A Victorious Union | Page 9

was confident that he had
selected only those who were competent to conduct themselves as the
occasion might require. "Now, Mr. Graines, tell off five men--any
five."
The engineer called off five of the seamen, whose names he had
learned from the list given him by his superior officer.
"Now these five men will each choose his partner, who is to be his
companion while we are on shore, and who is to act with him,"

continued Christy. "I do not know yet any better than you do what you
are to do; but if you are called upon to do any difficult or dangerous
work, remember that you are American seamen, and do your best for
your country. If you are required to do any fighting, as I do not expect
you will, our success depends upon your strong arms and your ready
wills. You will do your whole duty, whatever it may be, and do it like
true American sailors."
"Ay, ay, sir!" came in a unanimous voice from the knot of men, though
in subdued tones.
"Call the first name again, Mr. Graines," added Christy.
"Weeks," replied the engineer.
"Select your man, Weeks."
"Bingham," said the oiler.
The names of the other four men who had been selected were called in
turn, and each of them selected his partner, each one of course choosing
his best friend, if he had not already been appropriated.
"Now, my men, Weeks and Bingham, the first couple, to be called
simply 'One' when wanted, and they will answer to this designation,
will start first. The next couple, to be called 'Two,' will follow them;
and so on, the other pairs coming in order," continued Christy,
designating each by name and number. "Two will start in ten or fifteen
minutes after One, as nearly as you can guess at the time, for it is too
dark to see watches if you have them."
"Are we to choose our own courses?" asked Weeks.
"No; I was coming to that next. Each couple will stroll due north us
nearly as he can make it out, till they come to the waters of Mobile Bay.
If you see any houses or tents, avoid them, and keep clear of any
collection of people before you reach the vicinity of the fort. The bay is
the first point you are to reach; then follow the shore to the fort. If you

meet any person, talk to him in a friendly way, if necessary, and be as
good Confederates as any in this region, even inside of Fort Morgan."
Weeks and Bingham took up the line of march in the direction
indicated, and soon disappeared beyond the rising ground in the middle
of the neck of land, which was here about three-eighths of a mile wide.
A quarter of an hour later Lane and McGrady followed them. While
they were waiting, each of the pairs gave a specimen of the dialect they
intended to use. McGrady was an Irishman, educated in the public
schools of the North, and his language was as good as that of any
ordinary American; but now he used a very rich brogue.
Every man followed his own fancy. Lane had lived in the South, and
"mought" and "fotch" came readily to his aid. The Crackers of Florida,
the backwoodsmen of North Carolina, the swaggering Kentuckian, the
wild Texan, were all represented; and Christy could easily have
believed he had a company of comedians under his command, instead
of a band of loyal Northerners.
The executive officer and the engineer had decided before this time to
keep together; and, as soon as they had seen the second couple depart,
they set out on their wandering march to the fort in a direction different
from that of the others of the party. They walked directly towards the
fort, for Christy intended to make his examination of the ground to the
eastward of the fortification, on his way to some spot where he could
ascertain what vessels were at anchor between the point and the Middle
Ground. He discharged this duty very faithfully; and before he reached
his objective point he was confident he could draw a map of the region,
with what information he had obtained before, which would meet the
requirements of Captain Breaker.
"What's that?" demanded Graines, suddenly placing his hand on the
arm of his companion, and stopping short, as they were approaching
the crown of the elevation.
A fire was burning on the ground in a depression of the surface, which
doubtless concealed its light from persons in the vicinity of the fort, if
there were any there. Around it could be seen four men, as the two

officers looked over the crest of the hill, who appeared to be engaged in
eating and