Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-04-22
The Plttsburg Runuing the Blockade
at NO. 40.
GUNBoAT PlrTsBURo,


EDIroR ONO STATESMAN; In regard to the
running of the blockade Of Island No. 10 by
the gunboat Pittsburg, the particulars are as
follows: On Saturday, the 5Ih Of April, peti.
tion w,s signed by all her officers and present
cd to Flag officer FOote, stating thar, should he
desire another gunboat to run the blockade, we
desired the chance to try it. On Sunday, the
9Th, we went up the river to coal and get extra
provisions, and we began to feel that our peti.
ton was granted. AT. eight P. M. barge Of
hay was brought alongside and made fastto the
portside at 9:45 PM. Col. Beaufort brought
twenty picked men--sharp shOoters-aboard.-
Thus We we're made certain that i, was to be
run BY MS that night: The night was cloudy,
aud all seemed favorable for the hazardous ad-
venture.
Atl:25A A. NJ, 7th inst, all lights were hid
and we were under way. All was still as deathl
save the working Of the machinery-even Il
seemed as though aware Of its peril and dan
ger. On we went, arxiOusly expecting to hear
the signal guns which would tell that We were
discovered. signal gun Was fred; then vol
lsys Of musketry. we're discharged all along the
line--sell-tales of our erraud. In another In
slant, Aash Of lightning. peal Of thunder, o
roar Of cannon, and down came torrents Of rain
The very Aood.gates Of heaven seemed opened
to drown the rebels and leave us In darkness
II was 30.
Rapid and still more rapid gFeE the fash and
roar of cannon. Still on went the Pitssburg,
like phantom on q ghostly mission. Sudden.
| " the pilot: rung the engineers reverse bell.
Then many mans heart, which was strong
and firm before, ieaped to bis mouth. All FIR
ing ceased. Without, It was as dark as Ere
bus. To move forward was more dangerous
than TO lie still. A Aash Of lightning opened
the path--a few backward turns of the wheel,
another ring Of the forward bell, and the Pitts
burg was finding its way down past the Island.
Then more wicked than ever grew their ever
lasting fash and roar, It still being so dark that
but for the experience of our pilots, the boat,
which had borne itseK thus far 30 proudly,
would have been most glorious target for the
rebels to play upon with their death missives.
On went our gallant boat; the firing began TO
grow less, our position In relation 10 the bat.
terles was made more distant, and We began to
feel more secure from the imminent danger
which had surrounded US. AT 2:30 Am our
ports were opened; the fresh cir streamed glad.
" In; the deck was again lighted; our signal
guns Of safe arrival belched forth with glad
laughing fash and roar to our friends, and
might have been construed BY the rebels as
sounding somewhat sarcastic; but, as that is
rot characteristic Of Northern breeding, Il was
NOT 30 intended. The Pi.teburg had now run
the gauntlet; the fery ordeal was passed, and
All aboard seemed thankful to God for their
nresefvation and His kind protection. At3 A..
M. We arrived or New Madrid.
The rebels continued firing occasional guns,
which pealed forth as though t1ey were toiiiBg
their guns as requiem to their own funeral--
The diving muFmnrs seemed to Sigh, In the Ian
QusRe Of Cowper: "Oh! for lodge In come
vast wilderness b0undless contiguity Of
shade--wheFe wars and rumOrs OF Wafs may
never roach Us more"
Our officers bore themselves nobly, and as for
our gallant Captain, Egbers Thompson, D. s.
NJ, words would fail to give him sufficient CON-
mondstion. Suffice II TO say that he Ia every
inch pluck ard bravery.
T'he Iist Of our officers is as follows:
Eebert Thompson, U. 3. NJ, Lieutenant
Commanding; G. @. Gum, Paymaster; Dr.. Ed.
Leaman, Surgeon; Jas. G.. Bentley, let Master;
A. ]. Wilson, "a do; VIM Snyder, 3D. do; e.
Morgan. 1th do; J. P. Mcdonald, Chief En-
gineer. Geo. A. Atkinson, let Assistant do. !:
Geo. w. Sanford, I'd do; chas. w. Blessing,
al d.: Jno. 8. Tennyson, Pilot: David 4.
Wade, DO; Geo W. Rodgers, Carpenter; On.