ld tempt the average blockade-running
sailor to connive at this means of escape. The "impecunious" deserter
fared more hardly; and would, usually, be forced by hunger and thirst to
emerge from his hiding place, while the steamer was on the outward
voyage. A cruel device, employed by one of the captains, effectually put
a stop, I believe, certainly a check to the escape of this class of
"stowaways." He turned three or four of them adrift in the Gulf Stream,
in an open boat, with a pair of oars, and a few days' allowance of bread
and water.

The ironclad, to which I had been attached for a short time, made her
first and last essay while I was on special duty at Wilmington. Having
crossed New Inlet Bar early one morning, she steamed at her best speed
towards the blockading-fleet, which kept beyond the range of her guns
with much ease. After "raising the blockade" for an hour or two, she
steamed back across the bar, grounded upon the "rip," broke her back,
and doubtless remains there to this day, buried fathoms deep in the
quicksands.

The prospects of the South were growing more and more gloomy with each
succeeding day; and the last hopes of the country now rested upon that
gallant army of Northern Virginia, which, under its great captain, still
confronted General Grant's forces around Petersburg. It is easy now by
the light of subsequent events to censure Mr. Davis for the removal of
General Johnston from the command of the army in Georgia; but who does
not remember how, previous to that unfortunate measure, the whole
Southern press, almost without an exception, were urging it? It may be
that the President was not indisposed to gratify his inclination, and at
the same time appease the public. I do not presume to express an opinion
on this point; being no partisan of either, but a sincere admirer of
both these distinguished individuals, and crediting both with strict
veracity and unselfish honesty of purpose. But the fact remains that the
press teemed with articles denouncing General Johnston's retrograde
movements. A spurious telegram, concocted by some facetious editor, to
the effect that General Johnston had ordered means of transportation for
his army to Nassau, was circulated through all the newspapers for the
public amusement. But the old army officers were shocked at the
intelligence of his removal from command. When the fact was officially
announced, all of them, whom I had an opportunity of hearing speak upon
th