Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-09-17
Life Among the Blockade Runners.

"Whilc the 1Iattie was fast prcpar-
ing for sea, man came on board
dressed or rather ovcrdrcsscd in full
Confederate uniform. Rcvolvcrs
bucklcd around his waist, an cxtrav-
agant supply Of the insignia of rank,
and an altogether unusual furniture
Of brass and lace, rendered his ap-
pcarancc, at the outset, unprcposscss-
ing, for, to even an Impractical eye,
it was evident that he had seen little
of that hard service which made the
real veteran disdain the appliances Of
guudy trappings to mark his worth.
Still more diSagrccablc was his man.
ncr rs he staggered up TO thc..captain
in u pcrcmptory tone announced him
self q lieutenant in the Confederate
Navy. on secret service, with dis
matches from President Davis, and
demanded passage to Nassau.
Captain B. politely but firm
lv replied that it would be necessary
for him to obtain Il passport from the
naval officer in command Of the sta
ton, who was then Commodore In
graham, which he said could be read
lily done by establishing his identity
and furnishing proof as to the char
actcr of his mission.
"Grilly for such was the fellows
name, rctortcd that he recognized no
rcd tape routine whatever that q
commission from the President Of the
Confedcracy was sufficient ibr all his
purposes and that he would hold any
man responsible for obstructing his
plans. There was his baggagc-poin-
ting to a trunk and long suspicious
looking box-and he intended to 80
to Nassau on that Steamer whether
or no.
".Not while I am able to obey my
Instructions was the response OF
Captain B.. 4 too am an officer
of the C. S. Navy, and no man can
leave Charleston on this ship without
the authority of my superior in COM
mand. My advice to you is to save
trouble, for without proper vouchers
froms Commodore Ingraham, on this
steamer at least you can't go!
"Grilly turned on his heel with q
curse, and went ashore.
'During the next day we were
ready for sea. The night promised
to be propitious-dark and stormy:
and the wind was blowing almost Q
gale. We hauled off into the stream
and the captain taking his small boat
rowed to Fort Sumter for the purpose
of making a final reconnaissance O.
the the situation of the blockadinl
fleet. It was strange thing that
for a long period, the Federals them
selves furnished US the best marks by
which to steer, that we could desire
The old 'Canandaigua generally oc
cupied the same position, and tn
beacon light suspended to the wrecl
of the Housatonic' (Which had beer
sunk by torpedo boat) was an inva
riable guide, as We steamed out
whereby to reveal our position ON
shape onr course. That Afternoon
we counted twenty-six blocxader
off the bar! When the fact was re
ported in the city, there was not
man who believed it possible for an.
vessel to run such q gauntlet. Car
tain B., however, was not on
to be deferred by the advice of other
after his own line of action had bee
determined upon. Accordingly, q
soon as he returned, the order wa
given to get up, steam, and put ever,
thing to rights. The cargo was snug
" packed, the lights put out, the cabl
coil away, our bow turned seaware
and we were slowly steaming dow
tho harbor, when who should appea