Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-08-12
from toe Norfolk virsini.in. j

Florida TO erect a monument to the memory
of the gallant Eeutenant Pelot, who fell in
the capture of the.Water Witch in June,
1864. We give below an account of the ae-il
tion by participant, who also won q name in ;
that action: 80
Our little feet had for some time beenI
lying in the muddy waters of the Savannah,
perfectly inactives and our officers and mem
were growing tired of the dull routine of life
aboard ship; when Lieutenant Thomas p.
Pelot, @. s. N, then executive officer Of The
iron>clad Georgia, proposed to the Flag Or
GER. Commodore W. w. Hunter, to allow him
to fit out q boat expedition for an attack on
some of the enemys gun>bosts lying just of
the coast His request was granted; and the
expedition was soon fitted out, aud on the first
of June we started from the feet with seven
barges, the crews composed Of seventy shvs
men and officers from the several vessels Of
the squadron, all we'll armed with pistols, cnt-
lasses, and the requisite boarding apparatus.
We proceeded down the river; going through
a narrow channel from Warsaw into Ussabaw
Sound; where we landed and ensamped fotl
the night. The next morning vessel was
seen in the offiug
Lieutenant Price and DR.. Thomas made b
Reconnaissance, and returned, reporting her b
game worthy our pursuit. aud perhaps not too
formidable for our lite force. As night ap-
preached we got under weigh and advanced
towards her; but before we reached her she
had weighed anchor aud put out to sea. Our
disappointment was great, but we returned de-
termining that the next night she should hot
escape us. The next night proved most favor
able for an attack. It was dark and stormy,
causing the vessel to remain at her anchorage
We started little before midnight, our boats
moving in two columns-Nos. j, 5; s and q !
in the port, aud the alternate numbers; 9; 4
e a.
Pelot, commanding, led the first boat; Iieu-
tenant Price, the second Midshiptnan Minor
and Masters Mate Arthur @. Freeman COM
manded the third Midshipman Trimble; the
fourth with Masters Mate Thad Grey; Boats
vain Seymour and Masters Mate Barclay, tho
fifty; DIR. Thomas and Masters Mate Golden,
the sixth /; Masters Mate Roster and Dir. W.
G. Jones; the seventh. - .1s1,y
Thus arranged, we rowed quietly along with
muf1cd oars. All nature was hushcd, save
when the occasional thunder rolled in deep-
toned solemnity along the far-off horizon.-r
The lightning flashed luridly in the distance,
and was SO aoon gone as scarcely even for q
moment to Tighten the intense darkness. But
again it fits across the cloudy sky; and now
the underlined form of some black mass rising
from the waters surface is seen for an instant.
Our boats press forward, and all, await In
breathless silence the next fash. 1t COMES,
and again brightens its rapid track, aud thus
time reveals unmistakably the lofty sides Of
an cncmy's ship-the United States steamer
Water Witch, Commander Pendergrast. i-l
Then Lieutenant Pelot, rising; made these
remarks, hurredly and earnestly: "Now men,
the hour has come! Prepare yourselves for
fiercer fight than that of the battle field-tha
eyes of your country ore on you Mark we'll i,
what record you leave to history tonight p
Within thirty yards of the enemy We were
hailed "Boat, nhoy!" "who goes there2%,'
"jeunawoy Negroes" exclaimed our faithfdl -
negro Pilot Moses. ,., oa,
Nearer and yet nearer, hurry on our barges,
when our gallant leader arose in his bont and
called out loudly; "WE ARE REBELS ] Givo p
way, boys Three cheers and board her y v
A perfect yell answered him, followed by d
terrific shower Of bullets from the steamer; u
we being too close aboard for her to use her
| heavy guns. In an instant our boats were
alongside, and our men clambering up her
sides. ~ 5 EiaI 90 ba.
The heavy boarding nettings were tricedv
up, but stayed our progress but moment
They were either cut through or scrambled
| over and we were on the deck, fighting hand
to hand-pikes thrusting, cu.lasses flashing; +,
pistols and muskets giving forth their smoke
and flame, while the mad shouts of the strug-
Cling foemen, mingled with the shrieks, md
groans of the wounded and dying, gave d
frightful climax to the din Of battle. azesa
Lieutenant Pelot was the first man whose
foot touched the vessels deck, and soon after
received shot through the heart, while deair
ing blows thick and heavy around him; and
fighting with the coolness and superb courage
of classic hero. The command now de-
volved upon Lieutenant Price, who, though I
| seriously wounded reassured our men, and
leading them forward, fought gallantiy until
tha ~ IL EsLt
desperation and hotly contesting with Us the
possession of the prize in struggle that was
for life. Pistols, after being fred, were used
as clubs; pixies were everywhere. and more
than once were well nigh lost BY over
whelmiug superiority in numbers. -. &
Not one of our officers escaped without hav-
ing his clothing riddled After the surrender
| the prisoners were placed under guard, and q
we got under weigh and steamed up the 4
Sound and anchored under the guns Of a Bat =
lery Beanluir," which we reached about noon
the next day. As we approached we fired
broadside and unfurled to the breeze the =
Southern Gross, waving over the Stars and
Stripes, and were received by salute from
the batteries and cheers from our troops en-
camped there. Lieutenant Pelot knewper.
sonally and well, and in the dark days Of that
hapless struggle, with all their record of hero>l
| ism, of sublime se1f-dsvototion, no more gall
lapt spirit met death for what now seems but
| dream and on the bIood>stained 4tRoilsof
Honor" of The South there is nothing nobler q
than his life, nothing braver than his death.
Norfolk, Va, July 26. 1873. sesssv
"A physician, on presenting. his bill to &
the executor of the estate of deceased pa
| tient, asked, s'Dosyou wish to have my bill
sworn tor .'No.1 replied the executor 4