The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-21

Clyde built, furnished with powerful en-
gines. and she made moro trips than any
other vessel engaged in tho business.
On several occasions she brought such
munitions OF war which the Confeleracy
was IN pressing need Of, and az least
three battles were fought with munitions
for which the Confederates had waited.
and which she landed safely in their
hands.
Plot after plot was formed no Nassau
20 get hold of the Hattie. but none of
them was successful. She slipped IN and
out like a phantom. taking the most
desperate risks. and being attended by
quito extraordinary good luck
Tho last entrance Of tho Hattie into
Charleston occurred one night In Fehru-
airy. 1866. Tho Confederacy was then
IN iextremis and the Federal feet off
Charleston numbered eighteen on twenty
sail
It was starlight night, and az an
early hour the Hattie crept forward
among the fleet. She had been freshly
painted q blue white her fire made uo
smoke. and not lieht was permitted
10 shine on board. With her engines
moving slowly, she let the wind drive
her forward There were eight or ton
vessels outside tho bar. and as many
within. Those outside were successfully
passed without am alarm being raised.
The Hattie ran within 900 feet Of t"o
different blockaders without hex presence
being detected. TO the naked cye of
the lookouts sho must have seemed
hazy mist moving slowly along
The little steamer was quietly approach
ing the inner line OF bloclwders. whom a
sudden fire was opened on he- from a.
gunboat not 200 feet distant and tho air
at the same time was filed with rockets
10 announce tho runners presence.
At that time tho Fcderals had che whole
OF Morris Island. and Fort sumter had
been so battered 10 pieces that monitors
took mp their stations almost within
pistol-shot Of SC.
As soon as the Hattie was discovered
an steam was put on and she was head
ed straight for the channel She ran
terrible gauntlet Of shot and shell for ten
minutes, but escaped untouched.
Then came the real peril just below
Sumter, in the narroWest part OF the
channel. tho Hattie encountered two
bargoloads OF men stationed there ON
picket.
Her extraordinary speed saved her from
being boarded. but the volloys fired after
her wounded two or three men and enc
three fingers OK mo manu- OF AA' Iit"H
holding the spokos Of tho wheel
Two hundred yards ahead lay n mon-
itor. and she at once opened Gre and
kept her guns going as long as the Hate
tie could be seem hut not missile
struck and she arrived safely at her
wharf.
This was marvellous. considering That
tho steamer ran go close that She could
hear the orders given on the monitor.
Charleston was being b0mbarlcd many
OF the business houses closed. and au
could see that the end was drawing
near. The Hattie WAS in ass much dam
ger lying at the wharf as She would ne
outside. and "a cargo was made up Tor
her as quickly as possible. and She was
made ready for her last trip.
Just before dark the sontne's on Fort
Sumter counted twonty-six Federal
biockadcrs or Charleston harh0r and yDt
tho Hattie coolly made her preparations
TO run out. just before midnight. with
o starlight night and smooth sea, tho
lucky little craft picked her way through
all that fleet without being hnliod or
gun dred. and she was lying at Nassau
when the news Of Lees surrender was
received.
The following gives an idea OF the mag
tho wasteful and reckless manner OF lly>
ing in those times.
II never expect 10 see such fush times
again IN my life" said the Captain OF
successful blockade runner in speaking OF
Nassau. Money was almost as plenty
as dirt. ] have seen man toss mp
twenty-dollar gold pieces ON head or
tail" and II would be followed by score
OF the yellow boys On five seconds.
There were times when the bank
vaults would not hold an the gold. and
the coins were dumped down hy the BUSH
ol ana guarded By tho soldiers.
Men wagered. gambled. drank, and
seemed crazy 10 get rid Of their money.
I once saw two captains put mp 500 each
on the length Of a porch. Again / saw
q wager Of $500 side as 20 how many
would be ~ the dinner table Of a hotel
The Confederates were paying the ing
FISH importers and iobbers az Nassau
largo prices FOR goods. but these figures
Of cost were multiplied enormously IN
the Confoderacy. The price or cotton
was not increased I'm the same ratio. and
this large difference I'm values between
imports and exports gave the enormous
nrofts which induced these ventures
Ten dollars invested IN quinino IN Mas /
sau would bring from 800 70 500 III 4
Charleston.-New York sun.