442

THE WESTERN FLOTILLA.

batteries, formidable as they were with nearly fifty gnns. And althoughfully aware of the hazardous nature of the enterprise, I knew that the aid ofa gun-boat was absolutely necessary to enable General Pope to succeed inhis operations against the enemy, and thought the importance of this successwould justifiy the risk of running the gauntlet of the batteries on IslandNumber Ten and on the left bank. The army officers were becoming impa-tient, and it was well known that the Confederates had a number of smallgun-boats below, and were engaged in building several large and powerfulvessels, of which the renowned Arkansas was one. And there was goodreason to apprehend that these gun-boats would ascend the river and passor silence Pope ’s batteries, and relieve the Confederate forces on IslandNumber Ten and the eastern shore of the Mississippi. That Pope andFoote apprehended this, appears from the correspondence between them. J

The flag-officer now called a formal council of war of all his commandingofficers. It was held on board the flag-steamer, on the 28th or 29th of March,and all except myself concurred in the opinion formerly expressed that theattempt to pass the batteries was too hazardous and ought not to be made.When I was asked to give my views, I favored the undertaking, and advisedcompliance with the requests of General Pope. When asked if I was willingto make the attempt with the Carondelet, I replied in the affirmative. Footeaccepted my advice, and expressed himself as greatly relieved from a heavyresponsibility, as he had determined to send none but volunteers on an expedi-tion which he regarded as perilous and of very doubtful success.

Having received written orders from the flag-officer, under date of March30th, I at once began to prepare the Carondelet for the ordeal. All the loosematerial at hand was collected, and on the 4th of April the decks were cov-ered with it, to protect them against plunging shot. Hawsers and chaincables were placed around the pilot-house and other vulnerable parts of thevessel, and every precaution was adopted to prevent disaster. A coal-bargeladen with hay and coal was lashed to the part of the port side on whichthere was no iron plating, to protect the magazine. It was truly said thatthe Carondelet at that time resembled a farmer’s wagon prepared for mar-ket. The engineers led the escape-steam, through the pipes aft, into thewheel-house, to avoid the puffing sound it made when blown through thesmoke-stacks.

All the necessary preparations having been made, I informed the flag-offi-cer of my intention to run the gauntlet that night, and received his approval.Colonel N. B. Buford, who commanded the land forces temporarily with theflotilla, assisted me in preparing for the trip, and on the night of the 4thbrought on board Captain Hottenstein, of the 42d Illinois , and twenty-threesharp-shooters of his command, who volunteered their services, which weregratefully accepted. Colonel Buford remained on board until the last moment,to encourage us. I informed the officers and crew of the character of the

I An interesting and important enterprise in to complete a water-way for the Union transportsthis campaign was the sawing out, under great across Madrid Bend. See paper hy Colonel J. W.difficulties, of a channel, twelve miles in length, Bissell and corrected map, page 460.— Editors.