Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-01

Charleston (Masch q Cor dependence sf the London
Tines
rhe london Times Rebel Corres-
p~ondence-
RUNNING Tue BLOCKADE.
On the 18th Of January We sailed from Mas
sau fer Charleston. and on the following day
were caught in one of those terrific gales which
burst with such fury over that partof the Attain
tic which lies Immediately TO the north of the
Bahamas The tempest subsidized on the l7Ih,
as we got nearer the land but we had left the
tepid waters of the Gulf stream, and the air be-
bitterly cold. A biting northeast wind
swept over the deck. and the sleet and rain fell
necessarily. IL seemed impossible for Us ever to
get warm. and our teeth chartered as IL we had
a shiyering fit. But in the morning we saw in
the hazy distance the shore of South Carolina,
and then shortly afterwards the low. dark hull of
one Of the blockading ships. This was a fresh
source of anxiety, and great was our relief when
we found that we had not been observed. We
passed the vessel, and got in safely half a mile
ahead up the channel.
We had scarcely done so when the look outs
whispered, 1.-TWO more forward" We thought
we had eiuded them also, but we were mistaken.
A bright fash, the rush of n ball over head, and
then the loud report of a gun let us know that
the feet was aware of our presence. Then rock
cts were discharged on all sides. and more guns
were fred We were within no great distance of
the bar that guards the entrance OF Charleston,
some four miles or so from Fort Sumter, inside
Of which the hostile feet never venture. In an
other ten minutes we should have been perfectly
safe; but as we approached two more ships we're
seen living right in the narrow channel over the
bar. through which it was necessary TO pass. The
captain hesitated about proceeding further. and
so nervous did he become that he turrNed the
- - - - -
She was followed by a bowling pack of cruisers.
but speed. good luck and the darkness favored
US, and bv daybreak we were some thirty miles
from shore, tossing about again in the Gulf
stream. The same programme was gone through
the next night. and then we had to return to Mas
sau for 60 Ills. Under another captain we returned
on the 29th Of January to try our fortune again,
and this time there was 70 hesitation. Charles
ton. or beach her." SAID oar new commander,
and IN one hour we ran through the north chan
mel. and arrived safe and sound under the guns
of Fort Beauregard.
A GOOD RECEPTION.
i have good reason tp feel gratifed with nv
reception at Charleston. ! staid about a week in
the town. visiting all places of interest. making
friends and enjoying Southern hospitality. One
first idea, after speaking TO the people, was that
they are an intolerable set of boosters; but |
came to form a better opinion of them found
that they never express resolutions without ma
king a determined effort to carry out their pur
poses.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF IHs PArRIors-rBE REBEL
LADIES
The more | see of the Southern ladies and the
more / hear of their actions, the more | wonder
at their heroism and self sacrifice. Words, in
deed. cannot express my admiration for Them.
The war could not have gone on without them
The women of all classes have sent. without a
murmur, their husbands, sons and those thew
hold most dear to the wars, and in the absence of
the men they have titled the fields, made clothes
for the troops and nursed the sick. When | con
trast the 6rmness of purpose and spirit OF s-lf
sacrifice with the empty brapring and indiffar
ence so prevalent in the North. | have no doubt
of the issue of the struggle. The Federals may
bring three millions Of men into the field, but the
South will never be vanquiShed!
On the 3lst of january. two days after my ar
rival. the iron clads went out from Charleston
and considerably damaged the blockading feet.
OF course We were all much interested in the
event. and the capture of a ship of war carrying
nine guns, up one Of the rivers the day before,
wonderfully raised the spirits of the people OF
Charleston.
TRIP TO
At the end of the week ! started for Richmond
bearing with me letters of introduction from Eng
ihuu W SoulC VI Wv phiuNip't hfcus "fI ~
fortified with additional recommendations from
my friends in Charleston. The journey by rail
of 500 miles, was very tedious. as the rails and
rolling stock are in very bad order, there having
been no importation of material since the block
ade. The speed of the trains has in consequence
been greatly moderated to prevent accidents
However / arrived safe in the capital of the Con
federacy on the 18th of February.
VISIT TO ,'sroyEwALL" JACKSON
The city is one great camp. and every one is
striving to obtain an appointment in the army
| saw at once that the chances of an Englishmau
getting a military appointment were very small
! paid a visit to the Secretary of War and other
influential men, anu received from all of then
that kindness and courtesy so distinctive in the
Southern gentleman.
l brought out from Nassau a box of goods foi
Gen. Stonewall jackson, and he asked me wher
| was a, Richmond to come to his camp and see
him. | left the city one morning about seven
O'Clock, and about ten landed at a station dis
tant some eight or nine miles from Jackson
or, as his men call him, sOld Jacks" camp. A
heavy fall of snow had covered the country foI
some time before to the depth Of a foot. and
formed a crust over the Virginil mud, which is
quite as villanous as that of Balaklava. The
day before had been mild and wet. and nv jour
ney was made in a drcnching shower, which soor
cleared away the white mantle Of snow. You
cannot imagine the Slough Of Despond l had to
pass through. Wet to the skin. ! stumbled
through mud. I wadel through creeks. | passe,
through pine woods. and at last I got into camy
about two O'Clock. / then made my way u
small house occupied by the General as his heei
quarters / wrote down my name and gave i
to the ORDERLY, and / was Immediately told L
walk in.
The GeEerAl rose and greeted me warmly.
expected to see an old. untidy man. and was rJos
agreeably surprised and pleased with his appear
ance. He is tau. handsome and poserfully built
hut thin He has brown hair and a brown belrl
His mouth expresses great determination TIL
lips are thin and compressed firmly together; hi
ewes are blue and dark. with a keen aud search
ing expression. | was told that his age wa
thirty eight. and he looks about forty. The Gen
eral. who is indescripably simple and unaffected
in al his ways. took off my wet overcoat with hi
own hands. made up the FIRE. brought wood fo
me to put my feet on to keep them warm Will
nv boots were drying. and then began TO ask m
questions on various subjects. At the dime
hour we went out and Joined the members os hi
staff. Ar this meal the General said grace in
~feryent. quiet msnner, which strnck me much
After dinner | returned tn his room, and he agaiI
talked to me for a long time. The servant CAM
in and took his mattress ont of a cupboard an,
laid it on the floor. Al / rose to retire the Gen
eral said. captain. there Is plenty ot room in m,
bed: / hope you Will share 1t with me / thanke'
him very much for his courtesy, but said ..Goo'
night" and slept in a tent. sharing the blanket
OF one of his aids-de camp. In the morning. II
breakfast time, l noticed that The General sai'
grace before the meal with the SINE iervor / has
remarked before. An hour or two afterwards
was time for me to return to the station; on thi
occasion. however. | had a horse and | turned u
to the Generals quarters to bid him adieu. hi
go -
before the FIRE. then noticed my overcoa
stretched before IL on a chair Shortly after