The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-12-08
RACE or TEE TALL4HA ssEE

si0Wfhdt gives an interesting account OF
the recent chase Of the Tallahassee, go
ing into that port, by The Federal block
adcrs. lie says
When matters first became interest
ing, the Tallahassee was steering i y.
T., with the Lillian forward Of the star
board beam, distant about five miles, and
cdging down to cut us off; the fellow
with square sailswqs nearly abeam, with
about the same distance between US
The Montgomery, a three masted propel-
leT, was on the starboard quarter, and
distant about six miles The Tallahas-
see had about ten pounds Of steam; and
il was evident shes was not ginning on
the Lillian, which vessel was then TO be
feared, as she was getting in our track
and still another vessel appeared about
this time on the port bow. In trim,
with plenty of steam. the gallant racer
would have dashed between them like
dolphin, but unfortunately the cleaning
and repairs had taken more time than
was expected, and in consequence steam
was down, and nine DAYS consumption
OF fuel had so lghtened the vessel that
her screws were not perfectly submerged
Under these disadvantages she came TO
the score, pressed by three cruisers,
chosen, no doubt, for the present service
on account Of their speed. AS 1 have
before remarked, the Lillian was hold
ing on like a beagle and forging ahead to
block the way to seward Circum-
stanced as we were, there was bat one
thing to do-wear round and head to the
northward and westward, thus making a
stern chase for the Lillian, and bringing,
as our immediate competitor, the Mont
gOmery. Ii should be born in mind that
the land lay to northwsrd and westward
distant not more than thirty miles, which
prevented us from bearing up in a line
perpendicular to that of the squadron in
chase, and compelled us to steer nearly
parallel with them. In our reversed po-
aition the Montgomery was brought on
the port bow and, Immediately edged
down on our quarter to get in range,
when she opened, making very excellent
practice; scarcely a shot fell out Of line
several passed over between the masts,
and four or five fell but few yards
short, making a slight rjcorht. All of
her shell were defective The Lillian also
opened, bat her shots ltll short
The scene about the engine room was
now very exciting and interesting. Our
energetic chief engineer, Levy, travelled
between the fre-roOm9 and the engines
threatening and encouraging, whilst his
assistants balled up waste and junk to
be saturated in turpentiue and thrown on
top Of the coal in the furnaces. Mr.. Hall
stood over the Tub, dipping in the balls,
praying, no doubt, for the imaginary
speed Of his fayorite FatIici; lienly.---
Mr.. Green chcered and instructed the
lircmen 10 shovel in coal, h. not having
much faith in the tHpcntnc. The others
attended faithfully and zeaiously u their
respective duties All did excellenlIy
well The guagc began to move upwards
as it always had a way Of doing when
Green was on watch bat it Was evident
that the troublesome Montgomery was
doing his utmost, for he still hung upon
our flank like gad-hy; splitting out his
80 pound Parrot bolts in a very apitQlul
manner
We RETAINED from firing for sons time,
in order to conceal the character of the
vessel but believing that ne were known,
the order was given to uncover the after
gun, set the colors and pennant and re-
turn shot for shot The sight Of COnle-
derato bunting and the sound Of cur cwn
gun made a new crew. The "READY-
HRE :" OF Lieutenant Gardeners clear
distinct voice acted like charm through
out the ship, and the shells he sent buz-
lrng away had wonderful effect upon
the enemy. The Montgomery suddenly
discovered that the nearest road to New
inlet (or which were maling) Waa a
straight line, and not the curved one We
were steering, and consequently Co1n-
menced widening the space between Us.
The Lillian had made one very creditable
brush TO get up, but now she began to
lag like tired hound and what was our
best surety, steam was fast rising, and
at 4 o'clock We were knocking off twelve
and half knots, large, dropping our
pursuers very perceptiblv. At g O'clock
p. NJ. we arrived at the bar, and finding
the water too low 10 cross, remained un-
til halfpast entirely unmolested and
undisturbed.