The Portland daily press., 1882-07-06
The Caleb Gushing and the Chesa-
peake,

AS one of the SUI viving members OF the COM
bat l was much interested in reading in this
mornings PRESS the graphic account OF that
terrible. but bloodless naval conflict between
tho merchant steamer Chesapeake and the
Revenue Cutter Caleb Gushing, which result
ed in the destruction of the latter vessel L
well remember the morning when the news
that the rebels had captured the cutter;
had cutter out of our harbor, to prey upon our
commerce, startled our quiet community,
was at the time merchant On Commercial
street, and being in the vicinity OF Browns
wharf, where the Chesapeake lay and was be-
ing fred up for the chase, offered myself as
volunteer under tho command of Capt. Law
renee for the recapture of the stolen craft. 1t
was glorious morning, scarcely breath to
ruf1e the face Of the waters A squad of men
from the returned Seventh Maine Regiment,
under the gallant Col. Mason (whose regiment
at that time happened to be recruiting as camp
Abraham Lincolnl with loaded muskets were
marched on board, and with all Jour bunting
flying We steamed rapidly out OF the harbor.
It did not occur to me at the time that either
myself, or any other ofsthe unarmed gentlemen
who made up the expedition, and who appeared
to be rather in the way than otherwise, were do
ing the country and very great service in the
way of putting down the rebellion; although
since that time, after reading many glowing ac-
counts of the battle, have changed my opinion
somewhat, and now think I shall apply for
pension under the liberal provisions of the act
for payment of arrears of pensions. was not
-Y,HRndsd in the bsttle-no onsuTxsess nar gnEe
explain hereafter. As I have said, we steamed
boldly out of the harbor, following the Forest
City, which steamer had preceded us. We
had on the bow of the Chesapeake a brass
cannon mounted, which was in charge of
Bill Bigelow, an old school mats of mine, and
a scared veteran Of the Mexican War, who
was at the time in charge of guns and things
at the State Arsenal on Bramhall's hill. Five
or six miles off the Cape We sighted the For
est City, and farther out at sea we could dis
Germ sail, which proved 10 be the captured
Cutter. Suddenly the Forest City stopped, or
rather slackened her speed SO that she had on
ly enough steam on for steering away, and was
evidently waiting for the Chesapeake to come
up. We steamed alongside and held
consultation or council of war;" The Cutter
WAS uCW III luIL Wow, bOSulI1oNl au0 bu0 EoDOl
crew were varying her with the boats. 1t
was decided as the Forest City was side
wheel steamer and more vulnerable than the
Chesapeake, that we should lead the fight.
SO We cracked on steam and with three rous-
ing cheers started to run the Gutter down. 1t
was not thought safe to attempt to capture her,
as she was well armed and manned by des-
psrate crew of men. All was excitement on
board the Chesapeake. We could not feel as
did Napoleon at the battle of the Pyramids,
that several generations were looking down
upon US from those ancient monuments; but
we knew that the Forest City was slowly fol-
lowing and watching us-from safe distance
and that the old Observatory on Mu njoy was
crowded with anxious spectators, who were
bringing the telescope to bear upon us; and
last but not least, that we had fast steamer
and could run over tho Gutter and send her
rebel crew to the bottom without getting much
damaged ourselves The brass piece on the
bow was sighted and ready for use, and the
armed soldiers OF the Seventh Maine were sta-
toned behind bales of cotton which had bean
pressed into the service from portion of the
cargo aud stood against the rails, while the
gallant citizens, who had volunteered for the
purpose of giving their valuable advice in case
of emergency, and seeing that everything went
on properly, had secured positions OF observa-
ton on top OF the cabin and galley. Sudden
" as we neared the Cutter we noticed change
ia the movements of her crew. The boats
which were towing her dropped alongside,
and the crew climbed over the rails to the
deck. All, they were going tossurrender, and
we should not have the sport of running them
down and sending them to sup with old Nep-
tune. But this delusion was suddenly dispell-
ed. for. in t1inkling the cutter swung round
broadside to, puff Of white smoke went curl
ing up from her deck, and the boom of the
cannon accompanied by the wicked whiz OF
the shot IS it passed uncomfortably close over
o1r heads causing us involuntarily to duck,
gave us distinctly to understand that the rebS
meant fight. Swsrthy Bill sent them an an
swer to their challenge from his little brass
piece, but it fell far short and dropped harm
iessly in the ocean. We slackened speed and
held a short consultation. Capt. Lawrence,
who was brave man, decided Immediately TO
80 about and run down the cutter. Col. Ma
son. who was also very brave man, but sub
iect TO sudden attacks OF faintness at the COM
mencement of battle which generally lasted
TO the end of fight, which was serious draw
hack 10 his efficiency, also thought it best to
uroceed- cautiously. Inc nnarmed citizen
soldiery, who had occupied posts OF observa-
tion Init who had suddenly lost their curiosity
yrhnn the whisting of the shot caused them to
dnck THAR heads were all down on deck,
bshiud the sotton bales, rendering valuable
service by way OF advice to the commander.
| did not see any one, either parson or layman,
making cartridges. l suppose the soldiers were
provided with them-but rememeer that q
call was made for volunteers to scrape lint, and
help the surgeon in tho cabin, and that near
Nv every enc WIS ready to retreat to that safe
retreat and lend hand in the hospital de-
partment. 1 recollect the peculiar sensation
which came over mo in this my first experience
under fire. 1t was not fear. L was never
coward 1 suppose it was that sensation which
NAPOLEON is said to have said, was experienced
nv nearly every man who comes under ire for
the first time felt little queer, and as all
NV neighbors looked little queer, / presume
thew felt likewise. instantly lost all interest
in watching the movement OF the rebel crew,
and was only anxious to join in the consata-
tion with the officers on deck behind the bales
of cotton, and noticed that all the other en-
inent citizens appeared to be seized with the
same desire at the same time, as they were
also Fastening down to join 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 iungles of India, WAS asked II IL was not
great fun, replied GLORIOUS fan whlie YOU NUM-
the tiger, bot whom the tiger tErns to NUM- you
it is not SO very funny" l had left my once
in the morning with no expectation OF Delhg
absent for any length Of time, and had mace
no provision for the payment of notes coming
due in my absence. My letters and papers
were left loosely on nay desk. had not even
told my wife that should not be home to din
ner, and here I was, with the contingency