Glory In The Name

New York Daily Tribune,

Thursday, February 13, 1862:

BURNSIDE’S EXPEDITION

ITS FIRST TERRIBLE BLOW

CAPTURE OF ROANOKE

DIRECT NEWS FROM THE ENEMY

Rebel Fleet Completely Destroyed

THE PANIC AMONG THE PEOPLE

ELIZABETH CITY ABANDONED

THE TOWN DESTROYED BY FIRE

GOV. WISE NOT IN THE FIGHT

Only 50 Rebels Escaped from the Island

2,500 TROOPS TAKEN PRISONERS

O. JENNINGS WISE WOUNDED

A Major and 300 Privates Killed

OVER ONE THOUSAND WOUNDED

WILD STORIES OF UNION LOSSES

REPORTED LOSS ON OUR SIDE

Fortress Monroe, Feb. 11, via Baltimore, Feb. 12.

By a flag of truce today we learn the complete success of the Burnside Expedition at Roanoke Island.

The Island was taken possession of, and Commodore Lynch’s fleet completely destroyed.

Elizabeth City was attacked on Sunday, and evacuated by the inhabitants. The City was previously burned, but whether by our shells or the inhabitants is not certain.

All the gunboats but one were taken, and that escaped up a creek and was probably also destroyed.

There appears to be no bright side of the story for the Rebels.

Stephen Mallory, Esq.

Department of the Navy

Richmond, Virginia

Sir:

I am a private citizen with great dedication to our noble cause. In my effort to aid in throwing off the yoke of tyranny, I have, at my own expense and endeavor, purchased and fitted out a private ironclad man-of-war. I have been able to make some use of the vessel, participating in the attack on the Union fleet at the Head of the Passes and the subsequent shelling at the bar, an action of which you have no doubt heard. My vessel is the Yazoo River, though, being a private man-of-war and not an official naval vessel, she received less attention than the efforts of my valiant crew warranted.

The Yazoo River currently sails under a letter of marque and reprisal, not because I entertain hopes of reaping some profit from her (I look for no pecuniary gains whatsoever) but rather that she might carry the war to sea with some degree of legitimacy. I would gladly risk myself, my ship, and my men to the last measure for the good of the cause, but I would not give the Yankee barbarians excuse to hang my men as pirates.

I find, to my dismay, that the people available for employment on private men-of-war are not what one might wish, generally foreigners, weaklings, and cowards, as any true Southern man is already in the service, be it the army or navy, or employed at some indispensable trade. For all of the effort and money I have poured into my ship, I find I cannot make decent use of her for want of good men. It has become clear to me that this fine ship must be manned by men of the Confederate States Navy, for only such men as have voluntarily and selflessly joined in the fight can be counted upon to act with zeal, dash, and bravery when the hard and dangerous work is to be done.

This is the reason I appeal to you. For the good of our cause, I would like to offer my ship to the Confederate States Navy, at no cost to the service. She is an ironclad, side-wheeler, three hundred tons, 147 feet length overall. She has two boilers and two noncondensing engines with eighteen-inch cylinders, all in good repair. She currently mounts a ten-inch Dahlgren forward and two six-pound smoothbores aft, which are of limited use. I would be grateful if the navy was able to supply more and better ordnance.

I say I will give the Yazoo River to the navy at no cost, and that is true, but I would make one demand. It is no longer possible for me to sit idly by while others fight the Northern vandals. Since I have some knowledge of the waters here, I would insist that I be retained aboard in the capacity of pilot, so that I might aid in my way in the great fight. I do not require pay for that service, but do insist upon an official appointment to serve in that capacity.

I look forward to your reply, and remain,

Your obedient servant,

Robley Paine