The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-09-19

iioiN lS9I'Cttittl.
| rather admired them for their in
dependent spirit-they were focmel
worthy of our steel, and can be reliet
on to defend our country, if necessary
against the world combined. Thei
valor was equal to that of the Northern
soldiers, and their endurance, | think
greater. Had they been people of any
other nation, our troops would have
walked over them without much diff,
Guilty.
When we left Grand Ecore abou
500 negroes Of both sexes and all ages
took passage with US, anxious to reach
the land of freedom"
SOME REFUGEES.
When the PASSPORT was blown up
put them on board two pump boats
thinking that would be the safest place
for them in case we were attacked, fol
| presumed the gunners would devote
themselves to sinking the "tin-clads'
Gor SO our light-draft gunboats were
called, having but one eighth of an inch
of iron over their thin wooden sides. }
| never supposed the Confederates
would fire at these helpless negroes
but one never knows.
| got the two pump-boats right as
tern of my vessel, with another tin clad
astcrn of the pump-boats, and the other
two vessels bringing up the rear.
My little flagship, the Cricket, had
six underground boat howitzers Smooth
bores) and carried forty eight officers
and men.
The other tin clads had each about
the same number, except the Juliet,
which carried the Passports crew.
One of the Cricket's guns was mount
ed on the upper deck forward to COM
mand the banks, and crew of six men
was kept stationed at it ready to fire at
anything hostile.
We went along at a moderate pace,
to keep within supporting distance OF
each other. i was sitting on the upper
deck reading, with one eye on the book
and the other on the bushes, when l
saw mems heads and sang out to the
commanding officer, Gorringe-"Give
those fellows iii the bushes a two-second
she'll" \ moment after the shell burst
in the midst of the people on the bank.
GIVE them another Dose" l said,
when, to my establishment, there came
on board shower of projectiles that
fairly made the little Cricket stagger.
Nineteen shells burst on board our YES
sci at the first volley-it was the nine
teen-Sun battery of which our prisoner
had told us.
We were going along at this time
about six knots an hour, and, before
we could fire another gun, we were
right under the battery, and, turning
the point, presented the Cricket's stern
to the enemy.
They gave us nine shells when we
were not more than twenty yards dis
tant from the bank, all of which burst
Inside of us, and, as the vessels stern
was presented, they poured in ten more
shots, which raked us fore and aft.
Then came the roar of 5000 muskets,
which seemed to strike every spot on
the vessel, but fortunately her sides
were musket proof.
The Cricket stopped. had been
expecting it. How, thought l, could
all these shells go through a vessel with
out disabling the machinery?
The rebels gave three cheers and let
us drift on. They were determined to
have the whole of us. They opened
their guns on the two pump-boats and
sunk them at the first volley.
The poor negroes that could swim
tried to reach the shore, but the mus
keteers picked Of, those that were in
the water or clinging to the wrecks. 1t
was dreadful spectacle to witness,
with no power to prevent it, but it
turned out. to be the salvation of the
Cricket.
All this took place in less than five
minutes.
The moment the Cricket received the
first volley of artillery l went on deck
to the pilot-house, saluted by volley of
musketry as passed along, and as l
opened the pilot-house door l saw that
the pilot, Mr.. Drening, had his head
cut open by piece of shell. and the
blood was streaming down his cheeks.
He still held the wheel. 81 am all
right, sir, he said. II won. t give up
the wheel"
Gorringe was perfectly cool, and was
ringing the engine room bell to go
ahead
\ TERRIBLE CARNAGE.
In front of the wheel house the
bodies of the six men who had manned
the howitzer were piled up. A shell
had struck the gun, and, exploding, had
killed all the crew-a glorious death for
them
"What are you trying to do, Cor
ringer" | inquired.
"Trylng to get her broadside round
to open on the enemy"
'Leave that for some other occasion, "
| said. 81 doubt if there's anybody
lett to fire again. There are times to
get out of range. This is one of the
latter. We are helpless. Let her drift
and | will go down and see what is the
matter with the engine"