Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-04-02

COMMANDER BRowNsoH.
er Brownson, of the Detroit. 1t is
said that after the conference this
commander came back to his ship
smiling. However that may be, he
certainly smiled next morning. Just
after 5 O'Clock that evening-it was
calm as could be, almost-the Yankee
naval ships were seen to be in hus-
tie. The canvas awnings faded away,
and in the night certain sounds were
heard aboard them, at which various
listeners put their hands cup-shaped
behind their ears to listen harder. On
the morning of the 29th there was a
change in the appearance of the Yam
kee fleet. 1t had taken off its coat,
wastcoat and shirt, so to speak, and
was just eyeing when day Gawned to
see how good its training had been.
The insurgent ships Aquidaban and
Tumandare were up the hay above
Viana Island, with their cables short
ready to trip. Trajano and Guanaba-
ra, as well as the feet of armed tugs,
were crowded with men from the gar
rson of Cobras and Villegaigon. The
Liberdade flew the little blue ensign,
for Admiral da CANA was aboard her
lying with the Trajano and Gunabara
north of Enchados Island, few yards
from the American bark Amy, one of
the boats kept out by the blockade.
The Parahyba was lying with its teeth,
so to speak, at the throat of the Yam
kee barkentine Good News.
Commander Brownson, on the De-
troit, got his ship under way, having
hoisted anchor at 6 o'clock, and head
ed toward the city between Enchados
and Cobras islands. Her crew were at
her guns, and as eager lot of men as
one could see anywhere at that time.
The anchor got fouled in the Detroit's
hawse hole, and that was ample ex-
cuse for proceeding slowly, which was
convenient, while a couple of insur-
gent tugs made spulter at the north.
ern littoral of the city, as they had
been doing a long time. After a cou-
ple of men had been killed aboard the
tug they drew hack and the Detroit,
with everything clear, rounded Encha-
dos Island aud came along starboard
side to slarhoar'l of the Trajano. The
men looked through their sights and
then up at Commander Brownson ON
the bridge. The story of what they
saw is a tradition in the navy now,
and always will be, so long as men
like Brownson are in command. The
commander was smiling.
A man on the Trajano raised a mus
ket and fired bullet over the heads
of the sailors pulling away in a boat
with line from the Amy to ship at
anchor that the Amy might be warped
to the forbidden docks. Two heavy
insurgent tugs came around with their
rams pointed at the side of the Detroit.
On the San Francisco the red flag of
battle had been run up to the fore
truck in stops. A quartermaster stood
with his hand on the halliards eager to
break it.out, with his eyes fixed on the
admiral, who was looking at the De-
.roit for the sign which would cause
him to give the quartermaster the or
der so ardently desired.
When the insurgent shot was fired
Commander Brownson turned to the
gunner at one-pounder and with a
scarcely perceptible increase of the
al fn
the Trajano at the water line six feet
abaft the stern. The order was mis-.
understood, and the shot went across
the insurgents bow. There upon
Captain Brownson hailed
"Trajado, ahoy ~ he shouted. "li
you fire again l will return the fire,
and if you persist will sink you"
The Trajano's crew were excited.
If nervous finger had pullhd a trig-
ger the fight would have been on.
But the shot did not sound. The
sailors on the Amy's yawl waited to
see what they were to do next.
"You 90 ahead" Commander Brown
son shouted, "and I'll protect you"
The sailors went.
calm at the Guanabara ~ ordered
Commander Brownson. And the
the greasy black muzzles of the De-
troit's broadside and the two pivot
guns swung around, looking bigger
and bigger every moment, till they
stopped, leveled at the cruiser. One
particularly nervous gun crew aboard
the insurgent was conspicuous. Com
manding Brownson waved his hand,
with half smile, and this crew fell
back.
Then the Yankee ships led the way