The Story of a Strange Career: Being the Autobiography of a Convict: An Authentic Document
History
The Story of a Strange Career: Being the Autobiography of a Convict: An Authentic Document
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives
General Canby, who commanded the troops in New York city, had chartered
six tug-boats for patrolling the river fronts, and each one had a
howitzer and guns, in charge of an ensign. I was sent to take charge of
the boat Rapid, and my instructions were to remain at Castle Garden dock
and await orders. As there was no more rioting, my chance for killing a
few rebel sympathizers was lost. One day a young man approached me and
inquired for the tug-boat Rapid, as he wished to see Ensign Thompson.
"You are speaking to him now," I answered.
He looked at me rather quizzically for a few seconds, and said his name
was John Murray.
"The fact is, you are living with my wife."
"The devil I am!" I replied.
"Such is the case," he stated. "I was arrested and compelled to marry
her, and, after living together for a year, she ran away from me in
Canada and came to New York. Now I wish to get a divorce so that I can
marry a girl to whom I am at present engaged."
At first he talked of having her arrested for bigamy. I told him that
even if he did that, he would still have to get a divorce, and that a
man who would ruin a girl and then contemplate sending her to prison was
a contemptible cur. Finally it was arranged that the divorce notice
should be served on her, and a decree asked for. My interview with Annie
was rather stormy. I told her that I would not marry her again, but I
would take care of her and would treat her as a wife as long as she
behaved herself. That was my last matrimonial venture; and I was a man
married to two women and yet legally a bachelor.
About the 1st of September, General Canby gave me orders to return the
howitzer and sailors to the navy yard, also for me to report to the St.
Lawrence. In a few days I was ordered to Boston, to join the United
States brig Perry. On my arrival, the captain indorsed my orders as
having reported. Next, I went to the navy agent, and received two
hundred dollars as advance pay and my mileage expenses from New
York---twenty-one dollars and ten cents. All naval officers are allowed
ten cents a mile when ordered to the different naval stations. The next
day I reported as ready for duty. Being next in rank to the captain,
made me executive officer. The Perry was the vessel I admired so much
when in Rio de Janeiro. Now the circumstances were altogether different.
It was a most undesirable vessel to be attached to in war times. There
would be no chance of active service or prize money. The Perry's day had
passed with the advent of fast steamers for blockade-running. In the
early part of the war she captured the rebel privateer Dixie after a
short engagement, and that was the end of her victories. And not one
cent of prize money was ever credited to her account.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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