Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-12-31


of the capture of the Margaret and by of
passengers 1t may, therefore be considered reliable
The steamship Margaret and Jessie left Nassau or
the I'd of November. Had bad weather for ten days
and failed to make Wilmington the night fthe 5tb
expected On the Oh, lay off Eastward of that port
until about IL o'clotk, when the Keystone State was
seen making for us. The ship was at once gotten un-
der way and succeeded escaping, ater about four
hours chase bout o'clock that nght, we made the
fand about twenty miles North of lmngton and ran
down the coast passing inside of the blockade squad
ron but was seen and fred al by oLe of them. We
were in a short distance of New 1alet, and sgraed
Fort Fisher, which was acknowledged but were
turning to in through the inlet, observe gun
boat lying across the channel. We were 30 near she
hailed u.s. and it utterly impracticable by her
aud have any hopes of saving the ship. We at once
tnrned about and made way through the blockade
out to taking the fire oil grape II pounder
on deck of the gunboat, which did ps no damage
1--WE after capture learned that they failed to get Of
their heavy guns at US, account Of the powder D
them being Damp. We were followed by several o
the blockadng squadron and day light the Keystone
State and Nphon were within range of Us just astern
In fifteen minutes more, made the James Adger dead
ahead.
We changed our course, AID succeeded ia putting all
three astern but about o'clock made the Fulton
dead ahead. We now again changed course, and com
menced throwing overload the cargo, having great
fear of being cut of in the quareripg we were
making. We, however again succeeded in placing our
ship ahead OF the four the chase, and now coDgratu
lated ourselves upon our good prospects OF escape we
gradually leaving all astern OF and ran on this
way until about 10 O'Clock, when again made dead
ahead the Nansemond. We now again bad quarter
ing for life and forced to with the wind,
giving the Fulton the advantage of all her sails,
carrying none. The Nansenond succeeded In nearing
sufficiently to make few shots at without any effect.
At II O'clock the wind stiffened up very much, and
getting into the quit, the hfavy This soon
put the Nansemond out of tie QUESTION The Keystone
State, Niphon and james Adger We had regarded out
of the chase time previous and it now was ques
ton OF speed between the Fulton and ourselves. The
wind and sea favoriDg her, she now for the first time
commenced les8ening the distance gaining very percep
tbly from haf-past II to halfpas5 l. aud at O'Clock
commenced with her bow gun throwing alternately
shell and round shot at us.
Every exertion was now made to Increase the speed
of the ship The cargo going overheard, our only
sail was hosted, every ounce OF steam our boilers
would bear on; and every officer and man was at
his proper place. There was no excitement calmuees
and desire to do everything that lay in his power TO
the ship the feeling and action OF every n
dvidual on board. But after o'clock it became pain
fully certain that ali exertions of no avail,
yet did not sacken efforts in the least although
the shot and shell were falling all around US. At
o'clock the Captain COVE the order "Hard aport" and
" stop her." and we were & ankee prize. We had
been chased fourteen hours, and made thirteen and
half knots as our average run. The Fulton, after
twelve o'clock made fourteen and quarter, according
to her log) We Immediately transferred from
ship to the Fulton, and in half hour a hawser
attached to the Margaret and Jessie, and
der way for New York. We treated courteously
and kindly board the Futon of the Off
of the ship gave up their rooms that the ladies and
few others of US might occupy them. Ga our arrival
in New York, the ladies, not being considered prison
ers allowed their liberty at once, and their trunks
delivered after nominal search the following
day The rest of US detained in the Ludlow-sreet
County Jail for examination. After three days. all ex
cept five of US were discharged and allowed as they
might choose to make their way out of the country
Of the five American born prisoners remaining four
were, the tenth day of Imprisonment sent down to
Fort Lafayette, where they remained. Their names
are Captain r. w. Lockwood, Purser W. T. Dortic,
VIM. Wilmington, engineer, and G. w. Craig, passen-
ger. They prisoners of by decision of the Gov
eminent having been captured by army transport,
and not by the navy. This entities them to regular
exchange.
The object of this statement especially to cor
rect impression which found its way from of the
Richmond papers into the New York Herald that the
preeace of the lady passengers board the Ma garet
and Jessie prevented other means than those employed
being resorted to to the ship These ladies stood
the fire spendidly and throughout the chase behaved
with the greatest GOODNESS and courage and their pre-
by no MEANS known the Captain, Effected the
result in the sghtest.-Chas. Courier.