The Narrative of a Blockade-Runner | Page 8

the forts, to assert, that
they never could have successfully opposed our forces; but the battle
was won quite as effectually when they succeeded in passing beyond
the range of the guns of the forts and the "Louisiana."
After our official business was closed, DeC. and I began to talk of the
war; and he expressed the opinions then entertained, beyond a doubt,
by a majority of U. S. army and naval officers. They believed it to be
the intention of the Government to bring the seceding States back into
the Union, with their rights and institutions unimpaired. Since then a
little leaven has leavened the whole lump, and the former doctrine of
the extreme abolitionists has long become the creed of the dominant
party. But some facts should be borne in mind by those who denounce

slavery as the sum of all villanies; for instance, that the slave code of
Massachusetts was the earliest in America; the cruelest in its provisions
and has never been formally repealed; that the Plymouth settlers,
according to history, maintained "that the white man might own and
sell the negro and his offspring forever;" that Mr. Quincy, a
representative from Massachusetts during the war of 1812, threatened
the House of Congress that the North would secede "peaceably if we
can, forcibly if we must" unless their demands for peace were acceded
to; and lastly that the abolitionists of a later age denounced the
Constitution and canonized John Brown for committing a number of
murders and endeavoring to incite servile insurrection in time of peace.
Truly "tempora mutantur," etc.
The river obstructions, above alluded to, consisted of a line of sunken
vessels, and of heavy pieces of timber chained together, and extending
from bank to bank. A few days before the attack was made, General
Duncan was speaking rather confidently of his barricade, when Warley
remarked, "General, if I commanded a fleet below, and my commission
lay above your obstructions, I would come up and get it." Most of us
belonging to that little naval fleet, knew that Admiral Farragut would
dare to attempt what any man would; and for my own part, I had not
forgotten that while I was under his command during the Mexican War,
he had proposed to Commodore Perry, then commanding the Gulf
Squadron, and urged upon him, the enterprise of capturing the strong
fort of San Juan de Ulloa at Vera Cruz by boarding. Ladders were to be
constructed and triced up along the attacking ships' masts; and the ships
to be towed along side the walls by the steamers of the squadron. Here
was a much grander prize to be fought for; and every day of delay was
strengthening his adversaries. It was the general belief, indeed, at the
time, that the admiral was in daily communication with the city by
means of spies; and the public indignation was so deeply roused against
Mr. T----t, the constructor of the Mississippi, ("a Northern man with
Southern principles") who failed from time to time in launching that
vessel as he had appointed to do, that he was in danger of "Lynch law";
and it is at least a singular coincidence that the naval attack was made
immediately after that powerful vessel was launched, and before the
guns could be put on board. But the idea of any collusion between Mr.

T----t and the enemy, or of treachery on the part of the former, was
never entertained, I believe, except by a few bigoted zealots, blinded by
hate and passion against every one born north of the Potomac.
This class, which ought to have acted more fairly, found many
followers among the multitude; from which little charity or justice can
ever be expected. Nearly 1900 years ago the "plebes," influenced by
their leaders, demanded the release of a robber and murderer and
crucified the Saviour of mankind; and history further informs us that
500 years before that era, a Greek citizen could be banished without
special trial, accusation, or defence; and that Aristides was sent into
exile because people were tired of hearing him always called "the Just."
Social ostracism will continue to exist till the millennium. The
gentlemen of northern birth who were so unfortunate as to occupy
prominent positions during the war, were mercilessly held up to scorn
and distrust, if they failed to come up to the public expectation. In truth,
they occupied trying positions; being regarded by many as aliens and
mercenaries. "Mens conscia recti" will support us under many trials;
but it does not furnish armor of proof against the "poor man's scorn, the
proud man's contumely."
The interval between the 21st and 24th of April was occupied by
Commodore Mitchell in organizing the force under his command, and
in endeavoring to arrange some concert of action with