Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-03-16

DINA. In fact, Wilmington was the
most popular port Of departure
throughout the war. AS late as 1851,
even from that port it was hazardous
undertaking, but the necessity OF get
ting fixed ammunition for the English
guns used in the Confederate army, as
we'll as other commercial needs, there
were always vessels ready to run the
risk. These supplies were to be had
at Nassau, on the island OF New Provl-
dence, one OF the English Bahamas,
town that grew to great commercial
inheritance during the war.
The pressing demands and rigid
economics of war did not deprive the
ladies of the South OF desire to add
to their wardrobe the newer manutac-
tured articles and fabrics of other
countries, or of wish to keep abreast
OF the fashions OF the day. For this
reason there were not wanting ladies
who were eager to run the blockade in
order to supply themselves and their
friends with such things as were not to
be had otherwise. The necessity OF
having fast boats brought in new iron
ones of English make. in order to sue
cessfully run the line of Federal gun
boats which seemed omnipresent.
From two lady friends I have the
following narrative of their experiences
In the fall of 1864: Through the influ-
ence OF some prominent gentlemen,
perm ssion was given by Captain Davis,
of the new iron steamer Eugenia, for
them to come on board on the Sd OF
October, as the boat would leave that
night. Ladies were generally denied
passage, and only gained their point
through the intercession of some gov
eminent offcer-even then every ex-
cuse possible was made use of to dis
courage them. Promptly at B p. m.
the two ladies went on board. They
were met at the gangway by the Cap
tn y, who plainly told them that they
were running the risk Of losing their
lives or of being crippled, as he rarely
made trip but what the vessel re-
ceived from one to a dozen shots. 1t
was of no use; the project had been
considered too long 10y the ladies to be
daunted by anything short of the actual
shots themselves.
The steamer left the wharf at Will
mington, amid the cheers and good
wishes of friends, at time to bring
them opposite Fort Fisher about dark.
4 few moments tarry for last instruc-
tions, and the departing signal was
given from the fort, and the fast
steamer headed for the broad Atlantic.
Not light was allowed to attract the
notice Of the enemy, while the Cap
tain with his night-glass continually
swept the dark horizon for signs OF
gunboats. Hour after hour the boat
cont nued on without disturbance.
Gradually all had retired but the
watch The expectation of attack,
which had been entertained at first, had
died away, and we were comparatively
safe. To use the narrator's own words,
We slept with our ears open, mo-
mentarily expecting to hear the noise
of conflict, but none came" By break
of day we were out on deck to see for
ourselves. We were in the region OF
the Gulf stream, and the Captain,
whose gruff manners had softened
since we came on board, pointed out to
lis, through his glass, a dark speck in
our rear, which he said was a Yankee
gunboat, and coming after us. We
gradually lost sight Of the dark spot,
and we continued on unmolested and
without seeing another vessel.
Never mind" the Captain said, on
Or testing him in regard to the Yam
kee gunboats; I'VE will be sure to
have brush with them before we get
back, and would advise you both to
wear life-preservers all the time on our
return trip"
AS we anchored in the harbor at
Nassau, we were astonished ut the
apparent commercial Importance OF
the place. A quantity of shipping
filled the harbor, including large
number of English war vessels. The
trade OF the place was wholly depend
ent on blockade-running, and, Judging
from appearances, it must be pretty
successful. We found everything we
could desire in the way of goods, and
soon supplied our wants and had them
securely on shipboard. AS the harbol
was rarely without Federal gunboat
on the watch for "blockade-runners," il
was necessary to use every precaution
to leave the harbor unobserved, and at
night We spent several days, after
taking on our cargo, waiting good
opportunity to leave. We had also