el a pride in its
achievements; and in our dreams are frequently pacing the deck, or
sitting at the mess table with dear friends of "auld lang syne," from
whom we are probably severed forever on this side of eternity.

We were put ashore at Aiken's Landing on the 5th of August. It was a
hot, sultry day. Three or four poor fellows had died on board our
transport while on our way up the river, and their bodies were landed at
the same time with ourselves. While we were waiting for the
preliminaries for the exchange of prisoners to be settled between the
Commissioners, a large grave was dug in the sand with such implements as
could be procured, and the "unknown" were consigned to their last
resting place between high and low water mark.

CHAPTER V.

A Brief Stay at Home.--Report to the War Department.--Instructions
to go abroad.--The Blockade-runner "Kate."--Voyage to
Nassau.--Yellow Fever.--The Undertaker.--Our Skipper "Captain
Dick."--The Major sick.--A Story for the Marines.--Arrival at
Cardenas.--The Coolies.--Arrival at Havana.--The American Consul
and I.--The Pirate Marti.--The Spanish Steamer.--Pretty
Harbors.--Captain Fry.

After reporting at the Navy Department, I proceeded to my home. The day
after my arrival there I was summoned by telegram to Richmond, to report
in person to the Secretary of War. I had been detailed for special duty,
and from this date commenced my connection with blockade running. Upon
reaching the office, I found written instructions from the Secretary of
War to proceed to England and purchase a steamer suitable for running
the blockade, to load her with arms, munitions of war, and other
supplies, and to bring her into a Confederate port with all dispatch.
Ample funds in sterling exchange were provided and a large amount of
Confederate bonds was entrusted to me for deposit with an agent of the
Government in England. Accompanied by my small staff of assistants, and
by Major Ben. Ficklin, who went abroad under special instructions from
the War and Treasury Departments, I left Richmond about the 12th of
August, and after some difficulty and delay, secured passage for the
whole party on board the little steamer Kate, about to sail from
Wilmington for Nassau. Under her skilful commander, Lockwood, this
little side-wheel steamer had already acquired fame as a successful
blockade-runner, and was destined to continue successful to the end of
her career.