le because
people were tired of hearing him always called "the Just." Social
ostracism will continue to exist till the millennium. The gentlemen of
northern birth who were so unfortunate as to occupy prominent positions
during the war, were mercilessly held up to scorn and distrust, if they
failed to come up to the public expectation. In truth, they occupied
trying positions; being regarded by many as aliens and mercenaries.
"Mens conscia recti" will support us under many trials; but it does not
furnish armor of proof against the "poor man's scorn, the proud man's
contumely."

The interval between the 21st and 24th of April was occupied by
Commodore Mitchell in organizing the force under his command, and in
endeavoring to arrange some concert of action with the "River Defence"
gunboats.

On board the Louisiana every effort was made to complete the works upon
the propellers, and in mounting the battery, on which the mechanics
worked night and day. Our "Crescent artillery;" a detachment of
artillery from the forts under Lieutenant Dixon; and Captain Ryan's
company of Sharp-shooters supplied the deficiencies in our crew. The
Commodore was unsuccessful in his efforts to induce Captain Stevenson
to employ one of his gunboats below the obstructions at night, to watch
the U. S. fleet; and we had no vessel suitable for that purpose; the
only one which would have answered (the Jackson) having been sent, with
one of the launches, to watch the U. S. land forces near the Quarantine
station, five miles above us. The only launch which remained to us was
sent, by the Commodore's orders, below the obstructions every night, but
the officer in command afterwards proved either a traitor or a coward,
failing to make the concerted signal upon the approach of the fleet, and
never reporting himself on board the Louisiana afterwards.

General Duncan urged upon the Commodore, the first or second day after
our arrival below, to take a new position with the Louisiana at the
river bank just below Fort St. Philip, and under cover of its guns, from
whence she might open fire with effect upon the mortar fleet. The
Commodore declined the proposition, and his action was sustained in a
consultation with all the commanding officers of the C. S. naval forces
present, on the grounds, "first, that the battery of the Louisiana was
not in a condition for service;" "second, that the completion of the
propeller and other mechanical work in progress, was indi