The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-12-27
The Mule Of Sumter.

"
erations in Charleston Harbor. the Tenth
Army Corps made a sudden dash and
drove in the thin lines of pickets which
the rebels had posted on the eastern end
of Morris Island. When daylight came
every gun which Beauregard could bring
to bear upon the new work began to rain
shot and shell, aud from daylight till
noon there were lively times in and about
Charleston Bay. Shortly after noon Fort
Sumter opened furiously, and it was
feared that an attempt was about to be
made by the enemy to advance. There
were enough men there, it was thought
to hold 1t, but there was a deficiency of
ammunition, and so mule driver voluu-
teered to deliver the ammunition. The
only road was the smooth and sandy
beach along the bay, and the distance be-
tween the two points about "a mile and a
half. Half that distance was within easv
range OF Fort Sumter, and Battery Wag-
ner's guns covered all the way to the
sand hills, behind which was the Federal
camp.
am describing this incident as If an
pcared from the shipping in the bay, and
what called attention to it was the sud-
den waking up of every gun on the
southeast angle of Sumter. Looking to
see the cause of the furious canuonadlpo.
everybody was surprised to see n mule
team tearing up the beach in the direction
OF the new work. The driver was LAYING
the lash on, and that mule had its ears
laid straight back and was making its
legs go. Occasionally shell would
touch the beach, bound up, and explode.
and the mule would then hesitate and trv
to turn back. But the driver would Law
the cowhide on with renewed vioor: then
the mule put on another squirt, until at
last it became entirely demoralized by
the explosion Of ten-inch shell almost
under its belly. Every glass in the squad
ron was levelled at the spectacle. The
driver got off his seat, took the animal
by the head, whired it around once or
twice and started it up the beach once
more. Fort Sumter flashed and famed.
Battery Wagner belched and Numbered.
and still that daring driver urged his
mule along, though the way was swept
by at least thirty guns.
At last he reached his destination, but
he could not stay there, and in a moment he
was turned around and exhorting that
animal to do its level best. The mule
did not need to be told to step out, for in
its rear there was roar and racket, and
about its ears were flying sand and scrap
iron, which seemed to stimulate its fleet
ness. Down that hard beach flew the
mule, the light cart bobbing and sway
ing, and the drivers arm rising and fall
ing as he dealt out lash after lash. At
last they near the friendly shelter of the
sand hills. In another minute they will
be safe, but just as they near the place to
turn aside shell came screaming from
Sumter. Everybody could see the huge
mass of iron as it roared through the air.
1t struck the beach directly in the rear of
the mule and with bound it overlook it
and exploded with terrific violence. A
general exclamation is heard from Dahl
green's flagship, where the Admiral and
his staff are earnestly gazing ut the ad-
venturous mule and his daring driver.
Fort Sumter's ramparts are black with
men, they, too, willing witnesses Of Yankee
pluck. Along the swell of Morris Island,
and covering every elevation, can be seen
the Union soldiers, who stand with bated
breath, anxious and full of suspense, and
every eye intently taking in the scene.
When the shell exploded circle hid the
mule for moment, but when the smoke
cleared Mr.. Mule had his ears laid back,
and, with head down, and legs lsshing
wildly out, he was making kindling wood
OF the cart, which had been badly demon
allied by fragment of the she'll Pres
emil y the driver is seen limping to the
mule; In second the mule is free from
the cart, and, with the driver on his back,
and farewell whisk of his tail, disap-
pears behind the cover of the hills.
The thousands of boys in blue unite in
long and hearty hurrah; the sailors
wave their hats and shout them selves
hoarse, and, bark the rebels have caught
the infection, and are cheering, too
Hartford Times.