The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-12-08
Running the
Blockade
By DONALD CHAMBERLlN

NCty SupCllOt Eldut' w hCh thC wa bC-
tween the states opened and the south.
ern ports were blockaded this was
favorite point for running the blockade
with cargoes Of this valuable cotton.
Where it was grown 1t was worthless;
beyond the Yankee blockading squad
ron 1t was often worth more than a
dollar pound.
The United States government sent
a naval and military force to Port Roy
al to occupy the harbor, and adjoining
the islands, some fifteen or twenty
miles from the mouth Of the harbor. Is
the town of Beaufort, and one day
during the early part of the war a
steamer lay at the wharf taking on cot
ton. A man on the deck was watching
gang of negroes rolling the bales
aboard. A long. thin man with lean
cheeks and tuft of beard on his chin
and wearing butternnt suit came
sauntering along and stood looking at
the loading
"Are yo' the cap'n o. this hyer shipT'
he said to the man on deck.
II am"
"I'm lookn' fur Transportation.
want to git out O. this dod rotted,
Yankee ridden country. I've sold out
my little plantation and put the money
into cotton. got twenty bales"
Don't you know that the Lincoln
government won't let any cotton leave
the ConfederacyY
you don't say sO!'
"Yes. I'll take your cotton for you.
but there's a big chance of its being
captured by Yankee gunboat lying
Off the mouth Of the harbOr. If SO 1t
will be confiscated."
"Waal, now, reckon that's inter
ferln' with mans nateral rights"
But II you git it through. If it's
sea island cotton. you'll make small
fortune out Of it."
"Well?"
"If yO' want to take the risk I'll
carry 1t for you for 20 per cent of what
yo' sell It for"
"Yo' goin to carry over this what
yo' takin' abOa'd"
"I'm goin' to try"
| I'm afeard | mought lose my cot
ton"
"In that case yo' bette not risk It,"
But yo' say yo goin' to risk 1t with
yo' cotton"
81 am"
"What yo' paintin' yo' ship that colo
fo'Y"
'That's the color of fog. shall
not go to sea till can git misty
night. That gray paint is exactly the
shade of a misty m0'ning Just befO'
day."
| A bargain was struck between the
two, the captain agreeing to take the
lean man and his cotton to England
for 20 per cent Of its value In Liver
pool provided the blockade could be
run safely. The twenty bales were
taken to the wharf and rolled aboard.
The owner remained ashore till fog
gy night should enable the ship to get
to sea, there being Ave chances of
success to one Of capture.
Finally an east wind brought In
murky weather, and the captain told
his passenger that there was pros
pect of her getting out early the next
morning. The latter went aboard with
his baggage. hair trunk, a bandbOx
and a leather case evidently contain.
ing musical instrument. But the
captain, who was busy superintending
getting the ship Off. had no time to
inspect the passengers baggage.
Steaming down on to the brOadei
| Wa taru tho shin cOot Opnhnr hafvyoar
two Confederate forts ON either shore
to wait for IN opportunity. There were
considerable wind and rain during the
night, but nothing to conceal ship
About o'clock In the morning thu
wind lulled and dense fog settled
down. The captain concluded to try tt
slip out between the gunboats outside
the harbor. Just before the fog shu
everything from view he took his bear
ings from his compass and, with speed
only sufficient for steerage way. aidet
by an outgoing tide. drifted to the har
bors mouth.
On passing out dim hulk appeared
on his port quarter. He knew that 1
was blockader, but he had the al
vantage Of his ships being the color o
the mist, and he passed safely, Hal
an hour passed, and he was congratu
latlng himself on having cleared tn
blockading ships, when from below
there arose the resonant sound of bu
gle. Dashing down the companion
way, he followed the sound, which LEI
him to his passengers stateroom. Th,
man was practcing on cOrnet- TIL,
captain with blow sent 1t scurryinl
on the floor.
"You idiot" he exclaimed. "Wha
do you meanr"
"What do yo' mean yo'selff al
ways practice at this time O the morn
In"
"Fool! Do you want to lose you
cotton?"
Through portfolio they heard "Shi
nhoyr' then "Heave tor and tn
captain knew 1t was ali over The
were IN possession of Yankee gun