THE SUA DAY OKEGJSTAS", PORTLAND. 3IAT 7, IfrtT. -
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BT J. B. HORXER
OCR ascent of th Wtndlnr; "VTT to
th bom of Jomquin Miller, on the
Heights near Oakland, was shaded
with plumy eucalyptus. The word Euca
lyptus slsnlfies a eOTer: and It Is so ap
plicable to this tree that it must bare
been Introduced by some ancient ar
tist who knew the precious weisht of
meaning; belonging to good words.
Wo en we were not in the shade, we
were la full rlew of the sun and the
sea. both of which were steaming;. It
looked like a Sunday afternoon: and
looks were not deceptive in California
that day.
The road is lined with fruit ranches.
Interspersed are poultry yards. Some
graceful curves In the road lure the
party onward and upward until we
catch a rllmpse of the poet's woodland,
which a few yesrs ago was a barren
rocky ledge. The poet, who believes
that dub should literally earn his bread
by the sweat of his brow, has planted
his acres of upland In eucalyptus, cedar
and cypress until his homo Is sur
rounded with a forest that would have
beea as delightful to Dean Swift as
were the elm groves of Ireland.
We may find the poet somewhere In
his merry woods, which are chlmnlg
with the songs of birds. Me believes
that tree and bird and everything else i
Is either beautiful or trying; to be beau
tiful. Cpon seeing us he ceased his
meditations to meet hie friends. He
greets all men alike rich and poor
for he believes that every man with
the breath of God In his nostrils is good
or trying In his poor blind way, as
best he may. to be good.
Millionaire or tramp, the poet re
members everyone he has met or
known. After a few words of kindly
welcome we are escorted to his Thes
eum. where he thinks out many of his
best themes. Here at present he is
revising his works refining what he
has written, mo to speak, as the miner
with his gold pan washes and washes
the wealth he has found, then takes It
through the ordeal of the gold dust
blower to separate the worthless sand
front the glittering metal. Now and
then, perchance, he employs the eruo
lble that the gold he selects may pass
anywhere and everywhere In the liter
ary mints of the world. He says books
rarely enter this place. In fact, ha be
lieves there are too many books; for
books are merely glasses through which
folks look. Hence, better books and
fewer of them. Lamps and candles are
not In evidence, for the poet rises and
retires with the birds.
Definition of Genius.
He never believed' In the special gift
of poetlo genius. He says: "Let us
call genius a devout and all-perrading
love for the sublime, the beautiful and
the good. Genius is love that Is born
of this truth, leading ver by plain
and simple ways, and true toll and
care; as all Nature tolls and cares, and
God tolls and cares. And when your
great poet comas, as surely he will
come, and soon, do not mock because
he goes apart from folly or trade to
meditate. Ever, from the first, the
prophets went up Into the mountains
to pray. A poet need not be eccentric,
to turn apart from getting. In truth,
he would be no real poet if he did not.
A good poet need not be a bad man. Ha
may not be a better man than you.
but he Is not necessarily worse for be
ing a poet. I repeat, he is merely a
elnoere, plain, human being In love with
the beautiful world and all that Is
HIs."
When you are left a few moments to
yourself after you have been Impressed
with Miller's personality, you may think
of his works and express the wish that
the writings of such a man at his best
might be found in every library, for
they are very readable. Inspirational
and Instructive. But you cannot review
them thoroughly while your mind is out
on a Jaunt. You may think of his poem
"Columbus." which exemplifies a vault
ing ambition that Is purposeful and you
msy decide that It Is a gTeater poem
than "Excelsior," the vaulting and am
bitious, though purposeless, poem that
did much to make Longfellow famous.
Tou may call to mind "William Brown,
of Oregon," the rollcklng poem which
ought to be read by everybody, and
"The Days of Forty Nine." that set the
Western heart to singing1
Thouch battered and old
Our hearts are bold;
Tet oft do we repine
For the days of old.
For the days of gold.
For the days of forty-nine.
'Tou may think of his poem on Byron,
which contains one of the most remark
able stansas In the English language;
remarkable for the reason that al
though one may forget the words, he
cannot get away from the sentiment. It
runs In simple, primer heart words:
In men whom men condemn as ill.
I find so much of goodness still;
In men whom men pronounce divine
I ffnd so much of sin and blot.
I hesitate to draw the line
Between the two, when God hss not.
Tou may recall scores of other 'poems
from the quill-pen and oak-ball Ink of
the Slerran Bard, that have attracted
attention wherever they have been
read; and you may think of the ample
entertainment which could be furnished
from readings asd recitations by
schools and clubs and families that are
willing to devote the necessary time
and trouble, to suit the selections from
JoaquliS Miller to the occasion.
Talks of Oregon. Days.
He appears. A few kind words about
his deceased mother and his loving
daughter, and the Bard calls to mind
his acquaintance with Phil Metsohan,
Senator Nesmlth, the Applegates and
some more of the first sons of Oregon
and Cal'fornia. Then the party dines
with him In his comfortable but un
pretentious apartments where all are
reminded by what they see that his Is
the simple life. If you are an Ore
gonian. Oregon folk lore will be the
topic of conversation till a late hour
bids you homeward.
But you must see the poet's last rest
ing place before you leave. After you
have followed a zigzag road a short
distance you come to a rustic gate ap
proached by a wall of stone which the
Bard has put in place. Then up to
where you face the pyre he erected for
his cremation in fulfillment of his sons;:
When the first quarter of my race Is run.
Let me ascend In clouds up to the sun.
It Is a credit to a country and an
honor to a man that he may live three
score years and 10; but it requires
bravery leading up to complete self
possession for a man to survey the fu
ture, build his own pyre and then stand
on the same mountain as did Joaquin
Miller and serenely say of death:
With folded hands I wait and welcome hlra
After meditating upon the solemn
suggestions of the crematory and ob
serving the scenery that environs the
heights and gives temporary rest to
the tired brain, we descend to the home
of the poet, and discover that he grows
tender as we linger on the lawn that
approaches the gateway.
The common brotherhood of man is
the theme of his monologue aa we are
about to depart. Tbls was the theme of
the first poem he wrote after graduat
ing from Columbia College, which was
the germ of the State University at
Eugene, even as Corvallls College was
the germ of the State Agricultural Col
lege. By the way, the Oregon Agricul
tural College adopted the alumni of Its
predecessor, and If the State University
of Oregon should sometime decide to do
a similar thing, Joaquin Miller would
appear as an alumnus of th.e University
ofOregon. And I believe the matter Is
worth considering; for these two things
must not be overlooked; Eugene at that
early day, as well as later, produced a
long Jfft of remarkable men and wo
men; and Joaquin Miller, who has a
reputation as an author on two con
tinents, is .pre-eminently the product of
the schools of Eugene.
It will be remembered that while
there were many schools throughout
Greece, the academy was placed at
Athens; and the men and women of
Athens adorned all Hellas from the
.dawn of her glory. Furthermore, It
must not be overlooked that since his
graduation, he has been a devoted
student of Homer, Virgil, the Encylo-
pedla Britannlca and the best authors
of our times.
But returning to the poem, the poet
referred- feelingly to his college presi
dent, the venerable Professor Hender
son, and some of his schoolmates. Dr.
M. M. Davis, George Waggoner, the
Rlneharts, the Snodgrasses and others;
and then he pronounced the poem in
substance as a sort of benediction
upon our departure; hence we now
give it in fuU:
"Is It Worth While T"
Is H worth while to jostle a broth err,
Bearing his load on the rough road of
llfeT
Is It worth while that we Jeer at eaoh other
In blackness of heart t That we war to
the knife? -God
pity us all In the pitiful strife. '
God pity us all as we Jostle each other;
. God pardon na ail for the triumph we feel
(Concluded, on Fife 7.)
THE keel of the most famous ves
sel of modern times. Captain
Ericsson's first Ironclad, was laid
la the shipyard of Thomas p. Rowland,
t Greenpolnt. Brooklyn. In October,
llll, and on the 10th of January. 1S(3.
the novel craft was launched. On the
25th of February she was commissioned
ad turned over to the Government,
and Bin days later left New Tork for
Hampton Roads, where on the ith of
Starch occurred the memorable contest
with the "Merrlmac" On her next ven
ture on the open sea. she foundered off
Qapo Hatteras In a gal of wind (De
cember II). During her career of less
than a year she had no fewer than Ova
different commanders: but it was the
fortune of the writer to serve as her
oaly executive officer, standing unon
her deck when she was launched, and
leaving It but a few minutes before
she sank.
So hurried was the preparation of
tne -jioauor that the mechanics
worked upon her day and night up to
the hour of her departure, and little
opportunity was offered to drill the
csew at the guns, to work the turret.
and to become familiar with the other
unusual features of the vessel. The
crew was. In fact, composed of volua
teers. Lieutenant Worden. having been
authorised by the Navy Department to
elect his men from any sbip-of-war
in mw Tork Harbor, addressed the
crow of the North Carolina and Sa
bine, stating fully to them the prob
able dangers of the passage to Hamp
ton Roads and the certainty of having
Important service to perform after ar
riving. The sailors responded enthus
iastically, many more volunteering"
than were required.
righting the Sea.
"Ye left New Tork la tow of the tug
rxT Beth Low at 11 A. It- of Thurs
cU , ha (to of March. On the follow
laCay a moderate breeze was en
couriered, and It was at once evident
that the Monitor was unfit as a sea
going craft. Nothing but the subsid
ence of the wind prevented her from
being shipwrecked before she reached
Hampton Roads. The berth-deck hatch
leaked In spite of all wo could do. and
the water came down under the turret
like a waterfall. It would strike the
pilothouse and go over the turret In
beautiful curves, and It can through
the narrow eye-boles in the pilothouse
with such force as to knock the helms
men completely round from the wheeL
The waves also broke over the blow
rplpea, and the water came down
through them In suoh quantities that
the belts of the blower-engines slirped.
and the engine consequently stopped
Cor lack of artificial draught, without
which, to such a confined place, the i
aire could not get air for combustion.
BATTLES AND LEADERS OF THE CIVIL WAR NO. 3
By Dana S. Greene Commander of the "Monitor" Turret in the Fight With, the Merrima'c. ,
Newton and 6 timers, followed by the
engineer's force, gallantly rushed Into
the engine-room and flreroom to rem
edy the evIU but they were unable to
check the Inflowing water, and were
nearly suffocated with escaping gas.
They were dragged out more dead than
alive, and carried to the top of the
turret, where the fresh air gradually
revived them.
The water continued to pour through
the hawse-hole, and over and down
the smoke-stack and blower pipes. In
such quantities that there was Imml
nent danger that tho ship would foun
der. Tho steam-pumps could not be
operated because the fires had been
nearly extinguished, and the engine
room was uninhabitable on account of
the suffocating gas with which It was
filled. Tho hand-pumps were then
rigged and worked, but they had not
enough force to throw tho water out
through tho top of the turret. the
only opening. and It was useless to
ball, as we had to pass the buckets up
tnrougn tho turret, which made it
very long operation.
Fortunately, toward evening the wind
and the sea subsided, and. being again
in smooth water, the engine was put
In operation. But at midnight. In pass
lng over a shoal, rough water was
again encountered, and our troubles
were renewed, complicated this time
with the Jamming of the wheel-ropes,
so that the safety of the ship depended
entirely on the strength of tho hawser
which connected her with the tug-boat.
The hawser, being new, held fast; but
during the greater part of the night
we were constantly engaged In fighting
tho leaks, until we reached smooth
water again, lust before daylight.
It was at the close of this dispiriting
trial trip, in which all hands had been
exhausted in their efforts to keep the
novel craft afloat, that the "Monitor"
passed Cape Henry at 4 P.M. on Satur
day. March . At this point was heard
the distant booming of heavy guns,
which our captain rightly Judged to be
aa engaretnont with tho "Merrlmac."
twenty miles away. Ho at once ord
ered tho vessel stripped of her seartg.
tho turret keyed up, and every prepara
tion made for battle.
We Reach Hampton Koads.
As we approached Hampton Roads
wo could see the fine old "Congress"
burning brightly, and soon a pilot came
on board and told of the arrival of the
"Merrimac" the disaster to tho "Cum-,
berland" and tho "Congress," and the
dismay of tho Union forces.
Tho "Monitor" was pushed with all
haste, and reached the "Roanoke"' (Cap
tain Marston), anchored In the Roads,
at P.M. Worden Immediately report
ed his arrival to Captain Marston. who
suggested that he should go to the as
sistance - of the "Minnesota," then
aground off Newport News. As no pilot
was available. Captain Worden accept
ed the volunteer services of Acting
Master Samuel Howard, who earnestly
sought the duty. An atmosphere of
Cloom pervaded tho fleet. and the
pygmy aspect of tho newcomer did not
Inspire confidence among those who
had witnessed the destruction of the
day before.
Skillfully piloted by Howard we pro
ceeded on our way, our path illuminated
by the blase of the "Congress." Reach
ing the "Minnesota." hard and fast
aground, near midnight, we anchored,
and Worden reported to Captain Van
Brunt. Between 1 and 2 A. M. the "Con
gress" blew up not instantaneously,
but successively. Her powder-tanks
seemed to explode, each shower of
sparks rivalling the other In height, un
til they appeared to reach the zenith
a grand but mournful sight. Near us,
too, at the bottom of the river, lay the
"Cumberland," with her silent crow of
bravo men, who died while fighting
their guns to the water's edge, and
whose colors were still flying at the
peak.
The dreary night dragged slowly on:
the officers and crew were up and alert,
to be ready for any emergency. At
daylight on Sunday the "Merrlmac" and
her consorts were discovered at anchor
near Sewell's Point. At about 7:20
o'clock the enemy's vessels got under
way and steered In the direction of the
"Minnesota." At the same time the
"Monitor" got under way, and her offi
cers and crew took their station for
battle.
The pilot-house of the "Monitor" was
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THB MOTtTOR A5D MERRIXAO FIGHTI.VG AT SHORT RANGE. FROM A DRAWING Br THE FAMOUS
BURLVB ARTIST J. O. DAVTDSOX.
situated well forward, near the bow; It
was a wTought-lron structure, built of
logs of iron nine Inches thick, bolted
through tho corners, and covered with
an iron plate two Inches thick, which
was not fastened down, but was kept in
place merely by its weight. The sight
holes or silts were made by Inserting
quarter-Inch plates at the corners be
tween the upper set of logs and the next
below. The structure projected four feet
above the deck, and was barely large
enough Inside to hold three men stand
ing. It presented a flat surface on all
sides and on top. Tho steering wheel
was secured to one of the logs on the
front side.
Worden took his station in the pilot
house, and by his side were Howard, the
pilot, and Peter Williams, Quartermas
ter, who steered the vessel throughout
the engagement. My place was In the
turret, to work and fight the guns; with
me were Stodder and Stlmers and 16
brawny men, eight to each gun.
The "Monitor" was surrounded b7
wrecks and disaster, and her efficiency
in action had yet to be proved.
Makes Straight for "Merrlmac.
Worden lost no time in bringing it to
test. Getting his ship under way, ho
steered direct for the enemy's vessel, in
order to meet and engage them as far
as possible from the "Minnesota. As
he approach ed. the wooden vessels
quickly turned and left. Our Captain, to
tho "astonishment" of Captain Van
Brunt (as he states In his official report),
...... ..m.i.-V., th, "1Ww!iYia"
which had already commenced flrlntr;
and when he came within short range.
'he changed his course so as to coma
alongside of her, stopped the engine, and
gave the order, "Commence nnng:
I triced up the port, ran out the gun,
and. taking deliberate aim. pulled the
lock string. The "Merrlmac" was quick
to reply, returning a rattling broadside
(for she had 10 guns to our two), and the
battle fairly began. The turrets and
other parts of the ship were heavily
struck, but tho shots did not penetrate;
the tower was intact, and It continued
to revolve. A look of confidence passed
over the men's faces, and we believed
tho "Merrlmac" would not repeat the
work she had accomplished the day be
fore.
The light continued with the ex
change of broadsides as fast as the
guns could be served and at very short
range, the distance between the ves
sels frequently being not more than a
low: yards, Warden, akJUfuJlj; man
euvered his quick-turning vessel, try
ing to find some vulnerable point in
his adversary. Once he made a daBh
at her stern, hoping to disable her
screw. Our shots ripped the iron of
the "Merrlmac" while the reverberation
of her shots against the tower caused
anything but a pleasant sensation.
While Stodder, who was stationed at
the machine which controlled the re
volving motion of the turret, was in
cautiously leaning against the side of
the tower, a large shot struck In the
vicinity and disabled him. He left the
turret and went below, and Stlmers
who had assisted him. continued to do
the work.
The drawbacks to the position of
the pilot-house were soon realized.
We could not fire ahead nor within
several points of the bow. since the
blast from our own guns would have in
jured the people In the pilot-house, only
a few yarda off. Keeler and Toffey
passed the captain's orders and messages
to me, and my inquiries and answers to
him, the speaking-tube from the pilot
house to the turret having been broken
early In the action. They performed
their work with real and alacrity, but,
both being landsmen, our technical com
munications sometimes miscarried. The
situation was novel; a vessel of war was
engaged in desperate combat with a pow
erful foe: the captain, commanding and
guiding, was Inclosed In one place, and
the executive officer, working and fight
ing the guns, was shut up In another,
and communication between them was
difficult and uncertain.
Tho Turret Gives Trouble.
As tho engagement continued, the
working; of the turret was not alto
gether satisfactory. It was difficult to
start It revolving, or, when once
started, to stop It, on account of the
imperfections of the novel machinery,
which was now undergoing Its first
trial. Stlmers was an active, muscu
lar man, and did his utmost to control
the motion of the turret; but. in SDlto
of his efforts. It was difficult, if not
impossible, to secure accurate firing.
My only view of the world outside of
the tower was over the muzzles of
guns, which cleared the ports by only
a few Inches. When the guns were
run in, the portholes were covered by
heavy Iron pendulums, pierced with
small holes to allow the Iron rammer
and sponge handles to protrude while
they were In use. To hoist these
pendulums required the entire gun's
crew and vastly increased the work in
side the turret.
The effect upon one shut up in a re
volving drum Is perplexing, and it is
not a simple matter to keep the bear
ings. White marks had been placed
upon the stationary deck Immediately
below the turret to Indicate the direc
tion of the starboard and port sides.
apBduds4 an, f age 1
3