Naval Scenes and Reminiscences of the Civil War in the United States, on the Southern and Western Waters During the Years 1861, 1862 and 1863 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1877 Excerpt: ... Note.--The thirst for renown created a spirit of rivalry and jealousy which appeared in the official reports and orders of the Mississippi Flotilla. It was also shown in the preceding letters (pages 157 and 158), wherein the important service of the gunboats below Island 10 is entirely ignored. And when it was afterwards unavoidably acknowledged by the Flag Officer and Secretary of the Navy, special praise was given to an officer who joined the "Carondclet" but an hour or two before she started on her perilous adventure, and who was repeatedly represented as the only officer who volunteered on that occasion (pages 141, 161 and 162). This was (to say the least) a very ungenerous reflection upon the conduct of the other officers and men on board, and an unjust insinuation that he alone deserved credit as a volunteer; when in fact it was due to all the officers and men of the "Carondelet," and not exclusively to Acting Master Hocl; for nearly all of the officers and crew of the vessel had (as was fully understood, at the time, by the Flag Officer), agreed to go with Captain Walke, before Hoel knew that the "Carondelet " was engaged to run the blockade. After that matter was settled by the Flag Officer and the captain of the "Carondclet," Mr. Hoel was sent for, and (in the presence of Foote, Stemble, and Walke) consented to go with the latter in the " Carondelet." The credit of running the gantlet voluntarily was, therefore, equally due to nearly all the officers and crew of the "Carondelet," with the sharp-shooters of the 42d Illinois Regiment, and the correspondent of the Missouri Democrat, and not to Captain Hoel only, who went on board just before she started for New Madrid. The design of the Flag Officer, in thus singling out one officer for "special comme...