Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-04-22

further supplies. To do this she must
come within reach of our fotilla, and our
commander, Captain Graham, received Or
ders from Colonel MNab and Captain
Drew TO arrest her. But on the very day
she was to ascend, Col. Hughes of the oath
arrived at Chippawaw; and as be outrank-
ed M'Nab, he took the command. His
first step was TO forbid Captain Drew TO in
terfere with any vessel ascending the river
under American colors. Much against his
will the Captain was forced to send an Or
der to this effect to the commander of the
fotilla."
"At dinner Colonel Hughes changed his
mind, and sent to Graham an order to
Stop the Barcelona, peacable if possible; !;
but at all events TO stop her."
"The mess must have had very good
port" suggested We.
avery likely they did; and it came near
costing US DEAR" rejoined the Colonel.
81 am an old soldier now, and may safely
own that l did not at all relish our posi-
ton. 1t was easy enough, TO lie sure, for
us to stop the Barcelona: We could have
blown her out of the water in two minutes;
but, unluckily SCOTS battery could do us
the same kind turn in about three fourihs
of the time. We soon had evidence that
he was quite determined 10 do so if necessa-
ry. For hardly had we received the orders
to stop the Barcelona, before boat ap-
preached the fotilla from the American
shore, with message from General Scott
to the effect that, if we interfered with the
steamer, be should consider it equivalent
to a declaration of war, and would sink our
squadron iRstanter. We were very well
aware that couple of rounds from his
battery would be quite sufficient for the
purpose. @
"Our bluff Captain declared that he had
orders to stop the Bacelora, and stop her
he would. So we took a quiet glass of
brandy and smoked cigar with very
gentlemanly young American officer who
had brought US Generol Scott's message,
which, under the circumstances, was equiv
oleut to death warrant He took very
courteous leave of us and returned to the
American side.
"Old Graham" as we call him, now is
sued lis orders to the boats of the squad
ron. We were to put springs on our Ca
bles, so as to be able to engage the Amer
ican battery, after we had taken the BARGE
Iona. Considering how completely we
were in lis power, this would have appear
ed capital joke, had it not been a matter
of life and death.
Il very well knew that old Graham
would go to the bottom before he would
swerve from obeying orders; but being, as
l have said, a young officer, it would not
do TO show any alarm; so | turned into
what was likely to be my last nights sleep.
"'rhe morning broke gloriously. The
thermometer stood number of degrees
below zero, and sharp, wind blew away
the mist, and and showed the trees on
both banks glitteriug in the rays of the
rising sun, as though every twig was hung
with diamonds. By aud by we saw the
Bancelona shoot out from the Island, and
move slowly up the stream toward u.s.
Orders were passed to light our slow match
es, in readiness for action. At this mo-
ment the bugles in the American battles
sounded cali; we could see the gunners
fall into their places, load their pieces, and
bring couple of our vessels. We were so
near that we could actually see them light
their slow matches.
.'All this time the Barcelona kept creep
ing up towards us. She was slow boat
at best, and wind and current being against
her, she did not make more than couple
of miles an hour; but even at that rate,
half an hour would bring her up to us when
we were sure Graham would order us to
fire upon her; which we were just as sure
would be followed by SCOTS firing upon
US, and sending us to keep her company
at the bottom. 1t would have been an
even chance which of us went first over
the Falls.
"Just at this moment we saw dragoon
on her side hailing us, and holding up
dispatch from head quarter. A gig was
sent and the document was brought on
board. 1t was from Colonel Hughes, and
was short, and to the point:
"Under no circumstances will Captain
Graham interfere with any vessel bearing
the American flag"
81 am not now afraid to own that | was
delighted at this new order, though 1
would not then have acknowledged for the
world. Graham swore like trooper, but
had no other alternative than to give Or
ders to the commanders Of the other YES
sells to let tie Barcelona pass. They swore
too, and seemed vastly grieved that they
had lost such capital chance of going to
the bottom.
"Meanwhile the the Barcelona puffed la
zily up, and as she passed between our YES
sells we were saluted with cheer from her
decks, which in nowise tended to soothe
our ruffled feelings.
"Hardly was the steamer out of sight
when boat was seen approaching US from
Chippewa. 1t bore an officer charged to
arrest Captain Graham for disobedienee of
orders and neglect of duty in suffering the
Barcelona to pass. He was sent to head
quarters to give an account of himself
lie produced the dispatch forbidding him
him to interfere with any vessel under the
American colors. Its purport was un-
mistakable, and there was no doubt of the
genuineness of the signature of Colonel
hughes; but it was neither dated nor num-
bered
Inc whole matter was soon explained.
IL seems that Captain Lockwood was in
command OF a troop of dragons who were
on patrol duty along the river. Happen
ing early IN the morning IN enter oroo