Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-09-05
III MINIS TCES or FORT
GASVEk.I..

We take advantage Oh the present
unusual dearth in the local market to
lay before our readers the following
"reminiscences of Fort Caswell in the
Spring Of 1861, soon after lis occupa-
ton, which is fro,. the pen of one
who faithfully wore the gray for four
long and weary years. 1t is from that
excellent publication, orr Liring and
| orr Dcdd:
On the Goth day of April, 1861, carly
in the afternoon, 1 stepped on Loard
of small steamboat at the wharf near
the foot of Market street, i'll Winning
ton, and took position ont of the
crowd that was surging O Ell and
through the little craft Nearly every
face [ saw was strange one, and
though [ examined the CT owd atten-
| lively, no friend was discovered amid
| the throng. The men were busy, each
intent on his own affairs, and passed
along as if on holiday excursion. A
quantity of luggage and bacon and
other stores encumbered the deck,-
and these things, together with few
muSkets, alone betokened that our
destination was not mere pleasure
seeking. Eventually, after an exciting
h1zza from the passengers, answered
by the crowd that witnessed our de-
parture, we stood off into the river rand
steamed away for Fort Caswell.
1t WAS about sunset that we made
the landing. After gaining terra firma,
] disengaged myself from the crowd
and passed along into the interior of
the fOrtiticatiOn.
Being born of woman, [ had some
curiosity to inlulge-and my first de-
sire was to see what kind Of a strong
hold these quarters might be.
Ascending the rampant, [ saw the
fort lay snug enough from seward
but horrors. there were no means in
readiness for Defence! On the sea face
there stood solitary S-inch howitzer
-en barbette-mounted on an old az
my carriage that would inevitably shat
ter to pieces under half an hour rapid
firing: and on the Smithville front
there was "a FOUNDER i'll hardly bet
ter plight! 1t was the impression at
that time that the United States would
hasten to recover the captured forts;
the appearance Ct Il fleet in the otfing
was daily expect. d, and the fort lay
utterly at the II ercy of any man-of-
Wal Llit LliSiG cuIuIc W dltttCh IL.
at least, thus it appeared to me,
novice in the arr of war, and the re-
fection brought visions of most disa-
greeable consequences. Within the
narrow confines Of that unprepared
brave and ne bic spirits-the stuff of
which patriots are made, in a position
to be slaughtered without the ability
TO CT 10 l,f Il Of
danger seemed imminent, the possible
sacrifice awful to contemplate.
Repairing to Headquarters, a long
narrow citadel, I made the acquain-
tance of several officers: Col. John
L. Cantwell, commanding. Major J. d.
Radcliffe, Capt J. c. Winder, the
Engineer, and Capt F. L. Childs, to
whom [ had orders from Major W. H.
G. Whiting, A. * L G.. in charge of n
c. Coast ''Defences." Capt. Chllds
was 4 small man, but robust and
sinewy, slow of speech, but with a
sound and discriminating Judgment.
He had just arrived from the South,
having been sent on by President Jeff.
Davis to aid us in North Carolina.
His tirat words to me indicated that he
appreciated the situation and meant
business. 81 want you to drill two
squads, at the heavy artillery, before
breakfast, sir II was somewhat
taken aback-and answered, Il cannot
do it, sir-dont know the drill, sir,
and am not at all familiar with these
army carriages" ''There's a book
learn the drill, tonight ; have them at
it early"
Well, he was Obeye1 before break
fast, two squads had been initiated,
after a fashion, into the very easy drill
of the barbctte carriage. And this
for time was my daily work, using
the gIin on the sea face, which how
ever. shortly afterwards, on being dis
charged with the ordinary load, dis
mounted itself and parted company
forever with its silaky carriage
The garrison was composed princi-
pally If WilmingtOnians. but there
We're sturdy fellows there from the in
terror, who had passed their lives dis
tant from the sea-coast, and were en-
tirely unfamiliar with the grand sights
of old ocean.
To these the novelty of their situa-
ton was III measure compensation
for the Inconvenience they suffered ;
while the tales, the tests and pleas
antries Of each day kept us all in good
humOr and promoted harmony that
otherwise could not have been pre-
served.
Nor We're we without more exciting
incidents; such as the capture of a
reputed shaver. Early one morning,
We noticed vessel off the bar ma
! noeuvering strangely. She continued
to beat to apl fro for some time. and
eventually anchored. None knew
| what to make of her movements. The
interest she excited grew as the hours
passed.
At length it was determined to seize
her; but while the commanding officer
at Caswell Was waiting for tug to
make her capture, the commander at
| Smithville, distant two miles in our
rear, threw some men III steamer and
| pushed out to secure the prize.
This was regarded AS an unwar-
rantable interference, outside of his
| jurisdiction, and his conduct raised
the ire and Indignation of our worthy
commander, who had served in Mexico
and could lily brook an intentional
| disc0urtesy.
During the day the vessel, which had
in fact been abandoned by her crew,
| was EfOll8ilU NlInln Lne DaE out our
Colonel refused to let her pass his
guns ''She must anchor where ] can
command her." was his resolve ; and
his determination was communicated
to the commanding officer at Smith
vile. who declined a compliance. Ex-
element ran high; trouble was evil
IDENTIFY brewing. But at length, just
before nightfall, our Colonel carried
his point, and the vessel dropped her
anchor within range of our battery
The Colonel, fearing an invasion, or
dered a gun to be trained upon the
vessel, and in case any attempt should
be made to remove her, to give hel
the best we had in tlie shop" Hap
PLY the emergency did not arise, and
on the morrow the matter vas amica
bly, adjusted by the vessels proceed
ing to Wilmington where, shortly af
terwards, a lady claimed her, ant
SLAYER, wlaler, or what not, size cleared
rap111arly for some T;1rODeau mort