The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-08-08
PETERS BRAVERY.
PROVED IT BY FACING BOTH FIRE ANC
DYNAMITE.

with Death Threatening the Soldier With
Barge of Explosives to Burning Pier
at Sandy Hook.
All our heroes are not on Cuban soil,
! or on the waters that wash the Cuban
: shores. Robert Peter, who is private
in Company A. Third regiment, New
Jersey volunteers, is the hero of deeds
that prove the truth of that statement.
Peter longs for an opportunity to have
his bravery tested in the midst of actu-
al warfare He has no fear Of sharp
mel or Spanish craftsmanship. o,
Private Peter has come face to face
with a dangerous situation, and has
demonstrated that he is made OF the
material that gives us our heroes.
During a heavy thunder storm a pier
at Sandy Hook was set ON fire. At the
pier was moored float loaded with
high explosives. Peter realized that a
destructive explosion was imminent
unless the float was removed to
place of safety. On the pier were two
mines, each containing 1902 pounds of
dynamite, which further added to the
danger of the situation.
Peter discovered the fire when the
tongues Of fame were almost licking
the barge. He ran to Lieutenant Nc
Gregor, Of the Engineer Corps, and
breathlessly exclaimed: Lieutenant,
the pier is on fire. The float, with ex-
plosives, is fastened there"
"Yes, l know it," the lieutenant re-
piled, but the fire has made such pro-
gress that nothing can be done"
"Yes. something can be DONE" Pet
ter replied saluting. I'VE can cut the
hawsers and set the float adrift"
That's impossible" the lieutenant
replied. ut would mean death to the
man who attempted It,"
Cant l have permission, sir?" the
private pleaded, ito cut the ropes and
save the foat?'
Lieutenant McGregor hesitated, and
Peter continued: give the ORDER sir.
III do the job"
mo, shall give no orders to that |
effect" the lieutenant replied.
Peter only listened long enough to |
understand no order would be given
and then determined to act He got
Arthur Crowell and Thomas Ortell to
come to his assistance.
Peter leading the way, the three men !
ran onto the pier with open knives in
their hands. !; They threw themselves
on the string-pieces and began hack
ing at the hawsers that held the float.
One after another the severed ropes
dropped into the water, and the float,
released. moved silently out Of danger.
Then the three men ran off for their
lives. The float was at safe distance
when suddenly there was terrific ex-
plosion. The dynamite bombs had ex-
ploded. and the heavens were tighten
with binding fash. Peter and his
two comrades were safe; so, too, was
the float and Its cargo. They still
talk Of Peters bravery down at Sandy
Hook. and Lieutenant McGregor is Law
ish in his praises Of the heroism OF
Peter, Crowell and Ortell.
Peter was born in Dundee, Scotland,
on November 80. 1863. He would have
Joined the British army when he was
seventeen years old, but his parents
objected and pleaded with him not to.
1t was his mothers entreaties that led
Peter to say: "All right, mother, I
won't join the army, but would like
to become a soldier" 1t was soon af-
ter this that Peter left home. He
kept his promise to his mother, and
now for the first time he Is ready, as q
soldier, to meet an enemy.
Peter has faced death three times.
His life was nearly crushed out few
years ago when he stopped a runaway,
to save from harm, perhaps death, two
women who were taking an afternoon
drive, Peter has scar on one of his
cheeks. 1t was caused by bullet.
Peter is an expert horseman, and
acted as orderly to Colonel Lee and
Chaplain Glazebrock, who are now at
Pompton Plains. He would like to be
with the Rough Riders in Cuba He Is
a modest fellow and will not believe
that anything he has done thus far
has exacted any great amount OF hero
ism.