About noon
When she arrived opposite to them , Frank hailed her , and the boat landed and took them on board . Frank gave the information that there was a battery above , and the captain , not liking the idea of trusting his unarmed vessel within range of its guns , ordered the pilot to round-to and start down the river again . The order was obeyed at once , and Frank and the coxswain , who now began to breathe more freely , went below and stood before the fire-doors to dry their clothing . About noon they arrived at the Mississippi River , the transport landing alongside the vessel of the commanding naval officer , to whom Frank delivered his dispatches in triumph , at the same time apologizing for his appearance , for he was without coat , hat , or side-arms . Among these dispatches of the admiral were orders for two tin-clads to report at Alexandria . These vessels were to be used to keep the banks clear of rebels , to carry dispatches , and to convoy unarmed steamers up and down the river . The necessary orders were promptly issued , and in a short time the tin-clads came alongside ; their commanders received their instructions , after which the vessels steamed up Red River , one of them having Frank and the coxswain on board .