The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-08-26
AN EPISODE OF THE BLOCKADE.
Graphic Description of a Midnight Expedi-
ton by Union Officers and Men.

been iying I'D the mouth OF one OF the South
ern rivers fer month past, and the daily
| routine was becoming monotonous. RnmOrs
of the descent of ram upon us had been
prevalent for some time. aud sharp watch
was being kept up daily and nightly. Fire
| RATS had been expected, and occasional tor
pedoes floating past had evidenced the fact
that the enemy was anxious TO clear US out
of the way SO that blockade runners might
have access to the town, some II miles above.
On this particular morning boat was
seen coming from the flagship outside the
bar, and its arrival was awaited with curl
osity and impatience. Something was IN
the wind. The boat was soon alongside, an
officer sprang our deck, and was escorted
to the Captains cabin.
Everybody was on the qui vive. Was it
an order for US to 20 elsewherep Or was it
an order for us to go mp the river and bonn
bard the fort between rs and the town?
The officer and the Captain came on deck
and walked the starboafd gapgway, convers-
ing IN Tow tones. The officer and boat went
away again. When the Captain was ready he
would disulge. The day dragged its weary
length along. The shades of night drew
nigh. The various ships duties were per-
formed perfunctorily. The officers not on
duty played cards and smoked and conjec-
tured
Sometime after dark the Coxswain Of the
second cutter was summoned aft. He met
the Captain on the quarter deck, and was
ordered to prepare the second cutter, to pro-
visioner her and provide her with water, and
to stow aboard candles and lanterns, am
munition and small-arms. The crew of the
CUTTER IL men in ALL were to be ready at
midnight. The boat was to be hauled along.
side at that hour.
Then the Captain called the officers to-
gether and asked for two volunteers to take
charge of the boat The object of this mid
night boat expedition was to go up to the
town above the fort and ascertain the sit
uaton of things-how many Confederates
were camped in the vicinity; how many
men were in the fort, and if any news could
be obtained of Sherman, who was then on
his march to the sea. The pilot of our ship,
who was perfectly familiar with river and
town, was to accompany the expedition, and
having Union friends In the town could lead
the officers safely to some house where OBJ
aeryations might be made at night.
1t was not difficult to get volunteers. All
wanted to 90. The selections were made
the Executive and Paymaster. The boat
was prepared long before the time for start
ing. The oars were muflied, so as to pre-
vent noise in passing the fort. Instructions
were given to the men to preserve the ut
most silence
At 12 precisely the men were Ia their
places. the officers buckled on their swords,
showed their revolvers into their belts, and
went down the ladder to their places.
Like phantom in the darkness the boat
pulled away up the river. Everyone
breathed hearty Godspeed to the men who
took their lives in their hands. The watch
went below; the sentinel paced the fore
castle; the Quartermaster walked slowly
up and down the after-deck the Cap
tain retired to his cabin, and the remain
ing officers in the cabin discussed the prob
abilities of the success or failure Of the ex-
petition.
The night was dark. A light fog had
settled on the river. The air was still.
There was no wind. The measured stroke
of the mufled oars made no noise. Moth
ing was heard but the breathing of the men
as they bent to the oars.
The pilot had the helm, and knew the
channel and avoided the bars. An hours
pull brought the boat near the fort. Across
the water came the cry of the sentinel pac-
ing the parapet: "Alps WE'LL" 1t was
supreme moment. A light was seen moving
along the parapet. 1t was only for mo-
ment; then it disappeared.
"All right; pull away" was whispered,
and soon the fort was abreast. 1t loomed
dark and threatening in the gloom. The
thrill of these few minutes-every one an
age. The sentinels did not see US. We were
safe. The fort was passed, and now for the
dangers beyond.
1t was necessary only to reach the vicinity
of the town before day ybreak, and 80 with
less speed, as the distance beyond the fort
was not great, the men pulled quietly along,
resting at times by tying to the bank.
While resting thus at one time, q rustling
through the bushes on the bank startled us.
Every ear was strained to catch the noise,
every eye peered into the darkness. A white
object presently appeared on the river edge
few feet away, openly discernible.
What is it?" was whispered by one to
the other "Pshaw," responded the man in
the bow, who was closest to the object sit
is only hog"
II was now approaching daylight, and no
time was to be lost in finding for the boat
a secure hiding place, where it must remain
with its crew until the following night, as
only the officers and the pilot were to re-
connoiter the town.
An indentation in the bank, surrounded by
growth of fair-sized trees, was found. The
boat was pulled to the shore, the men leap
ing ashore, and hauling it up on the bank.
Bushes were cut and piled around the boat
to conceal it from anyone passing on the
river. The men were cautioned TO remain
quiet during the day not to light a fire, nor
wander from the boat
The two officers, guided by the pilot,
struck off through the woods towards the
town. Soon they reached the outskirts.
Keeping away from the main streets and
lodging through alleys and back yards, the
pilot led the way to the house of his Union
friend. Softly approaching he raped three
times, and voice replied cautiously:
who's there?" Friends of the Union,n
was the reply, in guarded tone.
Presently the door was opened and the
three men were conducted to the attic of the
house, where they were concealed till night
Across the street the officers in charge of the
Confederate forces in the vicinity were just
winding up supper and ball given in their
honor by a citizen Of the town.
From their place of concealment the three
Unionists could see into the windows of the
opposite house and hear the voices of the
jovial crowd. During the day information
was brought in by the pilots friend as to
the number of troops thereabout, the prog
ress of Sherman's army, the prospects of the
fort below being evacuated, and other news
of a valuable character.
All day the three were involuntary pris-