Library of Congress1906
THE VOLUNTEER NAVY A Foolhardy Expedition Inspired by Act ing Master Smith who was not in it Smith Makes his Exit from the Service IX In my last l stated that we had re turned to our old cruising ground off Matagorda Texas where things for a time resumed their old phases with a few exceptions Alter witnessing the brilliant exploits on the Mississippi Acting Master Smith of whom I have previously spoken became more and more convinced that he was it and finally arrived at the conclusion that he could put down the remainder of the Rebellion all bv himself He appeared to liken himself to Alexander the Great and to be looking for worlds to con quer On the other hand we likened him to Don Quixote a man who would charge a windmill hut Smith did not seem to he able to get a Sancho Rauza to iollow him He was more frantic to do something to distinguish himself than ever before and at last thought he had the opportunity And by rea son of this the executive officer Mr Dean and myself and thirtytwo men came very near being captured and the chances of being killed