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

"Canonicus," reports to Admiral Lee
commanding N. A. Blockading squad.
ron, in regard to this engagement
which occurred June 21st, 1854.
The rebel ironclads came down the
river, but not in sight, and opened upon
Us a random fire, over the trees which
apnUnight ,nosti, bdnpervrthiee 0T'?H
I hc.ieve was not noticed" %. R. U. &
G. \. Vol. 10, y. 1922.
This is rather obscure and n would
infer that the gedeari and confederate
fleets had avoided a battle, but neither
! side ever did this; regardless of the
disparity Of their strength as con-
Jared with their foe Commander Par
roLt should have metioned that there
were distractions and shoals in T-enI's
reach opposite Farrar's Island, which
kept them apart. The second engage
ment or December 9th, 1854, with
Howletts battery, Wa. ri der still,
Parrot reporting. 'Ncthtn~ nit"
To relieve the dull monCtOn" q the
service en- the James. that rea~. which
included the ''sickly season." if not the
starving time of the early settlers
Admiral Lee ordered the "Canon!cus"
tc break Up the canoes in Turkey
creek, which with hose who reddlel
them, were giving aid and comfort to
the rebels" and this with IN coca
sional nocturnal Visit Of "a 0ontr,-
band" with sine choice chickens from
"ole masters" hen roost, together with
a wonderful tale &C t2~pdoes laid IL
"de ribber, befo' some great house,
longing to KKurnal, Majer, Jegge or
Doctor Blanks plantation ON de
Jeemes," comprised al, the exciting ev
perience Of this historic shin. IN il
shortly after she had to wrestle with
terrific gales, and meet in deadly con-
fict the heroes Of the Old North State.
In my official diary which was pre-
served by the tact of Lieutenant
Michael Glennan, (who took it from
my papers when the fort was captured
and kept it through his prison life at
Fort Columbus until exchanged and re-
stored it to me after the war;, and
which has been published by the navy
department, in it's official records,
write:
December 20, (1S64) Awoke this
morning shortly after day and was
Informed that the enemy's fleet wee
eff the fort. Five blockaders at thei~
anchorage and 25 vessels, including
several frigates further out nearly 81
hull down. Got everything in reaGi-
ness for a fight. Expected feet in a.
high tide at noon and cleared for
action. Fleet remained quiet all day.
A stiff noTtheaster prevailed and ]
think interferred with their opera
ions. Sent all the slaves off today
THE gale continued t. increase in
severity and lasted until the 23d. and
the "CanOnicus' was only saved after
a thrilling experience by ancho-ing he
to the leeward OF the heavy cruise~r
and f-iGate3 which broke the force q
the wild waves and prevented nc.
laundering like the famous Mentor"
which was defeated in Hampton Roads
May, 1862, by the Confederate i'm clad
virginia." nee L. S. s. ME -:-2ac.'
took their name.
| shall never forget my first sight Of
the "CanonicUs." It was Saturday. De
ceIaber "a, 1894, and one Of those Pc
feet days, that occasionally follow Z
severe storm, las if under a law Of
Compensatory, in the latitude Of the
Cape Fear. The gale which had back
ed round from northeast to south
west, had subsidized the day before and
was followed by q dead calm. The air
was balny and the sun shcne with In
summer warmth and the blue sea
was as quiet as a mountain lake on
an April day, and broke laziIy OF tar
n beach. a grander sight had never
been witnessed on any sea. than that
formidable armada, dwarfing into in
significance in tonnage and weight Ct
armament the Spanish armada.
| stood on the parapet of my highest
sea face battery, Except the Mound),
the boys called it the pulpit" from it's
position and shape. 1t had a con-
handing view of the land and sea
faces, which including the Mound and
the infantry curtain connecting 1t with
the main works, was 1850 yards in
length. The great frigates, cruisers
and gunboats slowed down a mile from
the fort, while the armored vessels.
came a quarter Of a mile nearer in, the