CHAPTER XXYI.
UNDEB FIRE.
TALK began to run upon the war now, for we were getting down into
the upper edge of the former battle-stretch by this time. Columbus
was just behind us, so there was a good deal said about the famous
battle of Belmont. Several of the boat's officers had seen active
service in the Mississippi war-fleet. I gathered that they found
themselves sadly out of their element in that kind of business at first,
but afterward got accustomed to it, reconciled to it, and more or less
at home in it. One of our pilots had his first war experience in the
Belmont fight, as a pilot on a boat in the Confederate service. I
had often had a curiosity to know how a green hand might feel, In
bis maiden battle, perched all solitary and alone on high in a pilot
house, a target for Tom, Dick and Harry, and nobody at his elbow
to shame hi-m firom showing the white feather when matters grew hot
and perilous around him ; so, to me his story was valuable—it filled
a gap for me which all histories had left till that time empty,
THE PILOT'S FIRST BATTLE.
He said—
It was the 7th of November. The fight began at seven in the
morning, I was on the * R. EL W. Trill.' Took over a load of troops
firom Columbus. Came back, and took over a battery of artillery.
My partner said he was going to see the fight; wanted me to go
along, I said, no, I wasn't anxious, I would look at it from the
pilot-house. He said I was a coward, and lefL
That fight was an awful sight. General Cheatham made his men
strip their coats off and throw them in a pile, and said, * Now follow