Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 30.djvu/222

 214 Southern Historical Society Papers.

One of the Commanders, in reporting the battle, said:

" There was no lack of courage on our ships, but the previous loss of the Southfield, and the signal from the Wyalusing that she was sinking, and the loss of the Sassacus, dictated the prudent course they adopted."

The prudent course referred to was to get away as quickly as pos- sible.

Captain Cooke picked up the survivors of the Sassacus and re- turned to Plymouth.

From this action may be deducted the following argument:

There is nothing in naval affairs which surpasses in brilliancy this battle of the Albemarle. The conduct of her crew was glorious; their deeds excited wonder at the time, and should stimulate those unborn when they hear the story. This single boat successfully met and defeated the entire Federal fleet on the North Carolina coast.

This story of the Albemarle is not complete. I cannot do her justice, but hope my feeble effort to tell of her matchless deeds will induce some one, better able, to do so.

Let us give a yell for Captain Cooke, his officers and crew.

It may be said, with truth, that the Southern people put more energy into naval affairs than had been done for fifty years before.

Had the Confederacy been able to construct one-third as many boats as the Federals had, there would not have been a blockade of Southern ports. This is self-evident when we read the story of the Merrimac, the Albemarle and the greatest of all, the Alabama. When we recall her operations and consider the obstacles in her way, we stand in amazement and congratulate ourselves that Semmes was one of us.

" Natura lo fece, e poi ruppe la stampa."