issioned officer in service, whose
long career gained him nothing but respect under the northern--nothing
but glory under the southern flag. If Raphael Semmes be a "pirate,"
then was the northern recognition of belligerents but an active lie!
Then was Robert E. Lee a marauder--Wade Hampton but a bushwhacker, and
Joseph E. Johnston but a guerrilla!

When the "Sumter" began her work, she was soon followed by the
"Florida"--a vessel somewhat better, but still of the same class. Under
the dashing and efficient Maffitt, the "Florida," too, wrought daring
destruction. Her record, like that of her rival, is too familiar for
repetition; as is the later substitution of the "Alabama" for the
worn-out "Sumter."

During the long war, these three vessels--and but two of them at one
time--were the only cruisers the Confederacy had afloat; until just
before its close, the "Shenandoah" went out to strike fresh terror to
the heart and pocket of New England. Then, also, that strong-handed and
cool-headed amphiboid, Colonel John Taylor Wood, made--with wretched
vessels and hastily-chosen crews--most effective raids on the coasting
shipping of the Northeast.

One popular error pervades all which has been said or written, on both
sides of the line, about the Confederate navy. This is the general
title of "privateer," given to all vessels not cooped up in southern
harbors. Regularly-commissioned cruisers, like the "Alabama" and
"Florida," the property of the Navy Department, and commanded by its
regularly-commissioned officers, were no more "privateers" than were
the "Minnesota," or "Kearsage."

There was a law passed, regulating the issue of letters of marque; and
from time to time much was heard of these in the South. But after the
first spirt of the saucy little "Jeff Davis," not more than two or
three ever found their way to sea; and even these accomplished nothing.

At one time, a company with heavy capital was gotten up in Richmond,
for the promotion of such enterprises; but it was looked upon as a job
and was little successful in any sense.

So, with all the ports of the world open to belligerent ships; with
unsurpassed sailors "panting for the very lack of element" in musty
offices, privateers did not increase in number; and one of the most
effective engines of legitimate warfare was but illustrated, instead of
being utilized.

Meantime, the Navy Department had ceased to importune for
appropriations to build iron-clads at Ne