The most instructive chapter in the history of the United States is that relating to the deeds of the cruisers in the Confederate navy; for, though few in number, they proved to the world that the over-sea commerce of a nation at war could be swept away entirely by means so inexpensive and of such little power as to be absolutely insignificant. Consider the first Confederate cruiser worth mention--the _Sumter_. She was a small coaster lying at New Orleans. Her cabins for passengers were on deck, and her coal-carrying capacity was equal to but five days at sea, and her hull was so frail that she was condemned by a board of able Confederate officers who examined her. But Raphael Semmes eagerly took hold of her. He cleared away the cabin hamper on deck, overhauled her sails and rigging, mounted an eight-inch pivot and some thirty-two-pounders from the Norfolk Navy Yard, and then did one other thing to her worth especial mention: “The engine which was partly above the water line was protected by a system of woodwork and iron bars.” So says Semmes’ “Memoirs”; and that is important because he said the captain of the _Kearsarge_, having used chains for armor, was unchivalrous. He began work on April 22, 1861. On June 3d he put her in commission under the name of _Sumter_. Thereafter some time was spent in drilling the crew, and then he dropped down to the head of the Passes to wait opportunity to get to sea. Very naturally he was astonished to find that the _Brooklyn_, the only blockading steamer, was lying out at sea instead of anchoring at the head of the Passes. He was also astonished that he was not attacked by the _Brooklyn_ during the nine days that he lay there, and the reader is likely to share his feeling. And then came Sunday, June 30th. While the men on the _Sumter_ prepared themselves for the usual man-o’-war inspection, a report that the _Brooklyn_ was off on a chase was received. [Illustration: Raphael Semmes. _From a photograph owned by Mr. C. B. Hall._] Instantly preparations began for a run to sea. It was a hopeless attempt in the eyes of one of her lieutenants, for he had been on the _Brooklyn_, and thought her the faster ship; but Semmes was a daredevil who would “make a spoon or spoil a horn.” As they approached the bar the _Brooklyn_ was seen coming, and she was but four miles away when the _Sumter_ crossed the bar. But she did not overhaul the _Sumter_. There was a fresh breeze, and both ships made sail. The _Sumter_ had large fore and aft sails, which enabled her, when they were set, to lie closer to the wind than the _Brooklyn_ could do, and the _Sumter_ fairly ran her out of sight.