The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-11-07


] IRONSID ES-INTERESTING REB-
Ell ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR.
One of the most daring and gallant naval
/ exploits of the war, distinguished by the
] greatest GOODNESS, presence of mind and in
trepidity of the brave men associated in the
enterprise, was performed Monday night.
This was no less than an attempt to blow
up the United States steamer New Iron
sides, lying off Morris Island. Though
not fully meeting the expectations of those
who conceived the plan, and those who car
ried it into execution, it has called forth the
unbounded admiration of our citizens for
the brilliant heroism of the actors in their
dangerous but patriotic and self-sacri6cing
undertaking.
A general feeling of deep anxiety prevails
to learn the fate of two of the gallant spirits
who went out with the expedition. There
is every reason to believe, however, that
these gallens men, with the means of safety
about their persons, endeavored to reach
shore, and have been picked up by some of
the enemy's launches. We gather the fol-
| lowing particulars from other participants
in the affair:
The torpedo steamer David, with crew
Of four volunteers, consisting of Lieut.. VIM.
T. Glassell, J. H. Toombs, Chief Engineer,
and James Sullivan. fireman of the gunboat
Chicora, with j. w. Cannon, assistant pilot
of the gunboat Palmetto State, left South
Atlantic Wharf between six and seven
O'Clock on Monday evening, for the purpose
of running out to the Ironsides, exploding
torpedo under that vessel near amidsbips
and, if possible, blow her up.
The weather being dark and hazy, favored
the enterprise. The boat, with It's gallant
little crew, proceeded down the harbor,
skirting along the shoals on the inside of
the channel. until nearly abreast of their
formidable antagonist, the New Ironsides.
They remained IN this position for a short
time, circling around on the large shoal
near the anchorage of the object of their
visit Lieut.. Glassell, with a double bar
relied gun, sat in front of Pilot Cannon,
who had charge of the helm. Chief En-
gineer Toombs was at the engine, with the
brave and undaunted Sullivan, the volunteer
fireman, when something like the following
conversation en5ued:
Lieut.. Glassell-''It is now nine O'Clock
Shall we strike her?'
Pilot Cannon-"That is what we came
! for. I am ready"
Engineer Toombs-"Let US go at her,
then, and do our best"
Sullivan, Fireman-''I am with you all,
and waiting. Go ahead"
The boat was now put bow on, and aimed
directly for the Ironsides. AS the little
steamer darted forward, the look out on the
Ironsides hailed them with, "Take care
there, you will run into us! What steamer
is that?" Lieut.. Glassell replied by dis
charging one barrel at the Yankee sentinel,
and rendering the gun to Pilot Cannon, told
him there was another Yankee, pointing to
one with his body half over the bulwarks,
and asked Cannon to take care Of him with
the other barrel.
The next moment they had struck the
Tronsides, and exploded the torpedo about
fifteen feet from the keel, on the starboard
side. An immense volume of water was
thrown up, covering our little boat. and go
ing through the smoke stack, entered the
furnace, completely extinguishing the fire.
In addition to this, pieces of ballast had
fallen in the works Of the engine. rendering
it unmanageable at that time. Volley after
volley of musketry from the crew of the
Ironsides and from the launches began to
pour in upon them. Lieut.. Glassell gave
the order to back, but it was found impos-
sible In this condition, with no shelter,
and no hope of escape, they thought it best
to surrender, and hailed the enemy to that
effect. The Yankees, however, paid 40 at
tention to the CALL but barbarously contin-
ued 10 fire. 1t was then proposed to put
on their -preservers, jump overheard,
and endeavor to swim to the shore. All but
Pilot Cannon consented. The latter, being
unable TO swim, said he would stay and take
his chances in the boat. Lieut.. Glassell,
Engineer Toombs, and Sullivan the fire.
man, left the boat, the two first having on
life preseryers, and the latter supporting
himself on one Of the matches thrown to him
by the pilot. Engineer Toombs, becoming
embarrassed with mis- clothes in the water,
got back to the boat, ard was assisted in by
! Cannon.
The boat was rapidly drifting from the
Ironsides. He now, fortunately, found a
match, and lighting torch, crept back to
the engine, discovered and removed the
cause of its not working, and soon got it in
order. Engineer Toombs and Cannon
reached their wharf in the city about mid
night fatigued, and presenting a WORKOUT
appearance, but rejoicing at their fortunate
and narrow escape.
/ With regard to the damage to the Iron
aides, nothing positive Is known. At the
moment of striking there was great con-
sternation on board. It was reported that
the crew. in gangs, were hard at work at
the pumps all day yesterday. Small boats
were seen constantly passing between the
Iropsides and the monitors. At nigbtfall,
however, she remained at her old anchor
age.
~