ealthy, their
honor and good name are more precious in their eyes than millions
of dishonorable wealth.

THE OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY.

It was part of the programme that Colonel Frankle should
communicate with the fleet at Jamesville; but without waiting for
the arrival of the vessels, he pushed on his men to Foster's Mills,
where a skirmish ensued with the enemy, who were repulsed. The
mills were burned, and Colonel Clark was left to hold the place,
while the main body proceeded onward, the rebels retreating on
Rainbow Banks, a very strong and commanding position on the river,
twenty miles above Williamston. The fleet learned the news by one
of Colonel Clark's scouts, and the next day one of our picket
boats, which had been sent back to Jamesville, returned to the
fleet, bringing additional intelligence that the army, getting out
of provisions, had fallen back to Jamesville. Commander Macomb sent
a dispatch to Colonel Frankle commanding, stating that time was
precious; that the fleet would proceed at all hazards, and would
turn back for nothing until it reached the bluff; and urging that
the troops should go forward at once. A promise was returned that
the troops would again move forward in a short time.

THE FLEET APPROACHES POPLAR POINT.

The fleet kept on its way for several days more, dragging the river
at every step, exploding torpedoes, fighting sharpshooters, and
pressing forward toward Rainbow Bluff; until, on the evening of the
20th, we turned a bend in the stream exposing to view Poplar Point,
a high bluff thoroughly commanding the river.

THE MARINES ON SHORE DUTY.

On our left, after doubling the bend, was a large marshy plain
protected by a dyke, behind which sharpshooters were thought to be
lurking. Commander Macomb ordered the marines of the squadron to
land, and under command of Acting Ensign Fesset, of the Wyalusing,
to move along the bank, behind the levee, and look out for the
enemy. They soon found the rebel pickets and skirmished with them,
the rebels being driven back towards the point. Soon a large body
of rebels was found, and a brisk little action took place. A
prisoner being captured by Sergeant Kane, of the Shamrock,
belonging to Whitford's rebel regiment, reported that his regiment
was in the swamp, as the advance of the rebels, wh