Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-30

to see a ship. We pulled in the direc-
ton of the town of New Bern. and
searched in vain TO find something
ailoat, although we got close enough
To the wharf TO hear talking, probably
the sentries on the dock.
There was nothing to be done but find
some refuge out of sight until next
night, but it was IL hard letting down
from the pitch of excitement and eX-
pectation we had been under-the un-
bending of the bow that had been
strung for action. We moved up the
river some three or four miles to Bach
clorS Creek, where among the reeds
and rushes we tried to hide ourselves
ana rest until next night and try il
again. We felt very uneasy lest we
should be discovered, and our purpose
known: for unless our attack should be
Il surprise it would be useless and mad
ness 10 undertake Ii. No force in small
boats. except in overwhelming numbers.
can capture an armed ship, unless by
taking her urawares. We spent n day
Of tedious waiting. Officers and men
laying low. spinning yarns and talking
about our prospects. 1 happened to hear
tfrr stiiitiffsss of ur1p-of the group-w where
a fine young officer said: Fellows.
where will we be this time Tomorrow"
He was among the killed. and it was
such n lesson on the uncertainty of hu-
man life. Among the Killed there was
Hoge and Gardner and Henry Cooke
and Gill and Palmer Saunders and
Goodwin. from our State, and Gift
and Porcher and Scharf and Will
Hanson and Kerr and Roby, all train
ed at Annapolis and true as steel
among these three were from Norfolk
and Portsmouth. In plain sight of us
was tall crows nest. occupied by
lookout of the Federal army on their
pickett line. and / assure You it gave
us creepy, uneasy telling to think
that our whole movement and intention
might be discovered. And here let me
remark that this very situation de-
termincs and exemplifies what | Judge
to be a man OF war-a leader who does
not allow his plans to be upset by what
he thinks the enemy is going to do. He
must be always combative and not CAL
culating chances. Wood paid no atten-
ton to doubts and surmises. but had
MS eye fixed upon boarding and captur-
ing that ship. and doing his part I'm the
fall of New Bern.
We were in full hearing of Pickott's
dashing attack upon the Federal out
crworkS that day, and knew that he
was driving them from the advanced
line of Notifications. Before sunset
Wood called for the swiftest boat, and,
with your speaker in company. pulled
cautiously down the river. keeoinC
close under the banks. We had not gone
TWO miles. when simultaneously we
both cried: There she is
We discovered a black steamer an
chored close up TO the right flank of
Tie cutter fortiiicaiions of New Bern.
where she had come that day. and. hav-
me located her exactly. we returned 10
our hiding place. With the understands
inf that we would attack her between
II and O'Clock i'll the morning Orders
We're given accordingly, and all hands
We're made To- know the order OF battle.
and what they had to do In rrushing
pcii nell upon tho side oi IL ship with
boat. they naturally rebound and leave
a gap that IS not easy 10 get across, so
each bow oarsman was ordered 10 he
ready to jump aboard With 4 Erapnel
IS soon as shs struck, and make he.
fast. and our coolest men were picked
for tia tduty, which you will easily
see is risky. Some time after midnight
we got under way and pulled slowly
down the river in two columns of four
boats each, Wood TO board her forwa I'd