With his hands thrust in his pockets stands General Grant, next to General McClernand, who is directly in front of the pillar of the Cairo post-office. The future military leader had yet his great name to make, for the photograph of this gathering was taken in September, 1861, and when, later, the whole world was ringing with his praises the citizens who chanced to be in the group must have recalled that day with pride. Young Al Sloo, the postmaster's son, leans against the doorway on Grant's right, and next to him is Bob Jennings; then comes Dr. Taggart, then Thomas, the mason, and Jaques, the butcher. On the extreme right, facing the camera, is young Bill Thomas. Up in the windows sit George Olmstead and Will Smith. In his shirt sleeves, on General McClernand's left, is C. C. Davidson. In the group about him are Benjamin Munn, Fred Theobold, John Maxey, and Phil. Howard. Perhaps these men told their children of the morning that Grant left his headquarters at the St. Charles Hotel and met them here. Who knows? [Illustration: THE UNLUCKY _ESSEX_ AFTER FORT HENRY.] The thousand-ton ironclad _Essex_ received the severest punishment at Fort Henry. Fighting blood surged in the veins of Commander W. D. Porter, son of Admiral David Porter and brother of Admiral David D. Porter. The gunboat which he led into action at Fort Henry was named after the famous _Essex_ which his father commanded in the War of 1812. Fifteen of the shots from Fort Henry struck and told upon the _Essex_, the last one penetrating her armor and piercing her middle boiler. Commander Porter, standing among his men directing the fight, was terribly scalded by the escaping steam, as were twenty-seven others. Wrongly suspected of disloyalty at the outbreak of the war, Commander Porter's conduct during the struggle gave the lie to such calumny. He recovered after Fort Henry, and was made Commodore in July, 1862. Again in command of the _Essex_ he attempted unsuccessfully to destroy the dread Confederate ram _Arkansas_ at Vicksburg on July 22d. Porter and the _Essex_ then joined Farragut's fleet. His shells helped the Union forces to repulse the Confederates at Baton Rouge, August 5th, and he witnessed the blowing up of the _Arkansas_ the following day. He died May 1, 1864. [Illustration: COMMANDER W. D. PORTER.] [Illustration: THE _ESSEX_ TWO YEARS LATER.] [Illustration: THE GUNBOAT THAT FIRED THE FIRST SHOT AT FORT HENRY.]