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

were separated, and the last-named vessel
went below and opened a cross fire on the
enemy there, who were charging upon Fort
Williams. After three attempts 90 storm
the fort, the Conlederates ceased firing and
Withdrew from range OF our guns about 10
d. m About y. m. on the l9th the White
head, a small gunboat on guard duty about
Plymouth reported a ram coming down the
river The Southfield was ordered below,
and both vessels were lashed together hastily,
and steamed ahead 10 receive the ram nc
cOrdiug 20 Flusser's plans, between the
boats. They would have succeeded had not
the forward lashngs, made in hurry and
during excitement IN the night given way.
"The Abemarles PROV penetrated the
S0Hihheld's bow, and she began sinking.
C. w Flusser jumped forward 10 the pivot
gun. loaded with shell, pointed, and fired
at the ram. The shell exploded against her
iron side. a piece receied and struck the
brave Young commander, killing him in
stantlg. Several men were wounded by
pieces Of the same shell. The current swung
the bow of the Miami down stream, the
hawser that held her stern 10 the Soulhfeld
was cut. and She came down the river under
full head Of steam. The army, having lost
the co-operatian Of the navy, and cut of
April %. 1861
Nav Cant. Meancthon Smith, who was
ordered 20 take command Of the fleet in the
sounds Of North Carolina. hoisted his flag on
board the steamer Mattabassett May s. the
AlbCmaTle came out and
ENGAGED THE WOODEN VESSELS, -
N Ia number After nearly five hours en-
gagrmcnt the AlbemRrle received several
broadsiics FROM different vessels without ap-
parcutiy iucurring any injury.
The commanders OF the double-enders had
received orders, If an opportunity was offered,
20 ram ho Aihemarle hut her commander by
poo4 mauuveriug was always ready, aud
presented his bow 10 the different vessels that
made attempts
Fiuav the donhe-eDder Sassacus crept up
60 hcr. and when rithiu 300 yards her CONF
mgudcr .fHhH L. Davis, saw his opportunity,
and with iul steam made for tho ram, striking
her on the port quarter causing her 20 henve
over % stHrhnard The ram opened her port
hole aud fred q 100 pound solid shot into the
Sassarus which penetrated her fore and afE,
passing through one Of her boilers num-
Der Of her men were scaided ana the vessel
filed with steam. Another solid shot from the
ram put her in = sinking condition, aud she
steamed away from the ram, who now quietly
turned aronnd aud steamed toward Roanoke
River aud entered the same.
The hbemare having escaped, and il hav-
ing been proved that she was formidable
craft her commander daring aBd brave, she
became a serious object for the wooden vessels.
The 1Ac0ny arriving a few hours too late 10
take any active part was ordered mp 10 the
mouth % the Roanoke, there 20 act guard
ship: the fleet proceeding, with the exception
of two Of the smaller steamers, TO EdentOn, and
there came 20 anchor.
Our commander, William T. Truxtun. felt
his responsible position and took not alone all
a. ~. 4. a..
whole fleets safety
DEPENDED Upon Ills VIGILANCE,
was constantly on the alert. At sundown he
placed lbs vessel close up TO the mouth Of the
river, aud there kept her under steam with
crew nj quarters One OF her h0ats in charge
OF an officer was also sent up inside the river
about one mile TO signal the approach Of the
ram.
About May S, at a. NJ, signal was made
from tic cutter that the ram WIS coming down
The signal being repeated from the IaCOny to
the Sect and all the vessels got under way
from Edeuton, when IL was found that the
Alhcmarle had returned without coming out Of
fhe river.
May T. Capt. TruKtun being desirons to OBJ
tain information In regard 20 the rams cOndi-
nGn, called Tor a volunteer crew 10 make
reconnaissance j presented myself and was
ordered 90 pick out my own men among large
number that were eager % 20. j picked out
i've oi the hoys and prepared the second cutter
with provision for two days aud left the ship
at 20 b. M.
With muiHad oars, and prepared for any
coming events, we cutcTcd the Roanoke River
keeping well % the left bank. About three
miles up The river we euterUd the Middle
River through a small stream that connects
these two rivers at thut point At the extreme
end ol the island ON the left a rebel picket
station Was discovered, the J0hnnies piainly
seen, lul we gIided by unpcrceiyed. About
two miles from this place j landed. Hauling
my boat into tie swami. conccaiug her by Gov
eTiHg hcr np with reeds and hrers picked out
one man, an ordinary seaman, William Green,
nnd gave instructions 90 the remaining four
o. remain quietly ~ the boat and left orders
thai ID We did not return after "a hours they
could return during the night 20 the ship. Al
shout : %. m. We began our trip Our progress
was slow through the reeds and brisrs. We
sDnufnund thar We were not alone iu the sWHmp
shortly several shots were fired, aud hy the
crack ing Of the dry reeds aud undcrhrush we
knew that other parties were proWling about
We took the hint and
PROCEEDED MORE CAUTIOUSLY.
The island opposite Plymouth. on which we
had landed, is about FIVE miles long and two
and a half miles wide at its broadest: but il
was near noon before we found ourselves oppo-
Eite the town in a safe place for observation.
within 25l feet Oi the ram, without being
seen.
Tie AlbcmaTle was lying between the wharf
and hrT e0HsOTt, the Cotton Plant, while half
q mile below smaller steamer lay at anchor
large glHg of men were working aboard
The ram. aud hcr pumps were going al the
time 4 Hy by her. After FIVE hours ] returned
and about p. m. arrived at the same spot
where Dc bad cf, our boat concealed But 40
boat could be found. So long as daylight
lasted We searched Tor her up and down the
bank 81 the river, thinking that perhaps the
crew, having heard tho shots fred shortly after
our departure, might have changed far what
they considered "a safer place: bus night set in
aud we made ourselves ready 10 spend the u iplt
iH the swamp. Gathering reeds aud heapiug
Them together we made ourselves ag comforta-
ble as we could but we had no rest The mos.
qnlios and other VeZati0us iutrudcrs found
tbeT way thrauRh the brush we had covered
M with. aud they had the best of the fght.
which la-fed until daylight appeared. Then.
with swollen faces and limbs we made our way
70 the baaE Of the river aud bad a refreshing
bath
wanted % construct a raft 10 make our es-
care bpi i was impossible % obtain material
where wr were. 50 y search c0Bmpnred M aud
down the stream Following the Middle River
going No. we came 10 the upper end OF the
island. where the two rivers low together Al
thh point tie GOUicdcrafes had a palisade og
piles dTlEou down aud across the river 10 OH
Etruc' lhe rivers channel so that our vessels
could not enter the Roanoke from the Middle
River and = afFBuu rirlftF p-ar gtrtfyr..a ~.