The record-union., 1894-09-01

had ceased to count her in the fight,
and never knew what had become of her
until l reached the Santee
Meanwhile the forts were firing into
US and the enemy's steamers were COM
ing nearer. Our situation was getting
desperate, and l found myself growing
weaker. | again went down into the
hold, and had hardly given orders for the
prisoners to go on deck when / again
heard the dread cry, 'Santee.' which was
the waichword for retreat, and heard my
men make another w lid stampede for the
boat.
with sickening sense of failure and
physical weakness / again forced my
prisoners at the muzzle of my revolver to
sltdown, and, facing them, | slowly backe ed
to the hatchway and crawled on deck.
The gallant Carter alone remain ed at his
post. All the rest had fled to the boat |
was TOO sick to 60 further, and so | called
upon the faithful Carter TO go and drive
the crew back while [ held the hatchway.
Carter ran TO the stern of the schooner,
and, finding the boat some fifty yards
away, called out to the men: Go back
| towards Go back and tell your ship
mates that you deserted your officers.
Mr.. Jouett and myself will bring this
vessel out alone.'
"Those scathing words recalled them to
their senses. They came back. Mr.. Car
ter then went below and sent the rebel
crew on deck. The Captain and two
others in the cabin refused to come up.
ordered them on deck. They again re-
fused. Thereupon threatened them with
loaded shell, but, lighting instead a
large fireball, l threw it down among
them and leaped down the hatchway my
self, at the same time shouting to them to
| come up. They, thinking it was shell,
sprang quickly up on deck and became
our prisoners.
Il took the schooner's colors, took my
crew and the prisoners in the boat. and
showed of. There was no time to lose.
81 put the burning schooner between
our boat and the pursuing steamers, now
very close, and with only eight we'll men
| to pull, with thirteen prisoners, with
| compass lost, with our pilot shot, and
with wind and sea against US, shaped
| my course back TO the Santee, many
miles away. The gallant Carter, though
wounded, took his place at the gun. All
my hopes Of defense against attack lay in
| that gun. / gave the coXwain star to
steer by, ordered the men to give way
| strong, and then supplied the wounded
men with water, when Carter came aft
| and whispered to me that the gun was
| jiaInmed, and that L must maneuyer the
boat SO as TO work it.
line same demoraliZed spirit exhibited
| on board the schooner was now displayed
! in the boat. One of the men exclaimed
| My God, here come the steamers; they
/ will run US downp And many similar
remarks were made, when / rose, pistol
| in hand, and called: Silencei The first
man that opens his mouth / will blow his
| brains out! Make up your minds TO cap
| ture that steamer If she attacks US, for !
| will never surrender man of you. No
rebel prison for me. and while / live we
| will fight or go TO the bottom
II then took my seat on the gunwale OF
! the boat, between the Captain and mate OF
| the schooner. The greatest compliment
| | ever received was paid me then by the
rebel Captain. He remarked, with an
| oath:
81 don't know who you are, but damn
me if you amt brave fellow; deserted
twice by your crew, and got The vessel
/ Y GU are man.
81 found great difficulty in giving an
order. The pike seemed TO nave
| injured lay right lung. Wrapping the
folds OF my shirt around my finger,
| stopped up the hole in my side. This
made my breathing easier. Thus l sat
| for three long, weary hours.
81 only avoided the steamers by going
among the breakers. We were sorely
pressed, and the launch was shipping
| much water. tried to throw the gun
| overheard, but it was so jammed that il
could not be dismounted.
Before leaving the ship / had asked
Captain Eagle to show bright lights al the
| three mastheads and 10 burn blue lights
and throw rockets at intervals 10 show
! nae my way out of the harbor, as l autic.
ipated difficulty in finding my way back
to the ship. Contrary TO promise, not
light or signal was shown from the San
tee. The Captain gave us as reason fol
not showing lights that he was afraid o