The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-11-10
A PerilOus Exploit.

GE NEW 1ORK, NOVemb Der 4.
The Hampton Roads correspondent Of the
Herald, gives the following account of the
| destruction of the rebel ram AIbemarIe
4 ''Along the dock to where the Albemarle
was tied were large number of soldiers,
evidently stationed there to guard against
landing Of our force after surprise, and
in front Of th cir lines bazed number OF
canip-ires, lighting up the rebel vessel and
the river. By the aid of this, Lieutenant
Cushing discovered the pier of floating tim
bers which surrounded the ram on the ac-
cessible sides, to guard against the approach
of rams and torpedoes, and by the aid of the
same light, he plainly saw the large body
of soldiers thronging to the wharf and blaz
ing away at his boat. To quiet these fell
lows, he brought the bow of his boat around
a little, and discharged heavy stand of
canister into them from his 12-pounder how
itzer, mounted at the bow, and sent them
flying, making a complete circle under a
sc orching musketry fire at less than thirty
yards He came around the bow at full
steam, and struck the floating guard of tim
bers, pressing them towards the hull of the
ram. His boat soon lost Roadway and
came to stand-still, refusing to back off or
move ahead. The moment for decisive ac-
ton had now arrived. The enemy fred
muskets and pistols almost in his face from
the ports of the ram and from the bandred
small arms on shore. Several of his men
were wounded, and paymaster Swan had
fallen severely wounded. The officers and
crew of the Albemare cried out, s.Now
we've got him-surrender or we will blow
you to pieces" The case looked desperate,
but Lieutenant Cushing was cool and de-
termined. He seized the lanyard to the
torpedo and the line of the spar until he
brought the torpedo under the overhang of
the Albenarle, he detached it by an effort,
and then pulled the lanyard of the torpedo
and exploded it fairly under the vessel on
her port side, just below the port hole of the
2OO-pounder, Brooks rifle, which at that
moment was discharged at the boat. An
Immense volume of water was thrown out
by the explosion of the torpedo, almost
drowning all in, the boat, and to add to the
peril of the moment, the heavy shell from
the enemy's gun had gone crushing through
the bottom OF the boat, knocking the spIin-
ters about in terrible style She at once
began to sink in the most rapid manner,
and Lieutenant Cushing ordered all hands
to save themselves as best thew could. He
Invested himself of coat and shoes and
plunged in the river, followed by those of
his men who were able to do SO. All struck
for the middle Of the river under a hot fire
of musketry, the balls striking all abont
them, and in two or three instances # is
feared so badly wounding the swimmers
that they sunk before boats from the shore
could reach them. Lieutenant CUSHING
heard the rebels take to boats and pus6
after the survivors, demanding their sur
render. Many gave up. But two of his
seamen were drowned near by him, whether
owing to wounds or exhaustion, he could
not state. Paymaster Swan was wounded
and is a prisoner, but how many Others fell
into the rebel hands ia not ascertained i
Lieutenant Cushing swan down the river
half mile until exhausted, but. he reached
the shore about daylight. He crawled
through swamp, until he reached a posi-
ton within speaking distance of the enemy's
fort. While lying there rebel officers
walked by, and from their conversation he
learned that the ram was DESTROYED. After
while, deeming his sitaation unsafe. he |
managed to push himself along on his back
about sixty yards, and got a better posi-
ton Before midnight he secured the ser
vices OF a negro to go back and look after
the Albemarie. The negro returned and
reported her sunk. Lieutenant Cushing
then struck the swamp in his stock inc. feet !
over briars, etc, until he reached a no;nt !
six miles below the town, when ba III
boat, and with paddle put off for the
squadron, twelve miles distant, reaching if
In safety '1o =