The writer had little inclination to undertake this task; for he has believed for twenty years that the war is over, and he has not been disposed to keep alive old issues which had better remain buried.

He has spent some time in the South, and has always found himself among friends there.

He became personally acquainted with those who fought on the Confederate side, from generals to privates, and he still values their friendship.
He certainly is not disposed to write any thing that would cause him to forfeit his title to the kind feeling that was extended to him.
It is not, therefore, with the desire or intention to rekindle the fires of sectional animosity, now happily subdued, that the writer begins another series relating to the war.

The call upon him to use the topics of the war has been so urgent, and its ample field of stirring events has been so inviting, that he could not resist; but, while his own opinions in regard to the great question of five-and-twenty years ago remain unchanged, he hopes to do more ample justice than perhaps was done before to those "who fought on the other side." The present volume introduces those which are to follow it, and presents many of the characters that are to figure in them.

Though written from the Union standpoint, the author hopes that it will not be found unfair or unjust to those who looked from the opposite point of view.
Dorchester, June 12, 1888.
CONTENTS Page CHAPTER I.
Astounding News from the Shore 13 CHAPTER II.
The Brother at the South 24 CHAPTER III.
Dangerous and Somewhat Irregular 35 CHAPTER IV.
The First Mission of the Bellevite 47 CHAPTER V.
The Bellevite and those on Board of her 58 CHAPTER VI.
Mr.Percy Pierson introduces himself 69 CHAPTER VII.
A Complication at Glenfield 80 CHAPTER VIII.
A Disconsolate Purchaser of Vessels 91 CHAPTER IX.
Christy matures a Promising Scheme 102 CHAPTER X.
The Attempt to pass into Mobile Bay 113 CHAPTER XI.
The Major in Command of Fort Gaines 124 CHAPTER XII.
How the Bellevite passed Fort Morgan 135 CHAPTER XIII.
A Decided Difference of Opinion 146 CHAPTER XIV.
The Blue and the Gray 157 CHAPTER XV.
Brother at War with Brother 168 CHAPTER XVI.
Christy finds himself a Prisoner 179 CHAPTER XVII.
Major Pierson is puzzled 190 CHAPTER XVIII.
The Morning Trip of the Leopard 201 CHAPTER XIX.
The Report of the Scout from the Shore 212 CHAPTER XX.
A Rebellion in the Pilot-House 223 CHAPTER XXI.
The Sick Captain of the Leopard 234 CHAPTER XXII.
The Proceedings on the Lower Deck 245 CHAPTER XXIII.
The Expedition from the Leopard 256 CHAPTER XXIV.
The Engineer goes into the Forecastle 267 CHAPTER XXV.
The First Lesson for a Sailor 278 CHAPTER XXVI.
The Post of Duty and of Danger 289 CHAPTER XXVII.
A Cannon-Ball through the Leopard 300 CHAPTER XXVIII.
The American Flag at the Fore 311 CHAPTER XXIX.
On Board of the Bellevite 322 CHAPTER XXX.
Running the Gantlet 333 TAKEN BY THE ENEMY.