Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-11-04
8g Gelegra98.
Afternoon Report.
The Destruction Of the Rebel Ram
-sAlbemarl0.

II
NBw YoRK, Nov. 3.-The Hampton
Roads correspondent Of the Herald, gives
the following account of the destruction
Of the AlbemarIe. Along the dock where
the AlbsmArle was tied, was 3 large num-
Der of soldiers, evidently stationed there,
guarding against any movement OF our
forces, and to prevent a surprise in front Of
their lines, blazed number Of camp fires,
lighting up the rebel vessels and the river.
By the aid of this Lieut.. Cushing discov-
cred the pier ofthe floating timbers which
surrounded the ram on the accessible
sides to guard against the approach OF
rams and torpedoes, and BY the aid OF
some light, he plainly saw large bodies OF
soldiers thronging to the wharf and blazing
away at his boat. To quiet these fellows,
he brought the bow OF his boat around q
little, and discharged q heavy stand of
canister int them from his twelve pound
or hoWitzer mounted at the bow. and sent
them flying. Making complete circle
under q scorching musketry IRE ct less
than thirty yards, he came round the bow
at full steam, aud struck the floating
guard of timbers, pressing them in towards
the hull of the ram.
His boat soon lost headway and came to
stand still, refusing to back of or move
aside. The moment for decisive action had
now arrived. The enemy fred muskets
and pistols almost in his face trem the
ports OF the ram and from the hundred
small arms on shore. Several Of his men
were wounded.
Paymaster Swami had fallen severely
wounded. The officers and crew of the
Albemarle cried out, "Now we've got him,
surrender or we will blow you to pieces"
The case looked desperate, but Lieut..
n, nn0l and 6ataPminAd- HA
seized the lanyard to the torpedo and the
line of the spar, and crowded the spar I'M
til he brought the torped0es under the
oVerhang of the AlbemRrle. Deliberately
he detached II by an effort, and then pull
ed the lanyard of the torpedo and explo-
ded it finely under the vessel on her port
side, Just below the port hole Of the 400
FOUNDER Brooks rifle, which at that mo-
ment 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 passed through the
bottom, of the boat, knocking the splinters
about II. a terrible way. She at once began
70 sink in the most rapid manner and
Lieut.. Cushing ordered all hands TO save
themselves as best they could. He divest-
ed himself of coat and shoes and plunged
into the river, followed by those of his
men who were able to do so; all struck
for the middle of the river under hot FIRE
of musketry, the balls striking all about
them, and ia two or three instances, IL is
feared, SO badly Wounding the swimmers
that they sunk before boats fIom the shore
could reach them. Lieut.. Cushing heard
the rebels take to boats and push of after
the survivors, demanding their surrender.
Many gave up. But two Of his seamen
were drowned near by him, whether owing
to wounds received or exhaustion he could
not state.
Paymaster Swami was wounded and is
q prisoner, for, like many others, he fell
into rebel hands. Lieut.. Cushing swan
down the river half mile until exhausted,
and reached here about daylight. BE
crawled through swamp until he reached
position within speaking distance of the
enemy's fort. While there rebel officers
walked by, and from their conversation he
learned the ram was destroyed. Deeming
his situation unsafe, he managed to push
himself along on his back about sixty
yards and got better position. Before
midnight he secured the services OF q negro
to 90 back and look after the Albemsrle.
The negro returned and reported her sunk.
Lieut.. Cushing then struck through the
swamp ia his stocking feet, over briars,
&C., until he reached a point six miles
below town, when he took boat and put
of for the squadron, twelve miles distant
where he arrived in safety.