Savannah morning news., 1885-09-05
YANKEE SHIPPERS STORY.
Capt. Judah Berry's Experience in sa.
VaDnAh I'm S6I.

master OF the last merchant vessel 10 sal
out OF Savannah flying tho stars and
Stripes when the war began" said Capt
Judah Berry TO a friend IN the cabin OF
barkentine AIDA j. Bonner, lying at Mil
ler's wharf, on Monday night. Capt
Berry had arrived few hours previously
from Rio Janeivo, and q discussion on
war topics grew out Of his learn ng OF Gen.
Grants death.
About the time President Lincoln de-
cided to prov sion and reinforce Fort
Sumter, in Charleston harbor, SAID capt
Berry, 81 was master OF The schooner
susan, belonging TO a Inc OF packets
which, until thar time. bad been running
between Boston and city Point and Rlcn-
mond. The near approach of hostiltties
had broken ny our famous pachet Hne'
Dbiiriug Us 10 seek business m O her dl-
rections. | chartered for trip from Bos-
ton 10 Savannah ami returned. About
twelve or fourteen days before the arrival
OF reinfOrcements for Fort sumter, ! ar
rived ot Tyhee and took pilot for SaVan-
nah. When he stepped On board he very
politely informed me that, rs the state OF
Georgia's flag was then flying over Fort
Pulaski, | would be compelled
tb render tribute to IL by dipping
the United States cOlOrs. Should
it.not be done as we yassed the fort, be
intimated that l might receive reminder
in the shape Of a solid shot. Thinking,
under the circumstances, that discretion
WAS the better part Of yalor, ! compiled
with the regulation and dipped our flag.
Nothing further occurred in the way Of
recognizing the Southern COntederacy at
that time. | arrived up to the city, en-
tered customs and commenced discharg-
ing cargo. Soon after my arrival began
10 take a bird 's-eye-yIew of what was
Il HNar. Al
lions convinced me that the shortest pos
sible stay there would be the better for
me and the susan. We both belonged TO
the State Of Massachusetts, and you know
neither lust then could have stood very
highly with the people Of Georgia.
"Early the morning after my arrival l
was visited by an official from the custom
house, who informed ma that during my
stay in port, or until otherwise ordered
must hoist the United States flag at
a. N. and keep it hoisted until sundown.
There was but one other American vessel
IN pOrt-the ship Agnes-and like N.Y.
self, hailed from Boston. She was under
charter to load cotton for Liverpool. The
rest of the shipping was principally Eng
lish, all getting plenty Of cargo, while the
captain OF the Boston clips er was unable
to get a bale. Both Of us were consigned
10 the same commission house-Messrs.
Brigham, Baldwin Il Co., Northern men,
and staunch friends Of ours. Shippers
would come into their Office and inquire;
Have you anything on the berth for Liy
pOoly'
'''Yes. we have an American ship, be-
sides several English vessels was the
".Where does the American ship be-
longp
"When the reply was Boston the ship
pers said: we are not shipping in
Massachusetts vessels | felt for the
Captain of the fine ship who was present
when this remark was made, and saw in
it no encouragement for his cargo.
"As time went on political matters were
growing worse and worse; about all bus'-
ness WAS suspended and the sound OF the
drum and file was heard from morning
until late hours Of the night. ktOOps
were drilling, and the entire conversation
was secession. Palmetto flags were
Tying in all directions, and everything
was looking decidedly warlike. Rein
forcements were pouring into Fort Pu-
lsski. as it was the impression that Presl-
dent Lincoln had designs on that strong
hold in connection with Fort Sumter.
MY chances for getting away wer
very much better than my friend, the
captain OF the ship as we We're discharg-
ed. and hOmeward cargo was going on
board as fast as we could take care of it,
gentleman came up to me and reached
out his hand. saying. dow do you do,
Capt. BeTryY' | could not remember OF
having seen him before, and was a little
od-handed in returning his salutation. He
saw did not recognize him, and coming
TO my relief, asked me il l had forgotten
Dodge. Some two or three years previous
/ was in Boston loading for Mobile. One
day two gentlemen came down 10 tn
vessel and inquired for me. ! gave them
an invitation 70 the cabin, when the elder
one introduced himself as a Mr. Dodge,
from New Hampshire, the other being his
son, and wished 10 engage a passage for
him with me TO Mobile. We soon made
the arrangements, and when we were
ready ne came on board and was landed
in due time in Mobile. From there be
went 10 Montgomery and opened large
book store, where be had done a good
business. but, not liking the situation,
sold out and had inst opened another in
Savannah. He invited me toc0me up and
see his store, which he said was the
largest IN the city. Come up this even
ing said he; Il will come down for you!
He came down and took supper with me,
and We started for the store. The night
was very dark, and anyone anyways fs-
miliar with the wharYes In Savannah
knows how dark and dismal place il is
at night We were walking up side By
sue, ana db we came 10 very uhfk place
he stopped, put his hand on my
shoulder, and SAID: i could " histle and
you would be dead man in less than five
minutesp | told him he need not exert
himself to whistle just then on my ac-
count, and added thought | would take
daylight iOr the visit, as l could better
see when he made an attempt TO whistle.
Dodge laughed and said: 4 only say this
TO show you the state of things here now.
belong 10 crowd called the Rattlesnakes
and, Ike lightning when IL is around, they
are everywhere. ] looked about me. ex-
pecung 10 see the whole organization rise
sup out OF the ground. | told him
thought l would go on board and pay
fhim a visit some time when more conve-
nieDt. BE laughed aud quieted down my
fears, and said he would accompany me
back 70 the vessel from the store. went
up with Dodg hut did not enjoy mysel,
very well, as my time WAS occupied prin-
cipally in watching uim 70 see II ne made
any attempts 10 whistle. After awhile he
accompanied me 10 the vessel. and as |
bade him goodnight, added that my
headquarters at night for the remainder
OF my stay in Savannah would be on
board OF my vessel.
tWe were about finishi ing loading when
rumOr had II that the authorities were not
going TO allow me 10 leave. After finish.
In 4 Ia 3 "a ~ 80