The National tribune., 1903-05-21

out, and running down the coast of
Florida with its green shore line i'll sight;
we were startled with the cry of ''Sail-o.
sail-o! The Alabama! The Alabama
Before we left New York it was re-
ported that the rebel cruiser Alabama was
up to her miserable work in the vicinity of
the Gulf, and it was supposed, of course.
that we would be provided with an armed
convoy.
The steamer Vanderbilt lay at anchor
near by us, just fitted up especially with
a ram by the owner, for Il cruise after the
Alabama. and it was said she would act
as our convoy; but we left port unattend-
ed, and every sail thus far sighted on the
voyage has been greeted by this same
hateful cry, The Alabama! The Ala
bama!''
Startled by the cry, there, sure enough,
off the starboard quarter, from behind a
low studded reef. appeared suddenly Il
low. gray steamer with n black trail of
smoke, making directly for US. She soon
fell into our wake.
Our ships officers can not make her out:
they are in the pilot house having n look
at her with their glasses; she may be
rebel privateer.
Capt. Baxter says she is fast, and can
easily overhaul us; he goes alOft in the
main top with his glass, and directly calls
up Mr.. Parker the First Mate, and they
hold consultation.
Soon the bell rings sharply down in the
engine room. full steam ahead" and hur-
ried orders to set another sail and take in
two not drawing, and the ship begins TO
move more freely.
Seeing these things. our boys look
anxiously in each others faces. wonder
ing if she is really a, rebel. and the excite
ment aboard our now-crowded decks be-
comes interesting.
Hour after hour passes. and the chase
continues. We are surely being over
hauled; she runs up flag; some of the
boys say it is black: others that it is the
stars and bars, but the Mate, with his
glass, says the Stars and Strips. and our
colors signal in response; but who can tell
her from that miserable scourge of the
seas. the Alabama?
We are still running in sight of the
Florida coast, with its white surf line and
low border of green foliage. The soft
tropic air seems to restore the spirits of
the sea-Sick boys.
1t is now o'clock. Five long hours
this race has been on. The ships fresh
water condensers have been cut off, and all
steam and sail forced on.
Our decks are still crowded with
anxious men, but the suspense is about
over; the steamer is now hard in our wake
and soon runs alongside as we slow down. |
Not word is spoken, but We can now |
all see that she is fully armed, and that
both officers and men are uniformed in the |
true blue or our navy.
All our fears and doubts vanish: Z great |
shout goes up from our crowded decks |
and our band leads off with the Star
Spnngled Banner.
The marines spring into the rigging and |
man the yards. giving loyal response to
our cheers, while we in turn break forth
again.
After the passing of these civilities,
Capt Baxter, from the top of the pilot
house, answers the voyager's usual Ques-
tions at sea: Where from, when, where
bound. and what troops aboard, etc.
And in return, What ship is that, Sir:'
'rThe United States gunboat Santiago de
Cuba"
What news from Fredericksburg"
they ask.
Burnside crossed the river, lost 1900
men, and had to retire. - it sirr'
How those naval officers berated the
generalship of the army as the dreadful
tale was told.
Adeus were now waved. and the San
tiago de Cuba having obtained the news
from the North, crossed our bow, and
passed from our sight in pursuit Of the
blockade.
Sunday, Dec. 2s, 1862, seventh day out.
We are now running up the Gul:. with
the sunrise fairly astern, having changed
our course in the night.
Comrade Walker and I again bunked
down on deck last night, avoiding our
Sitting quarters below, taking good care
to shade our eyes from the binding effect
of the direct rays of the moon
The air is hot and muggy, like dog
day. The ship moves lazily. Never saw
the sun so high overhead at midday; very
few of us boys were ever SO far down in
the tropics before.
Have SacurpI farnrifa in yha |
bows, by the anchor, under the starboard
rail. BY the way, this good fright bower"
has already a place in the history of the
war.
The Mississippi made her maiden trip
as Gen. Buffers flagship in his expedition
TO New Orleans last year. My visit to
her as she lay at the wharf, Boston, be-
fore her departure. is readily recalled
new iron ship just from the shipyard. the
sister ship Of the Massachusetts, part of
a packet line between Boston and New
Orleans; little thinking then of my first sea
voyage under these wariike conditions
From an old sailor who was aboard of
her l have the story of the anchors
broken fuke Coming down the coast here
as We are now, crowded with troops,
Capt Fulton, carelessly, or other wise, or
maybe Intentionally, ran the ship upon
Frying Pan Shoals, and but for the faith
full grip of the anchor in the hard coral
the ship would doubtless have gone to
pieces, with great loss of life, possibly
marring the final success of the expedition.
Gen. Butler, suspecting Fulton's 10y
atty, deprived him of his command and
put him under arrest.
The anchor still bears witness of its
stanch grapDle with the treacherous shoal.
the point Of one of its massive Hukes be-
ing torn off. and still missing.
Such was the christening Of this good
old right bower. and It's said to have not
been cast ont since.
The TROOPS aboard ship consist Of the
4Ith Mass, Col. J.. i. Marsh, about / 600:
the 10th \. Y, 400; 10Th n. H.. 800;
with the slips company, about 1.7J0
The Portuguese men-0f-war, the little
Nautilus, affords us some amusement: its
iateen sails. like bright silvery bubble,
scndding before the wind on a CLASSY sea.
Schools Of flying-fisI' are more numer-
GUS; frightened by the ships Prov. they
dart out of the water. flying, skipping
away out of danger, and drop into the
water again.
Six bells have just struck. More than
three hours ago the loungers on deck were
startled again from their swcltcring stupor
by the cry of ''Sail-o! Sail-o! The Ala
bama, the Alabama,"
a black trail of smoke emerges from
low fog bank off the Florida Keys. over
the starb9ard quarter. The steamer soon
heavcs in sight. She makes directly for
nc Col |