The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-11-16
A RUNNING FIGHT MAINTAINED
Three cunbeats join In Pursuit, but
Are Distanced.
The Pirate Escapes Under Cover
OF the Night.
INTERESTING DETAILS or THE AFFAIR,

Our Naval CorrespOndsncs.
BEAUFORT, N. c., Nov. 8, 1854.
The United States steamer Montgomery ID lying QUE
side the bar, having arrived from morning.
She reports most desperate chase and engagement
with the pirate Tallahassee.
Yesterday morning, while cruising on the North Caro-
lima coast she discovered black smoke the horizon,
and surprising 70 proceed from blockade runness
she steered it's direction. After the chase had continued
time the hull Of the stranger plainly seem
but she suddenly changed her course, and for two OF
three hours her movements strange, But the
Montgomery pursued With the utmost vigor where
ever she went, and after long time had 30 gained
on her as to have her full view. She was . long
white screw steamer schooner rugged, with two smokes
STACKS answered the description OF the pirate Taa.
hassee; and this known than tho Mont
gomery's were wild with Joy. Shortly Afterwards
the retel flag visible, and q pendant was dying
from her nainmast.
Everything prepared for action, and at tho hrst
dawn of hope that the guns Of the Montgomery mght
reach her 'bansi' they went, after another, bua
the distance great and they fell far short Tha
pirate displayed great cowardce and did her utmost "a
escape.
The Montgomery continued 10 fire from her forecastle
gun nd tho flying Tallahassee for time answored
shot for shot. Had the Montgomery attempted TO use
broadsde guns in bringing rhem to bear she WOULD
ground in the chase and thus all hopes Of capS
destruction would have been lost
During three gunboats In sight and doing
their utmost to get with the cnase but before DARK
Of them lost to sight, one wac 100 far away 10 b
madc out, while the Lhiap, very fast steamer mad
nearly up with the Montgomery. she also nred 81
the REBEL such disadvantage that the shots fell
short. During the afternoon tho pirate waa
In shore OF the Montgomery, and her only
chance OF escape TO sea- was to cross The Mont
gomery's bows but this she concluded waa
too dangerous undertaking. and she wisely decided ~
continue on her until night should give her -
opportunity escape. During the latter part q The
chase the Tallahassee far ahead yet sns was "a
pushed that abe could right 70 hs iss
without running the bows Of either the Lillian %
| the Montgomery, she was between them.
The two Union steamers 30 well managed - y
compel pirate keep direct course, and The coas1
ran 10 such direction she would be cut oil b.
the land, and sbe thus completely Gagged In. iia4
not night come on Il doubted that Der dcsru0
lion would have been certain.
But the went down, and At almost the worry mo-
mont when victory would have crowned arms The
black wings OF night spread tho pirate ana
shielded her from harm. She completely lost -
Wow, and where she went knows
This desperate and exciting chase extraordinary
running engagement lasted from about o'oocn
In the morning until dark. told that II would BE-
difficult TO describe the produced among our
brave blue jackets by the bitter disappointment which
they were compelled TO endure Every man was eager
for close nght and many heartfelt remarks made
worthy Of orr bravest bohlest men And when tho
pirate Tslalase. was saavoiuabiy lost, because they
night into day, their feelings sought relief
only 10 tears
some excellent shots made by the rebol; am
told that, although she lying from lomery,
passed directly hor Two shots from tho Mont.
gornery apparently threw the spray tho decks Of
happy and extremely fortunate pirate.
Dor lie mi dafo
o, rebel craft far lies In his power by send
log out cruisers