The New York herald., 1864-11-03

evidently stationed there to guard against landing Of
force after SURPRISE End In trout Of their lines
blazcd cheerily up number OF camp hres which throw
strong light upon the rebel vessel and the bosom Of the
river BY the aid Of this glare Lieutenant Cushing dis
covered the pier Of floating tmbers which surrounded
the the accessible Sides to guard against the ap
proach Of and torpedoes And by the aid OF the
same light be plainly the large body OF soldiers
throngng to the wharf and blazing awsy at his
boat To quiet those fellows he brought the bow
Of his boat around little and discharged heavy
stand Of canister into thom from his twelve FOUNDER
howitzer mounted at the bow. AND sent them dying
Making complete circle under a scorching muske.ry
IRE at less than thirty yards he around bow on
At full steam, and struck the floating guard OF tmbsrs
pressing them towards the hull OF the His
lost Roadway, and cans to stand stll, refusing
10 back on or move ahead. The mo.
ment for decisive sctlon had now arrived.
Tho enemy nred mnskels aud pistols almost In his
face from the ports OF the ram, and from the hun.
dred small arms on shore. Several Of his mon were
wounded, and Paymastcr Swami had fallen severely
wounded The officers and crew Of the Abemarlc cried
out, "Now we've got him; surrender, surrender.
will blow You to p,eces." The looked desperate
indeed but Lieu,ensns Cushing was cool and do.
termined at the moment one could be under
the most agreeable circumstances. He knew that the
decisive moment had come and he did not allow 10 to
glide from his hands He seized the lanyard to the
torpedo and the line OF the SPAR and crswdng the spar
until he had brought tho torpedo under the ovshang
OF the Abemarle he detached II by effort, and tho
he pulled the lanyard OF me torpedo and
plodsd u fairly under the vessel hor port sde just
below tho portfolio OF tho two hundred poundsr
Brookes rife, which that moment dis.
charged at the boat. An immense volume OF
water thrown out by the explosion Of the torpedo
almost drowning all in the boat and to add TO the peril Of
the moment the heavy she'll from the enemy's gun had
gone crushing through the bottom OF the boat knocking
the spn,e about 10 terrible STYLE She al once began
to sink 10 Tho most rapid manner and Lieutenant Cush
ing ordered all hands TO themselves as best they
might He divesed himself Of his coat and shoes, and
plunged into the river followed by those Of hs who
able to do All struck for the middle OF the river
under hot FIRE OF mpskctry the balls perorating their
clothing and striking all about hcm and 10 three
that they before boats from the shore could reach
them Lieutenant Cushing heard the rebels take to boats
and push after the survivors demanding their surrender
Many gave up; but two OF his seamen were drowned
near by hlm-whether owing to wounds received
or exhaustion he could not state. Paymaser Swami
was wounded and 10 q prisoner; but how many others
fell into tho rebel hands has not as yet been aecer
tanned Lieutenant Gushing swan down the river
half milo until exhausted and chilled by the cold
ne reached about daylight. After laying in the weeds
along the river bank for time, be recovered his
strength sucient lily to crawl into the swamp further ill
daylight found him laying in the swamp grnss between
two paths and n speaking distance OF the enemys fort
While laying there but partially screened By this low
sedge, he saw some rebel ooncers and men walk by,
and heard their conversation, which entirely de
voted to the affair OF the morning. From their
remarks he learned that the torpedo had
done It's work effectively and thoroughly, and
that his great object was accomplished he
did not learn any OF the details OF the sinking but heard
stated that the ram had gone down by her dock and
was complets loss lie also learned Of the capture OF
tho paymaster and somo others Of his from the
same source.
Finding tina. there was grsa, danger Of his detection
II he remained In his exposed position all day, lying
within yards Of frequen,ed paths, and
the river he began 10 move slowly away towards the
swamp. lie was obliged 10 move cautiously, 60 be
laid his bacK, and by pushing bis Lees Into
the ground he slowly pushed himself along, and after
long and exhausting effort parsed over the
the sixty yards OF ground that laid between him and
better cover Once concealed he laid up for the day
and rested himself Ho was fortunate enough before
midnight to got bold Of negro, whom be cent into town
20 learn the extent his The negro obeyed his
instructions and reported that the AbcmMle out Of
sign.-"Clar gone sunk"
Al night Lieutenant Cushng struck through the swamp,
and after tho greatest and most exhausting toll and
paints no was 10 his stocking feet, and contInu.
ally plugging over roots briers, logs, oyster shells,
and Iaoera,ing his nesb severely-hs reached a
point six miles below shc town, whero he
discovered . skiG used by . picket Watching bis
chance bc seized this, and with single paddle padded
on 10 The squadron twelve miles distant, which he
reached In safety. Only besides him William
Bortsu sailor the chcopsc, who had volunteered on
the occason-reiurned 60 the squadron. He picked
up by boat sud sent OF when nearly exhausted.
Lieutenant Cushing Immediately came here on The
special despatch boat Valley City. and reported TO Admi
raj Porter To night he viii 20 10 Washington and report
10 the Department He cut ami In need Of rest,
which ws hope he wiz be permitted 10 enjoy.
This last brave and gallant sctIon o. his 70 Incly TO
gain him advance Of grade u his rans, and win
aso II the law IA tightly Construed be apt TO prove
grest financial success, which 10 somewhat more sub
staniial His share Of tbs pvze money from The Abe
marie she " fairly placed ~ valuation, would be in
The neghborhood Of afiy thousand dosrsan acceptable
tum7o any one Lieutenant Cushina has AGAIN been
prdered,o the command Of the gnnbcs Monticello which
WIN await him uotii his return from short leave
The dessrucon Of tho Absmarls will release ihs large
squadron oi powerful ht drsueht vessels which have,
since Ter debut las, Way been msntained tue sound
They eau 40 elsewhere n6w.
On re,onpoksanoe made by The Valley City it rishib