The National tribune., 1881-12-03
AN EPISODE OF THE BLOCKADE.


The times were stormy and full of trouble in
1863, and the gunboats in the inland waters of
the Carolinas had to keep a sharp lookout, for
masked batteries seemed to spring up on every
hand and tOrpedOes kept in a state of constant
apprehension. l was junior watch officer then
on the Scorpion, six guns, and we had slowly
= enetrated as far as the bluffs of Stone inlet
tving left the blockade off Charleston week
before, In obedience to an order from Admiral
DUPONT, an extract from which is given:
FLAGSHIP WABASH,
OFF CHARLESTON, S. c., January 2, 1868.
The Scorpion being the best available
vessel owing to light draught, you will hereby
on receipt OF this order leave your station on the
blockade and penetrate to the Stone River inter
| ceptlng communications of the enemy with
Charleston and prevent the erection of any bat
terles. Unusual vigilance will be required as
well as prudence, as you will have to deal with
an active enemy and guard against torpedoes
| with which the channel of the river is believed
| to be thickly planted. x
Very respectfully, S. F. DUPONT,
Reard-Admiral, Commanding South Atlantic
Blockading Squadron.
On the way we had been fired into several
| times by infantry and detachment from the
confederate Washington Artillery seemed to take
special delight in blazing away at US on all pos
sible occasions, and annoy us as they certainly
did, for at every eminence, too elevated to be
reached by our guns, they were ever ready to
give us Serenade with their light six FOUNDERS
In this way we had lost several men, and while
rounding slowly bend in the river a torpedo
exploded alongside, blowing the quarter boat to
pieces and causing the ship to leak badly so
hot ,bo1J1 10 10
one of the pumps had to be constantly going.
At the time of our arrival at the bluff it was
nay watch from 8 o'clock until midnight and so
anxious and apprehensive were we that the first
lieutenant remained ON deck with me. 1t was a
beautiful night, and the bright Moonlight rem
dered distant objects plainly visible In front
| of us were the high bluffs, while in our rear
stretched the Edisto like a silver thread and it's
tortuous winding could be traced almost to the
far Atlantic through the dark green of the rice
fields and the reedy swamps. Our old lieutenant
was vigilant and faithful officer, who had
served his country long and well, but through
wounds and disease incident to the service had
been placed On the retired list. When the war
came On, however, he was at his own request
placed on active duty, and in spite of bodily
cheerfully performed the most arduous duty
Usually grave and somewhat taciturn, he then
seemed quite communicative, and as he chose to
unbend of his own accord I found him to be a
most entertaining and agreeable companion
For the first time he spoke of his home and its
comforts; of his family, whom he loved so WELL
and though there was no air of regret, could
see that the thoughts of the war-worn veteran
were far away, and that he would hail with Joy
the day when his countrys demands were over
and he could enjoy the well-earned rest among
those who were so patiently watching and wait
ing his coming far away.
II do not believe in presentiments, nor am l
superstitious," said he, as he drew picture of
his wife from his pocket and looked fondly at it,
"but there seems to be a cloud over me to- night
for some reason or other Perhaps metaphysi-
clans may be able to explain why we sometimes
feel so gloomy in spite of ourselves"
1 was about to give him my instructions for
the night when a blaze of artillery fire streamed
from the bluffs, and its roar woke the silence
The drum beat to quarters and men and officers
came hurrying from below on deck. The engine
was reversed, the cable slipped, and the ship
backed slowly astern, for our guns could not be
elevated enough to use at such close quarters
After reaching proper distance we opened fire,
but too late, as the field pieces were withdrawn.
Little damage was done the vessel; but across
one of the guns lay the dead body of our old
lieutenant his breast torn open by piece of
shell. He lay quiet and still, his gray hair
dappled with blood and waving in the breeze
The bronzed and hardy seamen gathered round
and tenderly lifted him up and prepared him
for burial. When morning came at 9 o'clock the
colors were half-masted, and we buried him on
little sandy island and ON the wooden cross over
his grave the gunner placed a brass plate giving
his name, rank, and age. Thus died Lieutenant
John Grey, United States Navy, of whom it could
be said none loved his country more and none
served her more faithfully, for in spite of age
and bodily infirmities he served her even unto
death, and greater love hath no man than this
1t may be Of interest to know that years after
his mortal remains were borne to his New
England home, where they now rest.-F. Jordan
late of the q. S. ~, IN Philadelphia Times.
HEROISM,