The National tribune., 1889-08-22
THE FORcAsTLE.
Tara. Spun By the Old Barnael..RaeEa.

Benjamin. S. Reed, q. s. 8. Cumberland, Booth
Bay, Ne, says that on March Q. 1852, the frig-
ate Cumberland was lying at anchor near New
port News, blockading the James Biver. The
crew had been talking about the rebel ram
MerrImae; had determined that IL she came
they would fight until the enemy was destroy
ed or their ship sank as the latter was prefer
able 10 incarceration in a rebel prison. About
10 o'clock on the morning mentioned the Mer-
rimac appeared and when within three miles
OF the Cumberland the latter vessel opened fire
nc her with their forward pivot gun. 10ineh
Dahlgren, and shortly afterward brought her
broadside to bear upon her. The Merrimac
did not reply until within quarter of mile
Of the Union frigate, when she fred three shots,
which killed 90 men. The rebel Captain, as
the vessel drew near, put his head out of the
roof and called for the frigate to surrender,
whereupon marine named Gates shot the
rebel through the neck. The MerTimac then
backed off about two miles, and started for the
frigate with the intention of ramming her.
The Union tars fired broadside after broadside
At the advancing enemy, but did not check her
onward rush. She struck the Cumberland on
the starbOard bow, piercing her sides and let
ting the water How in. A desperate fight EN-.
sued ct short range, and after more than so
Union sailors out of so had fallen, seeing it
was impossible to keep the frigate ahoat, Lieut..
Morris called to the men to save themselves,
whereupon they began to jump overheard and
swim TO the boats they had lowered. One Of
the crew cut the dag from the mast where it
was nailed and carried il safe TO shore.
Whitman Chase. Segregsnset, Mass, says that
while on board the Isaac Smith, which was
blockading Stone Inlet during the war, the
Captain allowed party 70 go on shore to hunt.
Among them was q man named Russell, who
deserted after they had reached the shore, and
going to the rebel authorities gave them infor-
nation which led TO the capture Of the Union
vessel, after an engagement in which nine
blue jackets were killed aud % wounded. The
rest were confined in Jail for many months.
The writer wants to hear from all his comrades
on the Isaac Smith.
William b. Wilkinson, O. s. 8. Ouaehita,
Golden. ILL.,, says that while his vessel was ly-
ing AZ Mound City, H.. in 1864, for repairs, q
young Dutchman named Caspar Swickey en-
listed. He donned one of the blue shirts with
out washing out the superauous dye, and in a
few days his face and neck were n beautiful
blue. One afternoon he made his appearance
on the forecastle. when the ships liar approach
ed him aud asked how long he had enlisted
for. lie replied. Three years" He was then
asked If he had received any bounty. Upon
responding in the negative. he WAS told that If
he had enlisted for one year he would have
been given $500 bounty, and he was advised to
go TO the Paymaster and have his term of enlist
ment changed to one year. Caspar found the
Paymaster, who kept the joke up by informing
the greenhorn that he would have to see the
Captain in regard TO the matter. Caspar stated
his case to the Captain. who. to his surprise,
called the ships Corporal and told him TO take
the Dutehman and scrub him with hickory
broom, which was accordingly done.
l. l.. Blaisdell, U. S. s. Mohiean and POca-
hontas Santa Cruz, Cal. urges his old sailor
comrades to show themselves Oftener through
these columns.
Thomas Cox, u. 8. s. Yantic and Don. Will
loughby, o. says that he enlisted on the Yantic
July o, 1864. aud on the first trip of that vessel
was dreadfully seasick. After contributing his
breakfast and dinner to the ocean he crawled
into his hammock, and had hardly done so when
he was called aft, Tin id short order"
without waiting to get his hat, coat or shoes,
he obeyed and found the Executive officer
waiting for him, who wanted to know where
he had been. His excuse that he was seaSick
was not sufficient, and he was ordered to the
masthead, and told to stay there until eight
bella, which, as eight bells had just struck, was
pretty hard. Before he got half way to the
top .he officer of the deck told him to come
down, and he was allowed to rest until mid
night when he again went on duty.
j. Murray, East Gulf Squadron, Corunna
Mich, was very much pleased with Comrade
SimmOns's account of Farraguts fleet passing
the forts below New Orleans and the capture Of
that city.
VIM. Simmons, 1882 Wharton street, Phila-
delphia, Pa, wants the address of some shipmate
of the gunboat Scioto. in 1862, who knew Joseph
Howarth fireman, who was hurt In the
engne-room while that vessel was on the Mis-
sissippi River below Vicksburg.
AW Henson. 1913 South Fifth street, Quincy,
Ill.,, enlisted In the navy at Cincinnati, o.. in
August, 1868. He was placed on board the u.
s. receiving ship Grampus and detailed "a
ships cook. After remaining on this vessel
awhile he was transferred to the gunbOat Fairy,
where ke filed similar position until his dis
charge at Cairo Aug. 3, 1864 Should this DO
seen by any Of his ex.shipmates he will be-
grateful II they will make afidayits of the
facts and forward them to him.