The Cecil Whig., 1886-06-26
Ro"n"'s. A"'saots. i fi't'o".
THE SURPRISE PARTY.

THE SURPRISE PARTY.
An Episode of the Mississippi River In
War Time.
From the Ncw YORK Heek!y Tri1une.
was only an able seaman then, but
bad been with that grand old sea lion
Farragut from the time we reached Ship
Island in March, had passed through the
Storm of shot and shell on the morning
Of the 2Gth of April, when we ran past
Forts jackson and st. Phillip, clearing
away the chain distractions, meeting
and sinking the fire ships made of barges
filled with pine wood, rosin and tar, blaz-
ing high above our topmast crosstrees.
Thus, having either destroyed or cap
tured the Confederate gunboats and
rams, we sailed proudly up the Father
of Waters with the glorious banner Of
the Nation floating in triumph from our
mizzen peak.
| remember well the attempt made to
capture the supply ship Houghton. She
was small sailing bark, purchased by
the Government, of about three hundred
tons. She had been fitted up BY the
Government with a battery of five guns,
four long thirty-twos in broadside and
one eleven-inch Rodman pivot gun on the
forecastle. Her crew consisted of an
acting master, three masters and mates,
a surgeon and sixty men. l had been
detailed by Captain Renshaw from the
gunboat Westfield to take the place of
one of the masters mates who was on
the sick list. We had on board a full
cargo of provisions, clothing and ord
nance stores for the fleet above, and, in
addition, had the fleet Paymaster on
board with over $780, 900 in gold for the
crews of the different ships in the fleet
then lying Just below Vicksburg. 1t
was known in New Orleans when we
left that we had very valuable cargo,
besides the money on board, and the
news of our departure was no doubt sent
by the Confederatcs in the city to all the
points above, urging our capture if pos
sible.
We left tue city early in July, and be-
ing sailing vessel we had to take an
old river steamer called the Empire Par
riSh to tow us up. She made fast on the
port side and We took the precaution to
pile bales of cotton both forward and aft
of her boiler and engines, and also took
the mems hammocks and hung them
around the pilot house as protection
against the bullets of the sharpsfoo
who lined the banks ON both sides of the
river all the way up. We had passed
Baton Rouge without molestation, ex-
cept an occasional rifle shot from some
one on the shore as reminder that we
were i'll an enemy's country, when our
steamer was disabled by the breaking OF
some portion of her machinery and we
came to anchor about $50 yards from the
east bank of the river. After endeavor-
repairs it was found that they could not
be made without sending the steamer
back to Baton Rouge, and so after some
temporary repairs, enabling her to make
the short distance, she steamed away,
expecting to return by noon of the next
day. But it required longer time than
n pynnPfpI N ~,
proper condition to make the trip, and it
was the afternoon of the second day be-
fore she returned. 1t was during her alb
sence that the attempt was made to take
us by surprise.
Nothing unusual occurred during the
afternoon and night after we were left,
but the next morning, soon after eight
bells had struck, we noticed an old negro
on the east bank who seemed by his ac-
tions to wish to communicate with US for
some reason, and it was finally decided
to send the second cutter ashore and see
what the old fellow wanted. lie stood
near the river bank and the moment the
cutter reached the shore, seeming very
much frightened, lie hurriedly told US
that there had been a large gathering
the night before at the house of his
master, who was colonel in the Con-
federate service, then at home on fur
Tough and the old fellow had overheard
the whole plan for our capture discussed
and agreed upon by the men assembled.
They had full information as to what
kind of prize they would secure if they
succeeded in making the capture. Their
plan was to get as many batteaux and
other boats together as possible at
point on the river above us and have
them manned with as many people as
could be mustered for the service, headed
by the colonel and some ten or more Con-
iederate soldiers who had seen service
and were then III the vicinity, some Oh
furlough and some on detached service.
The company were to meet at point
about one mile above and as the night
would be dark, there being no moon till
late, they could float with the current
almost noiselessly down upon us, divid-
ing their force, part taking the port and
part the starboard side. The bark lying
very low, her plank shears not over three
feet above the water, they could climb
right on board and have us captured be-
fore we were aware of any danger. The
plan was no doubt admirable in their
estimation, but they were not familiar
enough with the watchfulness and tlisci-
pline on man -of-war in war times and
in an enemy's country to know all about
it, or the job might not have seemed SO
easy. The old darkey after giving US
this information seemed badly frightened
for fear he would be found out. We of
fered to take him on board the ship with
US, but he did not dare go. lie said
"Spose dey does come and kill you all
an take de ship and find old niggar dar,
dcy burn him alive shuah an certin. No,
/de niggah go back to work in de
>-10n patch. Bime by Massa Linkum
come hisself and de ole niggah be free