The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-12-11

rough the Potomac river,-seyen miles
wide,-here debouching into the Bay, caus-
ing what the sailors term a choppy sea.
Little. did dream that in the same month
three years hence, with 600 other Office
packed like sardines in the dark filthy, al
nauseatlng hold Of much smaller vessel, |
should be tossing on the same waves, at the
same point suffering for air, so grieyously
that dozens OF strong men We're dragged out
IN dead iaint at every moment CT this |
shall give account in due season
HISTORIC LOCALITIES.
The Potomac soon grew narrower, and
the young girl called me on deck to view
points rendered famous by recent occur
rences. She brought the captain large
quired if | wouldn't like to take look at
the ''Rebel flag At another place, the
order was passed for every person to go IN
side, and remain concealed while running by
Matthias Point, the spot where Capt Ward
OF the gunboat Potonee had been killed only
a few days previous. He had discovered
signs that the Rebels were erecting mask
ed battery (all Southern batteries were
Masked in these days. amid the spruce
thickets at the Point and at once landed
to drive them off. He was killed, and sew
crates, a mere scouting party, also withdrew.
This was singular, inasmuch as the point is
the only one at which the Potomac could be
blockaded. The current sets in SO near the
shore that, as l said, we We're cautioned to
keep out Of sight, lest concealed riiemen In
the thicket should pick us off. Instead of
thus closing the river, the Coniederates
planted their batteries at A"1uia Creek,
where no boat could be stru.a :, night and
few during the day.
DISCOVERED!
And now night descended rapidly. Noun
famous masses of clouds piled, Pelion upon
Ossa, around the horizon, still showed the
ruddy tinge,-the crimson blushes-of the
sunken sun but darkness lay upon the
land-like a funeral pail, not light twink
ling, nor even the bark of dog resounding,
from the wooded bluffs of the Virginia
shore. Presently the great bell began a
mutfled tolllng that was IN strange consonance
with the hour and the scene. 1t was the
usual salute of honor paid by vessels in pass
ing the tomb Of Washington, at Mount Yer
non. | strained my eyes to catch a glimpse
of the oft pictured mansion, but gloom was
impenetrable.
In short time, Fort Washington was
reached, and the steamer slowed down to
admit Of conversation between the captain
and an officer on the parapet Standing on
the gang way looking up at the massive
battlemcnts, l fell into familiar school boy
habit of thinking aloud. Wonder why un-
when they took Harper's Ferry, and Alex
andria = Instantly, to my dsmay, 4 voice
from the latticed window next to the one
against which | was leaning, responded
why, because OUR men got here fr-t :
There was no mistaking the significance of
the emphasis on ''our men Ny secret
stood revealed And Washington was "a
most at hand. In less than an hour should
be delivered up to the enemy. The sltua-
ton was desperate. Had l been able to
swim, no matter how poorly, should have
been sprung overheard, trusting TO blind for
tune for escape But pound OF lead were
a better swimmer than l. However all is
not necessarily lost, says the proverb, be
cause in great danger. BY sudden lm-
pulse, l hastened around into the saloon,
took my boots and baggage, and went into
the small State room, locked the door, and
STAYED there. For reasons, not required
here, it must suffice to say that when Wash
ington was reached-I was among the miss
ing)
AT GEORGETOWN.
After much hustle and commotion, the
steamer continued on to Georgetown, some
what over a mile farther up the river. 1t
was tedious trip, as the stream seemed
filled with gunboats, transports, and other
craft and there was much delay in getting
through the bridge. Finally, near
midnight, ] heard the captain hailing the
crowd of soldiers on the wharf Hello.
men, catch the ropes! - AYE aye sir.
''Tie her fast! Well be here all day -
'sAye! aye sir > Then came swarm of
Blue Coats over the gang plank asking for