Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 30.djvu/206

 198 Southern Historical Society Papers.

They had taught the scoffing world a lesson, and in doing so devel- oped a hero for the Southern States whose record is unsurpassed.

And yet his name is almost unknown, while those of lesser lights have been brought into a publicity that will live forever. There was much to be desired in the chronicled histories of the Southern navy and its official records. No man who ever fought upon the seas showed more intrepid valor than did Captain Austin in his service beneath the Stars and Bars. In the North his name is unknown, while in the South few recognize the fact that a hero came out of Texas who set a standard for the world in fortitude and daring. With his death in 1889 the major part of his life's history was lost. Like all true men, he seldom talked of his achievements.

A DISTINGUISHED FAMILY.

Roger Sherman, one of the New England ancestors of Captain Austin, signed the Declaration of Independence. Another of his relatives, Stephen F. Austin, is known as the "Father of Texas."

His home was in the Lone Star State. At the breaking out of the war, he commanded one of the Harris and Morgan Line steamships plying between New Orleans and Galveston. He built and fought with the Manassas. He has a brother who was an officer in the Confederate army, now a resident of Atlanta, Ga. For four years his life was filled with daring exploit after exploit. Three times he was in prison, twice escaping. Now, but few of his adventures are to be remembered, but those few are enough to brand him as one of the greatest naval heroes of the age. After the Manassas had been abandoned he took to blockade running, and from that time one feat of daring crowded rapidly upon another.

CAPTURE OF THE Fox.

From New Orleans he went to Mobile, where the blockade was close. A great fleet was anchored off the town which practically forbade all entrance to the harbor. The days dragged by until fin- ally Captain Austin, driven by waiting to an uncontrollable desire for something to turn up, sailed out of the harbor in the murky darkness of a cloudy night on a tour of investigation. There, in the offing, he discovered a steamer, loaded with arms, ammunition, and supplies for the waiting fleet. Back in the city he proposed his plan to the commanding officer. It was too daring for official recog- nition, but permission was given to enlist volunteers for the desperate mission.