate, as the two barges that were swept away from the centre swung around against some rocks on the left and made a fine cushion for the vessels, preventing them, as it afterward appeared, from running on certain destruction.

The force of the water and the current being too great to construct a continuous dam of six hundred feet across the river in so short a time, Colonel Bailey determined to leave a gap of fifty-five feet in the dam, and build a series of wing dams on the Upper Falls. This was accomplished in three days' time, and the Mound City, the Carondelet and Pittsburgh, came over the Upper Falls, a good deal of labor being necessary, however, to haul them through, the channel being very crooked, and scarcely wide enough for them. Other vessels followed these in safety. The pas

sage of these vessels was a most beautiful flag, was conveyed on board the flag-ship, sight, only to be realized by seeing. They which but a few minutes before he had passed over without an accident, except left with countenance smiling as was his the unshipping of one or two rudders. wont. The scene was witnessed by all the troops, Farewell Scene among the Tars. and the vessels were heartily cheered as they went over. Next morning, at ten On the departure of Commodore Foote, o'clock, the Louisville, Chillicothe, Ozark, of the Mississippi Flotilla, in 1862, on acand two tugs passed over without any count of his impaired health, produced by accident except the loss of a man, who too laborious service, a scene was presentwas swept off the deck of one of the tugs, ed which abundantly showed the strong By three o'clock that afternoon the vessels hold which that gallant officer had upon were all coaled, ammunition replaced, the hearts of his brave and noble men. and all steamed down the river with the About three o'clock, the officers and crew convoy of transports in company. A good of the flag-ship were assembled in one of the deal of difficulty was anticipated in getting gunrooms, when the Commodore presented over the bars in Lower Red River, the Captain Davis to them, assuring him that depth of water reported being only five a more gallant crew never trod the deck feet, while the gunboats were drawing six. of a ship. As the friend of his boyhood, But there was fortunately a rise from the manhood and age, he hoped the Captain back-water of the Mississippi-that river would never forget that these sun-browned, being very high just then, the back-wa- weather-beaten tars, were also his friends, ter extending to Alexandria, one hundred and that their best interests would always and fifty miles distant, enabling them to be near his heart. The old hero then pass all the bars and obstructions with took leave of his men in a few touching safety. Eight valuable gunboats were remarks, which brought tears to many an thus saved from destruction. eye unaccustomed to weeping.

His Favorite Flag for a Winding Sheet.

An hour later he hobbled on board the Cairo packet, De Soto, and seated himself The brave Captain Rodgers, as if under on the guards of the boat, in full view of a presentiment of what was awa'ting him his men, who all crowded the decks of the in the conflict soon to take place, the night flag-ship to see him off. The scene was before he was killed wrote a letter to his affecting in the extreme. The Commowife, which he left with his servant, to be dore was agitated and very nervous. He handed to the Admiral in case any thing looked emaciated and worn, bit his fingershould happen to him. After his vessel, nails, and frequently raised a palm-leaf the Catskill, had moved up toward her fan to his face to conceal the briny drops fighting position, Captain Rodgers with- which would force themselves, in spite of drew her from range, and taking a small all he could do, from his sunken eyes and boat, returned to the flag-ship to get a flag roll down his hollow cheeks. As the which he denominated as "his own flag." packet moved off, he rose to say a few It was the one which he fought under, on farewell words, but the hissing of the the Catskill, in the April attack on Sum- steam prevented his being distinctly heard. ter; and, wishing praise for the same flag There could only be caught such fragon the Catskill during the coming, he went mentary sentences as "God bless you!" to the flag-ship, secured it, and returning "You are engaged in a holy cause se!" "I to the Catskill, again moved up into action, know you will succeed!" &c. Then the and in ten minutes was a corpse. Strange Lieutenant-Commanding said, "Now, to say, his body wrapped up in that same three hearty cheers, my lads," and they

condition merited. Every officer vied in acts of kindness, and offered the protection of the flag to those who, shorn of their property, were thankful to escape from the outrages of guerrillas and the shells of the Union fleet.

were given with a will, although the poor treated with such consideration as their tars felt more like weeping than cheering. The order was in questionable taste,but the applause was infectious, and the crews of other gunboats took it up and made the welkin ring, till the steamer turned the point and was lost to view. A few months elapsed, and a nation mourned the death of one of its most heroic officers.

Gallantry of Commodore Farragut to Miss
Victor.

of her pursuer, and, under cover of darkness, she unshipped her funnel, put out her fires, and set sail. The ship was then put about, and stood in the direction of where

Semmes Outwitting the Vanderbilt. The intelligence that the Confederate privateer Alabama was cruising about the The truly brave are always good,-and Cape of Good Hope, created much exthe following is one among many instances citement. In the Straits of Sunda she which confirm the adage. Miss Victor, captured some United States merchant Principal of St. Mary's Female Academy, vessels, and was put upon her speed by at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was one of the Vanderbilt. When night came on, the those who really adorned the society of Alabama was about twenty miles ahead the South. She was a northern-born lady, of excellent standing as a teacher, and before secession swept over the land, she was a much courted member of the refined circle in which she moved. The lady was true to the instincts and principles of her northern birth, and, of course, received the favors of old friends, and the hatred of those who sympathized with the plotters of the nation's ruin. Enough to say, the lady suffered so much at the hands of this latter class, that she welcomed the advent of Commodore Farragut's fleet.

Captain Raphael Semmes.

The guerrilla band which fired upon the boat of the Hartford, and for which act the city was shelled by that ship, designed to take a last revenge on Miss Victor, by destroying her fine estate. But their fear of Federal vengeance induced them to flee before Miss Victor's place was reached. Unfortunately, the shells from the fleet they had last seen the Vanderbilt. At found in the Academy a prominent target, daybreak she was within only a mile of and a number of shells were put through her enemy, who actually bore down and it. The inmates fled in dismay, and the inquired if they had seen a large steamer fine building was ruined. Miss Victor standing to the norward. Captain Semand a younger sister fled to the river bank, mes graciously replied, "Yes; she was and signaled for help. A boat put off going ahead, full speed, and must be one from the Hartford and bore them on board. hundred miles away by this." At this inCommodore Farragut, hearing the circum- formation, so opportunely obtained, the stances, acted a noble part. The ladies Vanderbilt immediately put on all steam, were assigned the Captain's cabin, and and went on a wild goose chase, while

Semmes quietly shipped his funnel and Sir, he is my enemy." Subsequently, bore away in an opposite direction.

Taking a Hint.

when the staff-officer returned with Bu-
chanan's sword, it was represented to the
Admiral that Buchanan had expressed a
wish to see him. 66
Well, Sir, he shan't see

Then

In one of our squadrons-which may as me," replied the old Salamander. well be nameless-one of the officers, want-looking with most concentrated expression

ing to get leave of absence, went up to the Commandant's office, where he found no one in but the clerk. The Commandant very soon came in, and anticipating at a glance the errand, and pretending not to see the officer, at once cried out to the clerk, "If any officer comes to-day for leave of absence, order him at once on board the Starling,"-which was about to go on active service. Then turning to the startled officer, he added, "Ah! what can I do for you to day?" "Nothing-nothing at all, thank you," he replied, and made a masterly retreat.

Literal Understanding of Terms. A surgeon who officiated on one of the ships composing the blockading squadron off Wilmington, North Carolina, states that one day a number of contrabands . came on board. One of them wore a ma- of countenance upon the bloody decks of sonic pin, and the Captain, who was a "G his ship, he added: "I suppose he would man," became some troubled by the fact, be friends; but with these brave men, my for a slave can not be a free mason. So comrades, mangled, dying and dead about he called up the intelligent contraband,' me, and, looking upon the destruction he has caused in the fleet, I can only conand said, "You are not a mason." Oh, yes, massa, I is, I'se a bricklayer!" If sider him an enemy." On the staff-officer there was any difference there, Cuffie getting on board, Admiral Buchanan was 'didn't see it.' found to be severely wounded in the leg. He yielded with a very bad grace-in fact, it was said that, after receiving his wound, he gave orders to his next in command to continue the fight as long as there was a man left; and then, when he found he could do no more, to run the vessel ashore But there was no al

66

Buchanan's Sword Yielded with a Bad

Grace.

When it was reported to Admiral Far: ragut that the rebel monster ram Tennessee had surrendered, and that Admiral and blow her up. Buchanan was wounded, he sent a staff-ternative. The ram must be surrendered; officer off to receive the rebel Admiral's and this was done. The Stars and Stripes sword. Some one asked Farragut if he were hoisted upon the staff of the magniwould not go off himself and see Buchan- ficent ram, greeted, as they went up, by The former merely replied: "No, the hearty cheers of the whole fleet.

. an.