The palmetto herald. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1864-1864, 1864-06-02
yer, lls being perfectly familiar with all

| tne cnanHeiS.
The Lewis. was ordered to proceed to
Bennetts Point, and the Boston, which
had lust come up, and had on board a por-
ton OF the 4tl Mass. Cavalry and other
troops, undert Command of Col. Mont
gomeyy, was ordered to follow her.
MasSl, the n pt instead Of obeying
his oIAS. repOrih that he had been sent
down 10 get the Mary Boardman off,
went on board her, and stayed there
The Edwin Lewis proceeded up the river
under direction of her own pilot, pass
ed BENEFITS PoinS where the river
turns at almost q right angle, and
kept on up the stream. After going several
miles, rebel sentry on board hailed
them; The hail was answered and the
boat kept on. Another hail farther on
was answered in the same way, but still
the Edwin Lewis kept on her; course,
till she had proceeded some six or eight
miles. and some distractions had been
passed. 1t was Judged that as his
boat Tas very light draught, the other
boats could not have passed over the OBJ
strucdons. and the Edwin Lewisput about.
In going down the river they found the
Boston ashore near where \ rebel bat
tess Was located,
In the meantime Gen. Birney had
landed some. of his troops. When he
received news Of the Boston's con-
ditioIs he withdrew to the landing,
considering it to be his first duty to save
the Boston, if possible, and the troops
and property on board her.
AT day light the rebels opened on the
Boston with much energy. Que shot
struck the safe, went through Captain
Fairslotis room and INTO the boiler.
AatGo>aery and Lies- 80
Sthe Navy, volunteer, uIspiayed great
GOODNESS and bravery, and the troops
were landed on the marsh and marched
a mile and half down the shore. The
men showed good discipline and great
pluck.
. Capt. P. F. Young, ADO, was sent
up with the Plato to aid the Boston,
if possible. When over mile from
the Boston she got aground. She I'M
mediately opened on the battery with
shells from rifled gun, which was
worked very effectively, the shells, how
ever, falling short. After firing about an
hour and half the Plato got of. but in the
msan,ime the gunboat Dai Ching, Capt.
Chaplin, had come up and shelled the rebel
battery vigorously.
The Boston was hit about seventy
times, with solid shot from three small
rifled pieces. She had two men Of the
34th 6. s. G. T. killed. Six who jumped
overheard were drowned, several were
wounded, and some horses killed. Capt.
Young, when it was found that the boat
was to be destroyed, made strong effort
to save the colors, but could not succeed.
On the Plato, Wm. Herbert, of the Sd
r. /. Artillery, while putting shelLin q
gun, was severely injured by a premature
explosion. The fuse Of the shell was
ignited, but Herbert, with commendable
presence of mind, threw the shell over
board and it burst in the water. The
sponge of the gun was blown overheard,
and another member of the Sd r. l., re-
covered it by swimming 200 yards at the
risk of his life.
The troops. officers and crew were
taken off the Boston, many escaping by
swimming, but it was found impossible
to save the horses. When the condition
of the steamer was reported to General
Birney, he reluctantly gave the order to
have her burned. considering that she
was too much damaged to be got OH,
and, that il would be impossible to save
her under fire from a shore battery
which could be easily strengthened:
Capt. Chas. B. Fessenden, Jr., Ado,
was sent up with skiff to set her on
| 6ra an1 succesafillly pertOrmed the duty.