Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-11-17

if We were hailed Our boat succeeded in passing the
pckets and even the Southfeld within twenty yards
without discovery and We were not hailed until py TOE
lookouts on the ram.
The cutter was then cast eff and ordered below,
while we made for cur enemy under full head o. steam
The rebels sprung their rattle, rang the bell and CON-
menced firing, at the time repeating their ball. aud
seeming much confused. The light of fire ashore
showed me that the iron-clad was made fast to the
wharf with pen of logs anchored about thirty feet
from her side Passing her cosvy, we made complete
circle so to strike her fairly end went into her bows
On By this time the eoemys fire very severe but
dose of canister at short range served to moderate
their zeal ard disturb their aim Paymaster Swan, OF
tue Orsego WAS wounded near me, but how many more
know not. Three bullets struck my clothing, ,and the
air seemed full Of tem.
Ia moment We had struck the logs just abreast of
the quarter port breasting them in some feet and our
bows crestng q them The torpedo boom was then
lowered, aud a vigorous pull succeeded IN diving
the torpedo IN Ter the Overhapg and exploding 1t. at
he same time that the Abemarle's gun was ed shot
seemed to go crashing through my boa, apd dense
mass of water rushed in from the torpado, filing the
launch end completely disabling her. The enemy then
continued his fire 1T fifteen feet range and dsmaDdeo
cur surrender which twice refused, ord3r1ng the men
| to seve themselves and removing my own coat and
shots and spning into he river swan with the others
into the mil die OF the stream the rebels failing to bit
US.
The most Of cur party we're captured some were
rowne and only one escaped bs des myself and be IL
another direction. Acting masters mate Woodman, o
| the Commodore Hull met IN the water, hat mile
helov the town and assisted him best l could, bu
faiid to set lin ashore Compleely exhausted man
aeed to reach the Shore but too weak to crawl on
Of the water until Just at daylight, when managed &c
creep into tha swamp closs to the fort While hiding
a t feet from the cath two Of the Albemares oth;er
passed and jagged from fteir conversation that t1
ship was Destroyed Sume hours travelling II tn
swamp served to bring me out we'll below the toEo
when s4nt negro il to gain Information, and louie
tnst the ram truly SINK.
Proceeding through anothGr swamp came to g cree
al ca otured ekif beongng to picket OF tas enc
n.y. aud with this by eleven O'Clock the next night ha
made my way ont to the Valley City
A Yankee letter, speaking OF the destruction CT tn
A!bemarle, says
TIE great mailed monster that has so long excite
the apprehenscns Of tire Navy Department. and held i
he sound force greatly 10 excess CT that which We
usually stationed there now lies qu:tly at the bottom
R0auoke river, subject of curious contemplation al
cad to the fish that eq1ent those waters la the Fqnaf
ron every one feels serse of relief in realizing tie t
that the Albemare longer aoat or capable OF IL
further damage for it is secret that sh3 was oi
the toughest customers for wooden vessels to c2!Tot
that has yet foaed. Her raid on tie follla On tE
ssh OF last May proved that fact beyond shadow OF
doubt She then encountered and fought TO gfeat ao
vantage three heavily armed double enders-the Sacc
Gus, Mattabesett and " WyalusiDg-and retired only Q
ter prolonged contest slightly damaged. While 81
noatcd no pest held by US ard accessible to her !"
safe Sne could go her way as she chose, in spite
the efforts OF cur wooden vessels, unless some acclde
occurred to her which should prevent her steamlng-
None of the light draft monitors ready to Gel
front her, and she threatened to clear our forces out
. the State Of North Carolina.