Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-07
RUNsINs THE BLOCKADE AT WHINING


correspondent of the Fayetteville Observer writing
from Fort Fisher, describes the manner In which the
Nassau steamefs run the blockade, as follows:
The swift and splendid Clyde steamer Douglas the
Margaret and Jessie-ran in New Inlet overnight from
Nassau, and scarcely expecting another friend
the tide but with early dawn the vgan sentinels
on the ramparts of Fort Fisher deserted large side
wheel steamer coming around Bald Head close TO the
breakers and mekng for the bar at 240" speed. She
was scarcely reported to the officers Of the guard be-
lore the Yankee squadron her, and two of their
switest steamers tried to head her Off They opened
fire on her at once but their shots fell mile short She
was still six miles from tue Bar and was obliged TO
towards the enemy before she could get in. The Yam
KEGS sure OF their prey four of them moved up to
bring her out TO their embrace But they were mstaken
the gallant Captain was not frightened and on he came
They fire shotit nearly reaches her. if they come in
any closer they will strike her. But garrison awake
If revee has not sounded aud to show it, there goes
shot from the battery Of the Lemon Braves; il goes
whslng and screecbng through the air and splash it
ials right alongside Of she foremost bockader and not
yawl boats length from her. The Yankees stop from
coming any closer, and though they blaze away not
foot nearer will they come to the Fort b. the steam.
er as she rounds the bar viii have to 90 lalf mile
nearer, and the bockaders must be requested to give
US little more elbow room Half dozen of our rife
guns fred but they can't 90 quite to the enemy
Our big gun has not yet been fred but she now beches
orth-bang goes the 10 inch shell right in the line of
the state of Georgia. little elevation boys
and you will make Jonathan get out of your way
Away goes another shell from her-we hear it as it
pows its way through the aand this time 1t explodes
right over the Yankee ship, and now they turn tail and
quit and the Confederate steamer Merrinac" comes
safely the bar and into the Cape Fear She is
splendid craft, and right noby and bravcly does she
| look as she gets along.
But the mornings fun is not over yet. While the en-
gagement over the Nerrm6c going on the steamer
Charleston, which trying 10 in from the north
side, becomes alarmed and turns to go out If she goes
out she is lost aud Lieutenant Benton, with detach-
ment of the Blocker Artillery" stationed at Galn's
Battery, six miles north of the Fort gives her warning
shot and her commander runs her aground, five miles
north of the Inlet She is by the blockader and
after giving up the "Merrimac" as sour grapes they
| steam up towards the Charleston" But TO their
chsgrin, not only the Whtworth and Parrot guns in
Calm Battery open fire them, but Trede, a. rife
from Andersou's Battery, two Iii Is south vi lhe
Charleston," land three miles from Fort Fsher) opens
on them and keeps them out Of range At its second
discharged fine 30pounder Parrot in Gatn explodes
and although flying in every direction does not niure
man. Surely Providence has smiled upon our garrison,
for this is the second explosion without loss of life
Our Commanding Officer is soon alongside of the
Charleston and seeing that she be saved gives d.
rectiOn to have her backed off, and places Mr. Burrows
brave and experienced pilot on board with directions
| to bring her in under the protection of our guns The
Yankee blockading squadron soon perceive that the
steamer is endeavoring to back off with the rising tide
and they draw up in line Of battle opposite to her. the
line extending towards Fort Fisher. While awaiting,
they joined by another steamer that has come
around Bald Head looking very much like the "Mara.
| tanza," Main Bar blockader.
The Charleston gets of, and turning her PROV to-
wards Fort Fisher puts all steam. The enemy close
in holder than before, and out of the eSec-
tive range of Gatln battery, and apparently regardless
of the single gun in Anderson's, come enough to
shower their shell and shot within an hundred feet of
| the steamer. The scene is now splendid. The men
crowd the rampars Of the Fort and batteries. On she
comes with the ball and shell whizzng by her and around
her. but still she She is opposite the An
derson Battery and just here the Yankees pour broad
| side at her, Her men seem unmndful for you can
hear their cheers they dip her flag to our battery
On on she speeds-stil fly the ball and still burst the
she'll from the Yankees Fortunately this fire cannot
last long, for she draws to the Fort which now
opens on the blockaders. They pause they
dreaded the guns of Fisher their fire slackCnS and
soon it dies out entirely, and they withdraw from the
contest,
rope which had been hung out from the Charlestown
to aid landing when she beached caught in her crank
and Just after she had entered the inlet rendered her
| helpless Had it occurred ten minutes sooner she
would have had again to ashore to herself from
| the enemy.