Great Falls tribune., 1886-01-02
REMINESCENCE OF THE WAR.

FOR THE TRIBUNE.
It was early in '64, when Grant
was still holding Lee in his grip, anc
the greatest soldier Of modern times
was marching from Atlanta TO the sea
that the intelligence arrived by the
dispatclboat Gettysburg Of some dis
aster to our forces in North Carolina
There was a force at the town OF
Plymouth supposed to be strong
enough 10 hold that place. This force
vas supplemented by few CID tubs
called gun boats, constructed into
such from cid ferry boats. But The
I times were such that the government
of necessity, availed itself Of every
thing within reach that could be rem
dered seryicable It was well known
to US, at the period spoken of, that
two large and powerful iron-clad
rams were fitting out on the Roanoke
river, with view Of destroying the
small naval force in North Carolina,
and smash things generally At the
time joint expedition was in process
of formation, to ascend the Roanoke,
to capture Fort Branch on the way
and cut out the iron-clads or destroy
them.
Before this expedition was got in
shape, the Rebel ram Albemarle,
swept down the river without opposi-
ton until reaching Plymouth. The
situation in all its force presented it.
self to the two Union officers COM
manding the land and naval forces in
that section.
The town Of Plymouth is situated
on the left bank of the Roanoke river
about two mile above its mouth, where
it empties into Albemarle Sounds A
few miles in the distance could be
seen Roanoke Island, captured early
IN the war by the forces under Gen
Burnside Had the Union forces at
Plymouth been forced to retreat they
must have done SO by water, and the ad-
vent Of iron-clad ram, barred the way.
Gen. VESSEL, commanding the Union
forces, found himself surrounded by
land and water Generals Branch
and Hoke of the Confederate army,
were in the rear of the town with a
large force, and the Albemarle in his
front on the river. Both the Confed-
crate generals and the troops in their
command, were raised in that section,
and were familiar with every foot Of
the country II there was any way of
escaped from the place by the hemm-
ed in forces it must by the capture or
destruction of tae Albermarle. To
that end the Z. S. naval officer and
the small force under his command
bent all their energies. Ascending
the river in his wooden vessel to Crap
pie with the iron monster, and if pos
sible, board her. The unequal fight
took place in front Of Plymouth the
combatants not twenty yards apart.
The Union commander soon discover
ed that every shot aimed at the Albe-
marie had no effect, as her plating of
4 inch railroad iron,, turned the mis-
ties harmlessly away. To get shot
at the Albemarle between wind and
water was the last hope Coolly he
went to work to accomplish it and
aimed the shot. which reboruded, and
killed him where he stood. This end
ed the engagement. The Union YES
sci got out III crippled condition
guns dismantled, and the decks
streaming with the blood Of the dead
and dying The Southfeld, an old
New York ferry boat, converted into
a gun. boat. fell into the hands Of the
enemy and Vessels command made
prisoners. Such were the disasters
reported at the Division headquar-
ters.
While these movements were taking
place, another force of a different ma
ture was getting ready to deal with
the Confederate iron cruisers. A very
young man named Gushing, native
of New Hampshire, and serving in
the U. S. Navy in a subordinate posi-
ton, proposed method Of putting an
end to the Rebel rams Albemarle and
Consort. His scheme was pronounced
impracticable and impossible of exc
cution. Il can do it," he said, and after
much intreaty permission was grant
ed him to address the Secretary of
the Navy in reference to his project.
Mr.. Fox, the assistant secretary lent
a willing ear and placed the matter in
a favorable light before Mr. Wells,
the secretary. As everything relating
to this enterprise was marked dis
approved by the senior officers of the
Navy, Secretary Wells hesitated in
giving his approval. Gushing stood
firm as the granite hills from which
he came, and pressed the chief of his
department with such earnestness,
IL Csla-.aI%>..-.t