The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-10-22

cording to previous orders, recalled his
men to their boats.
The other division Of the party, in the
launch and second cutter, on approach
ing the schooner, found that instead Of
being moored in the stream she had been
hauled into the dry-dock slip, and was
tied up to the wharf. Nothing daunted,
however, at this unpleasant change in
programme, our gallant fellows dashed
ahead in the slip along side the schooner.
As they were approaching the vessel
they were hailed from her decks five or
six times and were thus prepared to ex-
pect a hand hand encounter. The
cutter, being much the lighter boat shot
ahead of the launch as size approached
the enemy's vessel, and as she passed
under her bows was greeted with a gall
in G fire, but in moment she had crap
pied the schooner about midships, and
Lieut.. Blake and his men were on the
re bel deck In another moment the
launch was under the schooner's guns
and like the cutter, was received by a
deadly salute.
Before the enemy had time to reload,
Lieut.. Russell was upon her decks, fol-
lowed by the brave fellows of his boat,
who had escaped the murderous dis
charge of musketry with which they
were greeted. Forty or more Of our Of
fcers, seaman and marines, precipitating
themselves so unceremoniously upon the
enemy's deck, produced stampede
among them, and nearly all OF them fled
from the deck TO the shore. Only one
attempted to stand his ground against
the boarders," aud he was instantly
shot by Lieut.. Russell. AS soon rs the
deck were cleared of the rebels, our men
proceeded to set the schooner on fire
and when this WAS elfectually accom-
plished, they took to their boats and sue
ceeled in getting OFF with but few strag
Cling shots from the rebels who had be
gnn to rally upon the wharf.
When the boats had got beyond the
rause of musketry, the first and second
cutters were both ordered to give a part
ing salute to the enemy that We're collec
ting upon the wharf, which they did ii
the shape of five or six rounds of canis
ter" from their twelve pound howitzers
What execution was done by this is no
known, but having the light Of the burn
ing schooner upon their mark, i. is reas
enable to suppose that we more than bal
snced accounts for the fire received by
our boats.
So small force as this, under th,
com mand of Lieut. Russell, on this oc
casion, entering into the very stronghold
of an enemy, spiking their guns an
burning an armed vessel. is an exploi
not often surpassed, even in the hslor
Of a navy, many of whose gallant mem
, bers have been distinguished for gallant
ry.
e 1t was not done, however, without los
three killed and fifteen wounded tw
e fatally, five severely, and others slightly
j None of the officers were severely wour
q ded
The schooner that was destroyed wa
: about 600 tons. with four broadsid
guns, and one pivot. gun on the forecas
tie, fully equipped for sea, and name
> the Judah.
The one on our side killed upon til
, deck of the schooner, was the marin
; John Smith This poor fellow had, fe
> days since, for some msdemeanor, bee
placed in confinement. When the expe
, dton was gotten up, Smith was told ths
he might now have an opportunity to re
deem his character, aud if he conducte
himself brayely he would be release
. from further punishment. lie was re
oiced at the chance for fight, and sal
to his commanding officer, " Sir, yo
!, shall have no cause 10 regret having re
/, leased me, will do my duty" He W.
in the second cutter, and was the fr
:, man to land upon the enemy's deck, an
met his death in few moments after.
Lieut.. Blake was the second TO reac
: the deck After the affair was over. Ii
;. clothing was found penetrated by bal
/. il two places one OF the balls-mo
IS probably glancing one-lodged in h
3 clothing after giving him slight wour
a over the stomach. Before leaving 4
a frigate Mr.. Blake had placed sml
:. willow covered " ticker" of old Otard
;. a pocket in the left breast of his co,
,r Alter the engagement was over, an c
of animation discovered the fact that bl