loor for all purposes. Our food consisted of cold boiled rice, and
was brought to us twice a day in a tin pan. Table etiquette was
dispensed with for the time being, and our fingers had to be used for
disposing of the food. The evening of the seventh day some of the
provost guard took us to the railroad depot en route for Columbia. While
waiting for the train to start, a couple of women got into conversation
with us. They bade us "Good luck" and handed us each a quart bottle of
corn whisky. The provost guard drank the most of it. At any rate, it
helped to pass away the night in a cheerful manner. In the morning we
arrived at the Richland County jail, Columbia, S. C. That was to be our
resting-place for several months.

The following is the substance of the official report of our capture,
etc., made to the Secretary of the Navy by Admiral Dahlgren:

"Two boys who had been sent on shore in the dingey at Murrell Inlet for
a barrel of sand for holystoning decks had been killed by the rebels. A
few weeks later Acting Ensign Myron W. Tillson, with thirteen men, were
captured at the same place while trying to burn a blockade-runner.
Believing Acting Master Gregory to be a discreet and experienced
officer, I sent his vessel to blockade the Inlet, also instructing him
not to send any men on shore. Three officers and sixteen men were also
captured from his vessel. I inclose his report. On a personal interview
he claimed that his orders were not obeyed by Acting Ensign Arrants, and
that the latter was responsible for the capture of the men. Having had
so much trouble at Murrell Inlet, I decided to send a strong force of
marines and sailors to that place to destroy the schooner and other
property, as well as to remove any disposition to exult on the part of
the rebels for capturing so many of our men."

Then followed the report of the expedition as made by Acting Master
Gregory, detailing the amount of damage done. The Secretary of the Navy
then issued the following general order, which was read at general
muster on each vessel in the squadron:

"GENERAL ORDERS, NO. ----.

"For flagrant disobedience of orders from his commanding officer
and being responsible for a number of men having been captured
by the rebels, Acting Ensign William B. Arrants is dismissed
from the United States Navy. While the Department does not wish
to discourage acts of gallantry or enterprise, strict obedience
of orders must