The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-05-19

O1 lllt ttbSl guns lHEik huiAi'tSA CIV 49,.
admirable position, which rendered it posi-
sible to concentrate SO guns on single ship
by no means an unquestionable one. An
other action fought under similar condi-
tions, with our artillerists TO handle shore
batteries. would result more disastTously to
the navy.
The Wabash fired during the entire action
800 shots, the Susquehanna 800, the Blen-
Vile 1S5, while the average of the smaller
gunboats may be set down at 153 each
There were in ali f6 vessels engaged on our
side, and probably from all not far from
$500 SHOT AND SHELL WERE FIRED.
This expedition may be set down as having
cost the country not far from S5,G90,00O.
Among the guns captured at Fora Walker
were 10 English pieces, with the coat-oi-
arms of Georges Rex cast on them At
Fort Beaurerard, on Bay Point, were found
eight - Founders, marked 1915; two Army
sea COST - -peunders, marked 1850. These
were, evidently, stolen from the Government
when John B. Floyd was Secretary OF War
and sent South. These were sent as trophies
to Washington.
As soon as tie negro slaves observed US
coming on shore they docked along the
banks in great numbers, some bearing par
GELS ard bundles, IS if expecting us to take
them at once TO 3 home OF freedom. Every
variety of DegrO and slave WAS represented
1t is a melancholy fact to say negro ana
slaves, for some were apparently as white and
cutie As intelligent as their masters. Some
appesred mystifed, and some intelligent;
the qusdroon and the octoroon possessing
an indistinguishable tint Of negro blood
mingled with that of Southern nativity
snd ancient family" formed, TO speak
mildly, en- interesting scene.
As fast as the contraband article came
within reach it was placed in the guard
house, an old frame building behind Fort
Walker. Here quite collection was made.
They were huddled together, half in fear
snd half in hope. A staff officer looked IN
upon them, asking:
@Well, well; what are you all about?"
"Dats Jest what we'd Like to find out,
Massa"
The officer assured them that they would
be kindly taken care OF, and need not be
alarmed.
"Tank God for dat, Massa," was the re-
ply.
Two slaves were found reconnoitering
about on their own account, and on being
brought into camp. they explained that they
belonged TO Mrs. Pinckney, of Charleston,
who came down to
"sEE WHAT DE WHITE PEOPLE WERE ALL
ABOUT"
They said that the white people all ran
away when the ships came ND. "When the
white folks see the little boats coming MP
dey lated at dem, but when dey see the big
checker-sided vessels comm, dey laffed on
de oder side der moufs. When de big YES
sells begas ts throw de rotten shells, which
broke al up wien dey landed, US niggahs
tink de debll had come, sure, to help de
Yankees, and when dey turned de third
time to came, de white folks all took to de
woods. If the Yankees lad known where
Skull Creek was, dey could have cotched all
de Secesb dat want killed, by sending some
of De small boats to Seabrook's Landing"
Early in the morning after the victory
the plantation negroes began to come into
camp, with the genuine African ins: s:inct for
trade. Turkeys, chickens, eggs and sweet
potatoes were bronght in in abundance.
Several wss came in brought wagons loaded
with kEapsscks and other accouterments,
which they had picked up on the way. They
al seemed wild with delight at the advent
of our troops and the hasty fight Of their
masters.
90, Lord, Aassa, said one, "we'se so glad
30 see you. Weise prayed and prayed de
good Lord that he would send de Yankees,
and we knowed you'ss was coming"
4 drivers whip which was picked up was
shown one Of them, and he was asked if be
knew what it was
"Golly, Massa." said the negro with
suspicious, sidelong look at the familiar whip
heaaw raised alOff, guess dis niger knows
what CAT dar is"
Another asserted that the good Lord had
appeared to him in the shape of Yankee
who assured him that the hour of deliver
ancs had come.
From the negroes we learned that several
Of the fleeing Secesh were drowned In essay
ing to swim Skull Creek, being too anxious
to put the stream between them and the
cowardly Yankees 10 wait for the boat.
sarnbo said that the white folks did not
wait to be carried on the broad shoulders of
their slave. but dashed nadly into the
water themselves,
WITHOUT EEGARD TO RANK OR srsTro,r
and tumbled peltmell into the fIatboats
covered with mud and wet with water. II
must have been pleasant sight, that second
Bull Run.
The casualties In the action of the navy
was eight killed, six severely and II
slightly wounded. Among the killed was
Thomas jackson, Coxwain of the Wabash
he deserves more than passing notice He
was struck by shot or splinter, which so
nearly cut his Leg off as to leave it hanging
by small portion Of the muscle and skin
Partially rising and painfully leaning
against gun, Jackson glanced at his man.
gied LIMB, and IN an instant perceived its
hopeless condition Feeling behind his bacl,
IN his belt where seamen always carry their
knives, he drew his sheath knife from, ifs
Heather scabbaTd and deliberately began ia
R3zy AWAY at his b,,4 Il,