The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-10-15

there made a count of the troops, estimating
that there were not more than 500 men.
July 20. reconnaissance up the Roanoke as
far as the steamer Sonthfeld. Below Plymouth
about three-quarters Of a mile, the Confeder-
ates had made palisade or barricade of piles
tsimilar 10 those above Plymouth across the
river, leaving an opening large enough for the
CottOnplant TO 90 through.
i landed a little below Steward Hill, aud
visited an old hut containing a negro and his
family, but took good care 10 make them think
j was a Confederate officer, and from them
/ learned that a Yankee boat had been seen
by them going up a couple Of hours previous
aud the soldiers bad gone up 20 give the alarm.
j made my visit short, aud perhaps we got out
of the river little quicker than usual.
The Tacony received orders to proceed to
Washington, ID. C., and take on board ll-inch
guns in place Of her 9 inch. While there
got leave Of absence for 20 days. i Joined my
vessel again about Sept 10, in Albemarle
Sound.
on the 18th was up with the ram, and took
IN the situation, that had not changed since
my last visit johnson, Howard, Scott Nc
kcnzie, and Parker were with me. and. u
being Sunday, we stayed most Of the day
opposite the ram.
At 2:3O p. m the Cotton Plant came down
with party Of ladies and gentlemen on board.
After She had gone alongside the ram
A LIVELY TIME TOOK PLACE.
] believe a presentation Of a new flag and pen
nant took place, for they were h0sted amid
loud cheering on land aud on board the ram.
Later that pennant ] presented 20 William Il.
Gushing, and presume il is pleasing memento
in his family 10 this day.
About sundown dress parade took place and
do not think 1000 men were in line. We
returned 30 our ship al night.
sept &c, while lying or the Roanoke 4 new
arrival in the shape Of tug made its appear
ance. Commodore WIN. Mscomb sent for me.
Your Captain has informed me that YOU
want tug" he said. There is the Martin;
take charge OF her, and do as you please with
her"
thanked him. but respectfully declined 70
do anything with her in regard 10 blowing up
Of ihe iam. Being high pressure boat. did
not ifcl Inclined 10 70 up. notifying the ram
within four or five miles that | WIS coming.
seinuing 10 my vessel, Capt. TuXiun gave
me one look, aud ! knew that he felt nearly
as bad as over someone's blunder in sending
high-prcSsure tag: but 10 receive orders was
10 obey, aud ] slowed myself away in the tug
perfectly disguised.
Sept. - I steamed. in company with the
United States steamers Otsego aud Valley City.
up he Scuppenoug River; the 0tSego remained
AT the mouth, while the Valley City proceeded
up some 10 miles where she grounded OH a bar.
To tighten her forward,
ALL HER GUNS WE'RE RUN AFT,
aud her cable hauled up and coilod aft. The
water blew out Of her boilers, and my tug was
tuFging away 20 get her ahoat
At this critical point the Confederates opened
fire with a l'aiierv of flying artillery and mns.
kerry and being within 800 yards thugs were
rather lively Tor a while. The shots mostly
passed over ~. hut the small balls. like mus
ketus. were flying around the men Acting
Master J. A. j. Brooks commanding the Valley
City did not let the rcbs have their own way
long
Letting part of his crew return the fire. an
other part was clearing away the cable and
bringing the guns i'm position, and soon opened
with snch hail Of grape and canister that the
enemy had 60 retire.
During this time the tug was tUgging away,
receiving her share Of attention. but not having
a musket on board with which 10 return FIRE
she only pudrd louder aud longer, until finally
the Valley City was aloat.
The following IS the report Of Acting Master
Brooks:
u. s. STFAsER VALLEY Cry.
ALBFMAHLE -oUND. y. a.. Sepl. b. 1864
fir: ia obedience t. orders OF tlr -Jh list. 1
proceeded iu the mouth - iiie ~cuppcrnyng River
with this ves- tr tug Marlin ANA a ti-t.lc ltn..nt
OF men in ciurga - Acting Eu-i.u Gall agn,r II
the oisego ~ q. ui. got aground thr bar.
he eu"my soon got Information, bud Whsle
lhc tux. lhC rchri- came down Wliu q battery ~
Held pieces, aud. taklag rB-iiiUn IVA the woods.
opcHeH fire with artillery Hnd mu-zctry. Could not
get guu "a bear pr some tlufr and Ihcy improved
the oI'p Yrinui. = by lriuE rapidly as possIbe.
-iI'- bar-ilHg uli around several pieces striking
llr rferel Que s!ln. iH-Hcd iirugg 90 liIc buwaTz-
but most ~ them uver iis.
Nilti thr ass stance 81 thr iug ! lunlly arrl
10 bring ihr Sup ipurl iHr" q eU-itipu 90 bear.
VITA titr sut- irHirfrri sfarp 1f aud gave them a-
good H- il'cF ~rut They -uOu -tfiicd tirir f+-i-
ti1h, hni by watching rlu-els, coH "a perceive ihrr
next. and -""u s'isucad them. aud they liiubcred
up aud drove of,t ~ -fgII.
TIE buiwnrk- being plated with iron. u stopped
the uIu-k baii- Hug clu-c1 ~ ttc shells 70
stanr". Several nu-let- balls Passed through the
light wood work II titr wardr0Uu and calIn but
uiu glad 10 s'nc that un one hurt, with the ex-
C'pi uH '-l ruH or two -If ght scratches.
hr~d .. - FOUNDER a--rc0ud shell; p Hutch-
hi-s Itrrcu--inn -hall from i2-pouf,lar hnWHZ-r.
is'r" 10 mention AcliuE Ensign r. -ufnIner=.
commanding the iuE MHriu. ioI his assistance;
hl-o. Ar Gallagher, 80 tun Dtslgu. and Nr. Web
h-cr, my Ehccuiiyr D8ieer. and the officers aud
creE "n buHTi Tor their spri i5-iitvfpr, etc.
A .. ru. gni Hdaat ard anchored for tie night
Very Respectfully s.. y8nr nl5siiruL rerraut.
JoHs s. j. BEgpK-
AUiiHE MH-irF. Commanding
10 bs fBafiHHef.l