The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-06-12
half dozen Captains and Lieutenants. The
negroes have been brought here and put to
work on the Notifications. s s9si
Running the Blockade.

stif An ExcIrING CHASE. -.
The following is an extract from letter
received from one Of the crew Of the Confede-
rate steamer Cornubia. little steamer which
has successfully run the blockade Of Whining.
ton six times: $50 q
ISL s. '.BrRxuDA, March ~, 1868.
II will now give few particulars about
our marrow escape last trip. We made fine
run across from here, but were just too late
for the tide, 80 We steamed out TO sea again,
and lay to in fog, 20 IS to give the men .
little rest. On the lot Of March, "a Sunday
morning.) about ten O'clock, the fog cleared,
and there WINS LAUNDERING big Yankee bear.
ing down upon US. We just managed to get
properly under way, when her shot began to
fall rather close Il, u.s.. Away we went, and
she after us, at full speed, keeping her ground
well for several hours, although each time
she fred We had gained on her, and not one
shot or shell hit Us, we going seventeen to
eighteen knots per hour. A fair fine wind
was blowing, and IS if freshened she cracked
on her canvas, and, being to windward Of rs,
we could not double her, and she tbsn began
to gain on ns, until we had to throw cargo
overheard TO tighten the ship. One hundred
and fifty barrels Of gun powder went, and
then We went ahead again, and by dark had
gained fifteen miles on her, and it was then
We gave her the slip and ran back for Viii
.'Shs chased is i. from ten o'clock till seven.
$50 miles away from the bar. Itwas splen-
did sight to see rs flying through the water
with the Yankee after as, the shells cracking
and fixing through the water. We did not
get, back to the place we started from until
niue O'clock on Monday merning, all pretty
well knocked up, and just too late for the tide,
and with only q few tons Of coal left. We could
see twelve blockaders lying OF the port. It
was then agreed we would leave the ship and
blow her up, so steaming into o nice little bay
we dropped anchor, oct the boats out, md
everything ready for start. Such 8 scene
/, cannot describe it, bat hope some day to re-.
late it to you. We were only eight miles from
the feet. Il was autographed up to Whining
ton The Cornuba is in danger, and the ex-
element became very great all through the
town. They then sent some heavy guns and
surf boats to land as in, as q heavy surf runs
along that coast; and the commander Of the
fort sent wurd he would protect US if we lik-
ed to risk it and run in. AT four o'clock that
AFTERNOON we did risk it and steamed slowly
up the coast When within Ave miles Of the
bar, the Yankees saw US. The whole feet
slipped their cables and came in after u.s.
What excitement everywhere. ] shall never
forget. They opened FIRE on rs just as we
crossed the bar; then the fort opened FIRE
on them and kept them OFF until we were
safely in. Thousands were on the beach to
welcome us, and greeted us with loud and
hearty cheers as we steamed slowly up to
Wilmington. where we met with very warm
reception, assure you, and had . glorious
nights rest. We had no trouble, whatever,
in csming ont again. Liunpool Mercury,
ADrI 25th.