Morning journal and courier., 1892-09-21

and those from Salem, in
charge of Mrs. Qhinby, came next.
A number of veterans who had passed
The day when they could tread the deck
we're also in wagons.
The end of the procession was made up |
Of the Maryland Association of Naval Vet |
Grams.
THE NAVAL BATTLE.
When the smoke of battle lifted from
the lower harbor the seventh annual en-
of the Naval Veterans associa-
ton of the United States was over. The
additional fact was disclosed that "the flag
was still there" waving defanrly as ever
over the grassy ramparts of Fort McHenry,
while the late attacking war vessels were
sailing slowly and gracefully down the
river. The battle waged hot and furious
while it lasted, but it did not last long
enough to satisfy the old tars who had lis
tened for weeks to the roar of the swamp
angel" in the trenches before Charleston.
During the afternoon the harbor and the
river below the Lazaretto seemed to take
on new life, and bedeck itself in gay holt
day attire. A half dozen heavily laden
steamboats, drifted about, schooners and
barges crowded with people were pulled to
the scene by tugs, scores of tugboats, large
and small, number of busting little
steam launches, several graceful private
yachts, and all sorts and conditions of
other craft, crowded the water from the
fort nearly to Hawkins point, and from
shore to shore across the river. Banked
along the slopes Of the fort we're thou
sand or more spectators, while the wharves
on the Canton side were black with people,
and even the rigging of the ships in the
harbor was full. No such crowd has
gathered on the river of late years. The
steamer Louise carried the national Off
GERS and delegates, with their ladies, and
about thousand others.
At thirteen minutes past four white
cloud suddenly burst from the side of the
great cruiser, Philadelphia, an angry
tongue of flame leaped forth, and the sui
len roar of the ffteen-inch battle gnn in
the rear platform split the air. Quick as a
from the fort, a similar sheet of flame leap
ing through it, and an answering roar of
defiance went rolling across the waters.
Then quick and fast the thunder came,
and sheet after sheet the flame leaped from
the armoured sides of the Philadelphia and
Dolphin, as the battle waged more furious
ly, while the guns on the fort replied as
promptly and as sturdily. Soon fort and
ships were enveloped in heavy cloud of
white smoke, through which the terrible
tongues of flame continually darted as the
thunders of battle shook the waters and
air.
The Vesuvius fred several rounds with
her machine guns, but their sharp crack
mighty engines of death on the large YES
sells and the fort. At twenty minutes past
four the Philadelphia suddenly ceased fir
ing, and shortly afterward steamed slowly
down the river, followed by the others of
the feet.
MAJ. RAMSEY: "I'LL BE BLowED IF YOU DO. p"
Major Ramsay and his regulars, in the
fort, made sturdy defence, and success
fully defended the flag that fosted over
the ramparts. The heavy ordnance, con-
sisting of seven eight-inch and three fit.
teen-inch guns, were manned by Battery
| D, Captain E. G. Knower, commanding
Battery q, Captain R. D. Potts, worked
| the light battery, and Batteries B and I,
Captains J. L. Tiernon and Lieutenant G.
A. Bennett, acted as infantry. The fort
opened with discharge of her eight-inct
guns.
The field pieces then went to work, ani
the resounding roar of the 15-inch guns
broke forth. During the contest the worl
| WEE Iast ana 1ur1OuS 1Or Cne men, VINO
stood by their pieces with the same in
tensity of earnestness as would character
ize them In an actual engagement. In ths
intervening spaces between the guns tn
men of the batteries acting as infantry
were busily engaged picking off, as
were, those on the decks of the vessel
with their Springfelds; and then, in
moment, back they would come for shelte
when the terrible machine guns made it to-
warm Everything was conducted will
the most perfect system.
During the action the Philadelphia uset
her two starbosrd eight-inch, breech- load
ing rifles and two six-inch guns. Th
Dolphin also used her two starboard guns
After the battle, as the wsrships move'
slowly through the feet of steam and sail
ing vessels down the river, the majestic
Philadelphia leading, followed by the We
suvius and the Dolphin in the orde
named, the din and roar of scores of stear
whistles went up on all sides in loud voice
farewell. For a few minutes the din wa
frightful. The Philadelphia responde
with her hoarse syren, the Dolphin follow
,, ed with a clear tenor, and the Vesuviu
gave series of shrill shrieks, and th
white hulled visitors sped faster and taste
on their way to the sea. The latest attac
, on historic Fort MoHenry was over.