The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-07-11


to raise the boats stem out of the water.
We were also told TO remember our
duties. and with that we swung around,
facing the logs that the rebels felt sure
we were running away from few mom-
ents before.
Cushing then ordered full speed"
and away we went at and over the logs
like a bird, but the speed was deadened,
and for the rest of the short distance We
did but little more than drift in under
the rams counter; and for all that time
what a
BLIZZARD OF FIRE.
The rams howitzers, with several field
batteries and the guns of the fort, had
been mingling their thunders with the
rattle of musketry, but now the very
earth appeared to open as the ram opened
one of her broadside ports and let us
have one of her 100pounders, loaded,
as it seemed, to the very muzzle with
grape. However, we sat low in the
water, and the charge went over us, doing
no damage beyond making us feel un-
comfortable as the shot went singing
over us.
We were now about so feet from the
rams quarter. / was stationed at the
tripping-line. Master Mate Woodman
held the out haul of the torpedo chain
Gushing stood in the bow with the Ian
ward of the boat howitzer in his hand,
and his revolver and the firing line of
the torpedo In the other. Suddenly, as
if by magic, there was intense silence.
1T seemed as though we had been sud
denly swallowed up by the wafer, and
that we would never hear sound on
earth again. The Captain of the ram
had ordered the firing 10 cease.
SO sudden was the change from roar
and tumult to the silence of death.
Suddenly the voice Of the Captain of
the ram was heard ordering US TO sur
render, and promising to spare our lives.
At that instant the rams bell struck
five bells. and as the rebel ceased speak
ing one Of our men as if answering
said: "That's the last five bells she viii
ever strike this side OF hell.
This seemed to be more cheeky when /
it is considered that we now lay within /
dozen feet Of another Of the rams 100 4
Founders, in fact looking into Its very |
muzzle, with It's crew at quarters and the /
Captain with the lock lanyard in his |
hand, ready at the word to send us all to
kingdom come in an instant
Cushing's reply was TO send in his
charge of canister from the howitzer, and
shouting TO me to down with the pole"
and Woodman, as ] let the pole sink in
the water, at once rang out the torpedoes-
The next instant the heavy gun was
fired, followed instantly by the terrific /
explosion Of the torpedo, and as the
ram rolled away from us 1t seemed as
though tidal wave rose high in the air |
and came down upon us with such
CRUSHING FORCE
as to grind cur boat to match wood, and |
we found ourselves struggling in the
water IN an instant.
j looked around and appeared to see
all my shipmates around me, easily |
distinguished by the white band they |
wore around the left arm, and that In
slant ] noticed that mine was gone, and |
which at the time i thought to be a
great misfortune, and which afterward
proved my salvation.
For nearly minute after the explo-
sion not a shot was fired Everything
was as silent as the grave, as if the rebels
could not realize what had occurred. /
Our boys were improving this time in
endeavoiing to swim across the river, but |
they were in full blaze of light from the
bonfres Soon the firing commenced
again with redouDled fury.
Fortunately happened to be thrown
right in the very midst of deep, dark
shadow made by some cotton bales that
were on the bank Of the river, and /
kept in it until j reached the shore close
by the other end of the ram as she rest
ed on the bottom, and as / got out of
the water ] felt as though ] was half
safe at least, and had another squeak
left, when 10, as j Strengthened myself
up j found myself facing a battery of
feld-pieces.
j dropped as if shot and tried TO
creep through them, but at that instant
l 4elta strong hand grasp my monkey
jacket collar and throw me at least six
feet from him, and right in among the
guns. Tie men supporting the battery
at the same time shouted as none but
North Carolinians can shout:
20 Get to tie rear, you sneaking -
-"
lsuppose was mistaken for one of the
rnm's crew trying to get away, and was
cuffed and kicked out Of their way un-
I'll ] had no difficulty in getting to the
riverside again away in their rear, and
in the darkness j stole up the bank
half mile or 50 and took to the water
again. was well over On the other
side, and although the current had car
RED me down a good distance, ] was
still only opposite the outskirts Of the
town on the opposite side Of the river,
when j heard a yell for help. ] struck
out for whoever made that cry. but he
rn1lsf have snnk ba4orn I ,.oarJ,oJ .lo 1