rts, above a whisper, and
then only on duty, and of using every other precaution to prevent
the rebels suspecting that you are dropping below their batteries.

If you successfully perform this duty assigned to you, which you
so willingly undertake, it will reflect the highest credit upon you
and all belonging to your vessel, and I doubt not but that the
government will fully appreciate and reward you for a service
which, I trust, will enable the army to cross the river and make a
successful attack in the rear, while we storm the batteries in
front of this stronghold of the rebels.

Commending you and all who compose your command to the care and
protection of God, who rules the world and directs all things, I
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

A.H. Foote.

P.S.--Should you meet with disaster, you will, as a last resort,
destroy the steam machinery, and, if possible, to escape, set fire
to your gunboat, or sink her, and prevent her falling into the
hands of the rebels.

The night selected--April 4--was rainy and of inky blackness, relieved
by vivid flashes of lightning. No precaution that could be thought of
was neglected. Chains were twisted around the pilot-house and other
vulnerable parts, and wood was piled against the boilers, with which the
hose was connected, to make the jets of steam available to repel
boarders. On one side was lashed a boat loaded with pressed hay, while a
barge of coal was fastened on the side furthest from the dangerous
batteries, and the escape steam was led into the paddle-wheel house in
order to muffle the sound. Among the fully armed crew were twenty of
the most expert sharpshooters in the army.

It was about ten o'clock when the _Carondelet_ swung round in the stream
and started on its fearful race. The fleet fairly held its breath, as
officers and men listened and peered down the river in the tempestuous
darkness. Now and then the zigzagging lightning gave a momentary glimpse
of the craft moving away, but the straining eye and ear caught no sight
or sound.

But when the _Carondelet_ was close to the batteries a blaze suddenly
shot up several feet above the chimneys. The soot had caught fire and
the reflection was thrown far out on the water. The engineer immediately
opened the flue caps and all was darkness again. So quickly did this
singular