212
��Captain George Hamilton Perkins, U.S.N.
��[April,
��startling news of the portentous events at home. The infrequent mails began to bring the angry mutterings, the fate- ful tidings, that preluded the Rebellion. Every fresh arrival but added to the excitement and increased the bewilder- ment that had so unexpectedly come upon the squadron ; for, far removed from the scene, and not daily witnesses of the overt acts of the maddened South, they had mostly believed that the threatened conflict would be tided over, and the government be enabled to continue on in its wonted peaceful course. Now a wall, as of fire, rose up between the officers ; every mess in every ship was divided against itself; brothers-in-arms of yesterday were enemies of to-day ; and no one spoke of the outlook at home except in bated breath and measured speech, from fear that the bitter cup would overflow then and there, and water turn to blood. Many Southern officers sent in their resignations at once, and all, both from North and South, were anxious to get home to do their part on one side or the other.
" For some time past," wrote Master Perkins, " the foreigners here have shown us but little respect, and seem to regard us as a broken power ; and this has been very provoking, for in my opinion it will be a long time before any power can afford to despise the United States." And he notes the fact that no more money could be had, — that the credit of the government was gone ! Ah ! how happy the day to loyal but wearied hearts on that inhos- pitable shore, when the news came of the President's call for seventy-five thou- sand men, giving assurance that we still had a government, and meant to pre- serve it through the valor, the blood, the treasure of the nation, if need be !
��After unaccountable and vexatious delay, the Sumter received orders, July, i86r, to proceed to New York; meanwhile she had captured the slave brig Falmouth, a welcome finale to the cruise, and what with the officers trans- ferred to her and the resignations that had taken place, Mr. Perkins now became executive officer, a fine position at that day for one of his years.
Making the homeward run in thirty- six days, the officers and men dispersed to their homes for a brief respite before entering upon the stern duties that awaited them, and Mr. Perkins had the satisfaction of receiving his commission as master.
Recruiting his shattered health for a short time at his welcoming home, he was ordered as executive officer of the Cayuga, one of the so-called ninety- day gunboats, carrying a battery of one eleven-inch Dahlgren gun, a twenty pounder Parrott rifle, and two twenty-four pounder howitzers, and commanded by Lieutenant-Command- ing N. B. Harrison, a loyal Virginian, who had wavered never a moment as to his duty when his State threw down the gauntlet of rebelhon.
The exigencies of the war had soon exhausted the lists of regular officers and the few thousand seamen that had been trained in the service, and large drafts of officers and men were made upon the merchant marine as well as big hauls of green landsmen who had never dreamt of salt water ; and First Lieutenant Perkins, as the only regular officer on board except the captain, soon found himself an exceeding busy man in organizing, disciplining, drilling, and shaping into place and routine, some ninety officers and men, all equally new to man-of-war life and methods, and requiring the necessary
�� �
