The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-03-03
CAMER0N'S CRUSADE
AGAINST THE OYSTER PIRATES.

Tho Biralrs War Opsntd-sharp skirmIshlng Ia
the Chesapeake BAy-one Graft Captured.
Lively Times Anticipated Before the
PlratIeal Business Is Broken Up.
NORFOLK, VA, March 2.-These dis
patches have related before the movements
OF Governor Cameron and his forces on the
oyster pirates. Yesterday two steamers
quietly left their wharves at twelve mid
night and steamed down Hampton Roads.
A conference OF the officers Of both vessels
was held on the Pamlico at A. NJ, at
which 1t was arranged that the Victoria
Reed should remain Of Guynnes Island,
near the mouth Of the Rappahannock,
where large fleet Of pirates are constantly
dredging. The Pamlico was to run up TO
the mouth OF the Potomac during the
night, then return and, both steamers act
ing in concert, capture the dredgers at
Guynnes Island. The run on the Pamlico
was pleasantly made until Mobjack Bay
was reached, where the wind and the tide
coming in opposite directions made a
heavy swell and excessively rough sea.
The steamer rolled fearfully and brought
on an epidemic Of seasickness among the
men. Several were pitched out OF then
berths, aud a stove was turned over.
creating intense excitement, as close
by the burning stove were two boxes
OF ammunition. Some blankets and the
floor caught fire and for a few moments
there was imminent danger OF an explos-
ion. Captain Gilmer, Of the Norfolk Ar
tillery Blues, was, however, equal to the EN-
ergency. He kept the soldiers quiet and
four OF them under his direction removed
the ammunition and threw the stove over.
board. The fire was then extinguished with
out doing any serious damage. About7 A.
NJ. the lookout sighted fleet OF dredgeis
off Smiths Point, on the Northumberland
county shore, close to the Potomac river.
To avoid suspicion the Pimlico kept to
the regular channel up the bay until she
came abreast Of the fleet, which consisted
OF seven large vessels, all OF them dredging
under full sail in circular fashion. The
steamer then bore down Oh the fleet, which
movement, being instantly OBJ
served by the pirates, they started
and scattering sailed in every direction.
AN ENGAGEMENT.
Then began the liveliest cannonading
that has occurred in these waters since the
memorable encounter between the Mer-
rimac and Monitor in the beginning Of the
war. A solid shot was first fired across the
bow Of the foremostvessel, which was max
ing for the dividing line between the Vir-
ginia and Maryland waters, about two
miles distant. This had no effect except 10
further increase the efforts Of the pirates to
escape. They crowded on all sail, and as
there was spanking breeze made good
hcadway. The larger portion OF the fleet
scudded down the bay in the direction
from which the Pamlico had come. Three
vessels made north for life, liberty and
Maryland waters.
To these the Pamlico gave chase; another
shot across their bows failed to have any
effect. Governor Cameron then ordered
the artillerists to fire directly at the vessel
with view to sink, disable or capture
them. Shot after shot was sent from the
two pieces Of artillery after the flying
dredgers, but, however great the danger OF
being sunk or their crew killed, the dredg.
ers kept on their course.
SMALL ARMS THOUGHT INTO PLAY.
The steamer was now within rifle shot,
and Governor Cameron ordered the Nor
folk City Guards to fire on the vessels.
An irregular rifle iusilade was thereafter
kept up as long as the vessels were within
the boundary line OF Virginia. At this
juncture it was discovered that one OF the
dredgers was aground on Smiths Point
bar,and firing on her then ceased but few
more cannon shot were sent into the other
two vessels, but they finally escaped to the
neutral waters. 1t must be said that
the dredgers exhibited the most indomni-
table pluck. They were in imminent
danger OF being killed and sunk, but such
was the appreciation of the consequences
OF capture that they braved death rather
turned to the grounded schooner, which
was just within the boundary line on the
Virginia side. The Pamlico approached
as near the bar as it was sale and lay to.
Just then small boat, with two men lit,
was seen TO pull away from her in north.
erly direction, and they were soon picked
up by another OF the fleet which was safe
beyond reach OF bullet or shell.
THE ONLY CAPTURE.
A boat with two soldiers and a crew was
sent to board the prize. She was found to
be the Palo Alto, large pungy, nearly
loaded with oysters, hailing from Chester.
field, Maryland. Six men-one white and
five negroes-were captured, all OF whom
professed the utmost ignorance asto the
names Of the boats in the dredging aeet,or
the names or the captain and mate OF their
own vessel, who had escaped. The Palo
Alto had complete dredging outfit, inclu.
ding machines, windlasses and buckets.
The prisoners ware taken aboard the Pam.
lico, and prize crow was placed on the
dredger to take her to Norfolk.
Two OF the negroes made admissions
which will probably lead to the arrest and
conviction Of number OF the dredgers
who were caught in the act of Smith Point.
The steamer Victor Reed grounded in the
early morning, and alter getting of cruised
around Guynnes Island and reported no
dredgers in sight. This was the place
where they were expected to be found in
force, but they had got wind from
ton, ,'n and had @ }adciously y disappeared. lisa Ssa
Governor Cameron started in pursuit Of
the four iredgers who escaped from Smiths
Point this morning. they are supposed TO
have gone 10 Accomac county, on the east
side Of the bay, where they are reported
to be owned. The Pamlico returned to
Norfolk tonight, with the prisoners on
board and the prize Palo Alto in tow. The
result Of the Governors cruise is anxiously
looked for.