got aground, her companion of less
draught might pull her off. It proved to be a most fortunate precaution;
for while under the severest fire the "Hartford" grounded, and was
doubtless saved from total destruction by the strenuous exertions of her
little consort. This the admiral stated to be his conviction at the
time.

The relative positions of the two vessels were such that the "Albatross"
could only work her bow gun, and with the exception of plunging shots
from the upper batteries, the men who served here were the most exposed
to the enemy's fire.

Charley Reck was sponger of the parrot-gun on the forecastle, and fully
realized the danger and responsibility of his position. He was a
well-built, noble-looking young Frenchman, but could understand and
speak English quite well. His intelligence, activity, and good temper,
made him a general favorite on board, and attracted the notice of the
captain, who appointed him his steward and gave him many privileges,
allowing him time for reading and correspondence, of which he was
exceedingly fond.

Down the river at Plaquemine, there was an excellent bakery kept by an
old Frenchman and his three beautiful daughters. For a long time during
the preparations for an advance up the river, we had frequently come to
anchor opposite this little town, and never omitted to supply ourselves
with fresh bread from this bakery, and enjoy a friendly chat with the
three charming sisters. They were very affable, and there was an
artlessness about them, combined with self-respect, which was very
fascinating. In his daily visits to supply the captain's larder, and
probably in part on account of like nationality, Charley Reck lost his
heart. Louise, the youngest daughter, and the most beautiful of the
three, captured it completely. Theirs was a sincere and honest
attachment, and the sequel discloses how tender must have been their
parting when the order came to proceed up the river, and face the
uncertain issues of mortal combat.

On the 14th of March, early in the morning, we were at the head of
Prophet's Island, a short distance below Port Hudson, and there the
vessels of the fleet, one after another, assembled. Then came the order
to be in readiness to run the batteries at a given signal at night. I
had never been under fire, and my bump of curiosity probably saved me on
this occasion from much of the anxiety which otherwise I might have
felt, but the unusual seriousness which seemed to