Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-11-12
SATURDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER u, 1864.

around her about thirty feet from her side
Passing her closely, We made complete
circle so as to strike her fairly, and went
into her bows on.
BY this time the enemy's fire was very So
we're, but dose of canister at short range
seemed to moderate their zeal aad disturb
their aim.
Paymaster Swan, Of the Otsego, was
wounded near me, but how many more
know not,
Three bullets struck my clothing, and the
air seemed full of them.
In a moment we had struck the logs just
abreast of the quarter port, breaking them
in some feet, our bows resting on them.
The torpedo boom was then lowered, and
by vigorous pull, l succeeded in diving
the torpedo under the overhang, and ex-
ploding it at the same time that the Abe
marles gun was fired.
A shot seemed to go crashing through my
boat and dense mass of water rushed in
from the torpedo, filing the launch and
completely disabling her. .-
The enemy then continued his fire at fif-
teen feet range and demanded our surrender,
which twice refused, ordering the men to
save themselves and removing my overcoat
and shoes.
Sprining into the river, I swan, with
others, into the middle of the stream, the
rebels failing to hit US.
The most of our party were captured
some were drowned, and one escaped be-
sides myself, and he in another direction.
Acting Masters Mate Woodman, of the
Comodore Hall, met him in the water half
a mile below the town, and assisted him as
best he could, but failed to get him ashore.
Completely exhausted l managed to reach
the shore, but was too weak to crawl out
of the water until just at daylight, when
| managed to creep into the swamp close to
the fort.
While hiding close to the path the Abe
marls officers passed, and / judged, from
their conversation, that the ship was de-
stroyed.
Some hours travelling in the swamp serv
ed to bring me ont well below the town,
when sent a negro in to gain information,
found that the ram was truly sunk.
Proceeding through another swamp, l
came to creek, and captured a skift be-
longing to Il picket of the enemy, and with
this, about eleven o'clock the next night, l
made my way to the Valley City.
Acting Masters Mate William l.. Ho-
worth, of the Monticello, showed, as usual,
conspicuous in bravery. He is the same
officer who has been with me twice in Will
mington karbor. / trust he may be pro-
noted when exchanged as well rs Acting
Third Assistant Engineer Stolesbury, who,
being for the first time under fire, handled
his engine promptly and with GOODNESS.
All the officers and men behaved in the
most gallant manner.
The cutter of the Shamrock boarded the
Southfeld but fired no gun there. -Four
prisoners were taken there.
The ram is now completely submerged,
aud the enemy have sank three schooners
in the river to obstruct the passage of our
ships.
desire to call the attention of the Admi-
raj and department to the spirit manifested
by the sailors on the ships in these sounds
But few hands were wanted, but all hands
were eager to go into action, offering then
chosen shipmates months pay to resign
in their favor.
| am, sir, respectfully, y0ur ohet1ent servant
w. b. CUSHING, Lieutenant U. S. n.
Rear Amiral d. D. Porter, Commanding
No1th Atlantic Squadron.
The name of the man who escaped l:
VIM. Hoffman, seaman on the Chieopee
He did his duty well and deserves media
of fhonor. Respectfully,
w. B. CUSHING, U. S. n.