Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-01

speed we were making. lief the table
moment, and WAS in my room preparing
to 90 or deck, when there came surging,
grating sound from the bottom Of tho ship.
A Pause-the engines stopped-(a hush Of
dread throughout the ship)-it worked
again-enother heavy lurching and CULVER
ing Of the ship-sgain the engine stopped.
We we're aground on Frying Pan shoals,
fifteen miles from shore the coast held by
the enemy; four or I've small boats, and
sixteen hundred people On board.
Brains and hands worked, busily deVising
and executing ways to get her of, and
men watched for sails ct every point, for
there, in truth, was almost our only hope
A last one sppesred in sight. Signsls
we're hOisted. (It was proposed to hoist it
with the union down. Not So said Gen.
Butler, tlet the union go up.) Guns were
fred to show our distress, though sppre-
hensive she might prove q rebel steamer,
and We be forced to fight in our crippled
state, or yield, ingloriOus prisoners. She
proved friend. 1t was now late in the
| afternoon. We ran on at full tide, and
must wait until it returned, at tseVen in the
evening, before We could hope to pull her
off. A haWser was stretched to the other
vessel, and the soldiers moved double
quick, fore and aft, to loosen her from the
sand. They labored and pulled, but failed
to lift her; the tide was not yet full. Two
or three hundred men we're already sent
TO the Mount Vernon. The wind began to
rise, that looked 30 dark and wrsthful.
General Butler came to me and said, YOU
must make ready to 90 in few minutes
Captain Glisson was about to return to his
own vessel, and would take me with him.
The Generals duty would bs to remain un-
til every man Wss safe, or while the ship
held together. This was clear enough,
and 1 only said, / would rather remain
here ifyou are willing know not why,
but felt more safety where I was than in
that little boat tossing below in the mad
waves, or in the stranger vessel in the dis
tance. why do you think of such thing p
he said: Are youmad. that you would risk
to the children the loss ofboth2' q will 20,
I answered, when the captain is ready.
General Butler went away to the pilot
house. The ship was beating heavily in
the surf, and mems hearts beat heavier
still ss the night swept toward US. The
deck was crowded with men. Msior Bel
gave me his arm. There was a move-s
make way for Mrs. Butler was helped
over the railing. Zone man spoke out
well, if woman can keep cool, it will b.
strange if we csn't) Captain GlissoI
preceded me down the side Of the ship
and aided ss much as possible. The boa
was tossing like nut shell, far below, Al
down the unsteady ladder we slipped
When nearly at the bottom the captain
said, Jump, Msdsm-we'll catch you
and down 1 went into the boat Pul
men-be lively the captain called out eV
cry few minutes. A wave Iesped up AM
drenched the man at the tiller he shranl
from it, but the captain urged the create
speed. In q quarter Of an hour we wer
aboard the Mount Vernon"
This is s soldiers wife, and might be
sailors. Such a woman is in the way o
mol ody's work, but is ever helper and
counsellor. Her simple herOism in thi
! case was worthy of the hour and Of he
husband. The Mississippi was got of, an,
by her presence and COOlnsss greatly reas
sured the endangered and unsccustome,
soldiers during the rest of the voyage.