Commencement Day at Yale College.

353

those who prayed for the success of the Union arms or sought strength to make great sacrifices. The colleges and schools.

of learning were filled with this patriotic and martial spirit. The Commencement Day of Yale College in New Haven this year occurred on the 30th of July. There was a large gathering of the alumni of the college; and although the usual business of the meeting was duly dispatched, evidently the great controlling object of the assembly was that of the country's condition. This was the gravitating current of every address and the intense thought of every heart. Those present will not forget the impressive scene when, advancing slowly through the crowd of scholars and civilians, Commodore Foote made his way on crutches and took his seat upon the platform. For a moment there was a hush of silence, and then a burst of enthusiastic greeting. He was dressed in full uniform. His head, carried erect and proud, his full, black eye, his earnest brow, his pale face, his form bearing the marks of wounds and sufferings, contributed to make a picture both noble and pathetic.

After a resolution in relation to the public exigency had been introduced and spoken upon by Hon. W. W. Ellsworth, Prof. Thacher rose and quoted the Latin phrase, “Ex pede Herculem," which the audience translated by loud cries of "Foote!"

He thereupon arose and spoke briefly. He referred to the advantages of a college education in every department and business of life, and paid a tribute to Yale as not forgetting the claims of a practical nature upon every true man, and the good of the country and of humanity, in her method of education. He spoke also of the Western campaign, gave high praise to General Halleck, and urged on educated young men the necessity of engaging at this critical hour in the service of the country. He concluded by an allusion to his old friend President Roberts, of Liberia, who was seated near him.

On that day, 30th of July—although the appointment dated back to the 16th-he officially received the appointment of Rear-Admiral on the Active List.

He had thus risen to the highest rank belonging to his profession, and risen, not by a sudden leap, but by regular steps, by filling every subordinate position, by hard labor and toil, by actual worth and noble deeds.

CHAPTER XXVII.

CONGRATULATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE.-SWORD PRESENTATION

AT BROOKLYN.

CONGRATULATORY letters from old friends in great numbers followed upon his new appointment, of which we subjoin two or three:

"WASHINGTON, August 2, 1862.

"MY DEAR ADMIRAL,-It was my intention to have sent my congratulations on your promotion with the commission, but my time is not within 'my control. You know that my congratulations and regard are none the less sincere than if earlier tendered. Long may you live to bear the title and wear the honors you have so gallantly earned.

"I trust your health and wounds continue to improve. It has occurred to me that, under the circumstances of your debility, it might be imprudent for you to come from the North, at this early period, to such an unhealthy place as Washington is at this season. Should such be the case, and you would prefer to delay your entrance upon your Bureau duties, I do not think any particular inconvenience would result therefrom for the present. I mention this in order that you may take your own time to come here, for affairs can go on as heretofore for a few weeks without serious injury.

"I am in hopes I shall be able to leave Washington the latter part of the month for a week or two. Respectfully, GIDEON WELLES."

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'SABINE,' NEW LONDON, August 1, 1862.

"MY DEAR ADMIRAL,-It is a source of deep regret that I could not make you a visit. A dispatch from the Secretary yesterday, directing me to send every available man on board to Cairo, Ill., immediately,' gave me, as you may suppose, occupation, and necessitated my foregoing the pleasure of visiting you.

"My good ship has really created an excitement in New London; and, touching the facilities of the harbor for naval purposes, it promises great

advantages. I wish you could have seen my ship. To have had her inspected by you, and to have given you your first salute as an admiral, believe me when I say it, would have been to me most gratifying. Resting as the Sabine does in the waters of your own state, there appears to me something peculiarly appropriate in this, and I lament that your departure will prevent me having the pleasure of extending the hand to you. Allow me to ask the favor to be very kindly presented to Mrs. Foote, and I wish you to know how pleased I am to address you as Admiral. Very truly your friend, C. RINGGOLD."

"FORTRESS MONROE, VA., August 4, 1862.

"ADMIRAL FOOTE, U. S. N., New Haven, Conn.:

"MY DEAR SIR,—It is with great joy I hasten to congratulate my old and esteemed commander-and the service and country as well—on his well-merited promotion to the high grade of Admiral. I felt when I read the news as if I myself had been honored; and I think I will hold on to the notion, since I declared when you were put in command at the West that you were the right man for the place, and I accordingly invested in you my entire stock of confidence. Success is almost certain where professional skill, heroism, and Christian faith are combined. I am sure you will be greatly encouraged to go on in setting us all a high example of what constitutes the true officer.

"I am paymaster in charge of stores for the squadron, with my stores and clerks on board of store-schooners scattered over all this now extensive station. I wish you could come here as admiral of the squadron. I learn that Admiral Goldsborough has applied to be relieved. I have been hoping you might come.

"Very truly and respectfully yours,

THOMAS H. TOOKER.

"P. S.-I trust your wounds are healing rapidly."

'ALBANY, August 12, 1862.

"REAR-ADMIRAL FOOTE,-Is not that a good title? And how heartily

I congratulate you on it, you very well know.

"I wrote you a few days ago at New Haven, and hope you received the precious document. I leave here on Monday next for Cairo. I go with heavy heart, in view of the acting-lieutenancy that I still hold; nevertheless, I go with mind brimful of patriotism.

"The last pay-bill gives to acting-lieutenants $1875, and a ration when at sea. Is there no way that I can be regarded as on sea-service? I think

An Appeal from a Son.

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I ought to be placed on the sea-list, as all my stores are afloat. I shall be the only sea-officer in the Western flotilla who receives shore pay. You know how responsible my duties are, and how constant they are, and that I deserve the increased pay. I have hope that the next Congress will do me justice.

"If you get the command of a fleet, recollect that I must go with you. I expect to hear of your having the Hampton Roads fleet any day. I have had such quiet and domestic happiness in my visit hence, that it is hard to leave my family. When leisure and inclination prompt, let me hear from you. Sincerely yours,

"J. P. SANFORD, Ordnance-Officer of Flotilla."

The following is a letter of more sombre hue; and, as a son pleading the cause of a father, it is so noble that we insert it here:

"MISSISSIPPI FLOTILLA, CAIRO, ILL., August 28, 1862.

"MY DEAR ADMIRAL,-I have just learned, what you have probably known before, that my father has been considered by the late Advisory Board unfit for promotion to the rank of Commodore-in other words, has been overslaughed.

"I have taken the liberty to address you, for I know you are one of my father's fast friends. By the Retiring Board of 1854, which scrutinized the merits of officers far more strictly than the present Board could have had time to do, nothing was alleged against him. From that time until the breaking out of the present war he was not on duty, notwithstanding repeated applications, because his position in the list obliged him to wait, as you well know, until others above him had been served in turn.

"At the breaking out of the war father was assigned to the Mississippi. He continued in command for some nine months, when he was suddenly relieved by Captain Melancthon Smith, and ordered home. Upon reaching Washington, he was informed by the Department that he had been relieved upon vague and indefinite rumors' in relation to the ram Ma

nasses.

"The facts in this instance were, that when the Mississippi was blockading off Pass à l'Outre, the Manasses remained in sight of the Mississippi two days, but all the while inside of the bar. Some newspaper correspondent reflected severely upon father for not attacking her. There were seventeen feet of water on the bar; the Mississippi drew twenty-one feet. At the time of the attack upon New Orleans, with every thing out of