The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-08
IMPORTANT FROM NORTH CAROLINA,

Daring Reconnaissance by Captain Cush.
ing, United States N0Vy-He Visits the
suburbs of Wilmington and Captures
Valuable Rebel MRiI-Acting Master
Howard Buys Provisions at Rebel
store '-IntenseIy Exciting Trip Down
Ihe RiVer-HOw the Rebels were Out
witted at Every Point, Etc., Etc.
BEAUFORT, N. c.. June c9.-One of tho most
daring rCconnoissances made during the war has
just been successfully achieved by CAPTAIN Cush-
ing, OF the gunboat Monticello. On the night of
the oath Instant the Captain took first cutter,
with fifteen mcr and two officers Acting Ensi IN
Jones and Acting Masters Mate Howard), and
succeeded in PASSING the forts of the west bar st
Wilmington, and started up the Cape Fear river.
After u npTow esoEpe of being run over by one
of the Rebel steamers plying the riN er, he passed
the second line of batteries and continued his
coarse until Old Brunswick was reached, where
the Rebels have y heavy battery, when he was
hailed and fired upon, but succeeded in passing
unscathed by feigning TO pass down the river
and crossing to the friendly cover of the opposite
bank. He then continued his course up the river.
BY this artihce the Rebels were deceived, and
signazed to the forts TO intercept him as he came
down the river, which they supposed was the di-
rectiou taken.
At halfPast two the next morning the captain
had reached point seven miles distant from
Wilmington, where he caused the boat 70 be
hauled on the banks and concealed from view by
bushes and narsh grass Day had nov dawned,
and II became necessary TO select place of con-
cealment, which was found in the brush on the
banks.
Soon afer davlight the Rebel steamers, block
ade runners and transports, could be seen by the
party plying up and down the river, and in fact
the flagship Of the Rebel Commodore Lynch
passed by, pennaIt fiying, the distinguished gen.
tleman entirely Unconscious of the fact thai q
rifle in a steady hand could aud would but for
obvious reasons, have given him his quietus.
Two blockade steamers of the first class passed
up and one down during the first twenty four
hours. When night had fairly set in the captain
prepared to launch his boat, when the two bOa,s
rounded the point, and, he supposed having dis
covered his position, they designed TO attack him;
| but Ii proved 10 be returned fishing party. The
entire party were captured-eight in number.
Compelling them TO act in the capacity OF
guides, be proceeded 10 examine all the fDriGca-
| tiOns, river distractions and other objects OF
| interest within three miles of Wilmington. Here
| he was compelled TO pass through a creek run
ming through a cypress swamp, for several hours,
through grass eight feet high aud immense cypres IS
! trees on each side, whose shadow cast a dark
| gloom only exceeded by darkness.
BY Two o'clock that morning a road was
reached, which proved 10 he a branch to the m tin
road to Wilmington, and joining IL at point two
miles distant. The party was here divided, ten
being left to hold this road; and the capt iin,
taking the remaining eight men, took position M
the junction OF the roads, one of which was the
main. Several prisoners were here captured, but
none Of importance. Az about eleven O'Clock A.
Nj, the Rebel courier, with the mails from Fort
Fisher and lower batteries, en- route 20 Whining
ton, whose approach was awaited, came duly
along, and he, with his entire mail, was captured.
On examination this proved TO be a prize OF
value, there being upwards Of two hundred docu-
mentsi private and official, and many Of great
importance. The party, having thus far labOred
successfully, experienced the necessity for re-
ireshment for the inner man, and accordingly
Masters Mate Howard garbed himself in the
courers clothes, and, mounting the same wOr-
~ ftfsH, 60 4
purchased a supply of provisions, with which he
safely returned. The prices the mate thought
eNorbtant, but did not feel disposed, in his liberal
mood, TO hagge or beat down.
Shortly after more prisoners were captured,
and all that was now required TO add 10 the eclat
OF the achievement was TO capture the courier
and mail from Wilmington, whose advent was
looked for at p, NJ. The impaience Of the
party may be imagined, when IL is stated that
the mail would contain the days papers issued
at Wilmington at l p. NJ, and our nemadic
friends were anxious to obtain the latest news
early.
The courier arrived slightly in advance Of time
but one OF the sailors having moved incautiOusly
across the road, was seen by him. and taking
alarm, took to bis heels at fall speed. Captain
Cushing like Paul Duva No. 2, awaited him on
the road, with pistol cooked, put spurs TO his
horse and pursued for about three miles But the
courier speeded on like q whrlwind and the
Captain being rather further from his base than
he thought prudent, took 20 his line OF retreat
and fell back in rapid, but good order.
The telegraph wire leading 10 Wilmington was
they cut for several hundred yards, and the
party, with prisoners and sPoils, rejoined tn