The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-10-11

er upon their mark, it is reasonable to sup
pose that we more than balanced accounts
for the fire received by. our boats.
i So small q. force as this, under the com.
mand of Lieut.. Russell, on this occasion,
entering into the very stronghold of an
enemy, spiking his guns and burning an
armed vessel, is an exploit not often sur
passed, even in the history of navy, many
of whose members have been distinguished
for gallantry. 1 sst4 ~
1t was not done, however, without loss
three killed and fifteen wounded; two
fatally, five severely, and the others slightly.
None of the officers were severely wounded.
The schooner that was destroyed was
about 200 tons, with four broadside guns,
and one pivot gun on the forecastle, fully
equipped for the sea, and named the Judah.
IN Yours, &C., w.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
If have not already trespassed too
much upon your time and space, some no
tice of individual incidents may not be uns
interesting. sse... .,.
The only one on our side killed upon the
deck of the schooner was the mate, John
Smith This poor fellow had, few days
since, for some misdemeanor, been placed in
confinement. When the expedition was
gotten up, Smith was told that he might
now have an opportunity to redeem his
character, and if he conducted himself
bravey he would be released from further
punishment. He was rejoiced at the chance
of fight, and said to his commanding off.
Ger, q" Sir, you shall have no cause to regret
having released me, will do my duty"
He was 10 the second cutter, and was the
first man to land upon the enemy's deck,
and met bis death III few moments after.
Lieut.. Blake was the second to reach the
deck. After the affair was over, his cloth
ing was found penetrated by balls in two
places one of the balls, most probably
CHANGING one, lodged in his clothing after
giving him slight wound over the stom.
ach. Before leaving the frigate Mr.. Blake
had placed small willow covered "tickler"
of old Otard in pocket in the left breast
of his coat. Alter the engagement was
over, an examination discovered the fact
that bullet had passed nearly through the
TICKER" having struck in front, and CLAN
cing off, passed out under the arm. There
was not much Otard left for internal use.
Midshipman Higginson, good looking
little fellow, such as susceptible young ladies
would style ga love of a Midshipman," was
the first one of the launcbers upon the
schooner's deck, followed by Lieut.. Rus.
sell. After the decks were cleared and the
fires started in the cabin, Mr.. Russell,
meeting the MILDLY running along the deck
and holding one hand with the other, in
quired, what is the matter ?" The reply
was, Part of my thumb is shot off, Sir,
and l am hunting Mr.. White with the
tirpentine, Sir"
Midshipman Steece, stalwart broth
of boy" in charge of the third cutter.
was to assist Lieut.. Sporston in taking the
battery and spiking the gun" The strong
tide running at the time carried him below
the point at which his senior officer landed.
He was, however, but few moments be-
hind Lieut. SporstOn !; but even in that short
time the work in that direction was accom-
plished. The point at which Mr.. Steece
had landed was in full view of the schooner,
and it required but moment for him and
his men to enter their boat and join his
comrades of the boarding party"
By the time our six foot mdshipman
reached the deck, the enemy had transferred
themselves to terra frma. One of them
had faced about in reaching the wharf, and
was apparently hesitating whether to run
Or fight. The midshipman made for this
Secesher, swapping his pistol as he went,
but the caps exploded without igniting the
charge. After three CT four failures of this
sort, be became disguised with his weapon
lowered it, and rushed at his opponent with
natures weapons, exclaiming," You son oil
a gun, what are you doing here, any way?
No doubt the gentleman thought the ques-
ton slightly important under the circum
stances, but he did not think it best to stop
and discuss prophecies just at that time.
One OF the coolest acts of the expedition
was by Third Engineer White. As the
launcbers approached the bows of the
schooner, it was observed that some of the
most fatal shots came from her maintop, at
the hand of marksman who had been sta.
toned there. AS the blue-jackets and
marines we're boarding, Mr.. White took
aim with Sharpe's rifle, and the man in
the top tumbled to the deck, at the feet Of
the boarding party. never to mount the
rigging again." though it is to be hoped be
may go aloft." Mr.. White is au old
member of the New York Seventh Regi.
ment. r,.
DR.. Kennedy, the Assistant Surgeon who
attended the expedition, was of course con-
fined by his duties to the boat. When
however, the bullets began to whistle around
the Doctors ears, be forgot the Samari-
tonic character of bis profession, AND
snatching up pistol, d" drew bead upon
the enemy" The caps exploded once
twice, thrice, but no discharge. The Doc
tor tried fourth time with like effect
then throwing down bis pistol, he ex'
claimed, On the pistol, could &C
better with scalpel"