Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-08-17
ON BOARD THE THOMAS.
Stirring Scenes in the Rebellion in which
Vermont Men Were Active Partici-
pants. by l.. ID. SlmmoDds, Master
Mate, u. =. Gunboat General


Vermont Men Were Active Partici-
pants by L. ID. Simmonds. Master
Mate. U. >. GunbOat General
Thomas.
from the National Tribune
AT the time Gen Hood appeared before
Decatur, Ala, with his forces, to make
crossing at that point on his march to
capture Nashville the gunboat General
Thomas was patroling the river between
Guntersville and Decatur. At a point
about ~ or IA miles above Decatur Capt
Morton was pacing the hurricane deck
forward of the pilothouse smoking his
meerschaum pipe, when he stopped rather
suddenly, and seemed TO be in deep medi-
tation. Turning around he asked the
pilot il he heard anything that sounded
like the firing of artillery.
The pilot eplied that he did not. The
captain resumed his walk o and fro, wnen
after lapse of half a minute he was seen
to again stop and listen. Turning again
to the pilot, he said
There, did you hear that ?"
Mr.. Johnston, the pilot. replied that he
believed he did hear something that sound
ed like artillery
81 thought So" replied the captain
Round to and steam down the river ~
The shril whistle OF the boatswain's
l1dlt was utdTu piping uOWil Ill nam nOCkS
which were placed around the boilers, aud
every preparation was made for action.
la due time we reached point five miles
above Decatur where a small creek emp
lied into the Tennessee. The boat was
made fast to the shore and all hands were
pped to wood up" In an hour after we
had landed every available space was filed
with rails cut rea ly FOR the furnace. Some
were piled around the boilers to protect
them against the shots OF the enemy.
" hen we landed to rail uD' there was
au army gunboat manned by an Indiana
battery under command of Capt. Naylor
The latter had left the boat in charge of
his first lieutenant, he having gone to De-
catur TO report to Gen. Granger. When
everything was in readiness, orders were
given to back out and beat to quarters A
cloud of dust was seen III the distance and
presently Il squad of cavalry dashed down
to the waters edge, This proved to be
Capt Naylor returning with an escort of
cavalry. A boat was seen to push OFT from
the side of his gunboat, and at the same
time Capt. Morton, of the General Thomas,
ordered his gig to be lowered. 1t brought
Capt. Naylor aboard. He was met at the
gangway by Cap. Morton. AS he met the
latter he said
well, Capt Morton, we have got some
hot work before us. Things are getting
pretty warm down at Decatur"
He followed Morton to the captain s
returned Before getting into his cutter
Capt. Naylor remarked
Captain, are you going down The
rebels have 26 pieces of artillery stationed
along the banks to prevent rs from going
to assist Gen. Granger"
Capt. Morton replied
We'll. am going to run the batteries
and 20 to the assistance of Gen. Granger,
If they have 100 pieces Of artillery"
I'm afraid they'll! blow US out of the
water" said Naylor.
1--WE might as we'll be blown out right
here as anywhere els" replied Morton,
land you can follow me or stay where You
are ~
"Wel, captain, if you go will follow
you, il 1t is to HI was MAYORS re
ply.
"All right get up steam and follow
me ~
Turning to the lieutenant that had come
in charge of the cutters crew, Captain
Morton said
How many pounds of steam nave you ?"
Thirty pounds, replied the lieutenant
"Well, you're ID nice set of OIL
Gers, lying here within range of the enc
my's guns with only 80 pounds of steam
Captain, you 20 aboard and get up steam,
and signal me when you are ready"
Capt MAYOR gave the command to shove
of, and 1t was but few moments after he
reached his own vessel when he signaled
orders were given to round TO and steam
down the river. soon everything was in
readiness and every one eager for the fray.
The bow guns 30 pound PARROTS, were in
command of Mr., Gulick, the broadsde
guns under Mr., Trulson, the after guns
under my charge, and the powder division
under Mr.. A. G. circuit.
We had proceeded but a short distance,
perhaps POO yards, when the first intima-
ton we had of the near presence of the
enemy was a shot from rebel sharp
shooter, the ball striking about two fl ct
above my head, the head being stuck out
of port hole to aid me in taking gene
raj survey of the situation. | needed no
second invitation to take my head in, but
retreated at once to safer quarters, and
gave the order to close the portfolios.
That shot was undoubtedly intended as
signal, for almost Immediately the fun
commenced, The bars of the river seemed
almost alive with the rebel sharpshooters,
the noise of the bullets striking against
the case mating sounding like heavy
rainfall on roof. When the sharpshoot-
ers opened on us orders came laundering
down the speaking tube to shift starboard
guns and open fire. About three miles
above Decatur there is bend in the river,
was only an occasional shot from the rebel
artillery, but rs soon as we reached the
| bend the rebel batteries opened out on us
/ in great style.
! Instead of hugging the north shore as
/ the rebels expected we would do, our
brave commander ordered the pilots, Mr.
johnson and Mr.. Collins, to hug the south
shore as closely as possible, directly under
their guns which proved our salvation