The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-04-29
Union Rams RunrIrg the Blockade a.
NicksbuTg.

The Cincinnati Times correspondent writes
from point opposite Vicksburg, An account OF
the attempt made by the two UnOn rams, S"it
zerland and Lancaster, to run the blockade "a
the 4tb ult We have published the material
facts, out add fe~ interesting particulars:
Gen. Ellet had been watching the Two rams
with the most intense anxiety, aud as soon
he observed that the Switzerland was power
les. through the explosion OF her boilers, o.
vent out to her 10 yawl in the midst OF heavy
FIRE from the enemy's batteries.
The iron hail-the rebels were now firing
crane aud canister-and fragments OF shell we're
shOwering around him aud bis AdJatant, and the
crew Of the Sutherland, whom Col. Ellet had
ordered forward 70 avoid the steam, cried out
TO him 10 return that be was needessly expo
sing bis lite that he could do 10 good The
Genera thought otherwise, AID pulled steadily
iuto the middle OF tue stream, and leaped Oh
board the disabled boat.
At this critical period when the ram seemed
lost, for she had no motive pswer and could not
be directed, and was drifting with the current,
Col Charles Rivers Eet, who had not raised
the National ensign, hurried below, and bringing
il W in his hand, RAJ it up a0ft with the words:
" we are going to the bottom let Us 60 down
With the Stars aud Stripes over our heads -
Let Us die, if We must, my brave comrades,
breathing under and remembering latest the
glorious old flag"
The early morning greeted the banner Of the
free.
The first rays Of the rising sun gilded its white
stars, aud turned ts stripes to golden glory
The fresh vernal zsphyrs played round It's
beauty aud nestled in It's folds, and the long lin
gering planets OF the departing night blessed
il with their latest beams.
There was inspiration in the act and its infu
ence.
The crew caught the inspiration as the breeze
caught the banner in its fragrant arms and dis
played it proudly in the crimson flush of the new
born day.
Then arose another shout, earnest, impss
stoned, religious in it, iervor, from handful o.
noble fellows, who forgot the near presence o.
death in the sweetness and sanctity OF their 10y
al emotions.
How different from the rebel clamor?
It was as the neigh OF the generous war horse
to the howl OF the tiger over lis PROSTATE victim
the blast OF the bugle 10 the &C cam Of the jack
al
1t was the utterance Of the free and enlight
ened North against the bitter rage of the batiled
bondage adoring, slave driving, negro besOtteC
South.
Lieut. Col Ellet, Of the Lancaster, after land
ing his men on the Louisiana shore, selected t~C
trusty oarsmeR, negroes OF determined courage
aud babe them row hun to the Switzerland, re
solved to share the fate of his relatives, three o
whom we're on the disabled ram-Genersl Elet
Col Eilet and Lieut.. Edward c. Elet, son OF tn,
General, who, though only lad OF seventeen
has been on all the pc,ilous adventures for which
the ram feet has become noted.
On the arrival of the Lieutenant Colonel, th,
boy Lieutenant, cool as Monte Cristo, fred
twenty pound Parrot, in honor, as be said, o
the reunion Of the family, aud in defiance Of III,
rebels
The Switzerland had continued to drift rapid,
down the stream, and by this time, being slmo>
out o. danger the AlbatrOss came up from be
low aud soon tOwed the pOwerless ram ashore
a. Farrsgut, a deeply interested though disIan
spectator OF the scene had ordered
On one Of the rams there we're sixteen OF
eighteen negroes all fugitive slaves and ID.
our Eilets bear the fullest testimony to the bra
very, fidelity, GOODNESS and determination Of IN,
sell emau eli ated bOudmen. Though never De
tore under fire, they did not hesitate at any tim
10 obey orders promptly were self pOssessee
aud entirely courageous in the greatest danger
and proved couclusively that they would max
excellent soldiers.
The freq eat declarations that the Africans
sill not and cannot be made TO fight, and are no
tit tor military duty, is Gallsmatiae, gratuitou-
'aisehOod or deploraoe ignorance
Those who have seen the blacks tested know
better, and some of the best officers OF the arm,
aud navy, that are as lar removed from what il
lyled Ab,IionIsm any men in the North
can and do give evidence in favor Of the eapac
~ for discipline and the extraordinary Drawer,
Of the race.