Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-29

the great force he had to contend WITH and he had the
ship lghtened But be says 1t fear that prompted
us to deceive aud that as Is NOT OUR oCcUPA-
TON, WE ADOPTED THIS DECE1TFUI. COURSE TO AyoID
IT. 1t is true occupation sends us on the tempest
uous ocean in sunshine and in storm and we do not
tread the decks of menofwar Commodores but we en-
counter some danger at least n bringing in the weather.
beaten mariner to haven of safety. We have never
served our country in times of PEACE on DEAD SAWS
deck, but we were present with the brave BUCHANAN
Jones and other officers and crew when they sank the
Cumberland and destroyed the Congress.
We have stood exposed to the enemys fire on the un-
called Tor destroyed Virginia when minnie balls ard can
non balls fell thick as hail One of us First Pilot Par
rlsbj vas on board the Harmony, commanded by the
brave Capt Fairfax, when he fought the Savannah of
Newport News. He was also on board the Sea Bird
under the brave veteran Commodore Lynch, when be
took the Sherwood from the Express, and was under
fire of the enemy for two hours From the first day the
Virginia flung to the breeze the flag Of our beloved
Southern Confederacy, we have acted as her Pilots
and II we have shown cowardice or unWilingness to
obey orders Or iDcompetency let Buchanan Jones and
others say So
Now few words as to the management of the ship:
On the memorable battle Of the 9th and 9Th of March,
when the wonder of the world 1.-THE Virginia) under
command OF Buchanan AID Jones' CALAMITY encounter
the Cumberland the Congress- the Minnesota the Mont
tor the ST. Lawrence and several gGnboats, crowd Of
twenty thousand persons, with mahy naval eicers uni
ted 10 voice 10 saying that tie Virginia is spen-
didly managed" One of Us pilot Geo. Wrgh) pilot
ed the French ship Gassendia from Norfolk with the
French Minister board, and had the high gratifca-
ton OF hearing from the lips of the French Command
er, the compliment that the battle Of tie 9Th and
9th tie Virginia was handled in a mastery and sea-
man-ike manner. And SIR" be said, Il have draw
ing will show you of the BATTLE and the victory
Pilot Wright remarked sir, it is very correct" Thus
it will be that, far from fault being expressed
nothing but commentator bestowed upon until
reached Richmond, when for the first time, we are
CHARGED Commodore TatnalI .
have seen to 0istrust their good faith TO
the Confederacy. Sir, we did not require pour en-
dorsement. We known by men at least fully your
equals and 20 man has dared to doubt loyalty
to State and to the South. If We had chosen to
be traitors, thousands and tens OF thousands might
have been at command if could have been
bribed to pilot Union ships instead of Southern ships
Though poor, and three OF of large families, de-
pendent for subsistence, there is not Yankee gold
enough IN all the land to induce US to betray the South
ern COnfederacy. No Virginia pilot has dlsobeyed the
proclamation of our Governor, prohibiting them from
plotting Yarkee men of-war III merchant vessels.
! We have nearly concluded this communication, and
though more thorough and elaborate answer would
have exposed the allacy and inconsistency OF Comma
dore Tatnas communication, yet we hope enough has
been said to open the eyes of the authorities and the
public.
Before closing, it is proper to notice the unjust anC
unmerited treatment manifested towards Chief Pilot
Parrish. Since the Virginia was launched Pilot
Parish has been with her in good and evil report. He
received a commission Nj aster in the Navy, signed
by President Davis and has endeavored to do his duty
to his State and country.
On his arrival in Richmond he ordered to The
batteries of Drurys Bluff He Immediately repaired
to that post and commenced with all his powers to aiC
in boCkadiDg the James river which had been exposed
to Yankee gunboas. by the withdrawal of the Virgins
from the deeDces of the james River.
While thus engaged, Pilot Parish received from Sec
rotary Mallory an order revokpg his commission anC
Diminishing him from the service without a1ording hin
the form of trial, and without a notice of
charge. Pilot Parish would rather have fallen in de
fence of his country, leaving a good his wifi
and children, than thus, without hearing to be de
prived of that to which be justly entitled. But
scous that full investigation of the whole matter vii
fully exhonorate the lots from all blame in relation tt
the destruction OF the Virginia. Pilot Parish will con
tent himself meanwhile with the copsc BUSINESS that b
has done bis duty have also tbs Pilots associated
with him on board the Virginia"
IL conclusion we sly that in the destruction of tn
Pride Of the South" the Pilots board had par
or lot and no fault or blame can be attached to u.s.
VIM PARRISH,
GEO. WRIGHT, Du.
WIN. T. q. CLARK, "0''
Fl. VILLAINS,
Reth's Command.
4 Was current IN the city last night, tia
l Gen. Heth had been defeated. All the informatio
that could gather the subj Jet was that Genera
Heth designed giving battle to the enemy but learnin
that he had been largely reinforced, deemed 1t pruden
TO retire, which he did in good order, burning tn
Greenbrier river bridge behind him. We also lear
that there bad been some skirmshng between the fo
ces in which Capt CASTOR Otey, OF this city, 81
Verely though not seriously wounded.
: Richmond Enquirer 9th.
COM MERCAI..