Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-12-02

of their adventurous 'urney they passed
three batteries. hastily thrown up, and man
ned by small force to prevent desertrrs from
crossing, and to guard bridges
On the morning OF the 18th. they rounded
the mouth OF the Santee, aud a sailless ocean
burst upon their view. An object in the
distance was thought to be gunboat, and
Elder and Captain Smith, who were the
strongest of the party, went up the shore
three miles, only to find il the blackenei hull
Of burned blockadcr, They continued on
their way three miles further, when their eyes
were gladdened by tho sight of gunboat in
the distance, at anchor Off the mouth of the
Pedee river, watching for a rebel ram, report.
ed to be building up the river. Elder took
his ragged blanket from his shoulders, ,rig-ed
it upon pole, and the two waved it for
hours, but there was no response from the
gunboat. Night came on, aud in spite of the
danger, they signaled her with fire, but still
no recognition. Almost dispirited, they wait.
ed until morning, andagain sgnalled. No
recognition, the crew of the aunboat evident.
ly fearing some rebel trap. Wandering about
they found dug out, and in this f,ail craft
they determined to row to the steamer, al.
though the breakers were rolling learlully
| over the bar. They dared not to hope they
could reach her, but death was preferable to
starvation or rccapture They launched their
frail little craft. Smith, who was powerful
man, took the oars, and Elder, one Of whose
arms was paralyzcd, steered. AS they near
! ed the breakers, the great walls Of water lift,
cd on either side, as the waves of the Red Sea
in the days of tho Israclites, and the little
boat shot rapidly between the green ramparts
into still waters, emerging just in time to be-
hold the breakers plungng back in n vortex
OF fury, which must have engulphed and
crushed them moment later like an egg.
shell. They hailed the gunboat, which
proved to be the Canandaigua, and boat
came out TO meet them. Their story was
soon told, and the ships launch went up Nc
coast, and rescued the remainder of the com.
pany: They then reported to Admiral Dahl.
gren, who provided them with a naval suit,
and cared for them kindly. Next they re,
ported to General Foster at Port Royal, and
the brave fyllows were sent to their respect
i've homes
After his escape, Mr. Elder learned from
sources which cnnnot lie other than reliable,
some interesting points. Both Admiral Danl,
gren aud General Foster are c0gnizant Of the
movements Of General Sherman, and are CO.
operating with him. Sherman is surely aim
ing at Savannah, where there are no rear for.
tilications and but 1000 men. At Charles
ton there are from three to four thousand
men. The movement has already been made
to sever the connections of Wilmington and
Charleston, and as soon as the probable time
ot Sherman's attack upon Savannah arrives,
Gen. Foster will make demonstration upon
Charleston, Porter upon W Wilmington, Grant
upon Richmond. while Shcridans column
Will he busy. Elder confirms the statement
Of Gen. Grant. that the COniederaCy is a
shell. lie says nothing can stop the onward
progress Of Sherman that his advance guard
can easily take Macon that at Andersovllc
he will find only few wrecks Of men, all
the healthy men having been removed that
Augusta and Savannah will easily fall into
his hands, with the richest stores of negroes
cotton and ma,crIa! yet found in the Confed
cracy.