The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-11-17
DOWN IN THE GULF.
Capture of the Rebel Blockade Runner
Magnolia.


Magnolia.
-EB. 10. 1852, the L. s. S. Brooklyn was
u anchored and on blockade duty off Pass
J,Outre, eastern outlet of the Missis-
sippi River 1.-The weather being foggy.
At a. ~ it was quite dark when steamer
was discovered passing out OF the river under
full steam and close to where we were an
chored. We slipped the cable of our starbOard
anchor and gave chase guided chiefly by the
sound of the paddle-whees OF the stranger as
she sped along the water with remarkable
rapidity.
About daylight we discovered the fugitive to
he n large side wheel steamer, painted black
and heavily loaded We put on additional
sail and All extra force in the fre-room, and all
was excitement on board the Brooklyn as we
sped over the water with favorable wind and
smooth sea, making from IL to IA knots.
About a. NJ, gaining slowly on the stranger,
all hands were called to general quarters, the
port and starboard battery was cast loose ready
for action but the upsrior speed of the stranger
soon got her beyond the reach OF our guns, un-
til about noon, when we were near enough to
omen fire from our forward 80 pound pivot, and
our solid shot dropped around her in a manner
which indicated that we were coming and
meant business. At this the crew of the
steamer commenced to tighten their vessel by
throwing the cargo overheard, when we opened
fire on them from our port battery, throwing
10.second shells.
About D. IN. solid shot, evidently from
our pivot gun, struck the steamer amidships,
penetrating the steam chest, and bringing her
to a standstiil.
We ran alongside of our prize. and found her
to be the blockade runner Magnolia loaded
with LOO bales of cotton, bound from New
Orleans to Havana.
During the chase the Chief Engineer of the
Magnolia was killed from escaping steam, when
struck by our shot. lie was buried at Ship Is
| land, off the coast OF Mississippi.
We put prize crew on board the Magnolia,
| with orders to take her to Key West, where the
vessel and cargo were condemned and sold for
| Sl73955.77. The Government bought the yes
| sci and fitted her out as gunboat under her
| old name She was assigned to duty in the
| East Gulf Squadron, where she captured the
| most valuable prizes taken during the war.
| From her proceeds the writer's share of prize
money was about Sl6O, which was paid while
| still in the service.
| lido not know what the chronological records
of the war says on this subject and do not care,
but these are the facts copied from AN entry
made in my journal at the time and place
| when this event occurred and is now related
| with the hope that it may interest, at least
| some OF your readers.
| noticed in recent issue that Comrade
| Emory Sibley says that the GunbOat South
Carolina captured the Magnolia. 1t may be
| possible that the South Carolina captured q
sIoop or schooner of the same nams as she was
on blockade duty of Mobile, Ala, about the
same time.
The Magnolia captured by the Brooklyn was
a steamer of about $50 tons, and while attached
to the East Gulf Squadron she captured the
blockade runners Carmita Flying Fish. Mem
phis, and Matagorda. On Jan. IL, 1865 the
| Magnolia was sold for want of further use, the
war being over.-WILLIAM SIMMONS. late U
s. S. Brooklyn, West Gulf Squadron, Philadel
| mia Pa a.