The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-08
REBEL RAID IN MARYLAND.

squad, left with the boat, and, proceeding do WI
the creek, reached the river about dark. The
prisoners impeding the speed Of the boats, mca-
sures were taken to dispose of them by depriving
one of the fishing boats of oars and Sails and
setting II adrift in the middle of the river, thus
rendering it impossible for them 70 give the
aarm unil the tide foated them on some friendly
bank.
But while pztting this plan into execution. a
steamer approached rapidly, and detection was
only avoided by the party leaping into the water
and holding on to the gunwales OF the boat. The
steamer passing, the prisoners and boat were
sent drift
Nothing of interest occurred on the route down
the river, until ut r. point between the batteries
at Brunswick and Fort Fisher, when boat was
discovered making rapidly towards the shore.
After an exciting chase she was overtaken, and
her occupants, consisting of ak persons, four of
whom were soldiers, were taken on board and
the boat cut adTift. From them information was
obtained that the Rebels were en- the gui UiUe,
having boats posted at the narrow entrance
between the forts TO intercept the return To un-
dersiand the position Of the party II should be
known that they were then but three hundred
yards distant from two forts, and this on moon
light night.
Captain Gushing, on learning the Rebels de-
signs, resolved 10 take a desperate chance Of
fighting his way through, suppOsing that in case
there were but one or two b0RtS, he might, by
| giving hToadside, escape in the confusion. On
arriving atthe mouth OF the harbOr, he perceived,
as he imagined, one large boat, which, wonder
fully prolific, soon gave birth to three mere, which
| were afterwards increased In number by five from
| the opposite bank. Tns completely blocked up
| the narrow entrance to the harbOr.
The helm was put hard apOrt TO gain distance,
and seeing large sail boat filed with troops,
| (seyenty-hye muskeeterS), at once decided that
| the only hope lay in out manUuyring them. The
Rebels, prOyidentially, did not during this inter-
/ val fire shot, no doubt anticipating the certain
capture of all. There being another means of
| escape into the harbOr (the west bari, the only
| possible hope was in impressng the Rebels with
| the opinion that he would attempt that, the only
| remaining chance of escape
! Accordingly apparently meking for this point,
the Rebel boats were drawn together in pursuit,
when, rapidly changing his direction, the captain
brought his boat back % the other entrance (the
east barr, and deeply loOaded rs she WAS (twcnty-
six in the hOat), forced her into the breakers.
Rebels, evidently .fOiled, dared not venture to
follow, and the guns of the batteries which were
pointed to take the channel, were unprepared to
inhict damage.
Captain Gushing has arrived safely with his
eight prisoners and mail, and can congratulate
himself in having performed one Of the most
hazardous and daring teas Of the war. His es-
cape from this position Of jeopardy is regarded
by the navy officers rs little short Of miraculous,
and the Rebel prisoners have not yet recovered
their amaZement az the DOldncss OF the feat.
Information of great value 10 the service has
thus been obtained, but which l am precluded
from giving TO the public.
Captain Gushing cOmmends Mcssrs. Jones and
Howard highly for their gallant conduct on this
as on many previous occasions, and likewise the
crew with him.
The expedition was out three days and two
nights.-Nei0 York Herald.