Reading this order twenty-two years after that eventful night, it is difficult, even to one who aided in its execution, to recall how much it meant of coolness, hazard, and escape. A reference to the map will indicate the general course taken by the Indianola, and the location of the Confederate batteries. The bluffs, which, as a defense against infantry attacks, were the natural bulwarks of Vicksburg, were, fortunately, the salvation of the Indianola, as well as of the Queen of the West--that preceded her and of the fleet which followed two months later. Why the Confederates should have located so many of their batteries and heaviest guns high up upon the bluffs, instead of at or near the line of high-water mark, it is difficult to explain, except on the hypothesis that they hoped to penetrate the decks of the venturesome craft that came within range, by means of plunging shot, rather than to pierce their armored casemates by direct fire. The fatal error of this plan was demonstrated too late, as it was discovered that, when these monster guns were given sufficient depression to reach a vessel hugging the near shore, their own safety was greatly endangered. In view of this well-known weakness, it seems all the more difficult to understand Admiral Porter's instructions to Colonel Ellet, who preceded the Indianola, and later, to the commanders of the fleet, to "hug the shore on the side opposite Vicksburg;" instructions which, fortunately, were not given to Captain Brown, of the Indianola. As an exception to this general plan, one Confederate battery was stationed on the shore above the town, just south of the bend in the river, and it was from the guns of this shore battery that the Indianola had the most to dread.

It was about eleven o'clock on the night of the 13th of February, 1863, the sky being cloudy and threatening, that the Indianola, in obedience to the above order, stood out into the main channel of the Mississippi and headed down the river. How many were in the secret at that hour is known only to themselves; to the writer, whose watch it was, the actual destination of the vessel was not known till the rattle of the rudder-chains and the turning of the bow down stream revealed it. Before the start, however, it was evident that we were going into action. The day before the scanty crew had been partially reinforced by detachments from other vessels of the fleet, and the ominous silence of the captain, with the still more ominous actions of the surgeon and his assistant, suggested that there was hot work ahead, and that we were to have a hand in it. As our vessel came in sight of the bluffs, the engines were checked till the great wheels moved with only enough speed to insure the proper steerage-way. Then came the final summons, which precedes and always portends hos

tilities, as all hands were called to quarters. This command brought the writer, then a youth of nineteen, to his place between the eleven-inch Dahlgrens in the forward turret. On the right and left of him were the guns' crews, and behind each gun the officer in command.

Not a sound broke the silence of the night, but the whispered call of the pilot, stationed outside the port, and passed along to his assistant at

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the wheel, "Port a little," "Starboard a little," "Steady."

The great hull hardly felt the feeble tremor of the engines, and in this form the Indianola passed the mouth of the canal, and the lights of the mortar fleet anchored near it. Finally, a sharp order from without, "Starboard hard," followed again by the rattle of the rudder chains, indicated an approach to the sharp bend above the town; and just here a flash, followed by a dull, low rumble above, gave what seemed to be the first signs of discovery and attack. But it was a flash of lightning and its succeeding thunder from the protecting clouds above us. This false alarm was not without its effect, however, since it gave the new recruits and the youngsters a chance to determine just how they would feel when the fight actually began. This flash from the sky was followed by still denser darkness, and the only indications of an approach to the batteries were the flickering of the campfires and the higher lights of the town above.

It was afterwards reported that at last it was only an accident which

discovered to the enemy the immediate presence and purpose of the Indianola. The story goes that a Confederate soldier, tired of his idle bivouac, happening to take up a burning brand from his replenished campfire, threw it, carelessly, into the sluggish brown current that was lapping the shore at his feet. The flash of this fire-brand, as it shot out into the night, revealed to him the presence, at almost a stone's throw from where he stood, of our vessel stealthily stealing by, like some dread intruder from the jungles upon the camp of the unsuspecting hunter. But that soldier was backed by "an army with banners," and this chance discovery was followed by the instant discharge of the picket-gun. As this signal passed along the shore line, its progress was marked by volleys of small-arms, and signal rockets shooting from point to point along the bluffs, as each battery was hastily aroused and trained for action. Then came the blinding flash and deafening boom of the great guns, rivaling the thunders of heaven, and drowning the spiteful rattle of the rifles and smallarms below. The shore battery, which was now in the rear, hastened to retrieve its lost opportunity by a vigorous, but tardy cannonade. Rapidly the flashing of guns and whistling of shells followed-now from the shore line behind, and then from the great defenses high up upon the cliffs. These signals of our discovery were also our own signal for as marked a change of tactics. The great engines, that had been held under control so long, were now turned loose to run a race for life through this gauntlet of fire and iron hail. The great smoke stacks belched forth black smoke and crimson flame, and the paddles now thundered and beat the sluggish current as in angry protest against the resistless restraint of the preceding hours. The fun had actually begun-shot and shell screamed and burst above and beyond us, and the pilot's orders, now changed from whispered signs to vigorous commands, were heard and answered with no need of intervening messengers.

Thus the city was approached, and the Indianola was on the home stretch, though still in need of speed and endurance. Now appeared the wisdom of the captain's orders to hug the left shore, for the vessel was not touched by any of the enemy's heavy shot. The great guns on the bluffs, not being trained in the art of stooping to conquer, could not be sufficiently lowered to meet the water along our chosen line.

Thus the moments passed until the last of the batteries was left in the rear, and then the Indianola, having by a defiant whistle proclaimed its victory to friends and foes alike, passed beyond the wall of fire and slowly approached its first mooring, under the shadow of the cottonwoods.

In its rapid and safe accomplishment, the act proved to be one of little

risk or hazard, yet this happy result was not contemplated by either crew or commander. To thus approach, defy, and pass safely beyond a line of defenses which had come to be regarded by the Union commanders as impregnable, gave promise of danger and loss that might well quicken the pulses of the adventurous crew, and called for nerve and determined purpose on the part of all engaged. We had triumphed this time, and whatever of disappointment and defeat awaited us was postponed awhile, and

was finally preceded by a struggle against odds and under conditions which will be recorded in a subsequent paper.

So far as the story of that night goes, it is told; but the question, why, when aid could have been so readily rendered along the same line, it was not furnished in the coming time of need, remains to be answered by those in whom the proper authority was then vested. Certain it is that it was not until long after the Indianola was a stranded wreck, and the Queen of the West a reconstructed cruiser in the service of the enemy, that the attempt of that night was repeated.

W. 8. ward

GENERAL GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN

1826-1885

In the sudden death of General George B. McClellan, at his country residence on Orange Mountain, New Jersey, since our last issue, passes away a prominent historic figure. McClellan was not only a gallant and patriotic soldier, and the brave commander of our armies in a time of great national need, but a loyal citizen of estimable private character and broad public spirit. He endeared himself to the American people in innumerable ways-was one of the best civil and military engineers in the country, educated at home and abroad, and of good record in Mexico; was the first officer in the Civil War to win a "series of brilliant and decisive victories," to exhibit dash and generalship on the field, and prove to aching and impatient millions that the North was not incapable of military achievements; and his professional and technical knowledge of the theory of war rendered him an expert in organization. He made the Army of the Potomac capable of accomplishing great deeds; his lessons were never forgotten, and the spirit with which he animated the soldiers continued to the end. His reorganization of the demoralized fragments that drifted back in disorder from the second Bull Run defeat was in itself a service to the imperiled country that must place his name high on the imperishable list of those who materially aided in saving the Republic. Whatever the result of controversial criticisms in relation to his military and political career as a whole, the verdict of history will be just. He commanded, to an extraordinary degree, the confidence of his men and the devoted friendship of his officers. His name will be handed along through the centuries to come as that of a renowned military leader. When he was appointed general-in-chief of the army he was not yet thirty-five years of age. In 1864 he was the youngest man ever a candidate for the Presidency of the United States. Success is not always the measure of greatness. Neither is defeat the assurance of want of ability or fitness for office. The purposes and aims of General McClellan were noble and true. As the governor of a sovereign State, in a time of peace, he was able and efficient, winning many laurels. Since the war he has been engaged in civil pursuits, and in all his varied associations, as in his military life, has been found an honest, sincere, upright, courteous Christian gentleman.