The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-14
From The Mobile Rssi.s.
MARTA. Tussl..-A Rosn.ntsc Incident Of the n.vs.~

A series OF interesting sketches from the pen Of the
late Mr. Buckingham, of Boston, has recently revived
many remark able incidents OF the American revolution
Among others, he gave account OF the Attempt h
hiow up the Eagle -o-war of the Battery at New
York in July 1916" and attributed that daring snerpn
article from DR. Samuel H. p, Lee, OF New York, ia
which be shows concusvey that the actual hero OF the
adventure was his father. Captain Ezra Lee, dsin.
guished patriot and soldier Of the revolution In suppou
OF this the following obituary notice which
was written by Charles Gnswoid esq, son OF Governor
Roger Griswod OF Connecticut, and inserted the New
York Commercial Advertiser of November 49, 1921 Til.
story very semarkabe and romantic and will not BE-
the less interesting 10 readers when we state that the
gallant officer referred to was the grandfather of Dr. Lee
OF this city:
Ezra Lee, aged 49, revolutionary officer II is not In
lie remarkable that this officer is the only man Of WHOM
be said that he fought the enemy upon land upon
water, and under the Udfer. The latter mode OF warfare
was as follows
"When the British feet lay in the North river opposite
to the city Of New York. and while General Washington
OF such neighbors A Mr.. Bushnell Of Saybrook, Con.
nectcut who had the genius OF Fulton. constructed
submarine machine. OF cardinal form, bound together
with iron bands, within which one person might att and
with crank and sculs could navigate to any depth un
der water In the upper part was affixed vertical for
the purpose OF penetrating ships bottoms and to this
attached magazine OF powder. within which clock
which, on being set TO run any given time, would. when
run down, spring RunOck and an explosion would FOL.
low The Marine Turtle (so caed) was examined BY
General Washington and approved To preserve secrecy
il was experimental within enclosed yard in 20 to 20
feet water, and kept during daylight locked in vessels
hold The brother Of the inventor was TO be the person
TO navigate the machine into action but, sinking The
first time, he declined the service.
General Washington unwilling to relinquish the Oh.
ec quested Major General Parsons to select person.
in whom he could confde voluntarily to engage in ihe en-
erprise The latter being well acquainted with the heroic
spirit the patriotism and the firm and steady courage OF hs
deceased above mentioned, Immediately communicated tho
plan and the OFFER which he accepted observing that biz
life was at General Washlngtons service After pas.
Using the machine until he understood its powers Of ba
ancing and moving under water, night fixed upon
for the attempt General Washington and his assoc.ies
ia the took their stations upon the roof Of hou
in Broadway, anxiously awaiting tho result Morninr
came and intelligence could be had Of the INTREPID
submarine navigator, could the boat which ATTENDED
him give any account Of him. after parting with him be
first part of the night While these anxious specalon
were about to give him up as lost, several barges
seen to start suddenly from Governors Island then il
of the British and proceed towards some object
near the Asia ship ofhe-line. AS suddenly they were
to put about and for the island with sprngns
oars. In two three minutes explosion took pace
from the surface of the water resembling spout.
which aroused the whole city and region. The enemys
ships took the alarm-signals rapidly given-ths
ships their cables and proceeded 10 the Hook with Ill
possible DESPATCH sweeping their bottoms with chains
and with difficulty prevented their aghted crews from
leaping overheard.
to the surface. opened the brass head of his aquatic ma
chine, up, and gave signal for the boat como 10
him. but they could reach him until he again de-
scended under water avoid the enemys shot from the
island who had discovered him, and commenced frine
in his wake Having forced himself against a sironf
current under water until without the reach OF shot. he
was taken in tow and landed at the Battery amidst
great crowd He reported himself to General Washing.
ton who expressed his entire satisfaction that the obje
was effected without the loss OF lives.
The deceased under the Asia's bottom more than
two hours endeavorg 10 penetrate her "copper" bu, 10
vain he frequently came up under her stern galleries.
searching for exposed plank and could hear the senne
cry Once he discovered by the watch deck and
heard them speculate upon him, and conclude that
drfed log had paid them visit He returned to her keel
and examined il lore and aft and then proceeded 10 soue
other ships; but to the impossbil,y OF penetrating their
copper, for want Of resisting power, hundreds owed
their lives The longest space Of time he could remain
under water two hours. (For particular descrip.
ton OF this submarine curiosity, Sman's Journal
of Arts and Sciences0
The deceased, during the war; had the confidence
and esteem Of the commander-in- chief. and was fire.
Guenty employed by him secret missions OF import.
ance. He fought with him at Trenton and Monmouth
AT Bandywine the hilt OF his sword shot away and
his hat and coat were penetrated with the enemy's balls
On the return of peace he laid aside the habments oil
and returned 10 his farm, where, like Cincinnaius
he titled his lands until called BY the great Commander
in-chief TO the regions above He died without IN
enemy"