PREFACE. THE life which has been imperfectly set forth in these pages deserves to be remembered as that of one who labored and accomplished much for his country; and as a life in itself pure, manly, and heroic. It followed the law of right even when leading to sharp sacrifices and death. It was one of those lives that by the simple force of character raises the spirit of its times to a higher moral level of manhood. Though encountering great disappointments and trials, and not permitted to realize what would appear to be his just anticipations, the career of Admiral Foote may be still regarded in many respects as a brilliant one. He did many notable and noble things. He was, in fact, a great naval commander, of the same stamp-though perhaps, from the lack of opportunities, not so famous-as Decatur, Hull, Lawrence, McDonough, and Perry. In this biography I have not indulged in highly wrought descriptions of military scenes and events, but with great pains have endeavored to keep on the exact level of truth, carefully verifying every fact and statement by all the authorities at my command, so that (though the hope may be a vain one) this volume might form a slight contribution to the material of future history, especially the history of the late war in one of its most peculiar and important phases. I have desired, above all, to make a book that would be read with interest by officers and seamen in the Navy; in order that young men in that service might be led to emulate his example, who died for his country as truly as if he had fallen in battle on the deck of his gun-boat. I would Yet he was more than this. To the simple sailor-spirit of indomitable loyalty to duty was added a religious enthusiasm that fitted him to contend with foes more formidable than winds or waves. Here lay the real strength of his character. I acknowledge with gratitude the good offices of the Hon. Gideon Welles, for valuable letters placed at my disposal; and also the kindness of the venerable Rear-Admiral Joseph Smith, in the aid rendered by him in obtaining for me access to the files and records of the Navy Department at Washington. The spirited sketches of actions on the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Mississippi rivers, from which the engravings in this work were made, were drawn expressly for the book by the gallant Rear-Admiral H. Walke, and lend the authority of an eye-witness and of a principal actor in those scenes to the excellent drawings themselves. To other members of the Navy, and to the Hon. John A. Foote and George A. Jarvis, Esq., who have given me their kind counsel and assistance, I would also return thanks. Capture of Clarksville. -Foote's Proclamation. —-Not per- mitted to take Nashville.-Armed Reconnoissance down The Mississippi as the Scene of Operations.-General Pope's |