The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-12
HOW HE RAN THE BL0CADE.
Lieut.. Capston Writes Of His EEpe-
rienCe On Leaving Wilmington.
WAS DETERMINED TO DO HIS DUTY.
Tho Captain Had Resolved To Blow Up
the Ship Rather Than Have the Enemy
Capture Her-Imprcssions of Ber-
muda and the People.

Capture Her-Imprcssions of Ber-
muda and the People.
Below Will DO found notes made by
Lieutenant J. j.. Capston in July. 1853, on
the occasion OF his leaving Wilmington. y.
| C., as special agent OF the Confederate
| States TO so TO Ireland, and there use all
legitimate efforts to defeat the agents Of
the United States Government 10 obtain
III ireland recruits for their armies:
July 2lst, at ? o'clock r. NJ, we left
inc harbor Of Wilmington, steamed down
the river distance OF thirty miles and
anchored under the guns OF Fort Fisher
inside the bar. This fort Is very strong
and away along the coast fer miles are
erected formidable batteries mounted with
the heaviest description Of guns. We
lay there during the afternoon, and at a
distance outside the harbor, say some
i've miles, we could easily see the Yankee
biockading squadron CT some six or eight
large size gunbOats and steamers with
men on their mast-heads looking directly
at us. Our little fleet consisted of three
steamers. But entirely peaceful, the day
was quite comfortable, waiting for the
moon 10 hide herself and darkness 20 set
I'm, so as 10 enable us 10 run tho gaunt-
let. our captain. a most worthy man.
had all preparations made and every man
at bis post when the hour would arrive 10
do their duty. Myself the only passenger
on board and the first experience at run
ming the blockade, T. was quite an oxcit-
ing time, imagining and picturing 20 my
self the horrors OF northern dungeon
should we be captured. l went down 20
the cabin 10 try 10 lake a nap. not certain
whether we would get a chance Of rum
ming out this night or rot. ] lad not
long turned In when tho captain came
down and informed me that we were
about running out. Immediately / went
on deck. The ship was we'll on way and
our signal officer at his post sending
and receiving messages from the fort.
The lights We're out on the bar 20 enable
US 20 cross with speed. We were now
outside the bar and running right In the
direction OF the blockade In a few
moments a stern voice was heard from
the top Of the wheelhcuse lour piloU,
'Blockadetin sight southwark" Now came
the exciting time with me- Well. 1 knew
that tho Yankees would use every effort
10 capture us. as We were loaded with
cotton, besides a valuable steamer.
TO BLOW Up THE SHIP.
Our captain. cool and steady, and an
old. experienced blockade runner. came TO
me and said. Il have made all prepara-
lions TO blow up the Columbia" that
was the name OF the ship before I suffer
the Yankees 10 get her with a saeri-
fee Of all on board" and at the same
time handing me pistol and cuilass.
Seeing such determination on his part j
felt myself that ] would assist him 10
carry ont his plan az the cost or my own
life Having considerable experience IN
warfare myself for the last two years
I felt that II we should get into a sklIIn-
ish # would not be the first. / was de-
termined 10 do my duty. We were now
running about eighteen miles per hour.
and along the coast q our own guns.
The blockaders were after MS, but dare
not come close 10 u.s. as they would ne
fired on from our own batteries. AFTER
a run of couple Of hours the captain
took charge Of the ship and made ont 10
sea. Morning broke on us; we were far
out at sea and the next thing we set
about was. II possible. 20 get q glimpse OF
the other two steamers that ran out
with us. We could not see them. We all
pretty much arrived I'm Saint Georges
about The same time. During our voyage
Of about seventy hours nothing particular
occurred No ships I'm sight nor did we
see the sight OF one until we arrived i'm
the port Of Saint George. We arrived ln
the harbar OF Saint Georges. Bermuda.
and was then safe under the protection
OF the British flag I'm n neutral port. We
Just got I'm I'm time 20 see the famous
Florida, Captain Motif. ON his arrival
into port. he saluted the British flag that
was flying from the fort and q return was
saluted from tie fort, very much 10 the
Chagrin Of the Yankees and Union SYM
pathizers at St. Georges. which l am
glad 10 say are but few.
IMPRESSIONS OF BERMUDA.
On the morning I went ashore 10 SEQ
the town. II may not be amiss 10 givs
you n brief description Of the island
The Island of Bermuda contains about
20 900 inhabitants. 600 are colored or nee
eroes. The island is about twenty miles
from extreme 10 extreme about three
miles wide. the sea at AN points running
I'm and through the island. There are
about 3Cj small islands scattered over tho
mainland. The climate IS very warm but
healthy. Frost or SHOWS never come. |
Oranges. lemons. peaches, &c, grow !
aboundanfly arrow-rOOt IS raised 20 per-
lection and "a the great article or cX- /
porta ion. Hamilton IS small town, /
about twelve miles from Saint Georges.
The houses are neat and the people 1
seemingly comfortable. a large and /
commodious hotel. has been built lately !
nine miles from Hamilton en- Gibbs Hil /
ID erected n famous lighthouse, south
west part Of the coast. The lighthouse
was erected In 1S45. at cost Of $500
hounds by the Home Govern
nent IT IS revolving light.
seem al distance OF twenty miles
and all over the island. This place Is
he point OF attraction fer travellers. and
,ory well worth seeing. II stands about
,O feet above the level Of 'he sea. l3
stems high. seven floors or stairs. ON the
on is erected the machinery used 70 re-
,olve me light. on the whole, the island
~ Bermuda contains the most beautiful
.corer, that 1 ever beheld. The people
we've 80 very kind TO Jus in showing us
round. and great sympathizers with the
18th We remained for twelve DAYS IN
7ermuda. and left for parts OF which /
win speak OF hereafter
IA : ~ q