Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-10-24

challenge from his little brass piece, bu
it fell far short and dropped harmlessly
in the ocean. We slackened speed ano
then held a short consultation. Capt
Lawrence, who was a brave man, decided
{ Immediately to 60 about and run down
the cutter. Col. Mason, who was also q
very brave man, but subject to sudden
attacks Of faintness at the commencement
of battle which generally lasted to the
end of fight, which was serious draw
back to his efficiency, also thought 1t best
to overwhelmingly. The unarmed
citizen soldiery, who had occupied posts
of observation but who had suddenly lost
their curiosity when the whistling of the
shot caused them to duck their heads,
were all down on deck, behind the cotton
bales, rendering valuable service by way
of advice to the commander. ! did not
see any one, either parson or layman,
making cartridges. suppose the sol
diers were provided with them-but |
remember that call was made for VOL
unteers TO scrape lint, and help the sur
geon in the cabin, and that nearly every
one was ready TO retreat 10 that safe re-
treat, and lend hand in the hospital
department. Irecollect the peculiar SEN
sation which came over me in this my
first experience under fire. 1t was not
fear. Twas never coward. suppose
it was that sensation which Napoleon is
said to have said, was experienced by
nearly every man who comes under fire
for the first time. | felt little queer,
and as all my neighbors looked little
queer, presume they felt likewise. |
instantly lost all interest in watching the
movement, Of the rebel crew, and was on
ly anxious to join in the consultation with
the officers on deck behind the bales of
cotton, and | noticed that all the other
eminent citizens appeared to be seized with
the same desire at the same time, as they
were also fastening down to join IN the
consultation. | know | realized at the
time the force of the suggestion made by
the Englishman who when relating his
adventures in hunting tigers in the jun
giles of India. was asked if it was not
fun, replied, GLORIOUS fun while YOU
hunt the tiger, but when the tiger turns
to hunt you it is not so very funny. /
had left my Office in the morning with no
expectation of being absent for any length
of time, and had made no provision for
the payment Of notes coming due in my
absence Ny letters and papers were
left loosely on my desk. had not even
told my wife that should not be home
to dinner, and here was, with the con-
tingency staring me in the face of being
absent for an indefinite length Of time,
without knowing where l was going TO
put up, or how | was going to fare and
my first thought, after the afore- mention
ed disagreeable sensation had passed of,
was, What the devil am | here for,
anyway OF course | did not stop to
think in the excitement of the moment
that grateful country would take care
of the widow and children and all that,
and that my first duty was to my i'm
periled country. The nature Of the ex'
petition was not such as to inspire these
patriotic emotions at the start; and the
sudden change which came over me in
the excitement of the moment rather
dampened the patriot ardor which | felt
after the thing was all over. But. as
| have said, it was resolved to "move
Immediately on the enemys works. and
run the cutter down. So the word was
given, and on we started with cheer.
The rebel crew, seeing that we meant
business" set fire to the cutter and put
off in their boats, flying white hand
kerchief stuck on stick. Both steam
ers hove to at a safe distance from the
cutter, waiting for the fire to reach the
magazine. The flames soon spread over
the hull, crept up the rigging, and shot
from the tops and ends of the masts and
spars, presenting magnificent spectacle.
Soon the FIRE reached the magazine. The
masts and spars, the top Of the cabin and
portions of the poop-deck were lifted high
in air, the stern of the vessel lifted out of
water, then settled back, and the whole
hull sank slowly below the surface of the
ocean which was as smooth as a mirror.
The debris of the wreck came floating to
the surface to mark the spot where it
went down. Three hearty cheers went
up from both steamers, and the Chesa-
peake started for the boat which contain
ed the rebel crew, and the captured crew
of the cutter. The courage of our men
was up to white heat, and it was
difficult to restrain the armed men from
firing into and sinking the boats. Bill
was about to apply the match and send a