The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-03-24

AN EXCITING CHASE. A private letter of
| recent date from the Potomac fotilla contains
the following interesting account of an excit-
ting race for blockade-runner. by the steam
er Ceur de Leon, Acting Master Charles II.
| Brown commanding
AT $50 A. NJ. while lying at anchor in the
Potomac River, the Quartermaster reported a
sail coming out of the bay, standing over tow
ard Virginia. We Immediately hove up our
anchor and started in chase, although there
was strong wind blowing with occasional
snow-squalls, and the schooner had long start
of us. Our pilot had received permission to
be absent for a short time, so we had to thread
our way through the narrow channel by the
lead. This channel led at right angles to the
course taken by the sail boat so she was all
the while gaining on us, the two schooners
Bound down the river were seen coming be-
tween the chase and the range of our guns.
We however fired at her every time il lighted
up little, and the last shot passed so close to
the foremost merchant schooner's bow that she
thought 1t was rather too hot place for her,
and tackled ship heading up the river. We were
now fairly out of the narrow channel which
led from behind Blackstone Island and kept
away with the wind abeam, for the schooner.
which was tearing along close hauled on the
wind, steering for the Virginia shore. Away
we blazed now with our rified howitzer and
as she paid no attention to solid shot, the cap
tain gave the order TO give her fuse shell Of
10 seconds. Our gun hardly reached the
schooner, but when they heard the explosion
OF the shell close to them they were evidently
much frightened, for she kept away, then haul
ed on the wind, and appeared confused, but
yet did not heave to. just at this time thick
snow-squall came on and completely hid her
from our sight, and the land too was hidden.
yet we still dashed on keeping the lead going
for we knew the dangerous shoals extended
of long way, but we were resolved TO catch
the chase which had so deflantly started out
before us. Thinking the vessel would try to
dodge us In the squall, the captain now kept
Off before the wind while with anxious heart
he listened TO the dull monotous cry OF the
leadsman-' by the mark five, half four, &C.
How we longed for one moment of clear
sky, for II was still showing hard, and we knew
that few moments must end our chase unless
we sighted the land. Suddenly it ceased snow
ing and every eye was strained TO catch sight
OF the schooner. There she is there she isp
cried dozen voices and sure enough there she
was close 10 our bow, and away whistled a shot
over her mast Stop the engine back herr
shouted the captain, for the hoarse cry of the
leadsman was sounding half four, then seven
feet, just as the schooner and the land appeared
close aboard Of us. Down went the schooner's
helm and she ran hard up on the beach. and we
saw the men running up the steep Virginia
hhis as tnougn tney nau not forgotten the sound
Of the last exploding shell. The boat was lower
ed before our anchor was dropped, and away
the men started In chase of the fugitves one of
whom they captured, the other four however
escaped. The wind had now increased To gale
and with great difficulty we towed the prize
schooner off TO the steamer, every body being
thoroughly wet through while getting her
afioat. The cargo consisted of trunks offancy
articles, boxes and bales Of shoe-thread and
other merchandise. The owner of the schoon-
er had received two hundred dollars for his
freight, which would have paid him handsome
!, for two hours run, had he been successful;
but he lost his schooner and will have to stay
short time in the Old Capitol for his rashness.
Had we not kept off sefore the wind during
the snow-squall we would have lost the prize,
but by the fore sight OF the captain in antici-
pating the move of the schooner, she was
baflied in her endeavor to escape, and came
directly under our bow.
Little incidents like these seem to break the
monotony of the blockade and afford us very
pleasant excitement"