Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-02-24
For the Standard.
rp1p or THE VANCE.

And now commenced What II generally termed
running the block" The anxiety Of all on board.
and especially Of the officers may we'll be imagined
The sea is calm, and it is very pleasant on decks
Our lights are out and we glide almost noseiessiy
along. Every eye is straining out upon the dark
bosom Of the 6eeAh, anu every ear IS is enng a!
tentiyely for the voice Of tie watch at the masthead
More steam is crowded on, and away We 1T. hut
one b{ocksder is seem and that is too lar OF to oc-
cason the least apprehension, even u xe are oss
ruvereu. presently wv .,su~. eee"
right, but whether on shore or on vessels We he'.a'
er know nor care By midnight we consider our
selves out of DANGER and all 'turn i'm except those
necessary for working and watching the vessel.
TIE weather renamed mild and balmy. We
passed several sails each day, to one Of which we
showed the Confederate flag, but obtained no re
Spouse. On Tuesday evening, We were near Ber-
muda, but as we could not 60 in at night, We
tackled about until morning, when aapilot came on
board and carried US in.
which were soon rolled out upon the wharf. On
Thursday night the cotton was discovered to be on
fire, supposed to have been the work OF an incendi
ary. Comparatively q small quantity was con-
sumed-perhaps 40 or so bales burned and in
jured.
Ny impressions of Bermuda were favorable. 1t
certainly presents a romantic appearance. But As
\ Vuly ueSiku al 8CCOuub VI Jul TIP VIII hVs Nv"
speak more of the island.
By Saturday evening We had taken in our return
cargo, and Just before night We steamed away. We
found the ocean rougher than on our outward trip,
but still We made good progress until Moaday night,
when it blew furious gale 1t was well for the
writer that he was Island lubber," aud did not
know when to get scared The vessel was ease d to
about knots an hour; but even at this speed the
deck was flooded continually with the briny waters
hA oo1A ala lev FL
of both ship and crew tested and just as truly " as
it proven pure.
With the coming of the day the storm abated
some, though the wind still blew strongly, ana tho
waves frequently broke on deck. 1t became mat
ter of doubt whether we could make the distance,
SO IS to run through the blockadng fleet during the
few dark hours after noon down that night-or
rather next morning 1t was important to 10 SO,
As the dark hours we're growing iearfully fewer
every night But We succeeded
And now behold us, without light on board, th :
wind, though much abated, still blowing cold ant !
strong, darling along at speed Of nearly 20 mile !;
an hour. Every man at his post-every one looking
for what he hopes not to find-a blOcSsder. Blu :.
We did find, not only one, but seven: We left then
upon our right and ourlef 1t were contrary to the
human mind not to feel deep anxiety at such
tune; but do not believe there quailins spirit
on board All felt the utmost confidence in tina
vessel and her officers, and that confidence gave
them courage.
And now we are nearly out of reach Of the huge
monsters lying behind US, not one Of which has
pei ceived All feel relieyed-congratul
passng-wefeel that are delivered from peril.
Bat harkl 1--WE are aground J. We aye aground"
was passed from mouth to mouth 1t was too true
There we were, too far from our own forts to be-
protected by tbem and with but an hour of friendly
darkness in which to get aAoat Like Joshua, We
WCn1d then have cfonned the in his nnf
to prolong the light but the darkness; but we had
not his faith and did not try to exercise hiapoweE.
On the contrary we went to work and threw QUAR-
tity Of lead overheard. Still we were aground Ksa
boats had previously been made ready for lowering,
and now evefy one was fixing up bis little package
Of valusbles to take with him. Bnt to give up our
gallant ship! That touched every heart Only at
the last moment would it be done; but the moments
we're flying fast. Soon the sun and the blockatsss
would be upon us with their lights-ths former with
his warm beaps-the latter with their hot fia,hes
How long We were aground the writer will net pre-
sumo to sag, but he is honest enough to confess Gas
he believes all on board would confess that to him
it seemed long time Still there were increased
exertions to get Off There was no excitemens-no
clustering hurry-but commands we're quietly s;aam
and promptly obeyed Afew moments before day
the joyful cry of 1--WE are afoati" was runs from, :!
stem to stern through the noble steamer The pelief
We all experienced we leave to the imagination Of
the feader
We were soon under the friendly guns Of Fort
Caswell, and that evening came to our whNsf ut
Wilmington again successfully running the .-home.
blockade" The return cargo of the Ad Vanae con-
sisted mostly Of blankets and shoes for oar State
troops, with merchandise for several firms sass o
divMuals The trip was made, counting faoCs the
time when We crossed the bas, in ten dasa aad. a.
half
To speak Of all Of the officers and crew sad pas
sengers, the jokes told the wit and ham<s eqel.ed
and the cordially Of all would consume TO mach,
OF ray time aud occupy too much of ysar spsce.
but must be permitted to say that in NY opasaion
the service has skillul officer and 10. more
perfect gentleman than Capt Guthrie, &nstise son
OF North Carolina, of whom she is Justly pssud
tie is kind but firm; uild, but decided The sti+
cers under him are worthy Of him; but to ns.neon
Wust name al, and I have alreaas sufficiently.
tEeseassed upon your coluus
Hoping soon to give you an account Of anodhan
successful trip Of the Advance,
Il am, respectfully, w.