The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-09

be carried over the logs and into the
| space between them and the ram. AS
the boat turned to execute this man.
euver the entire back of Cushing's coat
was torn off by buckshOt and the sole
of his shoe was carried away.
There was moments lull in the fir
ing, and the captain of the ram called
out: What boat is that?" He was
given hooking answers by the launch s
crew, and Cushing's only reply was a
dose of canister from the gun in the
bow. where he stood boldly outlined
against the darkness by the light of the
bonfire In another instant the launch
had struck the logs and was over, di-
rectiy in front Of a rife gun, and so
near the Albemarle that every word
of command could be distinctly heard
The climacteric moment is described
very modestly by Gushing himself:
My clothing was, perforated by bull
let's as stood in the bow, the heel Jig
ger in my right hand and the exploding
line in my left. When we were near
enough 1 ordered the boom lowered
until the forward motion of the launch
carried the torpedo under the ram IS
overhang. A strong pull of the detach-
ing line, a moments waiting for the
torpedo to rise under the hull and l
hauled in the left hand, just cut with
a bullet"
The explosion took place at the same
instant that 100 pounds of grape, at
ten feet range, crashed into the midst
of the men on the launch, while the
dense mass of water thrown out by
the torpedo came Town with choking
effect upon them. The affair had been
SO unexpected and so quickly carried
out that the confederateS hardly real
lied what had happened until the ships
carpenter of the Albemarie reported a
hole in the hull large enough TO drive
a wagon through and the ram was
seen to be sinking.
Cushing. who was twice called upon
to surrender each time refused, threw
off his sword, revolver, shoes and coat
and, calling upon his men to save them
selves plunged from the sinking boat
into the cold water of the river, start
ing out for the opposite side. Half way
over Samuel Higgins, a fireman, who
was swimming near him, became eX-
hausted and sunk. with a gurgling
sound. which drew the attention Of the
cCnfederates out in a boat, picking up
the Union sailors. The boat turned to-
ward Gushing, but he preferred the
chances of drowning to capture, and
Immediately changed his course, head
ing down stream. Again he made for
the shore. when he was appealed to by
Acting Ships Master WoOdman, who
said he could swim no longer Although
himself almost exhausted, Gushing
turned to save his comrade. IF / am
to drown, what better way to die than
in trying to save another" thought the
brave lieutenant. Knocking Woodman's
cap from his head. Gushing placed his
right arm under the sailor, and struck
out-again. For ten minutes they kept
afioat. when Woodman suddenly gave
yell and sunk like stone.
hi OF l. csft OI1nI f1n
Of the bottom, but was unable to go
further, and remained half in mud,
half in water, until daylight came to
reveal that he was only 10 yards from
a fort.
The town was swarming with SOL !
diers and sailors, eXcitedly, discussing !
the occurrence of the previous night.
At the fort sentry was pacing back /
and forth, and Cushing's hone was to /
reach the point of a swamp nearby |
while the soldiers back was toward |
him He was but half way across when I
the guard turned. Gushing dropped |
fiat on his back the coating of mud /
which he wore blending with the color |
of the SOIL and probably preventing I
his detection. Several officers passed. /
almost touching his arm, without dis
covering him. Digging his heels and /
elbows into the ground, the lieutenant
made his way, inch by inch, to the
swamp, through which progress was
slow and painful, on account of the
everywhere nettles, thornS and briarS.
Anxious as he was to get back to the
Union lines. he stopped 70 bribe a negro
to go to Plymouth and ascertain the
result of the torDedo's work. Satisfied
as to this boat captured from party
of soldiers while they were at dinner