National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-10-04

bolt Of felled timber, and in tho rear,
which was open, were stationed several
heavy armed gunboats.
Of course We jumped to the conclusion
naturally that we had made this terrible
march to surprise the fort, and IL was any
thing but q pleasant prospect for men ex-
bausted by fatigue and hunger to DO
hurled against a fertilization bristling
with cannon and defended by two or
three regiments Of infantry. However,
after moving up within mile or two
of tho fort our skirmishers were thrown
| forward, and we stacked arms on the side
Of the road. Here wo remained, expect
ing every moment to be ordered into ac-
tion. About o'clock p. IN. tremendous
explosion was heard, accompanied by n
donse column of flame and smoke which
shot up into the sky in tho direction of
| the fort. We were at loss to account
for it, except that a magazine had acct
dentally exploded. About midnight came
along Capt. Wood of the confederate navy
with hundred sailors aud marines, aud
then we first learned the object Of the
expedition. We were there to secure his
retreat in case Of non-success or TO garri-
son the fort in case of success, in his
attempt to capture tho guuboatB | have
referred to. The daring plan was but
partially successful. Dropping down tho
river Trent in boats he surprised and
boarded ono of the gunboats, but the
others were on tho alert and soon made il
warm for him and the other boat detach-
ments. Finding he could not maintain
his position or materially injuro the fort.
he gathered his boats together, put a
match to the magazine of the gunboats,
and escaped TO tho shore without losing q
man, and was soon safe inside of our
skirmish line. The enemy made nc
further demonstration. although we held
our position day longer.
One of tho funniest things happened on
this expedition that occurred during the
war. As have said, there were no pro.
visions to be had in that section for love
money, or stealing The stock had been
run of, the meal and bacon hid, and the
people were novcrty-stricken ut the best
of times. We were nearly starved &c
death. On tho day Of arrival before the
fort some of the men of the 18th acct
dentally stumbled upon n dozen or more
bee hives filled with honey. They were
brought to camp, and soon officers and
men had chunk of honeycomb in each
hand, and the sweet stuff was greedily
devoured Within an hour came thu
after.clap. Cholera inorbus reigncd
supreme. Men were rolling about
on tho ground with hands claspet
to stomach, groaning in agony.
dozen men Of tho enemy could hav,
knocked us on the head like pigs without
resistance, had they advanced. At frs
we thought the honey had been poisoned
but the surgeon assured us that new
honey when INDUCED in immoderately
had that effect, Then we got to Laughing
ut each other. The surgeon had no med
icine in his travelling case fit for the
occasion, except bottle of emetic, and
he eked this out with warm water. 81
that no lives wero lost, though many
were so much weakened as to be unabl,
to arise from their blankets for twelv,
hours afterward. L was among those
afflicted, and to this day l abhor TIN
taste and even the sight Of honeycomb
and l never take sugar in mine.
The wagons came up on the second do,
before the fort, and double rations wer
issued. We soon forgot our woes after
square meal, and lesurely rejoined tn,
brigade at Kingston, whore we Learned
that, in conjunction with Hokes brigade
the other two regiments of the brigad
had stormed and captured the entreuchet
camp outside Of Newberne, had gathered
q g0odly store of plumber, and had driver
the enemy into his interior line of works
with very small loss on our side.
A week afterward, at Goldsboro', t,
which place we fell back, l received m.
commission as second lieutenant in tn,
regular army, c. $. A., aud was ordered t.
report forthwith to the commandant o
tho LIST Virginia battalion of infantry
then stationed at Orange Court Hous
and at Gordonsville. Va.
have only to say that left behin(
N1,.NI boat n,N, oN &c Enll 4,
the army-otiicers and men with whom
had shared hardship and danger for NOR
than two years-with unfeigned SORROW
though 1 naturally was glad of the pro
motion, as a soldier should be.
MI RRAY.