The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-14
UNDER GUNBOA7 FIRE
From Richmond to Washington via
the Blockade.
A Washington WOmnn's Experience
During the Civil War-It Was Risk
Passage Through the Union
Lines-The Federal Navy's boast.

LfneS-Ihe FederaI Navy'S b01St.
The battle OF the wilderness was in prog
ress: Richmond was beleaguered and the
heart of the country south OF Mason and
Dixon's line palpitated with expectant fear.
No prisoners were being exchanged and no
passes were allowed through the lines Of
either army. That was the condition of
affairs when !, girl Just graduated from
the Georgetown Convent and penned up in
Richmond, where my mother had sent me
IN an earlier stage Of the war TO join my
father, received word Of the death Of a
member Of my family at home that de-
manded my instant return to Washing
ton.
My father had been connected with the
Postoftce Department for twenty years
previous to the rebellion and was a chief
OF one OF the bureaus at the time OF the
declaration Of war. He resigned his posi-
ton and virtually organized the Confeder-
ate postoffice in Montgomery, Ala. When
the department was transferred to Rich
mond he was appointed to a position SIM
liar to the one he had held in Washington
and retained it until the surrender. He
knew that party Of Signal Corps officers
were about to run the blockade, and
through his friend, Gen. Sidney Winder, Sc
cured permission for US to Join them, pro-
vtded We were willing to abide by all risks
We met at depot-name forgotten-in the
twilight OF an early morning We were
not gay party. Doubt of the outcome Of
their enterprise and an awed sense of
fatality seemed to have settled on the faces
OF the men, who were as grey and chilly
and silent as the grey and chilly and silent
dawn-but they were tried Confederates
who knew their danger and deliberately
laced 1t with an almost certainty of de-
feat.
We were given seats in car that had
been bullet-riddled the day before in a
night at Tunstalfs Station, where four men
were killed and the train forced to return
to Richmond. 1t was the day after the
Stoneman raid. We made several false
starts and were checked leach time, why
could not understand. When we reached
the Chickahominy it still bore evidence
OF McClellan's lengthy sojourn on it's
reedy borders. Midway in a marsh and
half covered by the stream lay a disman-
tied and rusting locomotive, looking like
some distorted Cobb creature, while in
every direction were moldering knapsacks.
hats, guns, and canteens. The men di-
ing at snakes that had fattened on the
fostering bodies of soldiers. blue and grey
horrible black snakes that writhed une-
tuously in and out of the slime soaked
reeds.
About dusk We came to a two-room
tavern on the edge of wood. II was an
evil-looking place, and I've never seen
the equal Of its inhabitants. There was
woman-elderly, dirty. and ugly-and
four or five red-shirted, rough bearded.
looking men. Neither my father
nor any of the eight officers was to he
seen. 1t had been grey all day and now
drizzling rain had set in with steady
wind from the north and an old bald eagle
perched on the highest branch of light
ning-riven tree added its share of desc
1ation to the scene.
1t was midnight when the men of cur
party arrived. and after a supper of corn
pone and cOffee-made out of sweet 20
tatoes-we started to the river by path
that zigzagged through the woods.
1t was a black night and the air was
heavy with dampness. There was sulien
foreboding in the break Of the waves on
the shore and seen through the lens Of
terror the red-shirted blockade runners
were ferocious pirates, whose foreign
mutterings froze my soul with fear. The
oars were muffled and every man was
armed.
/ was slowed in the boat first. and after
taking one quick and indelible look at the
water, hid my face in my hands. After
the officers. my father and the two run
ners'' were in, they sat for minute look
ing out over the blackness of the river.
then the oars shot out silently and we
SKINNED the water as swiftly as If the
dugout had been fish. Every little while
the men would pause and lean upon their
oars to listen. Not a sound was heard.
Nothing was seen
We were within a couple Of miles from
the Maryland shore when one Of the men.
through some subtle instinct OF danger.
or overkeen hearing, threw himself back
to listen.
"Gunboat!''
screamed-I couldn't help it.
Throw that woman overheard" and
as he said il he turned on me with up
lifted oar and face distorted with rage.
There was a report-a flash like star
through the air, and the Kissing of the
water as the shot fell in the waves few
yards in our rear. We waited Even
was dumb. and the men were as rigid as
though hcwn out OF stone. Then the oars
slipped into the water and we stole again
on our way.
Another shooting star flashed over tha
air toward us, but We were out OF
range, and the blockade was successfully
run.
At that immediate time it was the boast
Of the Federal Navy that not even bird
could fly over the Potomac without be NJ
seen, SO vigilantly was the river pa
trolled.
We reached the shore safely. lsndiug at
the old Blackstone pavilion, which Wa n
camping place for Federal soldiers diriug
a part of the war. My father took me to
a farm house and waited in the darkn5 SIS
until some one opened the door.
At my own request my host reported me
at headquarters and I was taken q
prisoner next day. Captain Faithful who
made the arrest, could not have been
kinder to me had I been his own child
Through his considerate thcughifGlness l
was sent to the home of a relative in the
same county and given my parole. Sh rt-
" afterward took the oath of allegiance
in order to get to Washington, and have
been really and truly loyal ever since.
A Dismal Failure.
81 don't think I'll try any more prac-
teal jokes on my wife. They don't pan
out weJl