ay be added, had persuaded a comrade to dig out the buck-shot,
for fear of being ordered on the sick-list. And one of those who were
carried to the vessel--a man wounded through the lungs--asked only if I
were safe, the contrary having been reported. An officer may be pardoned
some enthusiasm for such men as these.

The anxious night having passed away without an attack, another problem
opened with the morning. For the first time, my officers and men found
themselves in possession of an enemy's abode; and though there was but
little temptation to plunder, I knew that I must here begin to draw
the line. I had long since resolved to prohibit absolutely all
indiscriminate pilfering and wanton outrage, and to allow nothing to
be taken or destroyed but by proper authority. The men, to my great
satisfaction, entered into this view at once, and so did (perhaps a
shade less readily, in some cases) the officers. The greatest trouble
was with the steamboat hands, and I resolved to let them go ashore as
little as possible. Most articles of furniture were already, however,
before our visit, gone from the plantation-house, which was now used
only as a picket-station. The only valuable article was a pianoforte,
for which a regular packing-box lay invitingly ready outside. I had made
up my mind, in accordance with the orders given to naval commanders in
that department,* to burn all picket-stations, and all villages from
which I should be covertly attacked, and nothing else; and as this house
was destined to the flames, I should have left the piano in it, but for
the seductions of that box. With such a receptacle all ready, even to
the cover, it would have seemed like flying in the face of Providence
not to put the piano in. I ordered it removed, therefore, and afterwards
presented it to the school for colored children at Fernandina. This
I mention because it was the only article of property I ever took,
or knowingly suffered to be taken, in the enemy's country, save for
legitimate military uses, from first to last; nor would I have taken
this, but for the thought of the school, and, as aforesaid, the
temptation of the box. If any other officer has been more rigid, with
equal opportunities, let him cast the first stone.

* "It is my desire to avoid the destruction of private property, unless
used for picket or guard-stations, or for other military purposes, by
the enemy.... Of course, if fired upon from any place, it is your duty,
if