The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-11-27

New Ironsides" apparently towing the
"Canonicus." then the "Monadnock'
and lastly the "Saugus" and seemingly
anchored.
l recall the impressive silence of that
| battle eve All animate and inanimatc
nature seemed wIdDt IN elumbec, save
the floating engines Of war, which
came bowling towards the fort, each
with a bone in her teeth. They We're
too distant to hear the ripple of the
displaced water as their bows, or the
piping of the b0atswain's whistles on
their decks. The garrison had been in
readiness since early morn, long roll
was beat at con and the guns were
manned, and inspired By the legend Of
their state: "Esee Guam VideIi," and
Of their country, Dec Viniice,' and
Carolina comrades, with STOUT hea:,.,
! wore "c.Cy f,~ any f,'a.
About l p. Ii. a flash and then &
iorG report ca e from a forward san
il u ~starhcarG "a 60 # tn. New
-ronsiGe>." I .:3w It III nediatelr atter
:, lett To- -ZfIG arc watcnc1 :
c'"re towards ana past ne and ,urned
nd .aw il explode harmlass'v near The
hdS StAd, d. WHICH opJtH't ~ttTIlOuIll50
bg a large. Confederate fat, with ed
IN Il. blue cross with - white stars,
and a large white field. every gun
from that feet, which was in range,
was pointed, much to my qualification
and safety, and as I quickly tool in
TIE situation, enabling me to stand COOL
T. on top of the parRpet, where / al
lowed no n else to come. and with
my field glass watched as far as he
smoke would allow, the effect OF Or
L. 07InIte guns. much to the anxiety
Of tie boys who loved me, some so far
forgetting the disciple | had taught
them, as to call out from places OF
concealment, Come eff that parapet.'
As If | didn't know after the first few
broadsides of the portion of the fleet
IN front Of TIC sea face that until that
hated faS was Shot down, | was as safe
where | was, as the men behind the
TeTetments. The fleet fired at least
5000 shot and shell at the staff before
It fell. the most CT them exploding ove-
or falling into the Cape Fear river In
rear CT the works. (See Admiral Por-
te~'s reports and letters in Official Re-
Gods of Navy Department.
=" soon rs he New 1ronsides" had ,
d." orged he- staTboard b~roadside OF
11-inoh shells, and before the other :
veseels commenced firing, I walked OF .
ne adjoining parapet to within $50 |
TO- g tie rear % a ten-inch Columbia
battery, originally constructed by n |
Fayetteville company and named after |
their county, and which / had chosen
tor the signal gun, by which to COM |
mence the defence. In obedience to |
orders the gun had been kept on the /.
largest vessel approaching the fort. !
which was nearest the battery. All ex-
cept the gunner behind the sight. |
whom I knew was a good marksman.
z the men moving the carriage as he |
directed, tie lieutenant in command
With all the crew were Watching their
commander iatently, as unconcerned
about what was coming, as II they were |
CT o coon Q 'possur hunt down home |
/ raised my hand and in ordinary drill
voice commanded, "Cumberland-fre,"
The lanyard was pulled, a 10-inch shot
went bowling along, ~richcchetted, and
bounded with Il crash through the
s1Iokestack OF the frigate "Susquehan-
ma And the almost oppressive silence
on our side was broken by a rebel veil.
that would have done credit to the
1~-r Of northern Virginia, which
ether "Marse Robert" "Old Jack" or
~ % field hare, passed though a Con-
iederate camp. IN winter quarters.
William Lamb.
ITO be concluded next Sunday