The Lamar register., 1893-09-09
STORY OF A BLOCKADE.
THE NASHVILLE ENTERED THE
HARB BOR AT BEAUFORT.
The Grew of the Georgia Saved Two
Broken Down Old slaves, Hut Missed
the Chance to Capture . Prize Worth
More Than = MILLION Dollars

Saptaln d. r. armstrong. command
ing. was lying alone one night at the
mouth of the main channel in the
harbor of Beaufort. n. c.; alone be-
cause the other three ships that had
kept us company had been called
away by Commodore Goldsborough,
who was the flag officer of the North
ern blockading squadron. with head
quarters at Fort Monroe The other
ships were Daylight, Jemsbuck, and
/ Chippewa
The month was noted for its series
of storms along our coast, and this
night was one of terror's own. which
made the impending fate of our
brave crew seem possible at any
moment
One fact was very notable on this
night There seemed to be myriads
of lights appearing at intervals and
stretching away on the port side TO q
considerable distance above Fort Ma
con. The captain and several OF the
officers remarked them. bu. attached
no Importance to them. Four bells
tolled the hour, when the lookout in
the foretop reported sail of the
port quarter. What do you make
her out?n
"A steamer standing in toward the
port, carrying the commodore's pen
nant ut the peak, sir, -
Can you see her name" ?"
No. sir, but think it is the Mass
achusetts.n
"All right keep your eye on her
and report accordingly"
'.Ay, ay, sir."
The ships very motion seemed to
be timed with the growing daylight;
we were still riding in the rolling
waves and the rise and fall OF the
ground swell. with banked fires, and
both anchors and chain out By this
time everything was made plainly
visible in the surrounding distance.
The lookout at the masthead had
made out the steamer to be. from all
appearances, the Massachusetts
Captain Trenchard in command. hav-
ing the commodore on board. Every
thing was astir on deck now. the
winds and waves had quieted down
and we were all occupied in watching
the advancing steamer Mr.. Haxton.
our first Lieutenant, had the quarter
deck; the orderly had reported to the
captain that the commodore was
close aboard and would soon be
alongside.
The captain who had retired (at
three bells) almost tired out. was
aroused by the steward. who helped
to dress him and otherwise assist
him to get ready and go aboard to
pay his respects to the flag officer
just at the moment the captain APP
peared on deck there was a shout
from the starboard side of the ship.
A small dingy boat was putting of
shore. 1t contained two negroes.
with second boat containing two
white men in hot pursuit of it
Excitement ran high and all eyes
were turned upon this race for life
between the negroes and their mas
ters, says the Washington Post
Previous to this sensation the boat
swain had called away the gigs crew
who were lying upon their oars wait
ing to convey the captain aboard of
the Massachusetts In the mean
time she steamed slowly until she
had reached a position nearly along
side. We could almost step from one
to the other. We had pilot aboard
by the name of Carson, who said that
he knew the vessel and that it was
the Nashville, a statement that was
backed by the master-of-arms. but.
the captain would not admit of the
possibility of such a thing
'.Do you not see the American flag
at the gaff. with the commodore's
pennant at the mastheadPr
The difference of opinion was soon
to be settled in manner entirely un-
expected by any one but the actors
in the play. cor the time being
everything alive in our ship surged
toward the starboard side, and there
our whole interest centered. 1t was
a hot chase apparently, and when
our crew set up the cry, Run, mig
ger. run! white man catch you"
suggested. perhaps, by an old song
sung years ago in minstrelsy, the
darkies were pulling for dear life.
The wonderful feature in this tragic
affair was that the two small boats.
Notwithstanding the efforts of the
negroes to gain their freedom and
liberty. were timed to reach the side
of our ship just as the supposed flag
ship was apparently crossing our
bows.
The negroes touched the com
panion ladder on the starboard side,
and such a cheer that went up from