Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-01-01

FW. IT, Holderness, of the
Manchester 90 Gazette, referring
to the death of Capt Sam b Hemp
stead, says: "The editor of this pa.
per was at that time, acting in the
capacity of watchmsn on the Cricket.
We were up the river when the an
nouncement was made that Fort
Sumter had been fired upon, and
that war had actually begun. AS
we came down the river we found the
most intense excitement and fear on
both sides of the river, everybody
appeared undecided, not single flag
could be seen. On arriving at Gin
cinnati, we found about the same
state of affairs, all undecided and no
flags waving and many persons were
offering to het. that Cincinnati and the
Ohio border would go with the South.
The Cricket was lying at or near the
foot of Broadway, Immediately be-
low us was the steamer Melnot.
Capt. Hampstead saw that all that
waa needed to fire the peol lie was
some one to act He, therefore,
pail Capt. Menter's band $50 10
discourse music for US during the
day. Just as the FIRST tune ftfail
Columhia) commenced, our mate,
Captain John Kirker, started the
stars and stripes up the jackstaff.
The excitement soon became intense;
in half an hour there was a perfect
jam on the levee; from front street
down to the waters edge sll was con-
fu ion. The steamer Melnot, which
had calliope, having steam up,
commenced PLAYING Dixie this in
creased the excitement till there was
rush of the mob in the direction of
the Melnot and would, doubtless,
have demolished her had it not been
for the entreaties of her captain and
the interposition of Captain Hemp
stead and other prominet steamboat
men. II is not likely that any one
that was present on that occasion
will ever forget that day The band
continued to play national airs till
late in the day, when they went
ashore. We started up the river at
5 O'Clock that evening, on arriving
at Portsmouth. the Captain employed
another hand, which went the round
trip with US, PLAYING the national
airs at every landing on both sides
of the river At every town the
crowd rushed to the landing and
greeted the fisg with cheers. On
Friday evening a party of gentle
men who were passengers held
meeting, and waited on Captain Fl,
that he should not hoist
the flag at Parkersburg. as they feared
violence, and thought it prudent to
20 in quietly. The captain listened
20 them till they were through, and
hen with uplifted hands swOre that
he would go into Parkersburg with
he stars and stripes flying and the
1and playing, or die in the attempt;
( they wouldn't let him discharge
lis freight there he would back out,
'un to Marietta, buy corn to feed the
hogs, a large number of which he
lad on board, and take them to
Pittsburg to ship them east instead
,f via the Baltimore & Ohio Rail
'oad. But, contrary to expectations,
We were permitted to discharge our
'reight, and before 10 o'clock on
the United States standard
night have been seen flying in all
Iuarters in the city. We left Par
Iersburg at dark that evening, and
an down to Pomeroy, where we laid
Ip during Sunday, which was an
'ther day of intense excitement. A
'arty of rebels was reported to be
eming to take down flag that
Ias flying on the Virginia side of
be river opposite Pomeroy. Steam
'as kept up all day on the Cricket,
D take the hundreds of volunteers
cross the river that had congregAted
D defend the flag. These were trying
mes and took nerve. of which
Iempstead was not lacking.
'.Many other things occurred on
his trip Of which we have not space
, speak"
n-The Crosse wis ! GDemo.