Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-07-18
OUR JACK TARS COME IN COLLISION WITH
THE REBEL RAIDERS

U. S. STEAMER "FUCHsIA," BUSH RIVER
BRIDGE, MD, July IL, 1s6I.-Editor Star You
viii be somewhat surprised at my letter being
headed from this section of the country. Sun
day last at noon laying Off Point Lookout, we
received orders to proceed with all despatch
to this place and protect this bridge. Inside of
peake Bay. Shortly after leaving our anchor.
age we passed the gun boat "Currituck' bound
to Havre de Grace. We arrived Off the mouth
OF this river at II p. m. Sunday night, as we
had NO pilot on board acquainted with the
channel, which is only our draught OF water,
10 feet, we were compelled to anchor for the
night.
At daylight we were under weigh again, but
could not find the channel. About 9 g. m. q
schooner was discovered coming down the
river. Overhauling her, the captain cheer
fully consented to pilot US up to the bridge,
where we arrived at ii a. M, and began moor
ing our vessel to bring our guns to bear upon
both ends Of the bridge. The rebel cavalry OF
Gilmor's command appeared at the south end
of the bridge at the time we arrived, but retired
when they saw u.s. their design, no doubt, being
the destruction this bridge, butfortunatelyou
timely arrival prevented them We found the
steamboat Minna here, in charge of an ensign,
u. s. N, howitZer and crew. which was sent
around from Baltimore to assist the small
guard OF Is men in protecting the bridge. Upon
new men, left the bridge and went on board
the Minna. Captain Street, of the Fuchsia,
being the senior officer here, soon made him.
self acquainted with the situation of affairs.
From the passengers of the two captured
trains, who were coming in from Magnolia,
he learned of the capture and destruction
of the two trains, and also of the burn
ing of the Gunpowder River Railroad
Bridge. Pickets were then stationed
down the road towards the disaster, and every.
thing renamed quiet until sunset the pickets
was seen running in and across the bridge.
From them we learned that there was a rail-
road engine coming q p the road from Magnolia.
AS no engine could have crossed the bridge at
Gunpowder, we knew IL must be one of the
engines attached to the destroyed trains. Be-
sides, the escaped passengers informed us of
tia rebels preserving the engine for their own
use, and boosted they would burn this bridge
o-night. We were Immediately at our guns,
and awaited the approach of the rebels. As
soon as the engine reached the edge Of the
woods, at the end Of the bridge, we opened
upon them with our six guns. Shortly
afterwards Captain Street, with Chief En-.
gineer Mockabee and fifteen men, landed,
crossing the bridge, and advanced under the
fire of our guns, (which were throwing
shell then TO the rear Of the engine,) across
the fence side of the road to the engine. Mr..
Mockabee jumped on board OF il, and immedi.
ately started ahead with his prize. All hands
got aboard, and we were soon safe across the
bridge, exchanging signals with the "Fuschia"
by the steam whistle; the air reSounding with
cheers from our gallant crew.
Captain Street determined to send his prize
TO Havre- de-Grace, and accordingly gave MIR.
Mockabee orders TO proceed Immediately to
that place with the captured engine and a
guard of soldiers, where the engine arrived in
due time Entering the town, the cheering OF
the soldiers was deafening, particularly from
the sailors who were there from the Philadel.
phia navy yard, doing guard duty, the partic-
ulars OF her capture by Captain Street and Mr..
Mockabee had been teiegraphed on there, and
every one was curious to see the prize. .
july l3-About noon Gilmore's command
again approached the bridge, when we opened
upon them with our Parrot rifle which caused
them to scatter almost Immediately. CLAY.