The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-24
COMMANDER CUSHING.
His Widow Refused an Increase ofPensiOn-
Story of Her Husbands Services.
cioI 70 Tho Tpd;o

His Widow Refused an Increase OfPensiOn-
Story of Her Husbands Services.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, May 23.-The committee on in
valid pensions in the House reported unfavor-
ably. the other day, bill to increase the pen
sion of Mrs. Kate L. Gushing from $50 to $50
per month Mrs. Cushing is the widow of the
late Commander Cushing, U. S. N, of whose
services to the country the following has been
written:
On the 23d of November 1862, Lieutenant
Gushing, then in command of the steamer Ellis,
entered the Now river inlet with orders to cap
ture the town of Jacksonville intercept the
Wilmington mail take possession of any vessels
found in the river and to destroy
any salt works found on its banks.
At l P. NJ he reached the town
of Jacksonville, captured twenty-five stands of
public arms. a large mail and two schooners. He
then started down the river shelling rebel
| camp on his way, and came to anchor about five
miles from the outer bar, it being impossible to
take the steamer from the river that night. On
the following morning the enemy opened on him
two pieces of artillery from bluff, but were soon
| silenced, the Ellis passing within short range
without receiving fire. At about five hundred
yards from this point the Ellis grounded, and
every effort was made to get her afoat, without
success Everything was removed from
the steamer except small pivot
gun and few small arms;
the crew were called to muster, and told thatthey
could get aboard the prize schooner Lieuten-
ant Cushing then called for six volunteers to re-
main with him on board the Ellis and fight the
inip nd two
masters mates Valentine and Barton, among
the number. The schooner was ordered to drop
down the channel and await the termination of
the impending engagement. On the morning of
the 18th the enemy opened a.cross-ire on the
Ellis from four points with heavy rifed guns so
disabling the vessel that the only al
ternatives left were surrender or
pull of one and half miles in small
boat, under fire, to the schooner. The latter
alternative was chosen Lieutenant Gushing
fired the Ellis reached the schooner, and made
sail for sea, and four hours later arrived at
Beaufort. The GOODNESS, courage and conduct
of Lieutenant Cushing was especially com
mended in the official reports of Commander D.
K Davenport and acting rear admiral, S. P.
Lee commanding the North Atlantic blockading
squadron. On the night of the 9th Of October,
1864 Lieutenant Gushing assembled the
Roanoke river in a torpedo boat, having
the second cutter of the steamer
Shamrock in tow, for the purpose of blowing up
the rebel ram Albermarle at Plymouth. He
passed the rebel steamer Southfeld without
being noticed and arrived within a short dis
lance of the ram before he was discovered, when
he cast loose the cutter ordering her to board
the Southfeld and capture the picket stationed
there, while he attacked the ram with the tor
pedo. Although the enemy kept up severe
fight of musketry and with howitzer mounted on
the wharf he succeeded in exploding his
torpedo under the Albemarle at the same instant
that the gun of that vessel, and which they
were directly opposite, was fired on the torpedo
boat, which Immediately flied, and the Lieu
tenant ordered his officers and men to save
themselves and jump overheard. Most of the
party were captured some drowned, and only
two escaped. Lieutenant Cushing managed to
reach the shore, and after some hours travel
through the swamps came to a creek, where he
look possession of boat belonging to picket
of the enemy, and by IL o'clock next night had
made his way out to the steamer Valley City
For this daring act Lieutenant Gushing received
vote of thanks from Congress, and a highly
complimentary letter from tho Secretary Of the
Navy
1t seems hard that the widow Of this gallant
officer should not be granted an increase of pen
sion which she seeks but the committee give
their reasons for refusing in the following Ian
guage;
1T has been rule of this committee to refuse to
increase the pension Of widows whose husbands
rank was beneath that of general officer
and they iisa that it would be unwise
Thev fully recognize the valuable services of Com
maier Gushing; his gaantry and bravery in the hour
of his countrys danger will ever be preserved as
bright spot in history and his countrymen cannot but
refer to it with pleasure and pride. Moreover the
committee regret that the rule prevents favorable
recommendation to the request of the deserving
widow but under the circumstances, must ask to be
discharged from the consideration of the bill, and
IL Il =. 49, NJ