The Washington herald., 1914-07-26
THE WAR DAY BY DAY
Fifty Years Ago.
July 2s Iss4-Leut William Gushing u s. N, Was Ordered wash
hston Make Preparations AHsnpt Destroy e Confederate
Ram Absmarls Then the Roanoke cuhng Daring E1pOs

Cushing stepped from his hiding place,
and ordered him to dismount The man
was surprised, but being assured that
Lieut.. Cushing would be responsible for
the delay" he handed over the bag. II
held about 200 letters from Fort Fisher
containing much valuable military infor-
nation. including q statement Of the
strength Of the garrison at the fort
Cushing now decided TO wait for thu
down mail. IN order to get the Whining
ton papers About l p. m q courier ap-
peared. but as q bluejacket showed him.
self beside the road. the man became
alarmed and put spurs to his horse. Cush-
ing mounted on the other mail carriers
horse and gave chase. After riding at
top speed for two miles, he was obliged
TO give up the chase.
Meanwhile two prisoners were taken.
who stated that there was q store about
two miles distant The party was now
short OF food. and Masters Mate WILL
lam Howorth volunteered to go to the
store to get some.
Clad In the mail carriers coat and hat
he set out. At the store he talked with
various people. His story was plausible
and his money was acceptable. In dus
time he returned to his companions laden
with milk, chickens. and eggs.
II was now time to think Of getting back
creek, reaching the river at dark After
proceeding a short distance a halt was
made at an island. to land the prisoners.
At this junction a steamer came along
To avoid detection, the Federals forced
their prisoners to jump overheard and
followed them Holding to the boat they
concealed themselves until the steamer
had passed
Some small boats were now found, and
into these the prisoners were put. without
sail or oars, 'in order that they could
not get ashore to injure US"
Proceeding down stream without being
challenged, Lieut.. Cushing forced his
fisherman pilot to show him where the
Raleigh lay. He found that the stories
, Of her destruction were true. She had
broken up and sunk. and not a vestiSs
Of her hull showed above the water.
Escape from Guard Boats.
Gushing now headed his boat for ths
east bar. As he neared the forts he over
hauled a small boat, which was captured.
II contained six persons. four being SOL
diers. These were taken aboard. and
their boat was cut adrift.
Gushing now had twenty-six persons in
his boat. which was more than a safe
a guard boat. with seventy-hve soldiers
in II, was directly ahead Of him, in the
narrow passage between Federal Point
and Zeeks Island. Cushing determined to
attack it.
The moon was now bright" his re-
port runs, and as We came near the en-
trance Cof the channeD I saw what We
supposed to be one large boat tust on
the battery. but as We prepared to sail
into CattacL) her. and while about twenty
yards distant. three more boats suddenly
shot out from that side. and FIVE mora
from the other. completely blocking up
the sole avenue Of escape. I Immediately
E,ut the helm down. but found a large
sailbOat filed with soldiers to windward
and keeping US right in the glimmer OF
the moons rays.
Tn this trying position both officers
and men acted with true coolness and
bravery. Not the stroke Of an oar vas
out Of time; there was no thought Of sur
render. but we determined to outwit the
enemy or fight 1t out.
Suddenly turning the boats head wa
dashed OF as IL for the western bar. and
throwing the dark side OF the boat to-
ward them were soon lost to view. The
bait was eagerly seized. and their whols
line dashed on at once to intercept US
Then turning again. by the extraor-
uindEN pIllinS OF my sailors. 1 gained the
passage Of the island and. before the
enemy could prevent. put the boat into
the breakers on Caroline Shoals"
Though deeply laden, the boat was
taken in safety through the rough water
Of the shoals. the enemy not daring to
follow: and before the batteries could
pick her out she had passed TO safety
among the blOckadIng fleet
With the story OF this adventure fresh
,f.,s1-
Gushing could have anything he wished
10 further his plans for destroying tho
Alhsmarle.
Copyright. lslil
TOmorrow-Granf's FeInt on Rich