The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-10-09
A Brilliant Naval Exploit.
DESTRUCTION OF 4 PR1rArEER.
U. s. srEAM-FR1eArE co1oRApo,

The monotony Of the Blockade" Sc
far as this ship is concerned, was broken
last night, by a most brilliant achieve
ment; and, while 1 cannot avoid feeling
of sadness, at the fate of the poor fellows
who lost their lives in the undertaking, il
affords me much pleasure to communicate
to you the details of an action that re-
fleets so much credit upon all who were
engaged in it.
Some days ago, a large schooner was
observed in the harbor, in the vicinity oi
the Navy Yard, and her appearance and
motions led to the suspicion that she had
been fitted up for privateer, and had in.
tentions of trying to run the blockade.
By some deserters who escaped from
the secession camp and came to Fort
Pickens, these suspicions we're confirmed,
and further information obtained that the
schooner was moored near the Stone
Wharf. at the southeast corner of the
Navy Yard, and also, that upon the
wharf near where the schooner was
moored, battery was being erected, and
that one large Columbiad was already
mounted. a pa ad 5s sIol
For several nights past boats from this
ship hare been kept growing guard' in
the mouth Of the harbor, on the look out
for this schooner, should she attempt to
run the blockade. Yesterday Captain
Bailey went ashore on Santa Rosa Island,
for the purpose of stalking notes" in re-
gard to the schooner and the reported
battery, with the view of getting up an
expedition against them. After obtain
ing all the information be could from the
dsserters, and corroborating their evi
dence by his own observations with the
spy-glass, be decided that an attack
might be made with reasonable chances
fJr success, and by the time he reached
the frigate in the evening, he had the
plans for an expedition matured Acting
upon these, Flag officer Mervine decided
ut once upon sending a boat expedition
to the Navy Yard for the purpose of
spiking the mounted gun spoken of above,
and burning the embryo privateer.
About s O'Clock P M, yesterday }
the detail of men and officers was an
noupeed; the boats hoisted out; the men
armed and supplied with ammunition.
The expedition was placed under the COM
Iuand of Lieut.. John H. Russell. The
other officers detailed were: Lieutenants,
John G.. Sproston and Francis B. Blake;
Assistant Surgeon, S. D. Kennedy; Mid
shipmeu. Tecumsey Steece, Moreau For
rest, f. j. Higgipson; Gunner, James
Borton; Third Assistant Engineer, G..
Ii. White. Capt. Ed. Med Reynolds,
of the Marine Corps, accompanied the
party with force of twenty marines IN.
der his command. amo.as a
The force employed was divided as fol-
i lows: s.
First Launch-Lieut. Russell, Captain
Reynolds, Marine Corpse DR. Kennedy,
Midshipman Higginson, Third Assistant
Engineer White; twenty-five seamen and
one fireman, (with material for firing the
schooner) s6ei
| FIRST Ctttter--Lieut. Preston, Gunne,
Borton, and seventeen men,.
Second Cutter-Lieut. Blake, Midship.
man Forrest, thirteen seamen and one
) fireman.
Third Cutter-Midshipman Steece, and
thirteen seamen. ess
The marines were divided between the
first lannch and second cutter.
The boats, with oars unified, left tht
side of the ship at about IL p. NJ, AND
pulled into the harbor, keeping far enough
4 from the rebel side to avoid observation
They continued on up the harbor to &
, point a little above the Navy Yard. Here
the course was changed, and each boat wal
4 headed for it's special object. From thi
moment every thought and every effort o
both officers and men were directed to th,
, successful accomplishment of this mos
dangerous enterprise. The parties in tn
launch and second cutter were to boart
, and burn the schooner, those in the a frs
and third cuttersywere to charge aud spik
, the recently mounted "big gun."
Lieut.. Preston, heading the crews O
the first and third cutters, landed at tn
northern face of the stone wharf, an,
q made directly for the newly erected bat
). terry. Whether this battery was no
) manned at all, or whether the men at
If had been drawn from their stations by tn
If noise of the strife which had already dy com
t. menced at the schooner, or whether the
had "traveled," is not known. Howeve
It that may be, but one man was found nea
IS the guL. True courage. whenever fount
: will command respect, but the brave ma
!; = sometimes loses his life where his ligh
If heeled comrades save theirs. This sol
't tary soldier stood his ground, 10 the fac
e of thirty men, and discharged bis muske
E at Lieut. Preston, but simultaneously wit
the discharge Of his musket, was that {
is Gunner Borton's pistol. : The lone d,
s. fender ofthst battery missed his own ain
/" but fell under that of the more fortunat
. gunner.
q In @ few momants the "Columbiadn VIC
If spiked, and Lieut.. SprostoE having &C
u complished the duty assigned him, accord
ling to previous orders, recalled his me
> to their boats