and the
Mississippi Valley would require an army of greater strength
than Secretary Stanton can concentrate upon the banks of the
Mississippi River. The gunboats in which they have so much
confidence have proved their weakness. They cannot stand our
guns of heavy calibre. The approach of the enemy by land to
New Madrid induces us to believe that the flotilla is one
grand humbug, and that it is not ready, and does not intend
to descend the river. Foote, the commander of the Federal
fleet, served his time under Commodore Hollins, and should he
attempt to descend the river, Hollins will teach him that
some things can be done as well as others."[25]

[Footnote 25: Memphis Argus.]

On Saturday, the 15th of March, the fleet approached the island. The
clouds were thick and lowering. The rain pattered on the decks of the
gunboats, the fog settled upon the river. As the boats swept round a
point of land, the old river pilot, who was on the watch, who knew every
crook, turn, sand-bar, and all the objects along the bank, sung out,
"Boat ahead!"

The sailors scrambled to the portholes; Captain Phelps sprang from the
cabin to the deck.

There she was, a steamer, just visible through the fog a mile ahead. It
was the Grampus, owned by Captain Chester of the steamer Alps, who had
two of the mortar-boats in tow. He belonged to Pittsburg, and used to
carry coal to Memphis. When the war broke out the Rebels seized his
steamboats and his coal-barges, and refused to pay him for the coal they
had already purchased. The act roused all his ire. He was a tall,
athletic man, and had followed the river thirty years. Although
surrounded by enemies, he gave them plain words.

"You are a set of thieves and rascals! You are cowards, every one of
you!" he shouted.

He took off his coat, rolled up his shirt-sleeves, bared his great
brawny arms, dashed his hat upon the ground.

"Now come on! I'll fight every one of you, you infernal rascals! I'll
whip you all! I challenge you to fight me! You call yourselves
chivalrous people. You say you believe in fair play. If I whip, you
shall give up my boats, but if I am beaten, you are welcome to them."

They laughed in his face, and said: "Blow away, old fellow. We have got
your boats. Help yourself if you can."

A hot-headed secessionist cried out, "Hang the Yankee!"

The crowd hustled him about, but he had a few old friends, who took his
part, and he s