Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/228

 222 Southern Historical Society Papers.

11 Why do you not convoy the ships ? " Why, that was like saying, "Why do you not set a pony to catch a race-horse." Our heavy ships could not possibly catch up with the fleet merchantmen of the present day. It was absolutely necessary, therefore, that we should have vessels that could cruise at sea. With regard to wooden ships, he thought we ought to hold out our hand. No new line-of-battle ship of wood had been laid down since he had been in office. With regard to the vessels on Captain Coles' plan, he believed if we had many of those vessels it would make the approach to Portsmouth harbor almost impossible. Considering, however, that forts could carry any sized guns, we ought not hastily to give up the forts. [Hear, hear.] With reference to the action between the Merrimac and the Monitor, he might say that it was anything but conclusive, because the Monitor was so low in the water that the guns of the Merrimac could not be brought to bear on her opponent. He had now, to the best of his ability, stated what the views of the Admiralty were on the subject which the noble earl had brought under the con- sideration of their lordships.

Heroism of James Pleasants, of the Gcochland County Cavalry. [Extract]

In Goochland county court 2ist March, 1864. On motion of Walter D. Leake, Esq., the following preamble and resolutions offered by him were unanimously adopted by the court and ordered to be spread upon its minutes :

"WHEREAS, In the savage war of invasion waged against us by our cruel and implacable Northern foe, the defence of our wives and children, our homes and firesides, depends upon the patriotism and prowess of our citizen soldiery, and the country ought to hold in sacred remembrance the deeds of heroism and bravery of the pri- vates in the ranks, therefore

" Resolved, That the cool bravery and patriotic ardor of Private James Pleasants, of the Goochland cavalry, in killing one of the enemy and capturing thirteen others and sixteen horses in the recent raid of Dahlgren in our county, were in keeping with the character which this young soldier has won in the army, and the court orders these proceedings to be put upon the records of this court as a