The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-03-15
The Naval Expeditioi Up the NansemOnd.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In April,
1868 it was decided to send naval expedition
up the Nansemond River, in Virginia, to oper-
ate against Longstreets troops, who occupied
the river bank opposite the town of Suffolk.
Accordingly three gunboats (river steamers),
the Mt Washington and Commodore Barney,
commanded by Lieut.. Cushing (of ram Abe
marie famel, and the Stepping-St0nes all under
the command of Lieut.. Lamson, of the frigate
Minnesota were assigned to this duty. The ex-
petition left Hampton Roads in the morning,
and steamed up the Nansemond River toward
Suffolk. The river being narrow and crooked,
the passage of the vessels was necessarily slow.
Suffolk was reached without meeting with any
opposition, and the Mt. Washington came to
anchor. After communicating with our troops in
that vicinity, under command of Gems. Peck
and Getty, she got under way again and pro-
ceeded down the river in company with
transport returning from Suffolk. On the way
down the bank of the river and woods adjoin-
ing were thoroughly shelled to locate any rebel
forces which might be concealed there and see
ing nothing hostile she came to anchor for the
night.
In the morning they again got under way
and steamed slowly up the river, and had gone
but short distance when the rebel artillery
opened upon them from the opposite bank.
The first shot fired struck the Mt. Washington
in the steam-drum of the boiler, allowing all
the steam to escape, thereby completely dis.
abling the vessel. This shot also struck one of
the men, Ia maintop man of the Minnesota
named SYLVIA cutting MIN in two and knock
ing him overheard The fire was returned
with every gun which could be brought to bear
upon the enemy. In the meantime, as the en-
CINE was useless, the Stepping Stones made fast
| to the Mt. Washington and towed her down
the river. After having gone some distance a
| white flag was seen waving from the bank. An
| armed boat was sent ashore and returned with
! two negroes, who informed us that no rebels
| had been seen in that vicinity. The vessel
was accordingly anchored, as she drew too
much water to get over the bar at that stage of
| the tide In few minutes the rebel artillery
| appeared upon the bluff just astern of US and
| opened fire upon the vessel, which, being at
| anchor and the machinery disabled, was in a
| critical position. The fire was Immediately
| returned, but the rebels by this time having
! the exact range nearly every shot struck her.
During the action the engine was knocked all
to pieces, the flagstaff was twice shot away,
boxes of ammunition on the upper deck were
| blown up, and hole knocked in the stern, the
shot entering the magazine and passing di.
| rectly over the powder-tank. The pilot house
smokestack and upper works of the vessel were
riddled with bullets by the fire of the rebe
troops. The vessel lay exposed to this fire Of
both artillery and infantry for six hours, and
it seemed miracle that she was not completely
destroyed. During TINS time The Commodore
Barney, under Cushing, with the other gunboat
was firing as rapidly as possible; the former yes
sci blowing off the muzzle of her 100-pound rife
early in the action, but continued to use the
gun throughout the fight. Toward evening
there being sufficient water on the bar, a line
was run to the Mt. Washington while yet un
der fire of the batteries, and she was toweC
away from her dangerous position. Lieut.
Lamson of the Minnesota, on board the Mt
Washington, proved himself to be as cool anG
brave man as we had in our navy, showing
no fear whatever under the most trying cir
cumstanees. Admiral Porter mentions this &C
ton as one of the most gallant affairs of TIT
war.-DAEIEL B. LINCOLN, U. S. S. Minnesota
Boston Mass