Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-21
Beanfort and Raleiah. and At tines Of the

Beaufort and Raleigh. and ct times OF the
Merrimac AZ she slowly executed the
movement of turning, and seeing the fatc
of the Cumberland. slipped her cable.
loosed her foretop-sail. ran up her lib, and,
with the assistance OF the tug-boat Zouaye.
shoal water. but in dong 10 grounded,
head inshore, in which position she could
bring only her stern guns into action. Inc
Merfimac having by this time headed
round, and being IN position, took station
about 400 yards astern of the Congress,
aud with the Beaufort. Raleigh, ana
James-River feet, concentrated most ue-
structiye fire upon her. Having already
suffered much loss and damage from our
shot aud shell with no possible hope OF
succor, her commander lieutenant Joseph
Is Smith having been killed, and each mo-
ment adding TO the already large number
of killed and wounded. Lieutenant Pen
dergrast. most wisely. at about Z. NJ ran
up white flag at tho fore and main mast
IN token OF surrender.
Upon seeing this. the Beaufort beng
then close IN action lowered boat ana
cent Midshpman Charles X. MALLORY ana
Iyey Foreman (acting voluuteer) with
crew to take possession OF the prize anu
bring her commander aboard the Beaufort.
At this moment the MerrImac signalled the
Beaufort to come within hail. We dld 30,
and we're then instructed 10y Commodore
Buchanan to board the Congress. take the
officers and wounded prisoners, permit the
Others to escape TO the shore, ana tbeh
burn the ship. A we got under the port
broadside of the Congress (our little craft
looking like a cockle-shell by contrastl we
noted that the Stars and Stripes (subse.
Quently hauled down and thrown aboard
the Beaufort by MidshIpmsn Foreman
wei. still flying from her peaks, and we had
some doubt whether her white flags meant
truce or a surrender.
Making fast to the port side of the Con-
gress. Captain Parker sent word to the
commanding officer to come on board the
Beaufort, and at the same time directed
some of his crew to board the vessel ana
assist III removing the wounded.
TERRIBLE CARNAGE.
Your correspondent gained the decks OF
the Congress, and has to this day VIVID
remembrance of the scene. He has had
no opportunity of comparing battlefield
with an action on the water, but II the
carnage Of the former DO greater be has no
desire 10 witness II. Confusion, death,
and pitiable suffering reigned supreme,
and the horrors of war quenched the pas
sion and enmity of months.
Lieutenant Pendergrast, IN command OF
the Congress, aud Captain William smith,
acting as volunteer. had gone aboard the
Beaufort aud surrendered their swords to
Captain Parker and were instructed to re-
turn to the ship and transfer their
wounded with dispatch to our vessel. Al
the same time the Raleigh Captain Alex
ander) came alongside the Beaufort and
reported for duty and was directed to
board the Congress on the other side ana
assist III removing the wounded. lhose
OF us who were aboard the Congress were
fI. lfa.nfl fnE IN
the blowing of her whistle.
TREAcHERY AND DIsHoNoR.
We quickly descended the sides OF the
ship and landed on the decks of the Beau
fort. to find that the enemy on shore. dis
regarding our errand of mercy and the
white flags on the Congress, had opened
fire upon Us with infantry and artillery.
We were within two hundred yards OF the
shore. so near that could plainly
see the faces of the men. The hre
was most destructive. the first dis,
charge killing MidshIpman Hutter aud
mortally wounding Lieutenant Tayloe.
acting as volunteers on the haieish,
besides killing some eight or ten OF the
men of the Congress on the decks
of the Beaufort and wounding many Others.
The forward cabin of the Beaufort was
riddled with balls and her smoke-stack
was perforated through and through so as
to look somewhat like a selve. Why every
man on her decks was not slain or wound
ed is one of those phenomena when bat
ties alone reveal. Finding no cessation to
this fire. but rather an augmentation, the
Beaufort and Raleigh having taken some
thirty prisoners and stands of arms, back
ed off from the Congress and opened fire
upon the shore, but with little or, no
damage. as the enemy were protected by
breastworks.