Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-09-06

President,
JOSHUA MARIs,
Vice President,
Dir. NJ. W. FOSTER.
Secretaries,
JAMES II. RICE, s. RoDMoND SMITH.
Treasurer,
GRoRGE S. CApELLE.
QUdriermds,er,
GEoRoE W. GRIFFIN
Gunner,
CHARLES BoNNEY.
MeQJcrs' Names,
]. Marshall Harlan, Samuel F. Belts,
William Lippincott, Richard @. Cooper,
Richard II. Webb, J. Q. Grubb,
Dr. Lewis H. Reading, William Dringhurst
C. Alfred Garrett, W. N. Chandler
Linton Smith, Charles o. Bush,
And johnny kits our Drummer Boy.
At O'Clock, A. NJ, we LETT Seventh Street
wharf, with II salute Of two guns on the flood
tide, with IL light breeze from the Southwest ;
steamboat John Griffith, passed us at the mouth
of the Christana Greek, with a large Number of
excursionists OIL board ms they passed we gave
them three cheers and II salute of two guns. In
returning our cheers, one Of their party lost his
hat overheard, which was recovered by our
whom we found Mt Fort Delaware. When about
mile below the mouth Of the Creek, the wind
still continuing light three or four of the party
wishing something more exciting, took sail in
our skill. We cast off from the schooner anu
got along rather slowly at first, but, after two or
three tacks and the wind ffeshening, we had
splendid run to New Castle, where we Joined the
schooner, she having arrived there before us and
anchored for the purpose of transacting some
business. Got under way again, with the breeze
still from the same quarter, and anchored off
Fort Delaware, at hall-past II O'clock p. Nj
Dinner ut l r. NJ. consisting of beef steak
corn, potalOes tomatoes, beans and bread and
butter, and apple goOseberry and grape pics Cor
dessert after which, the party taking both boats
went ashore aud visited the Fort Landed at
the pier on the North side of the Island, and had
to go half way around the Fort to the entrance
To many Of us who had never been at the Fort
before, it presented much TINT was novel and
interesting. 1t is said to resemble very much in
form and appearance the renowned Sumpter 1t
is surrounded by mont about thirty yards in
width, with an average depth Of water of 20
feet, regulated by Hood gates and so arranged
that in case of assault, tho water can he raised
eight or ten feet, or even flood the whole island
if necessary The entrance to the portal or
door through which We passed, was by means of
a swinging drawbrdgc or pOrtcuis, so CON
etTucted thRtit could he raised or lowered by
machinery from Within Entering the gate, We
found ourselves in a large chamber built of brick,
paved with immense flags and everything denOt.
ing architecture Of the most massive and sub
atantial character Above were numerous
arches strengthened with heavy cast iron hraces
in the recess Of the one nearest the outer wall
and occupying its whole extent, was IA large
wooden iank with th' top uncovered, in which
were confined eight secession prisoners After
q few moments spent in looking at them, we
passed into the court yard and from thence fol-
lowing our conductor, the corporal of the guard,
up n winding stOue stair case, each step of
which consisted of Il single, solid piece of gran
lite, TO the second floor; on which are situated
the casem0ted rooms, arched, and generally
walled on three sides, leaving the inner or side
nearest the centre Of the Fort. open; though
some were walled on all sides hut communicating
with each other by smaller arched passages. -
Many OF these cascmatcl rooms had 10 inch
Columbads mounted, and ready for service.
Passed from thence up another similar Hight
of stairs to the top Of the Fort The walls
here appeared to be about 30 feet wide and 60
feet in height, and carefully sodded with grass
fresh and green, Offering II finer view Of the
river and upper part of the Bay. On the ex-
IRENE outward edge and upper surface of the
walls, AID around the whole extent, is the para.
pet wall about breast high, behind which and
ranged at regular distances, were the harbette
weighing Ga lbs We then descended into the
courtyard and examined tine soldiers barracks,
SC. Found there were hut about thirty soldiers
quartered Mt the Fort, mostly foreigners and
speaking English imperlcctly. Some had seen
service in Europe hut from the laXity of dis
cipline exercised, we judged they would mike
but indifferent and even bad soldiers, if the OPP
portunity ever offers in actual service. The funny
man of our pnrty enraged drunken soldier
very much, by Transporting his name and Offering
three cheers for Market llivey, instead Of
Michael Harvey.
The party finally returned TO the vessel, but
six or eight, who had obtained their lines took
the skiif and went on shore to spend the after.
noon in fishing
At three bells (half-past o'clock, p. NJ. the
tattoo on the drum and a shot from one Of oul
miniature Columbiads, summoned the party t.
return. When after II little delay occnsoneC
by an unusually strong tide, they came oil
board and reported having caught about q dozeI
white catfish. The usual tap of the drum
brought us to the supper table, when after th'
roll was called we all " fell to- and soon moth
ing but the continuous clicking of the man!
knives and forks, varied by some hungry Wright
like Oliver Twist, demanding =" more" brOk
the impressive silence,
Shortly after supper, IN exciting incden
occurred, which, but for the prompt action @
the crew, would have resulted in the certa
death of one of the soldiers of the Fort.
party of half intoxicated soldiers came down t
battle off the piers in front Of which and Mt
distance of 200 yards from the shore laid on
vessel, and two Of them undertook to swim owe
to US, against very swift and strong tide. On
finding himself, when less than half way out j
direct line below the stern Of the vessel an
losing still more rapidly ut every stroke, rs
increased his distance from the island. Know
ing the impossbity of attempting to reach I'll
vessel, turned and eXerting all Ills strengl
regained the shore two ur three hundred yart
distant from his starting place The 9th,
either too drunk to reason, or else having
blind confidence in his own powers, still co
iinued to strike out for the schooner, althouE
he was many rods Hstern and was drifting slO'
ly but surely backwards. Curiosity to see VIII
the man would do, held the crew back for son
time, but no indications appearing of n chan
in his course, or that he would attempt to rega
land, and the powerful current having nj
nearly swept him past the extreme point of I
island, beyond which, when once passed, wit
out other assistance no human eudeavors, CIV
when prompted by the energy of despair, won
avail, the crew hurriedly lowered the yaN
Messrs. Foster BoDncy and the mate, immo
ately manned the oars, aud after pulling abe
five minutes overlook him in n perfectly
hausted condition. lie was left at the pier fir
whence he started in care Of his friends hare
able to walk, and completely sObered.
AT o'clock, got under way with fair wi
from the same quarter; passed Reedy Isa
and anchored same night OIL =" Bombay Hoo
At Z o'clock, 10 minutes, had magnificent vi
Of the sunset on the Ocean, and long after
sun had disappeared beneath the hazy horiz
the clouds, superbly tinted with the transmit
light Of his last lingering rays hoated ligl
above the proud receptacle Of his spendor
glory so avishly bestowed, and riyaling
richness of color and beauty of form, the far
sunsets of Southern Italy.
In the evening, two OF our funny fello
created considerable merriment by their a