The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-08-08
FIRST NAVAL EXPEDITION.
Bombardmcnt and Capture OF Forts Hstteras and
Clark.

course everybody was ignorant of what those
orders were, with the exception, perhaps, of
our commander. The boys were given to un-
derstand, however, that the vicinity of Cape
Hatteras was our destination. Not very ell
cOuraging news to an old salt whose ambition
is rather TO keep away from that dreaded cape
| of storms and squalls rocks and wrecks but
orders are orders aboard of q man-of-war, and
must be obeyed at any COST and so we soon
found ourselves in the vicinity, cruising off
aud on, or we might term il latitude sailing.
Prize money loomed up largely in our eyes,
and sharp lookout was kept from aoft. Our
short cruise was n very pleasant one, however.
Old Hatteras did not even give us reefng
breeze. In fact, the old cape seemed to smile
on US in the way of pleasant weather
One afternoon storm seemed to be brewing.
Heavy, dark storm clouds came gathering on
the eastern horizon. All signs pointed to a
heavy squat. Light sails were taken in and
everything was snug down, ready to receive 1t.
The night grew inky dark All occasional fash
of lightning lit up the scene with - lurid glare.
What little wind there was came from the
southwest; tho sea was as smooth as mill
pond. Between and 10 o'clock at night we
could hear the distant rumbling of q steamers
paddle wheels The ships lights were up in
their places, and every lookout was at his post.
The pounding of those paddles became more
distinct every moment aud coming toward us,
so that finally all hands came TO the conclusion
that she was making right for US. We were
getting very uneasy. Would she run us down
Surely, she could see our lights. The officer of
the deck sent the messenger boy for Capt.
Marston. That worthy old man, his hair as
white as the driven snow his age somewhere
between rs and 80, was all excitement. lie
seemed 10 lose his head, for instead OF letting
her come as near as possible within hailing
distance, and finding out who and what she
was, he ordered up the Cumberlands private
signal lights. The effect was like magic for
the steamer turned tail TO and went dead to
windward rs fast as her paddles could carry
her. it was the opinion CT officers and crew
that this steamer was nothing more nor less
than the rebel privateer Sumter, commanded
by Capt. Semmes, an ex-United States naval
officer, who of course had all the signal codes
of the old navy with him, no doubt But what
was he doing off HatterasP will tell you.
Hatteras Inlet was her rendezvous Of storage.
Ample proof of this came to hapd after the
capture of Fort Hatteras, which was full of
contraband goods of all kinds. These goods
were shipped up through Albemarle Sound
to the rebel army before Richmond. This inlet
seemed TO be a mighty handy place, and the
rebels had made good use Of it.
few nights after this episode, about IL
o'clock, the lookout reported a sail off the star
board bow. We made for her, and fired shot
across her bows. signal TO heaye TO. She paid
no attention TO US, but kept right on her course.
We then gave her solid shot, which landed
close under the port quarters This had tho
| desired effect. She proved TO be n schooner,
and the way her sails came down by the run
was caution. The second cutter was pped
away with an armed crew, commanded by the
Masters Mate. We fowed alongside the
schooner. The minute the boat touched her
side We jumped aboard with cutlasses and re-
| volvers, but We couldn't see anyone TO fight
not soal being on deck. The Captain and
| two of his crew were found crouched down be.
| hind the after cabin, seemingly paralyzed with
| fright. The rest of the crew--who by the way,
were ali darkies-were down forward in the
forecastlc. Papers were examiaed, and then
| we pulled back to our ship 20 report. Another
officer Lieut.. Thomas o. Selfrdge) was sent
back TO further overhaul her. This officer ro-
| ported back not very satisfactorily; things did
not look right aboard 10 suit him. She was
| loaded with fruit-bananas, oranges, etc. Well
/ we bad our Gil Of them, for there were plenty
on deck. She hailed from Matanzas, bound
| for Nassau. notwithstanding the remonstrance
| from Lieut. Selfridge, Capt. Marston released
her, and she went on her way rejoicing. proud
no doubt, of how abe had fooled one Of Uncle
Sans frigatea.
Early next morning large man of. var
| hove Ia sight 10 the westward. aud very soon
| another one, and within an hour or two quite
fleet appeared on the horizon What
/ W.
was soon whispered about, however, that wo
would have work enough before night on our
banda The decks were cleared for action; shot
and shell were hoisted up from below. Gunner
/ Mac was busy with his shell and fuse; the
Surgeons were locking after their lint aud
| surgical instruments for carving purposes The
| feet was now almost close aboard, and look ed
quite formidable. IL consisted Of the Flagship
| Minnesota, Admiral stringham commanding:
WAbashi Monticello, Harriet Lane, Fanny and
| Cumberland. The transports Adelaide aud
| George Peabody were loaded with troops.
which were commanded by Gen. g. I. Butler.
a signal came from the flagship for the Cum
berland 10 have hawser ready for the Wa
bash, TO be taken in tow by that ship, as We were
the only sailing ship in the feet.
The ships were ranged In line within about
| thousand yards Of Fort Clark. with the trans.
| ports in the background. A vigorous bonn
bardmeDt commenced, which lasted late into
the afternoon. Tho rebels replied with spirit,
| but their shots could not reach u.s. all falling
short, 80 the 1gbt was rather one sided. In
| this engagement the feet never lost a man. and
doubt if single shot struck q ship. Gen.
Butler landed some Of his troops in the surf.
boats. and the boys made charge for the works
| with fixed bayonets, and drove out what rebels
were left who bad not already taken refuge In
| Fort Hatteras; bnt our work was done as far IA
| Fort Clark was concerned.
| AdniraI stPinEham EignaIed to steam
ahead for Fort HatteFas, situated on the ex.
IRENE end Of Cape Hatteras, commanding the
Inlet, which was quite formidable fort, com.
| manded by an old ex naval officer Commodore
| Barron. The old Commodore made "A stout
| resistance, and did some damage to the shIps
| rigging, and few of the boys were wounded.
| IL / remember, but no lives were lost Our o
and lI-ineh DahlgreBs were too much for the
old Commodore. Night coming on aud storm
brewing too close acquaintance with the old
| cape was not desirable. The Cumberland
being a sailing frigate, received orders 10
| bAnl off and stand out to sea for the night.
About o'clock next morning we stood In again n.
A thick fog had sprung up during tho night
| with quite breeze from the eastward but at
sunrise IL began to lift and ut o'clock IL
cleared off, the wind shifting to tho westward ;
| the booming OF heavy cannon was heard In tho
distance; the work of destruction had recon.
menccd by our feet We made all sail To have
hand In the fracas, sailing inside OF the whole
fleet a little ahead and out Of range of the guns
| OF the fleet, where we anchored, triced up our
| sails and went 70 our guns. An addition had
been made during the night or morning to our
| feet by the arrival Of the frigate who Law
right ahead Of the Cumberland
The b0mbardment lasted until nearly noon.
aud the guns of the fort were nearly all dis
mounted by the heavy guns Of the fleet. The
| white nag OF surrender was hoisted TO the
breeze from the fort; signals 10 cease firing
were hoisted on the flagship, while prepare.
lions were made TO receive the surrender The
Harriet Lane, light.draft gunboat, started "a
go through the inlet To capture some of tho
| rebel musIseto fleet who were carryino "a