The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-06-30
The rag they captured a Steamer.

The rag they captured Steamer.
| The capture Of the steamer Maple Leaf by a
party Of Confederate officers, prisoners, who were
being carried to Fort Delaware has been published
The Richmond Dispatch has been furnished with
the following correct and intelligent account Of
the capture by one Of the officers who participated
in it
On the evening Of June I'd the steamship Ca
hawba left New Orleans, having on board Billy
Wilson's Louaves, who were returning to n. Y ork,
their enlistment having expired, and about fifty
! Confederate officers, prisoners of war. On the
9Th she anchored off Fortress Monroe, aad the
COntederates were then transferred to the steamer
Utica. On board the Cahawba the treatment they
received at the hands of the Federals could not
have been bettered. They received the same ac-
commodations as the Federal officers, and no re-
straint whatever was placed over them. When
transferred to the Utica there was a change for
the worse. The fare we received was bread
bacon and cofee-all Of the poorest quality But
little attention was paid~to what did how we
Jared. On board this steamer, as also before leav-
ing New Orleans, was discussed the practicability
of capturing the steamer and escaping, and it was
generally resolved that if opportunity offered we
were to take possession of the vessel to which we
might be transferred, and then try to make our
way to the Confederate lines.
On the 9th, about p. m, We were transferred
steamed up to Fort Norfolk, where we lay all
night On the morning Of the 10th, forty-sevcn
other G. S. officers taken on board, and VIC
then started for Fort Delaware The guard con-
sisted of detachment Of twelve men, under conf
mand of 1T Dorsey; there was then on board the
Maple Leaf sc Confederate officers. We lay off
Fort Warren a short time; while there, Judge
MCGOWAN, Of Arizona, made known to me that the
hour when would be free; the Judge
al SOn made no VI 70 off
in all about 25, and they were alp who knew what
was going on. At about p. m, we put out on
our way to Fort Delaware, eunboat following in
our wake; some began to despair of success, but
the gunboat was very slow, for left her far
behind. When off Cape Henry Judge MCGOWAN
collected a crowd of probably ten of our officers,
aud moved near the guard stationed in the cabin;
hearing the row commence below the Judge very
cooly seized three guns and handed them back to
the other officers; Yankee tried to run down
stairs, and think refused to surrender, whereupon
the Judge gave him blow over the head with a
gun; not surrendering at this, loaded gun was
presented at him, upon which he surrendered.
Capt. semmes then proceeded to demand the
surrender ofthe Lieutenant Of the guard. That
gentleman, Lieut. Dorsey, considerably sur
prsed, and wished to reason about the matter; but
boat was ours. He then demanded to see the
Captain of the boat, which was, of course, refused
him. Guards placed over the engineer and
pilot, with riders to keep the boat on the course
she was then running. After running about six
miles below Cape Henry we stood in towards
land When within about four hundred yards of
the shore the steamer lay to- and seventy one Con
federate officers landed in Princess Anne county /
Va Previous to landing the question as to what |
We should do with the boat was discussed. and !
settled We were landing on shore of which we |
knew nothing. There officers on board who |
could not walk; also, the wife of Capt. Dale, ofthe
steamer 1t was therefore concluded that Capt
Dale and Lieut.. Dorsey should be placed under
solemn oath to continue On their course to Fort
Delaware, and not to communicate any Of the cir
cumstanccs Of our escape to anyone until their ar
rival at that place. They violated their oaths,
but to 10 purpose. The route we travelled it
would be imprudant to disclose. Suffice it to say
we received thu best Of treatment from the patri-
otto citizens Of North Carolina throughout our
whole route, and although completely surrounded
BIZ Yankees We were in no danger Of being bctray-
ed by the citizens. This was the kind of UaiGn
sentiment IRE found in North Carolina Our es.
care was miraculous iudeed-71 officers escaping
through over seventy miles of country closely
guarded by Federal piekets aud scouting parties,
consisting of 600 troops, who were constantly
,coaIing the country in pursuit Of u.