62 Southern Historical Society Papers.
evening, and the improbabilty of there being such a large force close to the banks of the river at that time of night without reason. Unhappily, their plans worked very well. The party sent ashore were raw recruits and in charge only of an engineer, that escaped.
The strangest part of the story is that the enemy went off in the Rattler' s cutter to capture her. They were only discovered when within musket range, and, but for an accident would have been on board of her. Captain Glenney states that he immediately slipped, but lost sight of her, and she escaped. As the night was bright starlight, it would seem to show that there must have been great excitement on the Rattler.
Captain Glenney the next day went some twenty miles in the country, unattended, to seek an interview with Colonel Harrison, who finally consented to release them on parole.
Upon after consideration, I will keep those paroled men on the Rattler until I can learn if there is any immediate chance of effect- ing their exchange.
If not, I will send them up the first opportunity.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOS. O. SELFRIDGE, Lieutenant-Commander.
REAR-ADMIRAL DAVID D. PORTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron.
U. S. S. RATTLER, MISSISSIPI RIVER, November 4, 1864.
Sir, It becomes my duty to inform you of the desertion of the executive officer of this vessel, Acting-Ensign E. P. Nellis, and of the escape of Acting- Master D. W. Glenney. Sentries were placed at each door of the room in which Acting-Master Glen- ney was confined, and all precautions taken as usual.
They probably left the vessel between the hours of n and 12 P. M., in a skiff which was on the guard. The officer of deck, Acting-Ensign H. E. Church, reports that he was relieved by Mr. Nellis. I am,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. B. WILLETS, Acting Master, Commanding.
LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER R. L. MAY, Commanding Fifth Dis- trict Mississippi Squadron.
