The Republican journal., 1883-03-08
The Virginia Oyster Pirates.
THEY OUTWIr GOVERNOR CAMERON AND ES-
CAPE.

THEY OUTWIr GONERNOR CAMERON AND ES
CAPE.
WEST POINT. Va. March /. The expedition
of Gov. Cameron. which left Norfolk on a
cruise against the oyster pirates. was rationed
for 30 days, it being the determination of the
Governor to eXtirpate the pirates. The eXpe-
dtion of last year resulted in the capture of the
crews. and it was thought it would break up
the practice The prisoners were sent up to the
penitentlary, but were speedily pardoned, with
the exception of one-eyed Turk. who was
kept III for attempting to burn the jail. He
served out the term of his confinement some
time since. but such is the fascination of the
business, that not only did he, but many others
of the pardoned pirates. again rig up vessels
and begin a cruise. These forces have been
swelled by the addition of reckless volunteers
from New York Philadelphia and Baltimore
Oysters command higher prices this year than
ever before. These men are desperate. and
have frequently sworn they would not be taken
alive. The full pirate fleet number about 100
vessels. divided up into the fleets of the Poto-
mac. Rappahannock and Pionkank Each yes
sci is armed with a swivel gun fore and aft.
and every man has long range Enfield rifle
They have been on the lookout for some weeks.
APPREHENpING An ATTACK.
and have also organized Il squadron of signal
and night patrol boats. which communicate
with the fleets and give timely warning Of the
approach Of the enemy. The Governors ar
mazda sailed first for the Pionkauk fleet. his
design being to surprise the pirates operating
in that vicinity, but they were in readiness for
an attack. having scout boat stationed far ont
in the bay, its occupant being the eX-convict
Turk Abon Ben Mendjed. known among the
pirates a> "One-eyed Mcdi." who had a spy
glass aS well aS 4 signal flag.
ON Sunday evening the pirates elected Jim
Skogg>. one-legged sailor. a> admiral Of their
entire fleet. Skog@> is 60 yeats old and lost his
leg on the coast Of Africa. when ON board Il
slave trader. in an engagement with English
vessels. He has organized his three fleets under
Il rude code, patterned after the United States
naval codes. Ii> plan of action was to escape,
if possible, but if either feet should he caught
up in the bay. all We're to move together and
fight their way ont. His plan was carried out
admirably and resulted in the complete outwit-
ting of GOV Camcron'> navy.
"oNE-E1ED MEDL.
with his >pvga>>. di>cerncd the Cameron fleet.
which consisted Of two biz steamers. steamin@
toward the bay. lie >ignaIlvd to the watch ON
Admiral Sk0g@>'> vessel. aud in less than II
minutes the entire fleet of pirates was moving
with splendid breeze behind them. and. before
the Governors steamboats, We're within four
miles Of the bay. the fleet WAS well out. Every
thing Wa. in favor of the pirates; the breeze
was almost gale which sent their small craft
da>hing over the water. The signal flag of
'One-Eyed Medi' was red flannel shirt. and
he detantly laid out in the bay after the entire
feet had gotten out and allowed the enemy 10
get almost within halilnG distance of him. when
he >ionallcd at them and. pulling up anchor
.hot ram tLa Ii1;.,nu"'. oi ,,I'i.L
.vo,. IA XXI xxx INV ~ tho Az ~.
o,.s+,, ,,, f. Which ,,,. ,.,,t,,ro,i , ..,
fL' NJ RI ttp l1kAltN'
Nfsl ON /. T.. NaTch l. lN>'' Wy
Saiitloh, III Foilihahu 81 ii!> sllip-ol-Waf' inc
lc'"iL" tro' dl3 'llpi'u thir h"ililhS 10 SUI
pil>e M Lc!naiIq r.! o. me lahkalahk Sqn"H-
Ion u -tu.iilIal 'Iih 7N"SS, meet 81 oyster pr
i"'F' ""' ny l''l'rt y >ttil oi >l9hdl> III use
~ VIZ Pli"tH I'h'ticu tilr '"N'rhor ap-
7! o"th i'iior>l ana one allti Hho'hPf OF llc
~ .l4H> iiioNIu "lil ~ " WY "Ith9ul
aIpu''lt' 'lu Hla'". tn' htutra waters easily
! ne GAti'lhS event OF carry Ihi> morning was
~ ~, 'ill>' VI w !H"lt >i"op b"l'lhT noIlS.
ne C"!,"lh l"u heN crew oi TWO men h'u zone
HN"oir ~ >'hi' ~ ~ Wo"u' "Iirh 3llolHCf Pll;ue
pD". "a "ul -! III. p'H >iS"'lIV" ne li't una,
wv y 'ioi >U"lh'' - "pPI91cllll@ aAu
III az WI u!nS ~ Ivy 4uIcNH. lHJ captain
Wy 'l" Nv" U.ISii'ViN M'it tnt UniA persons
or 'ht palicihS MoilN' lhtN calleu ~ VAN Tor
tae crew VINO were oul on >lght ana nearing
~ inc sIilu" tr"lt was iHil2 cIoIe III one OF me
liiictS oh ln' EASTERN >ilotr' aln u !he steady
Splash ol III. Nnr'l> o. thP Virginia steamer
Wy uS'.h'''! i'"iu' u" PIuVhl ltIlitit> N'
ttlhilhtu ~ 3'i'fP' 10 run me DIockalr ana
itach neutral Ma'IF>' u'>pi'e me tnrGr lfoMh-
~ lannon's io Whlch Wtfe 3Irra'I visible ne
HloIhti ,ooh the heIn ana inc Two da'lshlcrS
ul,lrti'l " N"iIH' aug ~ baIiclh2. MolI!'
when "aN forced 10 90 murh lacking IN ORDER