Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-06-17
Sketfh Ut the Rebellta1l.
From the XIX Century.

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From the XIX Century.
THE BLOCKADE RUNNERS
OF THE CONFEDERACY
Time has not so dulled the edge Of memory that
can forget how, on certain October afternoon
few years ago. turned leaf in one OF the opening
chapters of the war, and found written thereon
message requesting my immediate attendance at
the Office of the Secretary of one Of the Contede-
rate Departments. 1t was in 1861. A part OF
the summons ran thus:
"Please make your arrangements to leave the
Confederacy on important secret service with the
least possible delay
An hour later, / was v,s q vss with one OF the
highest dignitaries Of the government, mentally
plunging about in cold bath of baked expecta-
tious. Major," said the Secretary, ''it is neces-
sary that you should return to Liverpool. The
Nashville sails from Charleston at the first op-
portunity, with Mason and Shdell, our Commis-
sioners, and you can proceed by the same convey
ance. Your dispatches will be ready tomorrow !;
conceal them as best you can, and destroy them In
the event of capture" My verbal instructions
there is no harm in speaking Of them now-were
to stop at Nassau and Havana put myself IN
communication with the Confederateagents at these
points then go to England, deliver my documents
and, finally, effect the purchase of certain arms,
accoutrements, goods and chattelsnot then regard
ed by several of the United States of America as
orthodox articles of import south of the Potomac.
exploded my politest thanks to the chief for
having thus elected me to mission which thous-
ands would have rejoiced to undertake, and signi-
fed assent. Nevertheless, l was disappointed
The truth is, I had just run the blockade by way
of Mexico, and after month in the chaparah, and
the twinges of a wounded leg reminded me Of brl-
lets and bandits, needed rest and recreation Be-
sides, cared not 30 soon to exchange the hospita-
BILE shrines of Richmond, where, Mecca-ike, wor-
shipped the bravest and lovelest of pilgrims, for
the adverses inverses and reyerses Of treacherous
fortune. The Virginia capital was little world in
ITSELF Its citizens represented every State in the
Southern Confederaey. Old officers ofthe United
States Army and Navy brought with them the
charms of culture and travel. Statesmen and leg
islators forgetful of ancient political differences,
talked together of the common good upon COM
mon platform. The planter discoursed Of his crops
and slaves, and the capitalist of his last investment
in blockade supplies.
The wounds of the first battles were healing ;
the fair nurses had abandoned the bedside tor the
promenade the streets presented everchanglng
views of the polychromatic uniforms Of the Con-
federacy; dinner parties by day, and receptions by
night, gathered men together whose names, already
written in political and professional annals, were
destined to gain yet brighter lustre from achieve
ments on the field; the hotels were full Of gener-
ais and privates and they in turn were full of ar
gument, full of fight and full of ignorance as to
what a day might bring forth. There was good
eating, passable drinking, fast living and abun-
dance of money, and, amid all the earnestness of
the pending STRIFE enough Of gaiety to soften down
the rougher aspects of the struggle. War had not
begun to show itself in the old clothes and sharper
angles which succeeded.
It was from this lively scene of social enjoyment
that was about to be subtracted and set aside as
an independent figure. However, I pocketed the
compliment, turned philosopher, packed my valise
concealed my dispatches, and in twelve hoursmore
was en- route for Charleston.
Railway travelling in those days was not calcula-
ted to enhance the serenity of Christian contempa-
ton. The rush of a careless soldiery was accom-.
panied by ruin, and everywhere you saw the finger
marks of DETACHMENT The car ceilings were
speckled with an eruption of bayonet stabs; floors
fairly initiated well watered country irrigated by
tobacco juice; windows presented an agglomera.
ton Of filth the atmosphere, rank with smell and
smoke, was as sitting as an Egyptian cataeomb,
and space itself pandemonium of legs in air.
Arrived in Charleston, made myself known to
the Commissioners, and was introduced to my fel'
low-voyagers. Besides Messrs Mason and Slidell,
these consisted of the two Secretaries Messrs. Nc
Fariand and Eustis, Mrs Eustis, Mrs Sidel, her
two daughters and son. The Nashville" was
at her dock, and the next morning We visited the
ship. She was side-wheel steamer of about
twelve hundred tons burthen, and during her Ca
reer on the line between Charleston and New York
had won the reputation of being fast. At present
however, she was the property Of the government
and directly under the command Of Captain Pc
gram, of the Confederate States Navy, the execu
tive officer being Lieutenant Fauntleroy. Both
were Virginiaus. The steamer being ready for sea
it was agreed that the run should be attempted
that night, provided the weather continued favor
able. We accordingly prepared for departure, and
as evening approached, held our final consultation
With the officers. Meanwhile the breeze Of the
morning had freshened into stiff Northwestern
and the drifting battlements of clouds and angry
lashing waves within the harbor gave token of dis
comforts outside. An old blockade runner, stand
ing near observed that the night could not be more
suspicious, and offered to pilot sthrough the fleet
but the officers said no, there was too much sea
upon the bar-and so stood the verdict.
We returned to the hotel disappointed; feeling
not merely the irksomeness, but the danger Of de-
Law; for every moment increased the chances of {
more vigorous blockade than ever. Spies abound
ed in the city, and, although we were not aware O.
itat the time, three of the finest steamers in New
York were even then making ready to cruise to-
the Nashville.
No well regulated mind, however, draws its IN
ferences in hurry. While, therefore, we dull!
respected this adverse opinion Of the naval officers
we all took fresh courage from the dissenting volc'
Of the sturdy pilot, who, leaning against mast