ory--or leaded on to victory--with rather more ease than a dozen
times as many columns of any troops in the world; but, inasmuch as the
unseemly but well-known Southern Confederacy still keeps store there,
it has been deemed proper to make another iron-clad experiment in that
salubrious vicinity. This time, however, the army takes part in the
effort, as well as the navy, and Captain Samyule Sa-mith, with the
Orange County Howitzers, bombards the atmosphere from the banks of the
Lake, whilst the aged Rear Admiral Head, with his iron-plated squadron,
performs fiery antics upon the briny element.

The sailing of the squadron inside the bar was a beautiful sight, and
was witnessed by a couple of English and French consuls who had come
down to the banks of Duck Lake to see if they could recognize the
Confederacy at that distance. First advanced Rear Admiral Head's
flagship monitor, the "Shockingbadhat;" followed in close order by the
"Aitch," the "Yew," the "Em," the "Bee," the "You" and the "Gee."

And now, my boy, you may probably imagine that I am about to relate,
with Homeric fervor and the graphic eloquence of Tacitus, how the
Mackerel Squadron poured whole foundries of shot and shell into Fort
Piano; and how the Orange County Howitzers rained Greek Fire (Irish
whiskey) into all the basement windows of Paris; but I have various
reasons for doing nothing of the kind, inasmuch as the War Department
does not desire that the enemy should be prematurely informed of the
capture of the Fort and City. Suffice it to say, that everything is
progressing favorably, though recent heavy rains have greatly
incommoded such of the land forces as are not supplied with umbrellas.

I think, however, my boy, that I may venture to describe Captain
Villiam Brown's alphabetical experiment with Company 3, Regiment 5,
which constitutes the present Mackerel reserve on the edge of the Lake.
Villiam having heard of Jeff. Davis's experiment with his regiment in
Mexico, when he formed it into a V shape to receive a cavalry charge,
resolved to give his regiment that shape for the purpose of a
roundabout sally upon Fort Piano from the rear, or land side.

"Comrades," says Villiam, impressively, "V stands for Victory,
Vengeance and Vashington, and I desire you to take its shape."

The Mackerels formed themselves into a V, my boy; but when Villiam
gallantly retired behind a tree to be out of the way, and gave the
order "Forward--double-quick,--march!