Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. Leaving the Oceanus at the wharf at ten o'clock, we embarked on the transport "Golden Gate," for Fort Sumter. The scene in the harbor was gay beyond description. The "Canonicus," a Government vessel, crowded in every part by the "hoys" in blue pants and jackets, first headed up the bay towards the fort. Lines of flags, and signals of every color and combination of colore, scores and hundreds in number, stretched from bowsprit to foremast, from foremast to main, from main to mizzeu, and from mizzen to stern; crossed and festooned from yard to yard, and upon all the rigging, made the vessel a blaze of prismatic brilliancy. The "Blackstone," a very large screw-steamer, decked with equal profusion of bunting and beauty, next rounded majestically into broader waters. Then followed the "Delaware" and "Robert Coit," Government transports, bearing their burden of rejoicing and eager patriots. Almost central in interest, the "Planter," crowded almost to suffocation upon her three decks, with Gen. Caxton's freedmen, revealed her splashing paddles through the broken wheelhouse. Another such a motley crew will seldom if ever be seen. Grey-haired old men, whose wrinkles were lighted up with deep but quiet joy; middle-aged men and women, of every grade of color possible to Southern civilization, the latter decorated with bandanas and turbans of flashy colors; comely and buxom girls attired in neat chintz; cadaverous and ragged beings holding about them their tattered garments; boys and girls whose jubilation exhibited itself in the most astonishing display of ivory;--all huddled together like sheep in a pen, hanging over the gunwales, mounted on the posts, doubled up in furtive corners, peering through the gangways, darkening the...
