The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-06-05

RUNNING THE BLoCKADE-An Erciting
Chase.-The following, says the Liverpool
Mercury, of April 25th, is an extract from a
letter received from ono Of the crew of the
Confederate steamer Cornubia, a little steamer
which has successfully run the blockade of
Wilmington several times:
will now give few particulars about our
narrow escape last trip. We madesa fine run
across from here, but were just too late for the
tide; so we steamed out to sea again. and lay
to in fog, 80 as to give the men little rest
On the 1st of March, Ia Sunday mornipg,)
about 10 O'Clock, the fog cleared, and there
was laundering big Yankee bearing down
upon US. We jast managed to get properly
under way, when her shot began to fall rather
close to us. Away we went, and she after us,
at full speed, keeping her ground well tor sew
eral hours, although each time che fired we
had gained On her, and not one shot Or shell
hit us, We going seventeen to eighteen knots
per hour, A fine fair wind was blowing, and
as it freshened she cracked" on all her can.
vas, and, being to windward of us, we could
not double her, and she then began to gain on
US, until we had to throw the cargo overheard
to tighten the ship. One hundred and fifty
barrels Of gunpowder went, Il " as glad to see
il, for one of the Yankees shells might have
popped into it and blown lis all up,) 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 Wilmington.
She chased uS frCm ten O'Clock till seven,
$50 miles away from the bar. 1t was eplen-
did sight to zee US flying through the water
with the Yankee after us, the shells cracking
and Rzz:ng through the water. We did not
get back 10 the place we stagts0 from Until
nine o'clock cn Monday morning, al pretty
well knocked up, and jnst too late for the tide,
aud with only few tons Of coal left. We
could zee twelve blookaders lying oil the port.
1t wss then agreed we would leave the ship
and blow her up; so steaming into nice little
bay, we dropped anchor, got the boats out,
and everything ready for start. Such
scene! l cannot descfibs it, tu. hope some
day 10 relate it to ycu. We were only eight
miles from the fleet. 1t was tele2raphed up TO
Wilmington, "The Cornubia lie in danger" aud
lhe excitement became very great all through
the town. They then sent some heavy guns
and surf boats to land us in, as heavy surf
1uns along that coast aud the commander of
the fort sent word he would protect us if we
liked to risk it and run in. At four O'Clock
that afternoon we did risk it, and steamed
slowly up the coast. When within five miles
of the bar the Yankees saw us. The whole
flset shipped their cables and came In after us.
What excitement everywhere! l shall never
forget it. They opened fire on us just @ 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 q very warm reception,
assure you, and had glorious night's rest.
We had no trouble whatever in coming out
again.