Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-04-10
DURING SUMTER'S SIEGE.
An OLD SEAMAN'S PERSONAL
RECOLLECTIONS.
An Attack That EquaIied the Famous
Charge Of the Light brigade at
BalakIava-He Won
sword by n Joke.

IL witnessed the attack on TT. Sum-
ter by the monitors" writes an old en-
gineer Of the navy. 1T was n grand
sight. Cannon balls fell in the water
like rain and the very serenity of the
danger gave it Il fascination that robbed
IL OF all its tcrrors. You can watch a
shell from mortar all theway until il
strikes. | watched one during this
fight. 1t came from TT. McAllister and
struck us amidships. 1t was "a fine
sight, but | always got more enjoyment
out of those that struck other ships.
1t was here that an attack was made
that equalled. in its grandeur and aw-
ful results, the famous charge Of the
Light Brigade at Balaklava. II was
that planned by Dahlgren and executed
under his command. Everything was
arranged with the greatest possible
secrecy. Five hundred volunteers
were picked, and about midnight all
hands were ready for the attack. All
the movements having been agreed
upon beforehand, with muf1led oars we
rowed cautiously toward the silent fort
| was in one OF the boats, and | tell
you the suspense was awful as we came
nearer and nearer the shore. There
was such terrible uncertainty about
it all. We had taken every precaution
against discovery, but what if the de-
tenders OF the fort had been informed
OF the movement, The scheme was
TO land and rush into the fort and
fight hand to hand with the
defenders, and we had gotten just
under the guns and had begun to
feel comparatively safe as far rs they
were concerned, when there was the
most awful eruption OF fire and smoke
that mortal man ever beheld. II was
as though the very mouth OF hell had
opened upon us, and the slaughter was
simply APPALLING. 1t seems That they
had information OF the movement and
had watched us all the time. and with
the points OF their cannon depressed.
they drove into us such "A shower OF
shot and shell, grape and canister,
that almost half of our boys persisted
AT the first discharge. Then. to add TO
our confusion, from around the corner
OF the fort there steamed a gunboat
that came right into our midst and,
letting loose its water-line guns. swept
rs away like so much mist. Nothing
but the intense darkness saved the
party from utter annihilation but as
it was, about half of the brave fellows
who had entered into the attack so
heartily came out. Our boat was
almost against the shore when the
firing began, being too close to the
fort TO be in range, and in burst OF
enthusiasm our commander leaped
ashore. We never saw him after that.
| don't want to be in another skirmish
like that though.
LAS the result OF joke, | got
handsome sword for going into this
fight The engineers were not expected
SO go in, but when the order was
issued asking for volunteers, party
of us got young engineer down in'the
engine room, and telling him he had
been selected by lot to go, began Offer
ing him our sympathies and asking
him for any message he might wish
transmitted TO his friends and asking
what disposition should he made Of his
body after il was all over. We did not
anticipate any such awful results a. did
actually follow, and joking thus in
solemn tones and with long faces, we
so worked upon the fellow that he was
nearly scased TO death. He had come
to the navy for glory, but wanted to
live 10 carry back what he got. He
was very proud and, although it was
not requi.ed Of him, he had purchased
q magnificent boarding sword that was
the envy OF all the boys. In his ex-
tremity he offered to give his sword to
anyone who would go in his place. /
had already signed for the party and
offered myself rs martyr He was
ovcrpowered with JOY, gave me the
sword and probably never knew the
inside facts of the case for when he
knew the awful slaughter he felt lucky
TO escape as / did. AS usual when
thing comes easy it goes easy, and
loaned the sword TO friend TO carry in
a parade about ten years ago and he,
not knowing one sword from another,
got il mixed and brought me back an
old army sword.
We'll, the war is over. and the navy
did a marvellous work in blockading
the coast, and upon that largely did
the safety Of the. nation depend, for had
the south established commercial rela-
tons with foreign powers, itwould have
received recognition as nation, ana
the struggle for the union would have
been in vain"