The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-02
-. ,.,,.r q. .na-nshoo,ers. and the

and the latter as sharpshooters, and the
attachments OF Spalghts battalion did
similar duty on board tho Uncle Ben.
There was a delay OF several days ca ac-
count OF distractions which had been
ulaccd in the canal between the mouth OF
Sabine river and the lake for tho purpose
of preventing the passage or toderai YES.
sols. These obstructicns consisted OF
fatboats loaded with shells, which haa
been sunk, and which now banled the
Skill Of the army engineers 10 re-
move. About the 18th or 18Th OF January
a heavy gallo from the eastward win
rains and high tides determined captain
Fowler that the proper time had arrived
for overcoming tho distractions by steam
ing around them. Tho tide was TWO feet
higher than ordinary high tide, and In the
midst OF the heavy gale and rain the Bell
WAS successfully stored around the OBJ
attractions at the cost of but three hours
time and the Uncle Ben being OF lighter
draft passed over them without dlihcui-
~.
At about s p. NJ, January Is. both
boats anchored in Sabine lake. An hour
after this was accomplished one OF the
coolest and nest vlndictive northers OF
the season struck them with lmpldcabie
fury. Everybody on the boats was wet
70 the skin and no change OF clothing on
board. The men were huddled together
I'm the deck room inside OF the breast
works and by keeping "A good head OF
steam I'm the boilers were kept from freez-
ing to death. on the 18th the gale con-
tinued with undated violence, water
freezing on deck all that day. and to ada
to the discomfort there was nothing on
board 10 eat except sour ana worIny
cornmeal. The heavy gale prevented the
lowering Of boats for the purpose OF OBJ
tanning supplies from tho shore until the
ooth when a clear dawn and moderate
winds admitted Of this being done. de-
tail OF men was sent TO the prairie. where
they shot two beeves, and returning Win
their prizes furnished such feast OF poor,
tough beef as could have been relshed
nv starving men only. But IL was rel
ished and most thankfully received. The
north wind had made the tide very low
again. but about noon OF the same DAY
tho tide rose and floated the Bell and
Uncle Ben. and steaming through the
lake toward the town OF Sabine Pass.
they arrived at the wharf at about 10
=. NJ. Of the same evening. Here several
citizens Of tho place came aboard and
informed Captain Fowler Of the position
Of the Federal gunboats. which lay al
anchor some five miles off the bar. This
news was dlscouraging; II locked as II
the game had escaped but there was
universal desire 10 run great risks for
chance OF success. The Federal feet at
this time consisted OF the Morning Light.
twelve guns and the schooner Velocity,
carrying four small guns. The number
CT boats on each side was equal but here
the resemblance in force ceased Never
theless Captain Fowler determined to
carry out the plan Of attack, although tho
position Of the Federal fleet was very
different from that which il occupied
when the expedition was first designed.
ANXIOUS FOR THE FRAY.
Serious il-feeling had by this time
risen among the soldiers on board the
Bell toward their commanding officer,
Major Watkins. who had confined some
OF them i'm the held Of the boat as pun
ishment CT imaginary offences Al mid
night on the 2sth. seeing the unreasona-
bleness of their punishment and the
evils likely to result from such situation
Of affairs Captain Fowler went himself
into the hold OF tho Bell and released
every soldier in prison. he then gave al
the military to understand that al day-
light he would attack the enemy n thoy
were I'm sight lie begged them all 10 get
a few hours sleep. as they would have
plontv of hard work TO do in the morning.
lie hoped that the prospect Of an encoun-
Ter with the enemy would heal the breach
between officer and men. But hence
forward he alone was their leading spirit
and the only officer 10 whom they looked
for orders. for he was in fact commander
NOT only of the maneuvres OF the ship, but
lu,cu.iea ~ the men on board. IL was
only ia such an intrepid, manly soul that
the untutored but brave Irish soldiers Of
the Davis Guards would yield obedience
and become docie while yet valorous.
The armament of the Confederate beats
was very light and it was not expected
10 cut much figure i'm the fight about 70
take place. The j. H. Bell had siA-
inch rihe shell gun in her forccaste. ana
the Uncle Ben two small twelve-pounders
smooth-bore cld-time guns. The DAVIS
Guards. under Lieutenant Dick Lowing,
had had some practice and could be relied
,lpon for long range firing, but the sharp
shooters could be effective only when
brought into pretty close contact with the
enemy. At daylight January H. the
! boats proceeded out TO sea. Putting on
+ all steam. the Rell and Uncle Ben headed
towards the Federal fleet some five
miles beyond the bar. but the latter per-
cciving their intentions and suppOsiug
| them TO be irOnclads put on all sail and