Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/108

98 presented the same undaunted front as when it left Richmond; and that it handed over the treasure which had been confided to it thirty days before, intact; and that, in my opinion, is what no other organization at that time could have done."

The junior officers of the Confederate navy were an exceptionally fine body of young men. The writer having been for two years the superintendent of the Confederate naval academy, and previously an instructor at the United States naval academy at Annapolis, is capable of forming an opinion. The midshipmen of the Confederate States navy representing the best blood of the South showed extraordinary aptitude for the naval service, and on every occasion distinguished themselves in action. They were bold, daring and enterprising to a degree. Many names could be cited; but it is not necessary. Among the many midshipmen who were on board the schoolship Patrick Henry in the two years the school was in operation, the writer can hardly recall one who had not the making of a good naval officer.

It would have been well for the Confederate navy if the young lieutenants, passed midshipmen, and midshipmen could have been elevated to more important commands. It is no derogation to the officers of the "old navy" to assert this. Had the South been possessed of a navy, so that the war could have been carried on on the high sea against men-of-war, it would have been different. Here professional education would have come into play. This the young officers had not. But placed, as they necessarily were, in command of river and canal boats, the old officers recalling the well-constructed ships they had served in, and the splendid body of trained seamen they had commanded, were cramped in their movements. This was logical. The young officers had none of this feeling. They knew of nothing better, and were ready to risk everything.