The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-07
A NIGHT ATTACK.

Nho". l. SoNDhN, w. IT, 3ooh Ave = -
Falconer. N. Y.
A NIGHT ATTACK.
Confederates Succeed in the Destruction of
| the Underwater.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: One of the
incidents in the demonstration of the Con-
| federate forces against New Berne, n. c., in
| February, 1864, was the capture and destruc-
ton of the gunboat Underwater as she lay
in the Neuse River opposite the earthworks.
The works were manned by the Goth n.
! Y, that portion of the defenses being in
| charge of Col. Wardrop, of that regiment.
| Late in the night we were astonished by
a sudden commotion on board the vessel,
which was anchored within 800 or 400 feet
of the shore. This commotion soon de-
velored into bloody fight. The heavy dis
charge of small-arms and the clashing of
steel indicated surprise of no mean order.
| All this | saw from the shore as / ran
from the guard tent to find out what caused
| the noise and confusion. Being Officer of
the Guard at the time, / was sitting in the
tent, with the men lying asleep around me.
Realizing at once that a desperate attack
was being made, and thinking that perhaps
it was only part of the plan for a general
movement by land as well, / hurried back
to the guard, who, by this time, had been
thoroughly reused by the noise and excite
ment. In fact, the whole regiment were on
their feet, but they put themselves into
position without any unnecessary confusion
In the meantime the officers of the regi-
ment were not idle. Capt. John E. White,
who was Aid to the Colonel at the time to-
geiher with Capt. Winans, repaired hastily
to Headquarters, near the sallyport and
asked in the most earnest manner for orders,
saying:
Good God, Colonel, tell us what we shall
do"
On the moment, Capt White suggested
that orders be sent to Fort Stevenson, some
distance outside our works, on line with
the river. The Captain at the same time
volunteered to 90 himself The order, after
some hesitation was finally given, and White
rushed through the sallyport in the diree-
ton of Fort Stevenson. l was standing in
the sallyport at the time, having repaired
thither for orders. AS we were expecting
land attack at the moment, the desperate
nature of the effort to reach Fort Stevenson
was apparent.
Meanwhile we had to stand on the shore,
realizing that our comrades on the gunboat
were being butchered. Just then the guns
of Fort Stevenson were trained on the
steamer, and the first shot fired disabled the
upper machinery without striking low
enough to injure anyone on the deck.
Before this gun was fired the fighting on
the gunboat was nearly over, and although
it was evident that the enemy had succeeded
in carrying out part of the plan, the fort
was too quick for them. Instead of getting
possession of the vessel and using her guns
on us, or turning them on the town and the
other vessels in the river, which they could
have done if they had been able to slip anchor
and sailed down the river, they were glad
to hurry into their boats with the survivors
of the gunboats crew as prisoners, and pull
away in the darkness; not, however, until
they had taken time to set fire to the Under
writer.
In short time the fire reached the maya
zine of the steamer and she was blown to
pieces, the hull sinking in the shallow water
of the river.
Cold comfort was subsequently had by the
capture of one of the boats by orr own men
who had been taken prisoner by the boarding
party, and in their turn the Underwriters
crew brought the Confederates ashore and
delivered them to our Headquarters. The
captured party consisted of an officer and
several men.
The desperate attempt should not have
been even partial success. The fact that
the Confederate party overcame the crew was
no reflection on the bravery of the latter, but
lack Of vigilance made it possible.
The position of ourselves, standing on the
shore witnesses of the affair, can well be
imagined. There were no boats at hand,
otherwise we might have put off to the yes
sci and saved it from capture. We had
arms aud artillery, but to have turned them
on the gunboat when the attack was first
made would have meant destruction to
friend and foe alike.
After quiet was restored the pickets in
our front were strengthened, and scouting
parties sent out short distance in our front
also, but there was no sign that the enemy
were moving.
/ held very strong opinions at the time as
to the action of those mostly responsible
for the situation" and still hold to them.
Criticism and reflections on others rarely do
any good at this late day, and, after all, the
best was done under the circumstances. This,
however, l might be permitted to say: that
is, with more men like White and Winans,
either afoat or ashore, the history of that
night attack would have to be rewritten.
The action of Capt. White in reaching Fort
Stevenson and having the guns of the fort
turned onto the Underwater undoubtedly
caused the failure of the enemy's plans,
which was to use the steamer for a demon
stration against US while the enemy's land
force made an attempt on our front.
Confederate documents and reports re-
Gently published confirm this view of the
case; but for myself cannot see where there
was any chance for final success on their
part, though it is true that the enemy could
have inflicted great damage upon us.--JoHN
B. MENDENHALL, 99th N. Y, New York
City.
Shot His Coffin.
NJ ). Berry, 9th N. Y. Ind'p't battery,