The Patriot Boy; Or, the Life and Career of Major-General Ormsby M. Mitchel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1865. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXm. The impression made by the Major-General in his Southern Department--Expeditions--Daring Adventures--The progress of the Contrabands--Anecdotes-- The Mortal Sickness. )HE fine impression which the arrival and prompt action of the new commander made upon the army and people, was given by a correspondent of The Independent, who was there: "The afternoon of the 15th of September, on which the Arago came up our magnificent bay, with the American ensign at her fore, while the thirteen guns from the fort, echoed by the same salute from the Wabash, proclaimed a major-general, ushered in an epoch in the Department. Before the end of that week, General Mitchel had visited all the camps on Hilton Head, at Beaufort, and at Fort Pulaski, and had addressed all the regiments except such as chanced to be absent on picket duty. In another week the expedition to St. John's Bluff was matured, though its execution was twice deferred by storms. "The week in which that expedition sailed witnessed an expedition that burned the extensive salt works, a quarter of a mile long, at Blufton, and a reconnoissance up Savannah River, proceeding further and achieving more than any previous reconnoissance had done. And before these lines reach you, other projects will have become history. "And all this activity while his predecessors were forever complaining that they could do nothing with the limited number of troops in the Department; and yet more, when shortly before his coming here some eight regiments were transferred to Virginia "His clear sight saw that the negroes were an important element in the condition of the Department, and he immediately began to occupy himself with plans for their becoming a source of happiness to themselves, and of strength and prosperity to the Go...