vement resulted in an apparently revengeful act on the part of
the crew of that vessel, they having previously had some of their number
killed in the course of a difficulty with a black sentry at Ship Island.

The commanding officer of the land force, doubtless from prudential
reasons, omitted to state in his report that the men fought their way
through the town while being fired upon from house-tops and windows by
boys and women. That the gunboat opened fire directly on them when they
were engaged in a hand to hand conflict, which so completely cut off a
number of the men from the main body of the troops that their capture
appeared certain. Major Dumas, however, seeing the condition of things,
put spurs to his horse and went to their succor, reaching them just as a
company of the enemy's cavalry made a charge. The Major, placing himself
at the head of the hard-pressed men, not only repulsed the cavalry and
rescued the squad, but captured the enemy's standard-bearer. The
retreating force reached their transport with the loss of only one man;
they brought with them some prisoners and captured flags. Colonel
Daniels, in his report, speaks as follows of the heroism of the
soldiers:

[Illustration: UNLOADING GOVT. STORES]

* * * *

"The expedition was a perfect success, accomplishing all
that was intended; resulting in the repulse of the enemy in
every engagement with great loss; whilst our casualty was
only two killed and eight wounded. Great credit is due to
the troops engaged, for their unflinching bravery and
steadiness under this their first fire, exchanging volley
after volley with the coolness of veterans; and for their
determined tenacity in maintaining their position, and
taking advantage of every success that their courage and
valor gave them; and also to their officers, who were cool
and determined throughout the action, fighting their
commands against five times their numbers, and confident
throughout of success,--all demonstrating to its fullest
extent that the oppression which they have heretofore
undergone from the hands of their foes, and the obloquy that
had been showered upon them by those who should have been
friends, had not extinguished their manhood, or suppressed
their bravery, and that they had still a hand to wield the
sword, and a heart to vitalize its blow.

"I would