Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-03-02
A South Carolina Traitor...Pass him Round

A South Carolina Traitor...Pass him Round
The following pertidious trcachcry Of
Il South Carolinian, in the U. S. Revc.
nue. Service throws the treason of Ben.
cdict Arnold into the shade. Such a
wretch is fitting instrument to serve
the conspirators against the Union.
This modern Jutias rejoiccs in the high
sounding title of Napoleon Costc.
Lieut.. John A. Underwood, late the
First-Licutcnant of the United States
revenue cutter Utlum Aikcn, has
kindly furnished the following particu-
lars of the disgracctul surrender of
that vessel to the scccssionists by Capt.
Napolcan (.) Costc.
About two weeks prior to the pas
sage of the ordinance of secession by
South Carolina, in conversation, Capt.
Costc stated to Lieut.. Underwood that
he would not serve under Lincoln, and
in case the State of South Carolina
seeded he would resign and place him
in command Of tie cutter. 41ieitt III L if-
dcrwood then consulted with Lieut..
Porter, second officer of the 1ikn,
rs to the proper course to be pursued
to protect the rights of the Govern
mcnt in the vessel. and asked his opin-
ion as to whether it would be better to
take the vessel to the North, or to place
her under the guns of Fort Moutric
The shortncss of the provisions on
board, the reduced complement of men,
and the inclcmcnt season, were consid-
cred grave objections to going to the
North, and Lieut.. Underwood decided
that he would place the vessel under
the protection OF the tort, until he could
communicate with the Department for
instructions. lie then asked of Major
Anderson thnt, in ease Capt. Costc re-
signed and placed him in command, he
might find protection under the guns
of the fort. Maj. Anderson promptly,
and in the kindcst manner acceded to
his request.
a lew days afterwards, the vessel
WAS hauled alongside the southern
wharf, for the purpose of having her
hotton cleaned. While lying there
the ordinance of secession WAS adopted.
On the day before Maj. Anderson cvac-
uatpd Fort Moultric, (Dcc. 2G,) the cut
ter was hauled into the stream and an
chorcd. The following day, Lieut.. Un-
dcrwood. ut II o'clock, went on shore,
leaving Lieut.. Porter on board, Capt.
Costc in command, and tho Revenue
flag flying. In the course of the after
noon Capt. Costc called on Lieut.. Un-
dcrwood and stated that he had paid off
the officers and crew up to the Goth of
December: that he had hauled down
the Revenue cnsi gn and slowed it away,
and had hoistcd the Palmetto flag on
the cutter. lie also stated that he ~as
accountable to tie authorities Of the state
for tie rcSscl and all tie property on board.
Finding himself powerlcss to reclaim
the vessel, or to obtain any control over
her, Lieut.. Underwood left Charleston
and proceeded to Washington, where
he reported the facts to the Treasury
Department.
The Aikcn is a forc-and-aft schooner
OF clEntV toilS, anu Is QUO vi VIC i"oeee'
vessels of her class in the service. $l,-
200 were expended on her in Charles
ton last Summer for repairs. She orig
inally cost the Government $4,000.
Her armament consists of one twelve
FOUNDER brass howitzer, working amid
Ships, and a quantity of Maynard rifles:
At last accounts, Capt. Costc was still
in command of the Aiken, the other OF
iicers having reported to the Depart
mcnt for orders.