The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12
Run
ming Dangerous

I been warned that the Yankee squadron
was closely investing Charleston and
that blockade were given sum-
mary treatment. 1t was after dark on
the night Of Aug. % that we arrived
of Charleston. When dusk began to
fall we crept in toward the land. Our
pilot was familiar with every foot of
the harbor and its approaches. The
night fell dark and dense with fog.
We slipped through the water at a 10
knot speed. As we made our way nto
the harbor a huge fabric doomed to
starboard and a stentorian voice hailed
US.
What ship is that? Heave to.
heave to there or We'll fire on you.'
There was no answer from the Petrol
and the next instant q streak of fire
cut h foggy blackness and a solid
shot shattered our bulwarks amidship
and carried away davits and a boat in
Its track. Our engines were now un-
der full pressure and the Yankee man.
of-war was o far astern, her guns
barking at intervals. but no shots COM
ing near us. The first was fired at a
distance of less than 100 yards, but
must have been a chance hit, for our
squat steamer, with yards stripped,
was not such a mark as the big steam
er offered in the gloom. We sneaked
between Morris island and Moultrie-
'thC oAia CaAt ~ "boih W ~
o'clock hat night.
W. discharged our cargo Of field
guns, powder, fixed ammunition and
medical stores and took on board a
load of cotton that filled every avail
able foot of room or the steamer. We
left the dock at Charleston about 3
o'clock and ran down the harbor. We
went through the blackpess with a
gale Of wind constantly gathering
o our ears until we were nearly
abreast of Moultrie. Their a rocket
suddenly shot in the air close on our
port and a red glare showed a huge
fabric. a man-of-war beyond doubt.
Answering signals went up in all di-
rections-not less than half a dozen of
them-and all within a mile or less of
our boat.
at was a ace for life, for we could
see the fire leaping from the stacks of
the warships as they changed their
off to leeward fired a heavy gun and
again rockets went into the air. The
Yankee squadron was on the alert. A
thunderous report from Moultrie CAV
evidence that the confederate gunners
on land knew that something was
astir and had fired into space on. gen.
eral principles, to show h a they were
awake.
1.-THE sparks that streamed from our
smokestack. with engines working I'M
der forced draft. made us a fair target
for the enemy's guns. and. to make
matters >worse. as the wind rose the
clouds cleared and a full southern moon
cast its sheen uDon us. Close in u
rear, less than half a mile distant. We're
two gunboats. the bow chasers firing at
intervals. We were heavily laden, and
they appeared to gain on us. A shell
exploded under our mizzen chains. An
other struck us fairly astern. exploded
IN tha napfatn'c cohin and killad tho
steward. who had taken refuge in what
he believed to be the safest place on
board ship. prabably because 1t was
clothed with the authority of the cap
tain, which is supposed to be superior
to a cannon ball"
1.-THE Petrol was using every pound
of steam that her boilers would stand
In our rear chased the Yankees, but
we gained slowly. 1t was a long chase,
and half a dozen times solid shot went
through our rigging or splintered wood
work about our ears. Not a shot struck
a vital point.
"'Well, we've given 'em a close run
and got away said u captain. grim
ly. as the last flash. a mile or more
astern, told of the hopeless pursuit.
Port your helm, hard aport.' yelled
the lookout. at the moment when we
were exchanging congratulations. A
squat gunboat that would have served
well for an admiral's launch was al
most directly under our bows. We-fell
off a few points and passed the strang-
err. when, to our surprise, a voice hailed
US.
What ship is that?'
None of your id business roared
our captain.
leone about and stand search or
Wei sink you,' was the instant reply.
There was a shout of laughter on
board the Petrol. Go and grow up,
Johnny shouted one of the men. Ten
seconds later a shell pumped into our
hull and exploded in the cargo OF cot
ton, set the cargo on fire and damaged
the cotton to the extent of $3.50 0 be-
fore we landed in port.
T when the sudden challenge of the
diminutive Yankee was followed by an
exhibition OF force. the Petrol waited
for no further formalities, but scudded
away like a scared deer. The big gum
boats were practically out of range, but
this little war gadfy kept OF our heels.
hot after shot fell about us. none OF
them very big missiles. but with TWEEN
ty-odd pounds of iron and powder in
their makeup, capable of much mis-
chief. The Petrol was straining every
mechanical nerve and the little war ter
rier was getting the worst of the chase.
We've dropped this fellow, and IL
ought to be the last said one of our
men, when we saw another flash from
the single gun of the lively midget. 1t
was a long distance and a chance shot.
but the shell clipped off two feet of our
after rail. carromed off the mizzenmast
and rolled within two feet of the after
hatchway leading to the engine room.
A time fuse sputtered On the shell, and
its explosion meant disablement and
certain capture. I was not equal to
the mergen nor was the captain.
but a brawny Welshman, who had
been in the Crimean war. leaped for
ward, picked up the sizzling shell in his
arms. ran to the rail and hurled II over
board. 1t exploded before striking the
water. I never knew of a more gall
liant incident or presence of mind.
I'VE fed into the night and escaped
the last Yankee boat. The fire of the
enemy Obliged us 10 make a run for