The National tribune., 1891-10-22

Gushing stood aft and held the lines Of his
rather c0mical bell-ropes, which consisted Of
two lines made fast 10 the engineers arms for
starting, stopping and backing the engine.
Mate Howard stood by him; forward, H. J.
HouChton (soamRn) and myself; one Of the
men stood by the trippinc-lines Of the torpedo.
TO see they were not interfered with. The
rest Of the boys, nine in number, lay low in
the boat. The whole party consisted OF 10
men.
Lieut.. Cushing had made up his mind 10 20
straight up the Roanoke River. When about
abreast OF the Thoroughfare he came forward
as we passed the first pick@t station, but fouDd
no sign OF picket; i'm fact did not see any until
about two miles from Plymouth near Steward
Hill, but they did not discover as.
We were about up 10 tho palisades or barri-
cade OF spics across the river below Plymouth,
and near by the place where the South6eld lay,
having been sunk by the ram in April, her
deck being above water, and on board OF her
the Confcderates had picket Of six men.
conversation took place in regard 20 which
side we should pass. j stated 20 Cushing that
with one OF the steamers cutters had passed
on the right side, bat knew the steam lanch
could not, she drawing too much water. told
him we could pass on the opening on the left
hand, but he aud the pilot differed with me.
The engine, which had been stopped was
started again. and little farther up she was
headed for the right. The result was a few
moments later
WE WERE HARD AND FAST ON SHORE.
The engine was reversed her two oars used as
poles 20 push her Of bat without avail. Re
marking that rs mems shoulders would do
more good outside the boat than our weight i'm
her, ] made jump and was followed by seven
or eight men. IL took some time 10 start the
mud from her but finally she got or In doing
so one ot the oars stuck in the mud) struck
the little smokeStack, aud IL came tumbling
down, bat before il reached the deck Cnshiug
grasped il in his hands; il was quite hot, and
ho burned has hands badly, still he held IL
until assistance came, and IL was replaced with
out having caused any noise as il would have
done II falling on deck.
lt now nearly dawn Of day and too late
70 make the attempt, so the lanch was headed
down tho river, and at 6:30 a. m. we were
alongside the flagship.
My seven days and nights in the swamps and
rivers had about used me up ] was compelled
TO put myself under the doctors care, much
against my wishes.
1t has been generally understood, aud so re-
ported, that this was only reconnaissance, but
il was not 50. 1t was bona fde attempt, but
proved failure. On the same night Oct. 90
Cushing started again. Assistant Paymaster
L. III. Swan took my place in the lanch, and
this time, keeping on the left side Of the
steamer Soujhfeld, proceeded up and blew up
the Albemarie.
The following evening, about III o'clock,
Cushing having made his way in the swamp 10
the mouth Of the river, found there a canoe
aud padded himself on board the flagship.
Soon cheer upon cheer was given for the young
hero 10y all the vessels az the station, and he
was crowned with honor and glory rightly due
has noble act.
Commander VIM. Macomb now planned for
an attack on Plymouth. Nov. was sent up
accommodating the route i had proposed 20
take, with the low-pressure tug had applied
for TO make an attempt on the ram, and Nov.
the feet proceeded that way
AND CAPTURED PLYMOUTH,
after first having bombardod the forts and town
by estimation over the island.
Shortly after the capture Of Plymouth the
Jacony was ordered 10 Hampton Roads.
While lying there / had a visit from Lieut..
VIM. B. Cushing. he had heard ] had taken
some relics from the AlbemRrle, and would like
me 70 give him piece of her black walnut
steering wheel, which j had. This ] gladly
did, OF course
After showing him some smaller articles from
the rams cabin, including her Commanders
sDuf-b0X, pulled out the rams pennant, aud
under the impulse Of the moment said: Take
IL, and keep it; you more entitled 20 il than
Cushing prasped both my hands saying:
"Sommers, my tull report has not been given
IN 10 the Department; when il is, your part
! shall not be forgotten"
| Nov. is ! received the following order:
/ NORTH ATLANTIC sQUADEoS, u. s. FLAGSHIP NAL
HTRE.
/ SIR: You will repou 10 me at this place without
1 delay.
Very respectfully DAVID ID. POTTER
Acting En-ln r. SoMaiI1Rs
reported some days after on board the flag
ship Met FIRST the Fleet Captain, A. X. Breeze
Il ftflF IN, 81
lie greeted me with pleasant smile, and after
4 talking over some old times on the Mississippi
/ said he was pleased 20 hear me well spoken of
/ by my commanding officer for gallant service
! lie also said: Go IN aud see the Admiral: ne
will promote you, putting bar in your shoul-
der-straps."
had met the Admiral several times, bnt had
4 only had Two special interviews with him; the
first one, in his berth In the middle OF the
night on hoard the steamer Harriet Lane at
| Ship Island where ] reported with a small
prize captured by the Dan Smith, one Of the
mortar schooneTs the second time when turn
ing over 70 the flagship three Confederate sol
dlers captured by me alter the second attack by
the Confederates on the mortar schooners below
/ NicksburR.
The Admiral received me kindly, spoke very
pleasantly, and then gave me orders TO 90 be-
fore au Examining Board az Norfolk. few
days later ! was promoted TO Master in the
Navy.
A large number Of the vessels In Hampton
Roads got orders 20 proceed 10 Beaufort, " g.
aud about Dec. Is proceeded TO the coast around
Cape Fear River, where preparations were
being made for an attack on Fort Fisher. in
combination with the army under command Of
Gen. B. r. Butler.
The powder boat Louisiana OF which so much
was expected by the General in making the
attack easy FOR the army, broke her mo0rings
on the evening Of the 22d aud drifted 10 sea.
il had been blowing fresh gales from the south
west, aud heavy sea prevailed. The Tacony
WAS sgnaled by the flagship 20 get up anchors
and proceed in search Of her. About 330 A. m.
we got her ia sight; she was lying rolling
heavily in the sea, being nothing but hulk,
the waves washing over her. She was hailed
but 10 answer returned.
VOLUNTEER BoAT's CREW
was called for. and ] was ordered 10 take charge
of the boat, proceed alongside and get a line on
board for a hawscr Our second cutter was
swamped in tue attempt 10 lower her. The
Grst cutter was Jet 20 from the dayits with
crew on board, and clearing our own vessel, We
pulled FOR the Louisiana She was rolling -
heavily that we could not board her She was
painted lead color outbOards and inboards. deck
and all This was done 30 she could NOT be lis
/ tiuRuished easily from TIE water; and the uni
forms ol ihe men were also similar 80 that in
case Of her hong boarded by night they would
stand a better chance ior their lives.
We found one Of her b0at-tackles hanging
loose from tho after dayits, and I managed Z,
climb on board by the same. ] found Com