The National tribune., 1897-12-16

the ram was eagerly awaited.
At O'Clock the gunboat Ceres came along
side the Miami and reported the ram six
miles above the blockade All hands were
called to general quarters, and the boats got
ready to move. At 8 o'clock the gunboat
Whitehead reported the ram six miles above
Plymouth and clear of the distractions.
The moon had just set behind the tall
trees that lined the right bank of the river,
and as it is very narrow opposite Plymouth
the darkness was intense; so much so that at
$3.50 o'clock, when the lookout reported the
RAM it was only about 100 yards away.
The two boats advanced to meet her. Her
officers no doubt had some idea of our plan,
for the ram was steered obliquely across the
bow Of the Miami and into the Southfeld.
The latter immediately commenced to sink (;
barely time had elapsed to unshacSle the
chain when she was entirely under water.
Nearly all her crew escaped to the Miami,
but many took to the river and were either
drowned or afterwards taken prisoners. The
ram now receded and then made for the Mi
ami. struck the bow, but glanced off and got
afou of the chains and wheelhouse.
The Miami and ram were now side by side.
The stee-pointed shot fired at the ram
bounced off like peas hand grenades were
thrown at her smokcstack, hoping that some
would enter, but the rebs had provided for
such n contingency
Capt. FlusSer, seeing as he thought, a
chance for q good shot rushed to gun that
had not been used during the engagement.
He asked what it was loaded with, and on
being told that it contained a she'll, ex-
claimed, Stand c,ear,n pulled the Ian
yard, and the gun was discharged, the muZZle
being about a foot from the roof OF the ram.
The she'll rebOunded and exploded when in
front of him, tearing him in dozen pieces
aud woundng Ensign Hargess and nearly all
the crew OF the gun
Capt. French, of the SOuthfed, now took
command, and finding it useless to attempt
to fight the ram, managed to get clear of her
and steamed down the river and into Abe
marie Sound. Tie body of Capt. Flusser
was taken to New Berne
Lieut.. William +. Cushing e. s Nrvy,
commanding the gunboat Monticello, volun-
| teered to destroy the ram. He was furnished
with u steam lancli from the Brooklyn Navy
yard. and his official report of the affair is
Interesting 1t was dated Oct so, 1864 at
Albemarle Sound:
have the honor 10 report that the rebel
ironclad AlbenaTle i at tie bottom of the
Roanoke River On the night Of the 9th
having prepared my steam lanch proceeded
up towards Plymouth with II officers and
men, partly volunteers from the squadron
The distance from the mouth of the river to
the ram was about eight miles. the Stream
averaging in width some 200 yards, and lined
with the enemy's pickets.
81 mile below the town was the VIE ok of
the Southfeld. surrOundtd bv some schooners.
and it was understood gun was mounted
fbaro tn and {ha r 81.
one of the Shamrock's cutters in tow, with
orders to cast off and board at that point if
we were hailed
Our boat succeeded in passing the pickets.
and even t. e Southfield within 20 Yards.
without discovery and we were not hailed
until by the lookouts on the ram
The CATER was then cast off and ordered
below. while we made for our enemy under
full head of steam. The rebels sprang their
rattle, rang the bell. and commenced firing,
at the same time repeating their hail and
seeming much c,nfi+ed.
The light ashore showed me that
the ironcad W. .a,t 10 the wharf with
a pen of logs aIici ned about 80 feet from her
side. Passing her closely We made complete
circle, so as to strike her fairly, and went
into her bows on. BY this time the enemy's
fire was very severe, but "a dose of canister at
short range served to moderate their zeal and
disturb their aim.
Paymaster Swan, of the Otsego. was
wounded near me, but how many more |
know not. Three bullets struck my cloth
ing. and the air seemed fnll of them. In a
we had struck the logs Just abreast
OF the quarterpor bIeasting them in some
feet and our bows cresting OH them. The tor
pedo boom was then lowered. ard bv n yigor-
Gus pull | succeeded in driving the torpedo
under the overhans and exploding it,
AT the same time that the Albemarle's
gun was fred q SLOT seemed to go crashing
through my boat, and dense mass OF water
rushed in from the torpedo filing the lanch
and completely disabling her. The enemy
then continued his fire ut i ) feet range and
demanded our surrender, which twice re-
fused, ordering the men to save themselves:
and reno: i"g my own coat and shoes, and |
;prng!ng into the river, | swan with the |
others into the middle of the stream. the |!
rebes failing to hit u.s.
8 The most Of our party were captured 4; |!
some were drowned and only one escaped be- !
sides myself anil he III another direction. /
Acting Masters Mate Woodman, of the Com
nOdore Hull, | met in the water, half mile /
below the town and assisted him the best |
ould, but failed to get him ashore
Completely exhausted managed to reach |
he shore, but was too weak to crawl out of