Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-11-11

the blowing mp Of the rebel Iron-clad Abe
marie, at Plymouth. n. C., which had 50
long kept a large Federal feet in the sound,
in expectation Of a sally by the rebels. The
Southfeld, mentioned in the report, it will
be remembered was sunk by the Albemarle
some months since
On the night Of the 9th having prepared my
steam launch, proceeded up toward Plymouth.
with thirteen officers and men, partly volunteers
from the squadron.
The distance from the mouth Of the river to
the ram was about eight miles, the stream aver
aging in width some 300 yarls, and Incl with
| the enemys pickets. A mile below the town
was the wrec, Of the Southfeld. surrounded by
| some schOoneTs. and it was understood that
| gun was mounted there 70 command the beach.
| therefore took one Of the Shlmrock's cutters in
| tow, with orders to cast off and board n that
! point if we were hailed. Our boat succeeded in
passing the pickcts, and even the Southfeld,
| within twenty yards, without discovery. and we
were not hailed until bv the lookouts on the
ram. The cutter was then cast of and orllered
| below, while We made for our enemy under
| full steam. The rebels sprung their
| rattl the bell and commenced firing at
much confused The Eight Of FIRE ashor
showed me the iron clai made fast to the wharf
with logs about her thirty feet from her side
/ Passing her closely. We made a complete circle,
50 as 10 strike her fairly, and went into her bows
on. By this time the enemy's fire was very Sc
we're, but A dose Of canister at short range
seemed to moderate their zeal and disturb their
ain.
Paymaster Swan, of Otsego, was wounded
near me. but how many more I know not. Three
bullets struck my clothing, and the air seemed
full Of them. In 4 moment We had struck the
logs lust abreast Of the quarter port, breaking
them in some feet, our bows resting on them
The torpeio-boom was then lowered, and, by a
vigorous pull succeeded in driving the torpedo
ueder the overhaug. and exploding it at the
same time the Albemarle's gun was fired
shot seemed to 20 crushing through my boat,
and a dense mass Of water rushed in from the
torpedo, filing the launch, AMI completely dis
abling her.
The enemy then continued his fire at fifteen
feet range, and demanded our surrender, which
| twice refused. or,lerinc the men to save them
selves, and removing my overcoat and shoes
SprinZny into the river | swan with others into
the middle Of the stream, the rebels falling 70
hit Us. The most Of our party were capture'i>
some were drowned, and only one escaped be-
sue N.ell. anu uF Iil IllIAUHE AlHlla'AA -h--
ing Masters Mate Wo-Iman, Of the C0mmo-
dore Hull, met him in jts water hllfa mile be-
low the town, and assisted him as hest he could,
but failed to get him ashore Completely ex-
haustel, | managed % get ashore. but was too
weak 10 crawl out Of the water until Just NJ day
light, when ! managed to creep into the swamp
close to the fort. While hiding close 20 the path
the Albemarle's officers passed., and I judset
from their conversation that the ship was de-
stroyed. Some hours travelling in the swamp.
served 10 bring me out well below the town,
when sent negro in to gain Information, and
found that the ram was truly sunk. Proceed
ing through another swamp, [ came to a creek.
and captured a ssif belonging 70 q picket Of the
enemy, and with this, by II O'Clock the next
night, made my way TO Valley City.
All tie officers and men behaved in the most
allant manner. The cuttcr Of the Shamrock
boarded the Southfeli, but found no guns there.
-Four prisoners were taken there. The ram Is
row completely submerged, and the enemy have
sunk three schoonors in the river TO obstruct the
passage Of our ships.
THs RNDER's AccouNr.-The Montrea
T.legrGpa (secesh) gives the following ae-
count. the result Of an interview with the.
Bank robbers now in .ail in Montreal.
The T.'egrspt's account IS full Of lies. L
saws
Their account of their proceedings at s.
Albans differs very materially from thai re-
eeivcd from FEDERAL sources. They captured
and held i. Adams, made upwards Of forty
prisoners, whom they Kept under guard, gave
written paroles. and conducted themselves as
an Organized force Of the Confederate States,
which they declared themselves to be. The
killing Of Mr. Morrison was an accident; a
man named Fuller one Of the SIX thousand
inhaiitants Of st. Adams that did not eX-
hibit the most astounding cowardice, fired
from behind q post at the party with re
ueating rifle. wOunding one man, q shot fired
az him strack Mr. Morrison as he came run
ing round a corner. Huntington was shot
after he was told that he was prisoner to
the Confederate States, while attempting to
escape.
Their proceedings occupied 4 considerable
time, and when they were ready to retire
they were pressed by number of the inhab-
i,ants who fred upon them with guns and
pistols On these it was necessary t. fire, but
il is untrue that single shot was fired IN
wantonness. or otherwise than in seli-de-
fence Being closely followed from the
town, they were obliged to face about and
charge the pursuing party several times,
compelling it to find safety in flight. In their
retreat they were delayed and embarrassed
bv the want Of saddles, there being but three
among the party; if they escaped into Cana
da with the skin Of their teeth, they left
other large portions Of their euticle on the
road. witnesses of their rapid bare-backed
Journey. The party consisted Of u all
that have been taken are IN Canada. lhe
m,n in custody at st. Adams did not belong
/ 10 them, but was one of the Federals who
/ pursued them and afterwards got into trouble
! from having in his possession some thousands
/ OF dollars which he stole from the pocket Of
! one Of the raiders after he was arrested IN
| Canada. He Is only q Yankee thief, but his
counsrymen are welcome to hang him, II 1t
will be any qualification to them. Lieut..
Young she commander Of the party, Is
very superior man, educated for the ministry,
partly at the University Of Toronto, and the
majority Of his followers are as handsome,
dashing looking young fellows as one could
wish To ste. They are in capital spirits, and
do not consider there is any more danger OF
their beng given up to the Federal Govern
ment as criminals, than there-s Of the sur
render of KOssuth, Mazzlni, OF any OF the
other refugees who have borne arms against
Austria and Russia, and afterwards sought
an ASYLUM on British soil; but they are
anxious that it should be known that they
guiltless of any breach Of Canadian neutrality
and jeopardized their lives by assembling and
organizing at St. Adams in order to avoid
the violation Or evasion Of our laws.
The N. Y. Herald discourses on the plan
for getting an addition of 100000 men to
the rebel army by freeing that number OF
slaves, with a promise to give them, several
Iy, their freedom and fifty acres Of land if
they will fight for the conlederacY, as fol-
lows
. JEFF. Davis is going to free the slaves and be
stow upon them the title deeds of the seeded
|, States in order to achieve Southern independ-
ence. He feels that the sacrifice IS great but,
he Is prepared to make it for the sake Of the
Southern confederacy. This IS highly move
Z / II - rlo. anI 1pff Davis ought N take