ual seems to possess the Argus like faculty of
looking steadily at several persons at one and the same time. With the
pride that apes humility, or perhaps with the eccentricity of genius, he
affected, upon the occasion, a rough costume; wearing a slouch hat, and
having his trowsers tucked inside of his soiled boots; and he carried in
his hand a long stick like a pilgrim's staff. He _preceded_ his troops
to the city, however, and might therefore, with equal propriety and
regard for truth, claim the _sole_ glory of its capture.

CHAPTER IV.

Transferred to the "Rhode Island."--Meeting with an old
Friend.--Arrival at Fort Warren.--Treatment there.--Correspondence,
and its Result.--Prison Life.--Exchanged.--The Crew at
quarters.--Burial of the "Unknown."

On the 9th of May we were transferred from the Colorado to the steamer
Rhode Island, bound to Fort Warren. On board of this vessel we were
"tabooed" even more completely by the officers, than on board the
Colorado; for the Rhode Island was officered, with the single exception,
I believe, of her captain, by volunteers, who were not connected with us
by any associations of friendship or congeniality of taste. The harsh
order to hold no intercourse with us, had been evaded or violated, "sub
rosa," on board the Colorado by old friends and shipmates. On board the
Rhode Island, much to our satisfaction, it was strictly obeyed; for we
would have lost our patience to be "interviewed" by fledgling naval
heroes, many of whom had reached the quarter deck through the
hawseholes. Upon one occasion, many years ago, when the question of
increasing the United States Navy was under discussion by Congress, a
rough western member, opposed to the measure, stated that his section of
the country could supply droves of young officers whenever they were
needed. The United States Government must have "corralled" lots of
youngsters, without regard to their fitness or capacity, to send on
board the ships of war during our civil conflict. The "noble commander"
of the Rhode Island most of us had known of old as a prim little
precisian, and a great stickler for etiquette, and by no means a bad
fellow; but so strict a constructionist that he would probably have
refused to recognize his grandfather, if it were against orders. But he
had a humane disposition under his frigid exterior; and allowed us all
the comfort and privileges compatible with discipline and safety.

We t