Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-06-23

Why They Compare the Former to
the Latter.

When the news that young Lieuten-
ant Hooson and his Men had run the
big collier Merrimac into the narrow
mouth of the harbor at Santiago de
Cuba and had sunk her there so as to
cork the bottle into which Admiral
Cervera was emtrapped nearly every
correspondent, looking back into his
tory for comparison to the gallant
deed, referred to the heroic officer as
a second Cushing And they could
pay no higher compliment. In all the
world and all the wars of the world
since the beginning of mankind's hat
red of mankind the genius OF distinc-
tion never produced man who for
nerve, intrepidity, courage and skill
quite equaled William B. Gushing, the
American naval officer whose peer
has just been found in the Alabama
boy at Santiago.
1t was not alone that Cushing knew
no fear-there are thousands of fear
less men in the world. But with his
limitless physical courage he combin-
ed shrewdness and intelligence that
made him worth more to the northern
navy during war between the
states than an [ their ships. He
had the sort of ling that makes
heroes, if the right sort of stuff was
born in them. Born in Wisconsin in
November, 1912, he was appointed to
the naval academy at Annapolis in
September, 1857, but resigned in
March, 1861, in order to enter the SER
vice without waiting for his diploma.
His was disposition which could, un-
der such circumstances, give no
thought to- theoretical studies-fortu-
uately for the navy, for it needed just
such men at that time. He enlisted
as masters mate, and was the young
est man who wore blue uniform at
the commencement of hostlites.
He served in the Cambridge for a
short time, and was restored to his
rank as midshipman in October, 1861.
After a sick leave he was ordered to
the Minnesota, and promoted to lieu
tenant in July, in common with a
large number of young officers nee
essary to supply the demands of the
service growing out of the civil war.
Henceforth, for a period of nearly
three years, his service was eminent
ly conspicuous in deeds of daring.
While in command of a small steamer
upon the blockade, he often visited
the INLAND waters of the enemy at the
risk of his life. He usually went at
night, lying concealed during the fol-
lowing day, and always having in
view some object that was as desper-
ate as it was definite. He had, in mar
row waters, frequent battles with OPP
posing field batteries. and history
tells of scores of his thrilling adven-
lures and narrow escapes.
Once, while blockading off New
Topsail inlet, he reconnoitered a
schooner lying inside, but was soon
under the 1ire of considerable force
with field piece and small-arms. He
retired, but late that evening he an
chored his vessel close to the beach,
abreast OF the schooner and several
miles distant to the entrance to the
inlet. Then he sent two boats on
shore, the larger one to act as sup
port They hauled the smaller boat
across the sand beach and launched
her in the inlet beyond. Ensign
Soney, with six men, then reconniter-
ed and found that about twenty men
and small piece of artillery were
guarding the vessel. In spite of this,
an attack was made, the enemy rout-
ed and ten prisoners, a howitzer and
eighteen small arms captured. The
schooner and adjacent salt works
were destroyed and the expedition re-
joined the vessel without loss. At an
other time, while blockading of Cape
Fear river, Gushing went in his gig
with six men up the river past Fort
Caswell. to Smithsille. two. miles
above. and secured important infor.
nation. Once he entered the river in
the same way, captured the mail rid
,er for Fort Fisher and possessed HIM
self Of his bag.
HI xv,u,st rar, II, N lla faot h<x,...-.-