Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-12-27

THREATENED ATTACK tPpN PORTSMOUTH, y. IL.
One day during the last war, opposite
the Portsmouth harbor aud about three
miles from the shore. lay a black trigate
at anchor. and the continual motion on
It's decks as seen with the aii of a glass
from land. bctokencd that some event of
unusual interest was soon to occur. Al
though it showed no colors, it required
an eye OF but little experience in naval
matters to decide that it was English
What could be its object was a mystery
Its wooden walls ciFec,ually concealed it
from many who watched 1t anxiously from
the shore and when, during the day, it
was Joined by another vessel Of the same
class. and heavy min of war, not lit
tie excitement WI, created among those
who lived near the water.
Toward Portsmouth the enemy had
often east lou,in. glanees. 1t was the
key to New Hampshire and the western
part OF Maine, and possessing one OF the
finest harbors in the world, where navy.
without losing a spar, might ride out a
tempest, it held in their eyes place OF
no mean Importance.
But the iron teeth that grinned on the
forts at the mouth of the PIscataqua had
hitherto been an cfcctall check upon
their courage. Beside, several thouslul
we'll trained soldiers had been collected
there, in anticipation Of au attack, ami
whole companies of volunteers w1rs daily
arriving from the northern part. u tht
!. 81. II ,t,4tg
.ains. pantin. with desire for the con.
fiet. Portsmouth was under martial
law. Its rope-walks, school-hoase> and
the churches were crowded with the bone
and muscle OF Now England, all deter
niuei To defend the place to the last cX-
tremity. Tne shore WIS walked for
milc.. night anl day, by corr, ot sen
tincl,, auI every precauiion taken 10
gllrl -la>t surprise.
A notice of tha aapra4ca Of tha war
SHIPS soon reached iAa t3sa. Tae tai
G4g .iah tn, hal hen tlaesl near lae
mouth Of tn river, aHl Wa watched from
he -i,syie,, AMI was seen to have b'ea
in.iiuea toward the sea, which was tae
signal of danger agreed upon. And when
mincnt it might be, the excitement that
filled the place was tremendous. There
was mounting IN hot haste, AMI cour~eFs
dashed throa .h the streets like the Wind.
Every cart and carriage MAS busy IN re-
moving the women and yalaa5les to sta
ton OF security, AMI the soldiers bur
nishci their arms and renewed the charge
ia.their pieces, aud were ready at the tap
.sr the drum or the blast Of the busie, to
spring TO their detenee.
The night gathered dark and chilly.
TAa heavens looked watery and filled
with clouds of mist. 4 double watch
was set upon the outposts, and the soldiers
ay down to dream Of their home, or b4t-
IL for its safety.
No sooner had darkness settled on the
SCI, than boats, Just observable through
the twilight were seen passing between
the cnrmyis vessels, ani evidently bear
ing origr- from one to the other, matur-
ins their plans -Through the opened
portfolios lights 0uld be seen flying in
all directions, There were none who
ssE hes 4 uove hts who did not feel thai
a1n6te Of exE, nouth would be decided
k16ln - All alon, the coast AMI
o15e &c commauiin. a view
i 49, as ere collected httIee1m-
= M ~..Jsa II .ative watchers. On a
- Yor11 ~ ~ rods from the shore,
q 49, .w IS nc river were gathered
- spa qu ssse'aotius every motion
= fgAll listening - every
g ~
" Fte = possible to know what is the
. q our ri ho,e water collins p said an
sv d.sentleriian, while h ,.rained his eyes
a. tfe darkness grew deeper
Il mislSt be done, >lii young man
uho,e face had been bfon1el By familiar
h the ocean; :" it is nearly dark
Wa. Come Bill, what say you
e. won't be 50 much light AZ comes
eats eye in AN hour; shall we
/ "a boat there anl slip alongside
as p,iou SfeIlow Of thirty was call
80. a..""1 p,'' pouiJ ia1@ propose ldsea;he
= - re pu. executing Immediately
ae sIoAAngucss to join III the az
Xy NrHrprise.
IrC oJ e'p"h9, ho,vv the wayo.
Sike aig&>>, undolaiel Pall. and
though to Increase the awtulness OF
Gr condition, the British had exiting
bed their lights. Soon after the ad,
u m karers had launched their boat, and
Y not an object could be traced IN the all
most palpable blaeknes,, the boat 5 length
distant They loved in silence Tor some
time, and had gone two,thirds ot the DIS
!. tad,s.,,,I5, re either spoke Are you
aaes Is the right course, Ned at
ysmsd a Bill, as they rested on their
:. hs's ssp-4k lover. No, | am not not
certain f hn, One es cannot be far from them 'ne%
be better s tn mann Inn eternal gloom can .1
fog. What a ma 'ni,6 ai,6t wear We are GU,
in! Gloomy as a grA ,sara - Hana
~ -nsi,i,h, had ratit aru, mne, , laaio5
of them BY daylight" w an
moodily. Bat bark thes.tSa law law
dead ahead, and getting ready Va ,a'
port too" he continued, as be IN