The San Francisco call., 1898-06-19

a few minutes three OOll1SOClo 1Co Ne-A- to the old negro and asked II any Tanks had been seen there that day: Then one of the soldiers told the o-d man that their hope and pr1de, the iron-clad ram, had been blown 10 use lessness by some Yankees, all or whom had no doubt been killed Tor thef cussed WildneSS.
 Toward night I had another meal of ham and corn with the faithful oh ne- gro and started down the river toward our fleet. I almost encountered squdo of Confederates, but hid behind rence and berry bushes until they hao passed.
 At daybreak I was again within the Union lines. I was challenged ny d Union sentry, and when l was unable to give a reasonable account Of myself l was taken to the colonel. You ouShl to have heard him laugh when 1 said 1 was one of the Cushing crew that nao gone to blow up the Albemarle- lie thought that was the biggest cocK-and- bull story of the campaign. l was so weak and worn that l did not argue the matter, feeling sure that Woulo get my dues very soon in any event
 Take the fellow to the cook tent and give him something to eat, then keep him under guard" were the colonePS orders. He merely meant to keep me under surveillance until SomethlnS happened to justify my presence in the ranks.
 was content. I ate enormously ana then lay down on some horse blankets and slept like a log. 1 never even heard the noise of providing the noon meal for the officers. Early in the afternoon the colonel, who proved to be Colonel h. A. Armstrong of the Eleventh WlSc0n- sin, came himself and woke me He sat down by my side and wiped tears of true sorrow from his eyes because he had So norernntOrilV ordered about in the morning. He had heard while I was sleeping rom Commodore McComb that Cushing and two con- panions had returned on the United States steamer Valley City, and that man answering my description was one of those who had gone against the All bemarle. He had further convinced himself while 1 slept that l was gen uine survivor of Cushing's crew. 50 he had come in humility to show his re- spect for a poor, forlorn sailor who had had the time we had up the river.
 Colonel Armstrong sat there an hour or more and asked me all about the work of the expedition. Other officers came and finally when it had become noiSed about camp that one Of the boys who had been with Cushing in the AL bemarle attack was there a great crowd of 200 or 300 men gathered within range of my voice. l was taken to
 
 mitted to bathe and then dress myself on what I saw there. 1 had fifty pairs of boots offered me by officers and enough hats and caps to stock store. I had the best the camp afforded and was visited by the surgeons, who dosed me incidentally.
 The second day I was escorted down fthe sound and there boat was hailed and I went back to the Otsego. Lieu tenant Cushing and two survivors had arrived there in frightful condition. They had crawled through the swamp and forest opp rite Plymouth and had lived on bark and roots. They had got down the Roanoke to a point where the United States steamer Valley City saw their sign of distress and took them back to the Union fleet. One of their number was insane from the agony of gunshot wound in the shoulder, priva- tions and excitement. believe he died later.
 Lieutenant Cushing had a golden medal and vote of thanks from Con- gress for his bravery and his scheme in arranging and executing the expedition. lie deserved them as well as his pro- motion in the naval service. I was pro- noted from ensign to lieutenant in the next month after the Albemarle affair.
 The most distinguished honor I ever had was in February, 1885, when I was asked by President Lincoln at the White House to tell him from maps all about our experiences with Cushing It came about in this way. I was in Washington on my way home on sick leave. l went one day during a pub lie reception given by the President to see Father Abraham. One of the ush- CTS in the hall knew me from boyhood and recognized me. My name had been published as among the Cushing expe- dition survivors, and he had seen it. He asked me a little about the affair." It seems that while I was slowly walk ing my way down the line of visitors to shake the Presidents hand and then depart, the usher had privately in formed MT. Lincoln that Cushing ex- petition survivor was there. Anyhow, when l came to go out of the big front doors. my friend, the usher, was wait ing for me with request from the President that I remain and tell Mir. Lincoln some facts he would like to know about the historic occasion.
 When the crowd had gone and Mir. Lincoln had retired to his office-room upstairs. l was escorted there by the usher. It happened that Secretary Se- ward and Senator Charles Sumner were there to consult with the President. Nevertheless. I was cordially received, and was introduced to the Secretary and the Senator by MT. Lincoln him self.
 This is Lieutenant Wilson," said he, "who was with Cushing in his Abe marie expedition. I've asked him to come and tell me the ever-new story again. Don't you want to hear it?''
 Secretary Seward and Senator Sum- ner acquiesced. I told the story sub stantially as have just done, and then l was asked scores of questions. The President was curious to know how a torpedo could do such powerful damage to a great mass of iron as the Confed- crate ram was by merely exploding on it's outer surface. Senator Sumner asked me whether men like Cushing lose all thoughts of death when they undertake such frightfully hazardous errands, or whether they are so filled with zeal to win against the enemy that they forget their danger.
 g 8 s:s2 sa 8 s 8 8 8 s. s3 8 8 5: his cheek pale. but his eye fixed as in differently at the other side, and he had determined and dangerous air.
 Small made a very different figure; his appearance was ghastly; he shift