The New York herald., 1864-11-03
MS ADVEN rUREs IN THE SWAMP.
Pull aid Interesting Details Of His Brilliant
Achievement.
= II . q a 8 q n Il q I = $,
H., ~, ~.

laeutenant Cushing's Omcial Report.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2. 1854.
Admiral Porter has communicated 10 the Secretary Of
The Navy tie following interesting particulars from Lieu
tenant Gushing regard 10 the sinking Of the rebel
Aibsmarle--
AIBExARLs sorHD. Oct. 80, 1854.
m-I have the honor to report that the rebel Iron.
clad Alhensrle ID at the bottom Of Roanoke river
On the night Of the 9th, having prepared my steam
hsnch iprocseded up towards Plymouth, with thirteen
scsrs and partly volunteers from tho squadron.
The diatarce from the mouth OF the river The
Vas about eight miles, the stream averaging in width
sOms two hundrsd yards, and lined with the enemys
piCksis.
milo below the town the wreck Of the Souhneld,
surrounded By some schoonsrs, and It was understood
Shat gun mounted there 10 com mand the bend.
Therefore took Cf tho Shamrocks cutters tow,
With orders e board that point wers
hailed
Our beat succeeded In passing the pickes and the
seuthneld within twenty yards without discovery, and
not hailed until BY tho lookouts the ram.
The cutter was then east on and ordered below, while
We made for our enemy under full head o. steam.
The rebels sprang their rattle, rang the bell com
nsnced firing At the time repeating their hail and
seeming much confused.
The light Of . nre ashore showed me the iron clad
made the wharf logs her about thirty
from her side. Passing her closely, made
pless circle 50 strike her fairly and into her
bows on.
BY this time the ensmy's nrs very severe, but
Of canister II short range seemed TO moderate their
bal and disturb their aim.
Paymsstsr Swan, Of the 0tsego, wounded ne,
bat how many moro know not.
Three bullets struck my clothing, and the cir seemed
Sail OF them.
In momeu. we nal struck the logs Just abreast Of the
h0ur
ing them
The torpedo boom then lowered, and by vigorous
pu succeeded In diving the torpedo under the
hang, and exploding Il at the same lime that the Abe
narles quo was nrcd
sho, seemed TO 90 crashing through my boa, and
asnse rushed In from the torpedo dining
shs launch and completely disabling her.
The enemy then hs nrs fifteen feet range
and demanded surrender, which twice refused,
sesing the 70 savs themselves and removing my
svsr coat and shoes
sprngng into the river, swan, with others, into the
middle OF the stream, the rebels failing to nit US.
Tho most OF our party captured, some were
arowned and only one escaped besides myself and he in
Ancsber direction l.,
Acting Mss,srs Mate woodman, OF the Commodore
asl, met him In the water half mile below the town,
and assisted him best he could but failed TO get him
ashore.
Completely exhausted, managed 10 reach the shore,
kas too weak 70 crawl out Of the water until just At
daylight, when managed creep into the swamp close
10 the fort
While hiding close tho path the Albemarles officers
yassed and judged, from thor conversation, that the
<Sip vas destroyed.
semc hours travelling In the swamp served 10 bring
- weA below the to~n, when sent negro 10 10
gain Information, and found that the ram truly
sark
Proceeding through another swsmp,u came to creek,
szd captured sk0 belonging 10 picket Of the enemy
Aad with ihls by eleven O'Clock the night, made
Oy way out 10 the Valley City
Acting Masters Mate William L. Howor,h, OF the Mon
xcsllo, showed, usual conspicuous 10 bravery. He
= ths same officer who has benu with mo twice in WI
vniag,cn harsor. trust he may be promoted when
charged ss well as Acting Third Assistant Engineer
ssosoury. who, being for the nrst time under Gre,
banded Ls engine promptly and with csoness.
All The officers and behaved ln tho most gallant
manner
Tne cutter of 3 sosmrock boarded the souhhod, but
found no euns hcre Four prisoners we're taken there
Tho Is new completely submerged, and the enemy
ssve aohccaers IN The river TO obstfuc The
vassage OF our ships.
desro 10 call che attention OF the Admiral and do.
rssment to the spirit manifested by the sailors on the
shlps these sounds. But few hands wanted but
III nands eager 70 90 Into the scou Offering their
csoseo thipmsiss months pay resign In their favor.
sn, sr, respectfully, your obedisnt servant,
". B. CUSHING, Lieutenant U. 8 ".
Rear Admiral d. ID. PORTER, Commanding North Allan.
nc Squadron
TIE OF the man who escaped is wm Hoffman,
seaman, the cbicopee. Hs did hts duty we'll and do
ssrves medal of honor Rsspectfuny,