The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-03-18
OFF Cape Hatteras.

Tho edition Of Parton's General Butler
in New Orleans" has been increased by the
addition of letters written homo BY Mrs.
Butler from various points when she accom-
panied her husband. They ars simply and
naturally written, and possess much graphic
power. The following extract describes some
OF the scenes of the storm of Cape HATTIE
ras, which came 90 near losing tho Missis.
sippi: -H.. ..H
Again tho men formed In limo, from hold to
deck, and baled all night, the seas roaring,
phosphorescent, cleaning ss serpent's back.
struck the quivering ship like heavy artillery.
The dread was, when she plunged In the trough
Of the sea hnd the waves swept over her, that
she would founder and 60 down. We turned
our course north, to run with the wind, which
blew from the southeast; We kept In II through
that night and next day till II o'clock; then
short about, ran up three sails and few down
the coast like bird. past Cape Hatteras, Point
Lookout, down to Cape Fear. .. ......... ..
We were ut breakfast congratulating each
other on our escape from the storm the delight.
full weather, and the rapid speed we were mak-
Ing. Ileit the table moment, and was In my
room preparing to 90 on deck. when there came
o asurging, grating sound from the bottom Of
the ship. A pause-the engine stopped-(a
hush Of dread throughout the ship) 1t worked
again-another heavy. lurching and quivering
were aground on Frying Pan shoals, hiteen
miles from shore the coast held BY the enemy
four or fye small boats, and sixteen hundred
persons on board. Brains and hands
worked. busily devising and executing ways to
get her of, and men watched for sails at every
point, for there, In truth, was almost our only
hope. At last one appeared In sight. Signals
were hoisted. 1t was proposed to hoist II with
union down. "Not so." said Gen. Butler, "lei
the union 60 up" Guns were fred to show
our distress, though apprchensiye she nigh,
prove rebel steamer, and we be forced to tight
In our crippled state, or yield, inslorious pris
In the afternoon. We ran on ut full tide, and
We must wait until II returned at seven In the
evening, before we could hope 10 pull her of.
hawser was stretched to the other vessel and
the soldiers moved double quick, fore and oft,
to loosen her from tho sand. They lsbored and
pulled, but failed to lift her the tide was not
yet full. Two or three hundred men were sent
already to the Mount Vernon. The wind began
to rise, and the waves to swell into heavy seas,
that looked so dark and wrathful. Gen. But.
Ter came to me and said, "You must mako ready
to 60 In q few minutes" Capt. Glsson was
o. out to return to his own vessel, and would
take me with him. The Generals duty would
be to remain until every man was safe, or while
the ship held together. This was clear enough,
and only said, 81 would rather remain here
II you are willing" know not why. but
felt more safety where was than In that little
boat tossing below In the mad waves, or In the
strange vessel In the distance. "Why do you
think Of such thing" hc said: "are you mad,
that you woulI risk to the children the loss oi
bothl' "I will CO." I answered, when the
captain is ready" Gen. Butler went away to
tho pilot.house The ship was beating heavily
In the surf, and mems hearts beat heavier still
as the night swept towards US. Tho deck was
crowded with men. Major Bell gave me his
arm. There was moye-a "make way for
Mrs. Butler" was helped over the railing.
One man spoke out, "Wcll. " woman can
keep cool, |. will be strange II ecsn't" Capt.
Glisson preceded nc down the side Of the ship,
and aided rs much rs possible. The boat was
tossing like utsbell, far below. rs down the
unsteady ladder we slipped. When nearly at
the bottom the captain said. "Jump, madam
we'll catch you," and down went into the
bottom Of the boat. :Pull, men--be lively"
the captain called out every few minutes. A
wave leapcd up and drenched the man at the
tillcr; he shrank from It, but the captain urged
the greater speed. In o quarter Of an hour We
wcrc aboard the Mount Vernon.