Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-09-16
A War "Reminiscences.

One of the bravest acts-as it has Of
ten been styled-of the war of the re-
bellion, says the Boston Transcript, was
the occasion of the running, by Gen.
John G.. Foster, of the rebel batteries
on the Pamlico, at the time of the
siege of Little Washington, in April,
1868. The operations of the Confeder-
ate troops commenced at Newbern,
March 18th Of the same year, the first
anniversary of the occupation of that
place by Burnside. A very short
tarry was made on the opposite shore
from Newbern, as diversion, the re-
bells passing on to Little Washington,
where Gen. Foster, with small force
of troops then was, and it was next
heard that the Union forces with their
General were beleaguered. An attempt
was made by land to relieve the Union
position, but it was failure all was
suspense, and for many days continued
so. Finally on the afternoon of April
10th, with but a forlorn hope of sue
cess the river had been so thoroughly
fortified and INSTRUCTED by the enemy
to save the garrison from starvation,
small steamer way fitted out and
left Newbern with supplies of food and
a regiment of stout hearts of the de-
partment. With much hazard and
some loss of life the boat passed the
batteries and succeeded in landing it's
freight. With food, the position being
strong one, the Union troops were
able to hold out; but Gen. Foster de-
sired to do more, defeat his besiegers.
Tired with the futile efforts Of his sub
ordinates to bring troops to his assist
ance, he resolved to return by the same
boat that had brought relief in food,
starting on the afternoon of April 10TH
On arriving at the rebel batteries they
opened on the steamer a furious fire
being within range the infantry poured
in volley after volley. The craft was
struck by six and twelve pound shot
not less than twenty times, besides be-
ing thoroughly bored with musket balls.
A mimic bullet killed the pilot. A
twelve pound ball took off the arm of
the colored cook. Shots were made at
the water line, but the leaks were stop
through Gen. Fosters own state room,
cutting the mattress in twain, he at
that time being in another part OF the
boat. Balls struck the machinery, but
fortunately did not disarrange it. and
the boat went on, reaching Ncwbern
the same night The commander of
the department. restored confidence at
his headquarters and was once more at
work. A division of troops was soon in
marching order, but the enemy knew
their man too well; he had escaped from
their anticipated capture Of him, and
they rapidly made haste to get away.
Indian Cremation.
An old writer, Bertram, alluding to
the customs of the Florida Indians of
his day, thus described sort of Gre
nation as practiced among them:
"The dead are placed on an elevated
stage till dried up, when set of ell
derby gentlemen, with very largenails on
the thumb, fore, and middle fingers,
who travel through the nation, take the
skeleton down scrape the bones, burn
the scrapings, and after painting the
head vermilion, deposit the bones in
a chest, weep over the remains, and
then lay them on the shelf for year.
At the end of that period the friends and
relatives gather around, take the ches
down, weep over it, refresh the color
on the head, paint the box red, and
then deposit him to lasting oblivion.
An enemy and suicide are considered
unworthy such ceremonies"