Captain Boggs, of the Varuna, tells a story of a brave boy who was on board his vessel during the bombardment of the forts on the Mississippi river. The lad, who answers to the name of Oscar, is thirteen years of age, but he has an old head on his shoulders, and is alert and energetic. During the hottest of the fire he was busily engaged in passing ammunition to the gunners, and narrowly escaped death when one of the terrific broadsides of the Veruna’s rebel antagonist was poured in. Covered with dirt and begrimed with Powder, he was met by Captain Boggs, who asked “Where he was going in such a hurry?” “To get a passing box, sir; the other was smashed by a ball!” And so throughout the fight, the brave lad held his place and did is duty.
When the Varuna went down Captain Boggs missed his boy, and thought he was among the victims of the battle. But a few minutes afterwards he saw the lad gallantly swimming towards the wreck. Clambering on board of Captain Boggs’ boat, he threw his hand up to his forehead giving the usual salute, and uttering only the words, “All right, sir! I report myself on board,” passed coolly to his station. So young a lad, so brave and cool in danger, will make himself known as years go over his head.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 2
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