CAMP-FIRE X.

WAR ON THE WATER-DARING DEEDS-HOW MANY REGIMENTS EACH MAN CAPTURED REMARKABLE ESCAPES

THE BIGGEST LIAR IN THE war.

"Water is for

FILL the Society for the Preservation of Unpublished History be pleased to hear of a romance on a river?" inquired Mr. L. D. Simonds, late acting master. mate of the United States Steamer General Thomas. "No!" said the temperate S. P. U. H. eign to our nature. Away back in the reign of Abraham I, sixteenth adviser-general to Uncle Sam, when we were but a few years old, our mother was accustomed to wash our fevered cheeks with the hated fluid. Thence to now be it known that eternal total abstinence is sworn. Never mention that name to us again."

But for the benefit of posterity, which argument always hits a weak side of the S. P. U. H., the Society was persuaded to listen, and Mr. Simonds proceeded:

"When General Hood, on his march to Nashville, Tenn., halted his command at Decatur, Ala., he threw out his skirmishers, and placed his artillery in position on the river bank, expecting to capture the pontoon bridge, cross over his army, march on to Nashville, and then make a bold strike to save the Confederacy. But the sequel proved that he counted

without his host.

"The U. S. Steamer General Thomas at this time was stationed at Decatur, with orders to patrol the river to a point about thirty miles above Decatur, reserving what coal we had

to bank the fires, and to confiscate rails along the river for fuel while under way, as the river at that time was so low that we could not get to Bridgeport to lay in a supply of coal.

"At the time mentioned, the General Thomas was some twelve or fifteen miles above Decatur. Captain Morton was pacing the hurricane deck, enjoying a good smoke from his meerschaum pipe, when all of a sudden he stopped, turned around, took his pipe from his mouth, and listened for several seconds. Then he resumed his pacing, but presently halted again in his reverie-listened, turned, and called out to Mr. Johnson, the pilot:

"Did you hear anything, sir?'

"Mr. Johnson replied that he did not. The captain once more resumed his pacing the deck. Some seconds elapsed, when the captain suddenly stopped again.

"There, sir!' said he, did you not hear that?'

"Well, captain, I believe I did hear something that sounded like a cannon shot.'

"Once more the same distant rumbling sound echoed up and down the valley. There was no mistaking it—it was a sound that had become familiar to every veteran of the war, the noise of artillery. Immediately the orders were given to round to and steam down the river. The engines were reversed, and down the river we went. Hammocks were taken out of the nettings and stowed around the boilers, and every precaution was taken to prevent any disaster to the boat. The men were beat to quarters, the guns run in, and port holes closed. We soon neared a small creek running into the Tennessee, about five miles above Decatur. We landed, and all hands were piped ashore to rail up. Some two hours were thus consumed.

"Opposite to us and in the middle of the river, lay an army gunboat at anchor, manned by an Indiana battery, which was commanded by Captain Naylor. The captain

had gone to Decatur, to confer with General Granger, and left the boat in charge of the first lieutenant, with only twenty-three pounds of steam-almost in sight of, and in range of the rebel batteries. All hands were aboard, lines were cast off, the gang-plank hauled in, and orders given to back out, and steam down the river to the scene of action, when a cloud of dust was seen in the distance. As it came nearer, the clatter of horses' feet were heard. A little nearer, a squad of cavalry were seen. Nearer and nearer they approached, until a bend in the road hid the horsemen from view. Suddenly an officer dashed down to the river side, who proved to be Captain Naylor, of the army gunboat, returning from Decatur, with an escort of cavalry. The cutter of the General Thomas was called away to bring the captain on board. It came alongside, and Captain Naylor was met at the gangway by the captain, boatswain, and two other men.

"By the way, Captain Morton was what was termed an old salter. As brave a man as ever trod a deck, and a strict disciplinarian, though he was kind and courteous to the officers and men under him; but like other men, he had his faults, the principal one of which was profanity.

"Well, Captain Morton,' said Captain Naylor, as he en-tered the gangway, Hood has twenty-three pieces of artillery stationed on the river bank to prevent us from coming down to help General Granger.'

"I don't care a if they have 200 pieces,' returned

Morton.

"Well, they'll blow us clear out of the water if we undertake to run by-that's all there is of that,' replied Captain Naylor.

blown out of

"I don't give a ; I might as well be the water here as any other place, and by down to help that fort out, if I get blowed to h—l. follow me or stay where you are.'

I am goin'

You can

"Well, captain, wherever you go, you can depend upon my following, let the consequences be what they may,' said Captain Naylor, resigned to his fate.

"All right-get up steam and follow me. Signal, when you have steam enough.'

"Captain Naylor then stepped into his own cutter, which by this time had come alongside, and was rowed to his own boat. In about fifteen minutes afterward, he signaled the General Thomas, 'All ready!' and we rounded to and sped on our way down the river.

"The first intimation we had of the presence of the enemy, was about one mile below the mouth of the creek, when a shot from the gun of a sharpshooter struck the casemate, just above the port-hole abaft the larboard wheelhouse, which instantly caused me to take my head out of the way. Immediately after came several shots from the same direction, and from equally as good marksmen. Orders came from the pilot-house through the trumpet, to shift the starboard guns to the larboard side, and prepare for action. This was done in the twinkling of an eye, and a shot from one of our bow guns went crashing, tearing, and plowing its way through the timber, on and on, until it exploded in the midst of Stuart's cavalry, which was massed about three-quarters of a mile back from the river, and caused considerable commotion in their ranks. Another, and another followed its predecessor, when presently the rebel batteries opened fire, making it lively for us the rest of our way. Things began to be a little dangerous. A shot came plowing its way abaft the larboard wheel-house, carrying with it a piece of the inner casemate, striking one of the men at the gun on the head, and knocking him senseless. The same shot struck a stanchion, just forward of the magazine hatchway, knocking the captain's cook over, and maiming him for life, then passed out through the starboard wheel-house. Another came

through the hull of the boat, about two feet forward of the magazine; another still further forward, two inches above the water line; another passed through the upper and after part of the larboard wheel-house, thence through the pilot's stateroom, carrying with it one-half of the pilot's dress coat-tail, and came out through the second assistant engineer's room, taking with it a feather pillow; another found its way through, and exploded in our pantry, breaking every dish we had, scattering the beans, flour, and dishes in all directions. At this time the captain's steward was passing through the wood-room on his way to the captain's cabin, and a piece of the shell struck him on the back, tearing a fearful gash. He afterward died in hospital.

"About two miles above Decatur there is a bend in the river, and as our boat came into view, both sides ceased fighting, to witness a beautiful river sight, for it was supposed that our boat was on fire, as nothing could be seen of it, save one massive sheet of flame and smoke-so rapid was the firing. Had we hugged the north shore as was supposed by the Johnnies, the probabilities are that there would have been but few of us left. Instead of this, the captain hugged the south shore, right under the very muzzle of the enemy's guns, which saved us. As we passed the batteries and came opposite the fort, we rounded to, and gave them a parting salute with our two bow guns, and such a cheer as rent the air from our boys in the fort, only those who heard it know.

"Hostilities ceased, and the enemy withdrew, leaving us in our glory. That night they moved farther down the river, where they succeeded in making a crossing, and marched on to Nashville.

"I must not forget Captain Naylor and the brave boys under his command, who so gallantly followed us in running the gauntlet. No one but a brave man would have followed us, knowing the position and strength of the enemy, as he