The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1881-04-07
A WAR INCIDENT.
Blockade Running in a Raging
Midnight Thunderstorm.

| Ing At the Se&-WaIl OF tOfJ sumter.
The massive masonry had been
slowly crumbling, hut the shades OF
evening had put an eud to the furl
Gus cannonading, and the gunboats
and moritors had retired out of
range and come to anchor for the
night. On the bar or just outside,
the fr.gates and heavy side-wheelers
took up position. Beyond are
bellion Roads" and extending out
to sea, was n double banked column
Of gunboats; while almost within
range of Sumter and Battery Wag-
ncr the New Ironsides and the mon
itor were ranged.
After it grew dark a thunder
storm began to work mp from the
westward. Fitful flashes of light
ming ard the rumbliug of thunder
gave promise of a stormy night.
About ten o'clock the storm was
raging furiously, and on the low
unsheltered decks OF the ironclads
the watch were exposed to the fury
of pelting rain.
Near midnight the storm began
working back with redoubled vic
lence. Flash followed flash, and
peal followed peal, rolling and
crashing with terrific conclusions.
At times the tossing waters were
lit up with a weird, CHASTITY light,
pla My revealing the low-lying
islands and the gaping embrasures
of the fort hard by.
Suddenly the heavy thud of a
gun came down on the wings of the
wind from seaward, and following
1t a crinkling, zigzag, binding shaft
of light streams across the heavens.
The monentary light illumined
every portion of the broad expanse.
Then there was a tremendous crash
that shook the solid monitors to
their keels, AS the thunder roar
ed and reverberated and died
away in the distance, the deep
boom ofialheavy Dahlgreen gun was
heard out on the bar. Presently
another and another in rapid sue
cession. The watch below came
springing out into the storm, every
eye peering into the darkness.
While every ear listened to catch
the distant sounds came the stirring
music of the American naVy-a
dozen drums beating the tumultu-
Gus measured roll and tap tap, and
a dozen flies screaming in shrill ca
dence. Rockets streaming aloft
and lights flash intelligence that a
steamer is inside the blockade and
bound in.
Then there was a tumult for a
second. The monitors beat to
quarters, steam is rung up, and the
trained crews go to their stations.
From under the shadow OF Fort
Sumter 1 strain through the iron
embrasure and see titful flashes
along the line of gunboats. Yes!I
the fugitive was running the gaunt-
let of the fleet trusting to the
darkness to escape. But her peo-
pie did not know that they must
almost rub the muzzles OF our guns
to pass. The pTucky fugitive was
rapidly coming up, and in few
moments more would be blown out
OF the water.
The drums have ceased beating,
and from afar come the quick ex-
carnations, the heavy booming of
the monitors and the swift revolu
tions of a screw. Ironclad after
ironclad make the steamer q target;
but it is pitch dark, and her swift
way is against them. Above the
tumult of the elements come the
loud roar of the huge guns; but
still those adventurous spirits pick
ed their way through the inky
blackness. A bright light is blaz
ing upon the ramparts of Sumter,
and broad off upon our port beam,
in the direction of Fort Moultrie.
Rockets are streaming continuously
the bearings of the Coptederates
display to help the fugitive.
On she comes. The pulsations
of the tireless engines are now
heard, together with the swift churn
ing OF the screw. Now she is pass
ing the monitor ahead, and in an
instant will be alongside. The
Montauk delivers both her guns;
there comes a flash of lightning,
and the steamer is revealed for the
first time. From her low smoke
stack the smoke is rolling in thick
masses, and directly in front, perch
ed on the bridge, is the pilot. He
stands upright as an iron bar. In
her waist a hand is slung casting
the lead. AS | looked his arm was
swaying and the lead whirling over
his head, then IL WAS dark. As she
came abreast, fairly pushing the
blackness before her, the lea6sman's 8
voice, full and strong, spiced, too,
with a flavor of Cockney accent,
rung oLt:
"And a 'alf twow
Another flash revealed every
thing, the man in the wheel house
whiIling the wheel, the Cockney
gathering in the slack line, as if in
tent on having another cast before
being blown up, and then a bell
tinkles, the turret turns steadily to
port, and the men crouch away
from the recoil; theu the vehement
order to ''firer' There is a breath
less pause, and then a terrible male
diction, for both primers refuse to
burn, and the bold blockade-runne
had vanishe I around the northeast
angle of Sumter.
Some men are born lucky and
some have luck thrust upon them;
but generally the man who is reck-
less and bold to execute is favored
by fortune. 1t was thought the
blockade-runner supposed the outer
line of vessel was the blockade, and
when he discovered that he had run
into hornets nest, had promptly
decided to run IN at all hazards
That a special providence interfered
in his case is evident from the sin
gular circumstance of two primers
failing TO burn. As for the failure
TO hit her, all veterans will comure-
hend the difficulty of hitting an OBJ
iect in rapid motion, especially with
heavy artillery.
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