Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-01
The Wreck of the zouave.


ON DOAE I'D ERRG BOAT EAGLE.
Hatteras Inlet, Jan 10.
You are probably aware that, though the
main portion OF the twenty-fiiih were assigned
to the steamer New York, two companies ID
aud Il were placed on board the propeller Zou.
ave. We arrived here without serious trouble
on the morning OF the 12lh. The wind, which
was blowing hard when We entered, increased
during The day, causing slight damage to var
Gus craft around US. Many of us had suffered
from sea sickness during the voyage, and were
fast recovering, congratulating ourselves that
our worst sea trial was over. But we were
destined soon TO demonstrate anew the fact
that human hopes and prospects are vain.
Just about six in the afternoon leak was dis
covered in the side of our vessel, near the
bows. In order that you may better under.
stand our situation, will state that Co. ii oc-
cupied the hold, and Co. ID the first or gun
deck. Tie leak proved mere serious than was
at first anticipated, and before it was universal
ly known the lower berths in the hold tone of
which l occuped) were filled with water as
was also everything they contained. The
pumps were immediately manned, but proved
4entirely Intellectual, and We're soon entirely
useless. Till this time no apprehension was felt
that we should be obliged to leave, but it was
now an evident fact. a confused scene fol
lowed. The gangways were crowded with
soldiers, each endeavoring to secure his per.
sonal effects and their anxious inquiries of
their comrades as 10 the safety Of their prop
erty, mingled with the commands OF the ship
officers, and the responsive AYE, aye, sls " of
the seamen, formed an indiscriminate medley
of sounds. Knowing that could not find any
of my own effects, took things from those
below, and with others assisted in slowing
them away ready for removal. We owe much
to kind providence which permitted us to
reach place of safety before the accident
| happened. Had it occurred while rounding
the cape, we must have inevitably persisted
As it was there were plenty OF vessels within
| speaking distance, and a ferry boat was soon
alongside, which took aboard many Of the
men with guns and equipments. Those of US
! who remained on board, continued to remove
every thing possible from the steamer, which
| filled rapidly till the keel touched the bottom,
which ii did before the water had reached the
| upper deck
After everything of value had been removed
we came on board this boat ferry boat Eaglel.
| where we still remain. Alter arranging our.
/ selves as comfortably as possible for the night,
| and singing several patriotic songs, all slept
soundly till morning, when, / may say, came
the tug Of war. This was to separate the
personal effects from the confused pile of
boxes, trunks, pals, kettles, &c. One found
his knapsack in one place, his cartridge box
somewhere else, and his other equipments Gf
lie found them at all were strewn here and
there everywhere. a few guns were missing,
and some Of those found were so rusty as to
be almost vaIueless. For myself l lost my
knapssck, containing many articles which
were fitted on at home, and, although almost
indispensable to a soldier, cannot be replaced
at this distance. With a gun entirely covered
with rust inside and out, my forty rounds of
artrdge thoroughly soaked am left in rather
a poor fighting condition.
Our meals consist Of hard crackers and raw
pork, or occasionally some ham in place of the
! pork. Though rather different from home
fare, assure you it relisIes well with us here.
have seen no one out of spirits in the least,
nor have beard any anxiety expressed ex.