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Title: Reminiscences of Two Years in the United States Navy
Author: John M. Batten
Release Date: June 12, 2008 [EBook #25764]
Language: English
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PREFACE.
The only excuse I offer for publishing this little book of
reminiscences is that a story half told is better than a story not told
at all.
J. M. B.
_73 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., May 8, 1881._
REMINISCENCES
OF
TWO YEARS
IN THE
UNITED STATES NAVY.
By
JOHN M. BATTEN, B.E., M.D.,
_Late Acting Assistant Surgeon United States Navy, Pittsburgh, Pa._
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR.
LANCASTER, PA.
INQUIRER PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO.
1881.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881,
By JOHN M. BATTEN, B.E., M.D.
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D.C.
TO THE
Grand Army of the Republic,
AND TO THE
Soldiers and Sailors
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES AS AN OFFERING FOR THE
PRESERVATION OF THE UNION,
AND TO MY MOTHER,
SARAH BATTEN,
THIS LITTLE BOOK OF REMINISCENCES
IS MOST
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Appointment in the United States Navy 9
On the Princeton 10
Choice Prescriptions 10
Acting as Coxswain 11
Detached from the Princeton 12
Adieu to Mother 12
Back of Orders 13
A Night on the United States Steamer Minnesota 14
Visiting Important Places in the Vicinity of Hampton, Va. 15
Dismal Swamp Canal. Reporting Aboard the Valley City 15
Washington, N.C. 16
Sinking United States Steamers Southfield and Bombshell 17
Death of Flusser. Plymouth Re-captured by the Confederates 17
An Attack on Washington, N.C. 17
Down Tar River in a Storm. Evacuation of Washington, N.C. 18
Newbern 19
Cruising 20
July 4, 1864 22
Cruising, and Capturing John Taylor 22
Ordered to the Mouth of Roanoke River 24
Roanoke Island 25
Joining the Fleet 25
Ram Albemarle and Edenton 26
Taking H. T. Wood to U.S. Naval Hospital, Norfolk, Va. 27
Again Through Dismal Swamp Canal. Too Late for the Boat
Fawn. At Norfolk, Va. 28
Arriving Aboard the United States Steamer Valley City, and
description of Dismal Swamp 29
Leaving Newbern 32
Winton 32
Appearance of the Albemarle at the Mouth of Roanoke River 33
Aground in Scuppernong river. A Brush with the Enemy 34
Confederate Account of It 35
What Mr. Milton Webster says of the Brush 36
Up Alligator River 38
Up Frying-pan River 39
Cushing the Brave 40
Meeting Cushing for the First Time 40
His Arriving Aboard the Valley City 41
Blowing up the Ram Albemarle 41
Three Cheers for Cushing 42
Cushing's Official Report 45
New York Herald's Dispatches 49
Mr. Galen H. Osborne's Dispatch 49
Mr. Oscar G. Sawyer's Dispatch 52
The Hero of the Albemarle in Washington, D.C. 62
The Valley City on the Dry Dock for Repairs 63
From Gosport, Va., to Plymouth, N.C. 63
During the Month of November, 1864 63
Ashore for the First Time at Plymouth 64
Ashore at Newbern 64
Cruising 65
Rainbow Bluff. How a Fleet went up the Roanoke and came
down again 65
New York Herald's Dispatch 77
Thanks of the Officers of the Otsego to Captain Wood 86
That Old Family Bible 87
The Valley City and Her Officers 89
Cruising 92
Chincapin Ridge 98
Cruising 100
Farewell to the Officers and Crew of the Valley City 110
Homeward Bound 111
Again through Dismal Swamp Canal 112
At Home 112
Meeting Men of Note 113
Ordered to Cairo, Ill. 116
Don Carlos Hasseltino 118
Honorable Discharge from U.S. Navy 124
TWO YEARS
IN THE
UNITED STATES NAVY.
After having passed an examination before the Medical Board of the
United States Navy, which was in session at the United States Naval
Asylum, Philadelphia, Pa., Dr. James Green, President of the Medical
Board, I received the following appointment:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, 22d March, 1864.
You are hereby appointed Acting Assistant Surgeon in the Navy of
the United States on temporary service.
After having executed the enclosed oath and returned it to the
Department with your letter of acceptance, you will proceed to
Philadelphia without delay, and report to Commodore Stribling for
temporary duty on board the United States steamer Princeton.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLES, _Secretary of the Navy_.
Acting Assistant Surgeon John M. Batten, United States Navy,
Guthrieville, Pa.
After bidding my relatives and friends good-bye, I proceeded to
Philadelphia, Pa., and reported for duty on board the United States
steamer Princeton, which was lying anchored in the Delaware river off
Philadelphia, and which was the same vessel on which Abel Parker
Upshur, Secretary of State under President Tyler, was killed by the
explosion of a monster cannon whilst visiting said vessel, in company
with the President and other members of the Cabinet. The duty aboard
this vessel was of an initiatory character, to prepare officers for
clerical duties peculiar to each of their particular offices. I made
the acquaintance on this vessel of Surgeon James McClelland, who was
the Surgeon of the Princeton. He had entered the United States Navy
when a young man, and had been in the service ever since. He was about
fifty-five years of age. The first morning after sleeping aboard this
vessel, I was awakened by what is always usual aboard a man-of-war, a
large gun fired at sunrise. The concussion and reverberation from the
report of the heavy gun shook the vessel till it creaked, and, in my
half-slumbering condition, I wondered to myself whether it was not a
real battle in which the vessel was engaged; but upon mature reflection
and inquiry, I learned it was only the report of the sunrise gun.
One day, whilst on board the Princeton, a blank book in which were
copied a number of choice prescriptions used by many of the old
celebrated physicians of Philadelphia, fell into my hands. The book
belonged to Surgeon James McClelland. I thought, as I had nothing else
special to do, I would occupy the time in re-copying these
prescriptions into a blank book of my own; and just as I was re-copying
the last prescription, Dr. James McClelland came aboard. He noticed me
engaged in writing, and came into the state-room where I was, and
observed his book. He immediately asked me where I had got the book. I
told him where I had got it.
"Why," said he, "I would not take any money for a copy of those
prescriptions. I consider them very valuable, and would not for any
consideration let my best friend have a copy of them."
I told him that I believed it to be very wrong not to let prescriptions
which have been found valuable in disease, be known. After reprimanding
me for re-copying the prescriptions, he cooled down, and became very
affable. I, however, got a copy of the prescriptions.
Another day, in rowing aboard the Princeton from the United States Navy
Yard at Philadelphia, Pa., I acted as coxswain, and came very near
capsizing the boat in the Delaware river. The river was very rough, and
I got the boat in what the sailors call the "trough of the sea." I,
however, arrived on board the Princeton safely, after running the boat
"bows on" against the steamer. The officer of the deck said:
"Sir, why don't you bring that boat alongside in a sailor-like manner?"
"Why," I said, "I am glad to get aboard in any manner, even though
there were a hole stove in the side of the Princeton by my boat;
besides, sir, I know nothing about bringing a boat alongside in a
sailor-like manner." I soon, however, learned to manage a small boat in
water very well.
On receiving the following order:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, 5th April, 1864.
SIR: You are hereby detached from the Princeton, and you will
proceed to Hampton Roads, Va., without delay, and report to Acting
Rear Admiral Lee for duty on board the United States steamer Valley
City.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
GIDEON WELLES, _Secretary of the Navy_.
Acting Assistant Surgeon John M. Batten, U.S. Navy, Philadelphia.
I left the Princeton, and after bidding my mother farewell, who was
stopping with my sister, who resided in Philadelphia--this was a hard
task, and it affected us both greatly; but separate we did, and whether
we should ever meet again in this world was a question which time alone
would determine--on turning a corner I looked back, and saw my mother
standing on the steps of the doorway, weeping. It was to me an
affecting separation. I journeyed to the Philadelphia and Baltimore
railroad depot, located in the southern part of Philadelphia, Pa., and
at 8 o'clock a.m. of a beautiful day I took the train for Baltimore,
Md., arriving in that city at about noon of the same day. Having some
time to view the city, I took advantage of the opportunity, and
promenaded the principal thoroughfares. At 5 o'clock p.m., I took the
steamer Louisiana for Fortress Monroe, and arrived there the next
morning, and as soon thereafter as possible reported to Admiral Lee. On
the back of my order I find:
Delivered April 6, 1864, C. K. Stribling, Commander.
Delivered April 6, 1864, John Calhoun, Commandant.
Flagship Minnesota, off Newport News, Va.
Reported April 8, 1864.--Apply to Col. Biggs, Army Quartermaster at
Fortress Monroe, for transportation to Newbern, and then report to
Captain Davenport in the sounds of North Carolina.
S. P. LEE, Acting Rear Admiral,
Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
Transportation will be given by first steamer bound for North
Carolina.
HERMAN BIGGS.
April 9, 1864.
Reported April 14, 1864.
Report to Acting Master J. A. J. Brooks, Commanding U.S. steamer
Valley City.
H. K. DAVENPORT, Commander U.S.N.,
Senior Naval Officer, Sounds of N.C.
Reported April 15, 1864.
JOHN A. J. BROOKS, Acting Master,
Commanding U.S. steamer Valley City.
It being late in the evening of April 8, 1864, when I reported on board
the United States steamer Minnesota, and there being no opportunity to
return ashore, I was compelled to remain aboard the Minnesota till the
following morning, April 9, 1864. Being very much fatigued, I retired
early, and soon fell soundly asleep. About 1 a.m., I was aroused from
my slumbers by a noise; I could not for the life of me tell from whence
it came or whither it had gone; but it was sufficient to arouse and
bewilder me, for it made the vessel tremble. I soon arose from my
sleeping couch, put on my clothes, and made my way, in the darkness,
through the ward-room to the forward hatchway, and to the gun deck.
There I found Admiral Lee, with his officers and men, on deck in their
night clothes. I soon learned what was the cause of the excitement. It
was an explosion of a hundred-pound torpedo under the bottom of the
Minnesota, which had been borne thither by a torpedo-boat manned by
Confederates from somewhere up the James river. The officers and men on
deck, in the gloom of the night, were discussing in a subdued but
excited tone the possibility of capturing the torpedo-boat; but, owing
to the fires in the picket-boats to the Minnesota being out, nothing
could be done till the steam in them was raised; and in the meantime
the torpedo-boat was allowed to return up the James river. The damage
to the Minnesota was considerable, though no hole was made in her hull.
Her guns were dismounted, her partitions were broken down, her doors
were jambed, her chairs and tables were upset, and crockery-ware
broken. After the excitement of the occasion was over, I returned to my
berth, and slept soundly till morning.
After a few days spent in visiting the important places in the vicinity
of Hampton, one of which was Fortress Monroe, I took passage on a boat
through the Dismal Swamp Canal to Albemarle Sound, and from thence
through the sounds of North Carolina to the Neuse river, up which we
steamed to Newbern, where I reported to Commander H. K. Davenport, on
board the United States steamer Hetzel, who ordered me to report for
duty to Acting Master J. A. J. Brooks, aboard the United States Steamer
Valley City, which was lying off Hill's Point, near Washington, N.C.,
on the Tar river. Dr. F. E. Martindale, Surgeon aboard the Valley City,
the gentleman whom I was to relieve, met me at Newbern, N.C., and
accompanied me to that vessel.
It was 5 a.m. of April 15, 1864, when I reported to Captain J. A. J.
Brooks for duty. I was ushered into the ward-room of the Valley City
and introduced to the officers, some of whom were not up. James M.
Battin, the engineer, one of the officers who had not yet arisen, on
hearing my name mentioned, thought that letters directed to him were
being called, and he sprang suddenly out of his berth; but it was only
to be introduced to a person of the same name, yet an entire stranger.
Dr. Martindale had been expecting his relief for some weeks; being
anxious to return home to his family, he left for Newbern in the same
boat (the Trumpeter) which brought us hither from that place.
Washington is a small town, situated on the left bank of the Tar river,
thirty miles from its mouth. It was occupied by about fifteen hundred
Federal troops. The United States steamer Louisiana, the vessel on
which the powder was afterwards exploded off Fort Fisher, was lying
immediately off the town. Below Washington, N.C., on either side of
the river, there was timber. On the right bank, just below the town,
was Rodman's Point; three miles farther down the river, on the same
side, was Hill's Point, and still farther down on the same side was
Maule's Point--places which the Confederates had fortified previous to
their falling into the hands of the Federals.
Newbern on the Neuse river, Washington on the Tar river, and Plymouth
on the Roanoke river, lie in a circle which might be described from a
point somewhere in Pamlico Sound--the former and latter towns being
each about thirty miles from Washington, the latter town being in the
middle; so that the report of heavy artillery could be heard at
Washington from either of the other two places.
Saturday, April 16, 1864, my diary states that Plymouth was attacked by
the Confederates. Firing continued every day till Tuesday, April 19,
1864, when the place fell into the hands of the Confederates.
Lieutenant-Commander Charles W. Flusser made a remark early in the
morning of April 19, 1864, that he would either sink the rebel ram
Albemarle before night, or he would be in ----. Captain Flusser
commanded the United States steamer Miami, and Captain French the
ill-fated Southfield. These two vessels had been lashed together at
their sterns early in the morning, for the purpose of inducing the
Albemarle to come between the vessels, and in this manner, if possible,
sink her. The rebel ram, early in the morning of April 19, came
floating down the Roanoke river with the current, past the batteries on
the right bank of the river above Plymouth, and bore down upon the
United States steamers Southfield and Bombshell, and sunk them. It is
supposed that Captain Flusser, in the excitement of the moment, exposed
himself unnecessarily, and was shot by a sharp-shooter from the
Albemarle. When it was noised among the Federal army and naval forces
at Plymouth that Flusser was killed, the Federal forces became more or
less demoralized, and the place fell into the hands of the
Confederates. Captain Flusser was a brave and daring officer. He was
interred in the cemetery at Newbern, and on a board that marked his
resting place, in the fall of 1864, was inscribed his name, and below
it, "Peace to his ashes."
On Wednesday, April 27, 1864, an attack was made by the Confederates on
Washington, N.C. There is great excitement among the residents of the
place, so that some of them are leaving by every possible route. We
hear the firing quite plain off Hill's Point. At 12 m. all is quiet.
Preparation is being made to evacuate Washington, N.C. The day is
beautiful. The ammunition of the army at this point has been put aboard
the Valley City for the purpose of conveying it to Newbern. The
thermometer stands 85°. The Federal large guns on the forts outside of
Washington are being fired all day. The Valley City got under weigh,
proceeded down the river, and shelled the woods below Washington. There
were twenty-three shells from the 32-pounder guns fired, which burst
among the tree-tops.
Thursday, April 28, 1864.--This morning there were a few shots fired
from heavy guns by the Federal troops, but they soon ceased. The
evacuation is going on quietly. The place has a deserted and gloomy
appearance.
Friday, April 29.--The place is quiet. Transport boats are steaming to
Newbern, laden with the Federal troops and provisions of the place. Two
gunboats, the United States steamers Commodore Barney and Commodore
Hull, steamed up the river to assist in the evacuation. At 3-1/2
o'clock p.m. the Valley City, with thirty-one barrels of powder aboard,
and a large number of shells, weighed anchor and steamed for Newbern.
In going down the Tar river, one of those violent thunder-storms
peculiar to that climate came up. It was not considered a very safe
place to be aboard the Valley City with all this powder during a
thunder-storm. I was glad when the storm was over. We got aground for
one hour in Pamlico Sound, but arrived safely at Newbern at 9 o'clock
a.m., Saturday, April 30th, 1864. Washington, N.C., is evacuated.
Sunday, May 1, 1864.--The Valley City took in coal and then proceeded
toward Washington, N.C. At 8 p.m. she anchored off Brant Island
light-house. May 2d, Monday. We got under weigh at 5 a.m., and
proceeded toward Washington.--At 4 o'clock p.m. we anchored off
Rodman's Point, and fired a shell into Washington at a number of
Confederates. We then got under weigh, and proceeded down below Maule's
Point, and anchored.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3d and 4th, nothing of note transpired
but taking refugees aboard. On Thursday, May 5th, the Valley City
shelled Hill's Point, then she got under weigh, and proceeded up Pungo
river, and anchored for the night. On Saturday, May 7, 1864, the Valley
City got under weigh, and proceeded to Newbern, where she arrived at 9
a.m. of the 8th. James W. Sands, John Maddock and myself, attended
church.
Newbern is a beautiful town on the right bank of the Neuse river. Just
below Newbern the Neuse river receives the Trent river as a tributary.
The houses of the place were brick and also frame. They stood back from
the street, with yards in front of them, in which choice flowers grew
and bloomed. The streets are at right angles. In the cemetery, in the
western part of the town, are interred many of the early settlers of
the place. The cemetery is very old, and the tombstones, many of them,
present an ancient appearance. On the 9th I was ashore--on the 10th we
left Newbern. The 11th we arrived off Maule's Point, and took on as a
refugee Mrs. Forbes. The 12th raining, the Valley City took aboard some
more refugees. On the 13th, 14th and 15th, nothing of note took place.
The 16th we destroyed the guns at Hill's Point. The 17th, at 2:45 p.m.,
we proceeded to Newbern, where we arrived at 8:30 a.m. of the 18th.
The Valley City remained off Newbern till June 4th, when we left at 1
p.m., and arrived off Hill's Point at 9-1/4 a. m, of the 5th. The 6th
we went ashore at Maule's Point, and got a mess of strawberries. The
7th we landed at Bath. The 8th two boats' crews were sent to Maule's
Point to watch the Confederates, a squad of whom had assembled there.
Two shots were fired from the Valley City, one to the right and the
other to the left of the house on the point. The family living in the
house was very much frightened, but nobody was hurt. On the 9th and
10th, nothing of note occurred. The 11th cloudy, the Thomas Collyer, a
mail-boat from Newbern, came up with a "flag of truce," and went to
Washington.
On the 12th and 13th there was nothing of note took place. On the 14th
we went ashore at Bath, and called on Mr. Windley's family. The 15th,
we went ashore at Maule's Point, and called on Mrs. Orrell's family.
Mrs. Forbes made me a present of a Confederate flag. In the evening, we
steamed down to the mouth of Pungo river, and anchored for the night.
Thursday, June 16.--There was an armed party sent ashore, for the
purpose of foraging. After they had returned we proceeded up Pungo
river to Leechville, a small place at the head-waters of that river.
The occupation of its inhabitants was cutting down timber and making
shingles. There was an armed party sent ashore, who captured and
brought aboard a quantity of corn. We then left with a scow in tow, and
proceeded down the river and anchored off Wright's Creek. The 17th, the
United States steamer Ceres arrived from Newbern. An armed party was
sent ashore for the purpose of foraging. On the 18th, in company with
the United States steamer Ceres, the Valley City steamed through
Pamlico Sound. The Ella May soon hove in sight, with two schooners she
had captured in tow. On the 19th the Valley City, Ceres, and Ella May,
with the schooners in tow, steamed up the Pungo river, and anchored off
Sandy Point. At about 10 p.m. we proceeded farther up the river, and
landed an armed party of men for the purpose of capturing some
Confederates at Leechville. On the 20th we proceeded up the river to
Leechville to join the party, which had already arrived there. Three
schooners were loaded with shingles. On the 21st, the United States
steamers Valley City, Ceres, and Ella May, proceeded down Pungo river
with the three schooners laden with shingles in tow. On the 22d, we
anchored in Pamlico Sound. At 8 a.m. we proceeded towards Newbern,
where we arrived with the schooners in tow at 8 p.m.
On July 4th, the Valley City, in commemoration of the anniversary of
the Declaration of Independence, fired twenty-one guns, and a copy of
the Declaration of Independence was read to the officers and crew of
the Valley City by Captain J. A. J. Brooks. On the 5th, the Valley City
got under weigh, and proceeded towards Tar river, and on the 6th
arrived and anchored off Maule's Point. On the 10th, the Valley City
got under weigh and proceeded to Bath, where an armed force was landed,
and captured John Taylor, Company G, 62d Georgia cavalry. In trying to
make his escape, he jumped from a buggy which was drawn by a horse in
rapid flight, and in doing so injured his knee, so that he was unable
to walk for five weeks. On the fly-leaf of a Bible which I loaned him
to read in his leisure hours, he wrote:
"May peace and happiness attend thee, and Heaven's richest
blessings crown thee ever more. When this you see, remember me.
"Your most obedient servant,
"JOHN TAYLOR.
"_Houstin City, Ga., July, 1864._"
At about 10 p.m. of the same day, July 10, another armed party of men
was landed with the intention of capturing some Confederate pickets,
but did not succeed. Bath, N. C, is a very small place on the left bank
of the Tar river, at the junction of Bath creek, about ten miles below
Washington. The place was built of frame principally. The people of the
place were rather intelligent.
July 13.--The Valley City got under weigh, and proceeded down Tar river
to Durham's creek, and sent a party out to fish; afterwards she steamed
down the river, and anchored off North creek, and there brought a boat
to, which had permission from the Federal Government to trade with the
loyal people of Beaufort county, N.C. On the 14th, got under weigh and
steamed over to South creek; from thence down to the mouth of Tar
river, and anchored. On the 15th, the Valley City proceeded to off
Maule's Point and anchored. Mrs. Daniels and her two children, with her
sister-in-law, came aboard. On the 19th, the U.S. steamer Louisiana
hove in sight. The Valley City proceeded to the mouth of the Tar river
with her, where we anchored.
After taking abroad our refugees, the Louisiana proceeded to Newbern.
On the 21st, at 7 o'clock a.m., the Valley City steamed for Newbern,
where she arrived at 4 p.m. On the evening of July 31, the Valley City
was ordered to proceed up the Trent river to guard that river in case
of an expected attack. August 4th, the Valley City was ordered down to
her old anchorage off Newbern. On the 5th, at 8 a.m., we weighed anchor
and proceeded down the Neuse river, through Pamlico Sound, and up the
Tar river, and at 6 p.m. relieved the U.S. steamer Louisiana. At 7
p.m., the Valley City anchored near the mouth of Bath creek. Mrs. Quin
and Mrs. Harris were brought with us from Newbern, and landed near Bath
creek.
On the 10th we weighed anchor and proceeded down the Tar river. At the
mouth of Bath creek, two shells were fired from the howitzers, at a
house where there were a number of Confederates. At 2 o'clock p.m. we
anchored in South creek. On the 11th, at 12 m., we weighed anchor and
proceeded to Pamlico light-house and anchored. On the 13th, at 4
o'clock a.m. we weighed anchor and proceeded to Brant Island
light-house in order to get the mail from the U.S. steamer Massasoit
that we expected to meet steaming near this point. At 1 o'clock p.m. we
weighed anchor and proceeded to above Maule's point, where we anchored
at 6 o'clock p.m. On the 18th, at 7 o'clock a.m., we weighed anchor and
proceeded down Tar river past Maule's Point, down by the mouth of Bath
creek, and down by South creek, where we anchored at 3 o'clock p.m.
During this cruise there have been eight refugees taken aboard. On the
19th, we weighed anchor, and proceeded to Maule's Point. On our way we
stopped at the mouth of Durham's creek. Captain J. A. J. Brooks and I
went ashore. At 6 p.m. we anchored at the mouth of Bath creek. In the
evening there was a heavy thunder-storm, accompanied with rain.
On the 20th, at 9-1/2 o'clock a.m., we were relieved by the United
States steamer Louisiana, and the Valley City was ordered to the
neighborhood of the mouth of Roanoke river, in Albemarle Sound, to join
the fleet composed of United States steamers Shamrock, Sassacus, Ceres,
Tacony, Chicopee, Mattabessett, and Wyalusing, to assist in watching
the Confederate ram Albemarle, which was stationed at Plymouth, which
is situated on the right bank of the Roanoke river, eight miles from
its mouth. We arrived at Roanoke Island at 12 m., and coaled. A portion
of Roanoke Island is a barren, sandy place, separating the Atlantic
Ocean from Pamlico Sound.
On Roanoke Island, in 1585, the first attempt to found an English
colony in America was made. Though abandoned the following year, it was
in advance of any similar effort. After the war commenced, the place
was held by the Confederates till the year 1862, when the Federal
forces under General Burnside captured the place. On the 21st the
Valley City left Roanoke Island at 12 m., and joined the fleet, and
anchored for the night.
On Monday, August 22d, 1864, at 9 o'clock, a.m., the Valley City was
ordered to the mouth of Roanoke river, where the United States steamers
Ceres and Sassacus were anchored. We were to take a very dangerous and
responsible position, immediately at the mouth of the Roanoke river.
During the long dark nights the Valley City did not anchor, for it was
rumored that the Confederate ram Albemarle might come down any night,
and especially a very dark night under the cover of the darkness, so
that the Valley City must be constantly on the alert. If the Albemarle
did make her appearance at the mouth of the Roanoke river, the Valley
City was to fire one gun as a signal to the fleet, which was anchored
six miles farther down the Albemarle Sound, and then steam towards the
fleet.
This Confederate ram was a formidable adversary on water. She had a
sharp arrow-like ram extending twenty feet under water in front of her
bow. She was plated with iron, which completely protected her inmates
from solid shot; she had two two-hundred-pounder Brooke's rifled guns
on the inside of this iron encasement, and one port-hole to each of her
four sides. She was very unwieldy, but in a body of water like the
Albemarle or Pamlico Sound no wooden vessel could cope with her.
Friday, August 25.--I visited Edenton to-day for the first time. It is
situated pleasantly on the bank of Edenton Bay, as it is called, but
really Albemarle Sound. The people are kind, courteous, educated, and
hospitable. There were magnificent residences in the place, each of
which was surrounded by a large yard with shade trees, having that
comfortable, spacious, home-like appearance, which so many of the
buildings in Southern cities present. When the officers of the Valley
City first visited Edenton, they were treated very coolly by the
people; but gradually they became quite sociable, and we were invited
to visit many of the families of the place--in fact, one of our
officers afterwards married an Edenton lady. Edenton was a sort of
neutral ground, at which the Federal officers and Confederate officers
often met. On August 31, the day was clear and cool. Nothing took place
of any note except a false alarm that the ram was coming down the
river, causing some excitement aboard the Valley City.
Thursday, September 1, 1864, the double-ender Shamrock came up from the
fleet. Last night some army gunboats took an armed body of men up the
Chowan river, to be landed and marched across to Plymouth for the
purpose of destroying the Albemarle. The project was not successful.
The day is cool and hazy. The double-ender Wyalusing came up from the
fleet during the night. The Albemarle ram is expected out to-night.
2d.--The ram did not make her appearance. The double-enders all went to
Edenton. The weather is pleasant.
On the 4th I went to Edenton and spent the afternoon at Mr. B.'s, and
made the acquaintance of his daughters. On the 6th, H. T. Wood,
paymaster's clerk, and myself, went aboard a tug, and were conveyed to
the United States steamer Shamrock, from whence we boarded the
Trumpeter, where Dr. P. H. Barton and myself held a medical survey upon
H. T. Wood, and sent him to the United States Naval Hospital at
Norfolk, Va. I accompanied him. We left the Shamrock at 7 o'clock p.m.,
in the Trumpeter, and anchored at 1 a.m., September 7th, and at 6
o'clock a.m. weighed anchor, and arrived at Roanoke Island at 8 a.m. We
left Roanoke Island at 1 p.m., and at 8 p.m. we changed to the Fawn,
and after steaming two hours anchored for the night. On the 8th we
weighed anchor at 5 a.m., and changed boats to the Undine at 11 a.m.,
and arrived at Norfolk at 1 p.m., when I immediately took H. T. Wood to
the hospital. I stopped at the National Hotel.
On the 9th I went to Quartermaster's office at Norfolk to procure
transportation to Roanoke Island, but I was a half hour too late, the
boat Undine having left at 8 o'clock a.m. At 5 p.m. I heard that the
Fawn, which had made connection with the Undine in the Dismal Swamp
Canal, and the boat I would have been aboard had I not been too late
for the Undine, was captured and burned by the Confederates. In the
evening I went to the theatre. I passed the time pleasantly at Norfolk
in viewing whatever there was of beauty and interest in the place. On
Sunday morning I attended service at the Episcopal church, and also in
the evening, in company with Mr. Y., of Bellefonte, Center county, Pa.
On Monday the 12th, and Tuesday 13th, Mr. Y. and I promenaded the
principal streets and visited places of interest.
At 6 p.m., Wednesday, September 14, I left Norfolk in the C. W. Thomas,
which steamed to Fortress Monroe, where she arrived at 7-1/2 p.m., when
I got aboard the John Farran, and steamed by the way of the Atlantic
Ocean to Cape Hatteras, through the Swash, and through Pamlico sound to
Neuse river, and thence up to Newbern, where we arrived at 7 p.m. of
the 15th. Having expended all the money that I took with me but a few
cents, I felt perplexed as to how I should reach the Valley City, which
I supposed was at the mouth of the Roanoke river, where I had left her;
but on going ashore at Newbern, I soon learned that she was anchored
off that place, having steamed there during my absence. I quickly
arrived aboard her, feeling delighted that I was once more among my old
naval companions. The next thing of interest I learned was, that
Newbern was being visited by an endemic of yellow fever.
Having already passed twice through the Dismal Swamp Canal, and would
have steamed through it the third time had I not been too late for the
boat that was destroyed, but I was destined to pass through it still
again on my passage home. Lossing, in his history of the American
Revolution, in volume I, page 311, gives a very complete description of
the Dismal Swamp, through which this canal passes. He says:
"Schemes for internal improvements, for facilitating the
development of the resources of the country, often occupied
Washington's most serious attention. At the time we are
considering, he was engaged, with some other enterprising
gentlemen, in a project to drain the Dismal Swamp, an immense
morass lying partly in Virginia and partly in North Carolina, and
extending thirty miles from north to south, and ten miles from east
to west. Within its dark bosom, and nowhere appearing above its
surface, are the sources of five navigable rivers and several
creeks; and in its centre is a body of water known as Drummond's
lake, so named from its alleged discoverer. A great portion of the
morass is covered with tall cypresses, cedars, hemlocks, and
junipers, draped with long mosses, and covered with creeping vines.
In many places it is made impassable by fallen trees, thick brakes,
and a dense growth of shrubbery. Thomas Moore, who visited it in
1804, has well indicated its character in the following stanzas of
his legendary poem, called 'The Lake of the Dismal Swamp:'
"'Away to the Dismal Swamp he speeds--
His path was rugged and sore;
Through tangled juniper, beds of reeds,
Through many a fen where the serpent feeds,
And man never trod before!
"'And when on earth he sank to sleep,
If slumber his eyelids knew,
He lay where the deadly vine doth weep
In venomous tears, and nightly steep
The flesh with blistering dew!'
"'They tell of a young man,' says Moore, in his introduction to his
poem, 'who lost his mind upon the death of a girl he loved, and
who, suddenly disappearing from his friends, was never afterwards
heard of. As he frequently said, in his ravings, that the girl was
not dead, but gone to the Dismal Swamp, it was supposed that he had
wandered into that dreary wilderness, and had died of hunger, or
had been lost in some of the dreadful morasses.' The poet makes him
say:
"'They made her grave too cold and damp,
For a soul so warm and true,
And she has gone to the lake of the Dismal Swamp,
Where all night long by her fire-fly lamp,
She paddles her white canoe.
"'And her fire-fly lamp I soon shall see,
And her paddles I soon shall hear;
Long and loving our life shall be,
And I'll hide the maid in a cypress-tree,
When the footsteps of Death are near.'
"Towards the southern portion of the swamp there is a tract covered
with reeds, without any trees. These are continually green, and, as
they wave in the wind, have the appearance of water. On that
account it is called 'The Green Sea.' The eastern borders of the
swamp are covered with tall reeds, closely interlaced with thorny
bamboo-briers, and present almost an impassable barrier even to the
wild beasts that prowl there. Into this dismal region Washington
penetrated, on foot and on horseback, until he reached the lake in
its centre. He circumtraversed this lake, in a journey of almost
twenty miles, sometimes over a quaking bog, and at others in mud
and water; and just at sunset he reached the solid earth on the
margin of the swamp, where he passed the night. The next day he
completed his explorations, and having observed the soil, its
productions, the lake and its altitude, he returned home, convinced
that the immense morass might be easily drained, for it lay
considerably higher than the surrounding country. Through his
influence the Virginia Legislature gave a charter to an association
of gentlemen who constituted the 'Dismal Swamp Company.' Some, less
sanguine of success than Washington, withheld their co-operation,
and the project was abandoned for the time.
"It was reserved for the enterprise of a later day to open the
Dismal Swamp to the hand of industry. A canal now passes through it
from north to south, upon the bosom of which immense quantities of
shingles and lumber are floated to accessible deposits. By that
canal the swamp might be easily drained, and converted into fine
tillable land. To every visitor there, the wisdom and forecast of
Washington, in suggesting such improvement a hundred years ago, is
most remarkably manifest."
Friday, September 16, 1864.--The Valley City left Newbern at 4 o'clock
p.m., with Paymaster Louis Sands of the United States steamer Shamrock
aboard, and arrived at Roanoke Island on the 17th, at 11 a.m., and at
2-1/2 p.m. left Roanoke Island. At 9 p.m. arrived at the fleet, and put
stores, which the Valley City had conveyed from Newbern, aboard the
Shamrock. On the 18th, at 6-1/2 p.m., left the mouth of Roanoke Island
to go on an expedition up the Chowan river, and arrived at Winton, on
the right bank of the river, at the junction of Meherrin river, at 8
o'clock a.m. of the 19th. Winton was entirely destroyed in the early
part of the war, leaving nothing but here and there a wall, a chimney,
or foundation wall standing. An armed party went ashore and captured
some cotton, and came in contact with some Confederate pickets, with
whom they had a little skirmish, or exchange of shots. We left Winton
at 4 o'clock p.m., and arrived off Edenton at 9 o'clock p.m., where we
anchored for the night. At 7 o'clock a.m. of the 20th we got under
weigh, and proceeded to the fleet, where we arrived at 9 o'clock a.m.
At 1 p.m. we steamed to the mouth of Roanoke river, where we anchored.
On the 22d we got under weigh, and at 1:35 p.m. arrived at Edenton.
Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Acting Assistant Paymaster J. W. Sands and
myself went ashore, and called on Mr. Samuel B.'s family, and spent a
very pleasant time. At 3:40 p.m. we returned aboard, and proceeded to
our old anchorage at the mouth of Roanoke river. The weather was cloudy
and hazy. On Friday 23d, at 12-1/2 p.m., the ram Albemarle made her
appearance at the mouth of Roanoke river. We immediately fired our
signal gun, and got under weigh, and steamed towards the United States
steamer Otsego, commanded by Captain Arnold, which was anchored further
down the Albemarle Sound. As we passed the Otsego, Captain Arnold
ordered the Valley City to steam as rapidly as possible towards the
fleet, and the Otsego would follow after. We soon met the fleet
steaming towards the mouth of Roanoke river. The Valley City and Otsego
soon fell into line, and arrived at the mouth of Roanoke river. By this
time the ram had returned up the river. The fleet remained
reconnoitering at the mouth of the river till 6 p.m., when it returned
to its old anchorage. The appearance of the ram at the mouth of Roanoke
river caused some excitement aboard the fleet, for we were anxious to
have the ram come out into Albemarle Sound, so as to have a chance, if
possible, to sink her. On the 27th, at 11-1/2 a.m., the Valley City
steamed down to Edenton, and remained there two hours, and came back to
our old anchorage.
On the 29th, at 3-1/2 o'clock a.m., the Valley City weighed anchor, and
proceeded to and up Scuppernong river. At 11-1/2 o'clock a.m. we got
aground in a position transversely across the river, with the stern of
the vessel towards the left bank. About seven hundred yards distant on
the left bank of the river, in the bushes and wood, a concealed
Confederate battery was situated. In making an effort to get afloat,
the guns of the Valley City were run out of position, the decks were
crowded with hawsers and ropes, and the propeller had a hawser tangled
in it; so that the steamer was in a very helpless and dangerous
position. We were not aware that this battery was situated in the place
named till at 3-1/2 p.m. they opened fire on the Valley City, and
continued firing till half past 5 o'clock p.m. It was some time before
the Valley City could clear her decks and get into position to bring
the guns to bear on the enemy. In the meantime Commodore W. H. Macomb
sent orders to Captain J. A. J. Brooks to blow the Valley City up and
leave her as best we could; but when the Valley City got her guns to
bear on the enemy's battery, they were silenced at 5-1/2 p.m. The
shells and bullets from the Confederate batteries ashore fell around us
fast and thick, but fortunately nobody aboard was seriously injured,
notwithstanding the vessel was struck several times by shell, and also
by a number of bullets. At 9:20 o'clock p.m., after throwing coal
overboard, emptying the boiler, and with the assistance of the tug
Belle, which came up, we got afloat, and were towed by the tug Belle
down into Albemarle Sound, along side of the Otsego. On the 30th the
hawser was taken out of the propeller. At 1:15 p.m. the Valley City got
under weigh, and steamed alongside of the Tacony for coal.
I append an extract from the _North Carolina Confederate_, published at
Raleigh, N.C., bearing on the brush up the Scuppernong river:
"BRUSH WITH THE YANKEE GUNBOATS.
"The Goldsborough _State Journal_ gives an account of quite a
spirited little brush between a small detachment of our troops and
some of the Yankee gunboats, which attempted to go up the
Scuppernong river, in which the Yankees came out second best.
"On attempting to ascend the river, two boats were attacked and
forced back by Lieutenant Sharp, commanding Captain Pitt's company
of cavalry, assisted by two pieces of artillery under Lieutenant
Williams of Lee's light battery, and Lieutenant McWaston of the
50th North Carolina regiment, with thirty infantry.
"One of the boats got aground at the mouth of the river, about
seven hundred yards from the shore, where she was well peppered for
some time by both our artillery and sharpshooters, one shot
striking her near the water-line.
"So hot was the fire upon this craft that the Yankees were all
driven from their guns.
"Three more gunboats at length came up to their relief, and opened
fiercely on our little party, who courageously held their ground
and fought them, till the approach of night and scarcity of
ammunition admonished us to retire beyond the range of the enemy's
guns.
"We had three men slightly wounded, and one howitzer was somewhat
damaged by a shell.
"The enemy's loss has not been ascertained, but it must have been
considerable, as their _wooden_ gunboat was aground and under the
fire of our artillery for some three hours, and it was well
ascertained that every man had to seek shelter below from the
deadly aim of our sharpshooters.
"Hit him again, Colonel W."
Mr. Milton Webster, Executive Officer of the Valley City, says of this
"brush" with the Confederates:
"It is a pity about that '_deadly aim_,' for we did not have a man
injured, and one of the men and myself were over the stern exposed
to their guns, and though their shot fell all around us, we were
not struck. A pretty correct account of the time of the action and
position of the Valley City is given, but there was not a man left
his station during the action, although their sharpshooters fired
at and left marks of their bullets all round our port-holes, and
the gangway to which we afterwards shifted a gun to bear on them.
"The three other boats did not even get within range of the enemy,
on account of drawing too much water. They, however, fired one shot
at long range, after the enemy had retired, and this shot was made
merely to get the range of the enemy in case another attack should
be made on the Valley City before she got afloat. One of the two
boats they speak of was a tug-boat that went with the Valley City
up the river to assist her to get afloat in case she got aground,
and was manned by two officers--one an ensign, the other an
engineer--and five men. The tug-boat was not armed.
"It is very singular that they, in their account of the brush,
should italicize the word _wooden_, as much as to say we had an
iron-clad.
"I saved one of their shells that lit on the deck of the Valley
City, which fortunately did not explode. If the Valley City had
been afloat, she would have silenced their batteries sooner."
On Saturday, October 1, at 4 o'clock a.m., the Valley City got under
weigh, and steamed to Edenton. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Acting Master
James G. Green, J. W. Sands and myself went ashore, and visited Mr.
Samuel B.'s, and spent the time very pleasantly. At 4 o'clock p.m. we
returned to the Valley City, and got under weigh, and proceeded to our
old station at the mouth of the Roanoke river. On the 3d, the U.S.
steamers Commodore Hull and Tacony and the tug Belle came up and
anchored near us. On the 6th, I was ordered aboard the Otsego, to hold
a medical survey on one of the officers of that vessel, for the purpose
of sending him to the U.S. Naval Hospital at Norfolk. When I returned
aboard the Valley City, I found a refugee aboard, suffering from yellow
fever. She was taken to Edenton aboard the Valley City, where she died
of the disease. We called on Mr. Samuel B.'s family. At 5-1/2 o'clock
p.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded towards Roanoke Island. At 12
p.m. we anchored. Early in the morning of the 7th, we steamed to off
Roanoke Island, where we arrived at 8 o'clock a.m. On the 8th there was
a breeze from the northwest, and the day was clear and beautiful. At 2
o'clock p.m., Paymaster J. W. Sands, Acting Master's mate John Maddock,
and myself, with six men, sailed in a small boat to Roanoke Island.
There was a heavy sea, and the wind was blowing quite a gale. We landed
at Roanoke Island, but did not remain long ashore before we took the
boat for the purpose of sailing back to the Valley City. We did not
succeed. We then took the sails down, and the men rowed us to the
vessel.
On the 9th, at 6 o'clock a.m., we got under weigh, and steamed up to
the mouth of the Alligator river, where we arrived at 9 o'clock a.m.
The Shamrock was lying close by. The weather was cold. At 1:30 o'clock
p.m., the Valley City proceeded up the Alligator river. At 7 p.m. we
anchored off Newport News. On the 10th, at 4 a.m., two armed boats'
crews were sent ashore on a reconnoitering expedition, but returned at
1 p.m. without accomplishing anything. At 2 p.m. the Valley City got
under weigh, and proceeded down Alligator river, and anchored at 3 p.m.
The weather is cool, and there was frost last night.
Thursday, October 11th, at 5 a.m., the launches were ordered up
Frying-pan river. At 10 a.m. I went with Captain J. A. J. Brooks in
pursuit of the launches, and after rowing about six miles we came in
sight of them. At 2-1/2 p.m. we returned with the launches. At 4 p.m.
the Valley City weighed anchor, and at 8 p.m. anchored in Albemarle
Sound. On the 12th, at 6 a.m., we got under weigh, and arrived at the
fleet at 8 a.m. At 9 a.m. we got under weigh, and at 10 a.m. arrived at
the mouth of Roanoke river. The ram was expected to come out to-day. On
the 15th, at 11-1/2 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh, and arrived
off Edenton at 11-1/2 o'clock p.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Paymaster
J. W. Sands, and Acting Master James G. Green, went ashore. At 5 p.m.
they returned, and the Valley City got under weigh, and proceeded to
the mouth of Roanoke river. The weather is cool and beautiful. At 10
a.m. of the 20th, I went aboard the Commodore Hull. At 12 m., returned
aboard the Valley City. At 9-1/2 p.m., the Valley City steamed to off
Edenton, to protect the tug Belle, which had got hard and fast aground
during the day. On the 21st I went ashore at Edenton, and spent a
pleasant time. I returned to the Valley City, when she proceeded to off
Roanoke Island, where we arrived on the 22d at 8 o'clock a.m. At 9
o'clock a.m., Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Acting Assistant Paymaster J. W.
Sands and I went ashore, and made the acquaintance of Dr. Walton, of
the 103d Pennsylvania regiment, and Colonel Wardrobe, Commandant of
Roanoke Island. I spent a very pleasant time in company with these
gentlemen. In the evening I became acquainted with Lieutenant Wm. B.
Cushing, U.S. Navy. I will quote a war reminiscence which was
published in the Philadelphia _Weekly Times_ of June 7, 1879:
"CUSHING, THE BRAVE.
"_Reminiscence of His Heroic Adventure in Albemarle Sound:
By J. M. Batten, M.D., late U.S.N._
"It was on the evening of October 22d, 1864, I first met Captain
Wm. B. Cushing. I was then attached to the United States steamer
Valley City, Captain J. A. J. Brooks commanding. The vessel was
anchored about a mile west of Roanoke Island, in Pamlico Sound.
Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Paymaster J. W. Sands and myself, left the
vessel in the morning, the wind blowing a strong breeze from the
west, and arrived at Roanoke Island. The wind continuing to blow
almost a hurricane, we attempted to return to the vessel in the
evening, but failed; consequently we were compelled to remain on
Roanoke Island all night. As I said, it was on this evening I first
met Captain Wm. B. Cushing. He then was a young man of twenty-one
or twenty-two years of age, wore long, light hair falling around
his neck, and was rather reserved in his manners. Captain Cushing,
Captain Brooks, Paymaster Sands and myself, occupied a room
together that night. The next morning when I awoke, I found that
Captain Cushing had gone. Upon making inquiry about him, I learned
he had departed at 4 a.m. of the 23d, in his torpedo launch, a boat
he had constructed at the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, for a certain
purpose, and had proceeded this far on his expedition with the
steam launch.
"In referring to my diary, I find that on Friday, October 28, at
5:30 a.m., the Valley City weighed anchor and proceeded toward the
fleet. The weather was clear but windy. We arrived at the fleet at
6 p.m. The fleet was composed of twelve double-ender side-wheel
vessels, manned, armed and equipped, and commanded by Commodore Wm.
H. Macomb, and was anchored about six miles from the mouth of
Roanoke river, in Albemarle Sound, and fourteen miles from
Plymouth, where the Albemarle was stationed. My diary states that
at 7 p.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded to the mouth of Roanoke
river, where we arrived at 8:30 p.m. At 11 p.m. we were hailed by a
voice at the mouth of Roanoke river: "Boat ahoy! send a boat!" A
boat was sent, and the man who had left us so early in the morning
of the 23d of October--Captain William B. Cushing--was brought on
board the Valley City in his stocking feet, with only a coarse
flannel shirt and pantaloons to cover him. He was wet, cold, tired,
hungry and prostrated.
"My diary states that after leaving us on the morning of the 23d of
October he steamed to the fleet in his torpedo launch, having
received from the crews of the fleet twelve volunteer men to
accompany him. On the evening of October 27th he proceeded with his
small torpedo launch, with a torpedo rigged on her bow, up the
Roanoke river. At 3:15 a.m., October 28th, exploded torpedo under
the ram Albemarle and sunk her. He (Captain Cushing) and another
man were the only ones saved from drowning or capture. Captain
Cushing, after blowing up the ram, jumped into the river, swam
ashore, lay in the swamps near Plymouth till night, then proceeded
through the swamps till he came to a creek, where he captured a
skiff belonging to a Confederate picket, and paddled himself to the
Valley City. The torpedo boat was sunk, and about a dozen men were
either drowned or captured. In the meantime, the fleet had moved up
to the mouth of Roanoke river. Upon learning that Captain Cushing
was on board the Valley City, Commodore Macomb ordered the riggings
of the fleet to be manned, and at the general signal to give
Captain Cushing three hearty good cheers; and such cheering--it
made those swamps, forests and waters resound with the voices of
glad-hearted men.
"On the following day, October 29th, at 11 o'clock a.m., the fleet
weighed anchor with every man at his post, and proceeded up Roanoke
river, the Valley City leading, for the purpose of confirming the
report of Captain Cushing that the Albemarle ram was sunk; and, if
true, capturing Plymouth. This is a small town situated on the
right bank of the Roanoke river, eight miles from its mouth,
surrounded by swamps and large cypress trees as far as the eye can
reach. One mile above Plymouth the waters of the Roanoke river
divide, one forming the Cashie river, the other the Roanoke river.
At about two thirds of the distance from the mouth of the Roanoke
river to Plymouth, the Cashie river and the Roanoke river are
connected by what is called Middle river, so that these rivers in
their course at these points formed a figure resembling the capital
letter A, the left line the Roanoke river, the right line the
Cashie river, and the horizontal line the Middle river.
"The fleet steamed up Roanoke river. The day was beautiful, the
birds were singing in the branches of the trees, the leaves of
which were gently rustling, and the water could be heard dripping
from the wheels of the fleet as they made their slow revolutions.
All else was quiet. No man said a word. This was not strange, for
we believed the river to be full of torpedoes and its banks lined
with sharpshooters. We ascended further and further up the river
till we came to Middle river, when the Valley City steamed through
Middle and up the Cashie river. The remainder of the fleet steamed
on up Roanoke river.
"After arriving at a point in the Cashie river opposite Plymouth,
we heard heavy firing by the fleet, which continued an hour, and
then suddenly ceased. We thought, of course, that Plymouth had been
captured. At this point we picked up the other man who was with the
expedition, and who escaped. The Valley City continued to ascend
the Cashie river, and after encountering much difficulty on account
of the narrowness and crookedness of the river, we arrived at the
Roanoke river above Plymouth, where we could see the town, but we
could see no fleet nor American flag. We concluded then that the
Albemarle had not been sunk, but had driven the fleet back into the
Sound. Of course, it was not a very happy feeling to fear the ram
might prevent our retreat.
"After some delay, and an exchange of shot with the enemy at
Plymouth, we descended the Cashie river to Albemarle Sound, where
we arrived at 8 p.m., and found the fleet at the mouth of Roanoke
river. They had ascended the Roanoke river till they came to some
obstruction which placed them at a disadvantage to the enemy; they
then descended the river.
"Commodore Macomb was now convinced that the ram Albemarle was
sunk. The Valley City was now detached to convey Captain Cushing to
Fortress Monroe. We weighed anchor at 12:30 a.m., October 30th, and
proceeded through Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, and into the
Atlantic Ocean, and arrived at Fortress Monroe at 7 a.m., November
1. A fleet of about one hundred vessels was stationed there,
preparatory to making an onslaught on Wilmington. Captain Wm. B.
Cushing was received on board the flagship with a salute of
twenty-one guns, and, of course, was almost worshiped for his
heroic achievement. It was at Fortress Monroe I first saw the
United States steamer Kearsarge, of Commodore Winslow and Alabama
fame. My attention was directed to her by hearing an old sailor
say, 'Does she not sit like a duck on water?' And truly she did.
"Captain Cushing is now dead. He certainly was one of the bravest
men that ever trod the decks of a man-of-war. Peace to his ashes!
Commodore Macomb is also dead; he died in your city of Brotherly
Love, while taking a bath. We all loved him. God bless him."
Published in the New York _Herald_, Thursday, November 3, 1864.
THE RAM ALBEMARLE.
DESTRUCTION OF THE FAMOUS REBEL IRON-CLAD--THE RAM
SUNK BY A TORPEDO--DESTRUCTION OF THE TORPEDO
BOAT--TERRIBLE MUSKETRY FIRE--ESCAPE OF LIEUTENANT
CUSHING--HIS ADVENTURES IN THE
SWAMP--FULL AND INTERESTING DETAILS
OF HIS BRILLIANT ACHIEVEMENT--THE
CASUALTIES--ETC.,
ETC., ETC.
LIEUTENANT CUSHING'S OFFICIAL REPORT.
WASHINGTON, November 2, 1864.
Admiral Porter has communicated to the Secretary of the Navy the
following interesting particulars from Lieutenant Cushing, in
regard to the sinking of the rebel ram Albemarle:
"ALBEMARLE SOUND, October 30, 1864.
"Sir: I have the honor to report that the rebel ram Albemarle is at
the bottom of Roanoke river.
"On the night of the 27th, having prepared my steam launch, I
proceeded towards Plymouth with thirteen officers and men, partly
volunteers from the squadron.
"The distance from the mouth of the river to the ram was about
eight miles, the stream averaging in width some two hundred yards,
and lined with the enemy's pickets.
"A mile below the town was the wreck of the Southfield, surrounded
by some schooners, and it was understood that a gun was mounted
there to command the bend. I therefore took one of the Shamrock's
cutters in tow, with orders to cast off and board at that point in
case we were hailed.
"Our boat succeeded in passing the pickets, and even the Southfield
within twenty yards, without discovery, and we were not hailed
until by the lookouts on the ram.
"The cutter was then cut off and ordered below, while we made for
our enemy under a full head of steam. The rebels sprang their
rattle, rang the bell and commenced firing, at the same time
repeating their hail, and seeming much confused.
"The light of the fire ashore showed me the iron-clad made fast to
the wharf, with logs around her, about thirty feet from her side.
Passing her closely, we made a complete circle, so as to strike her
fairly, and went into her bows on.
"By this time the enemy's fire was very severe, but a dose of
canister at short range seemed to moderate their zeal and disturb
their aim.
"Paymaster Swann, of the Otsego, was wounded near me, but how many
more I know not. Three bullets struck my clothing, and the air
seemed full of them.
"In a moment we had struck the logs just abreast of the quarter
post, breaking them in some feet, our bows resting on them. The
torpedo boom was then lowered, and by a vigorous pull I succeeded
in diving the torpedo under the over-hang and exploding it.
"At the same time the Albemarle's guns were fired. A shot seemed to
go crashing through my boat, and a dense mass of water rolled in
from the torpedo, filling the launch, and completely disabling her.
"The enemy then continued their fire at fifteen feet range, and
demanded our surrender, which I twice refused, ordering the men to
save themselves, and removing my overcoat and shoes. Springing into
the river, I swam with others into the middle of the stream, the
rebels failing to hit us.
"The most of our party were captured; some were drowned, and only
one escaped besides myself, and he in another direction.
"Acting Master's mate, Woodman, of the Commodore Hull, met me in
the water half a mile below the town, and I assisted him as best I
could, but failed to get him ashore. Completely exhausted, I
managed to reach the shore, but was too weak to crawl out of the
water until just at daylight, when I managed to creep into the
swamp close to the fort.
"While hiding close to the path, the Albemarle's officers passed,
and I judged from their conversation that the ram was destroyed.
Some hours traveling in the swamp served to bring me out well below
the town, when I sent a negro in to gain information, and found
that the ram was truly sunk. Proceeding through another swamp, I
came to a creek, and captured a skiff belonging to a picket of the
enemy, and with this, by eleven o'clock the next night, I made my
way out to the Valley City.
"Acting Master's mate, William L. Howorth, of the Monticello,
showed as usual conspicuous bravery. He is the same officer who has
been with me twice in Wilmington Harbor. I trust he may be promoted
when exchanged, as well as Acting Third Assistant Engineer
Stolsbury, who, being for the first time under fire, handled his
engine promptly and with coolness. All the officers and men behaved
in the most gallant manner.
"The cutter of the Shamrock boarded the Southfield, but found no
guns there. Four prisoners were taken there. The ram is now
completely submerged, and the enemy have sunk three schooners in
the river to obstruct the passage of our ships.
"I desire to call the attention of the Admiral and department to
the spirit manifested by the sailors on the ships in these sounds.
But few hands were wanted, but all hands were eager to go into the
action, offering their chosen shipmates a month's pay to resign in
their favor.
"I am sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
"W. B. CUSHING, U.S.N.
"Rear Admiral D. D. Porter, Commanding the North Atlantic
Squadron."
"The name of the man who escaped was William Hoffman, seaman on the
Chicopee. He did his duty well, and deserves a medal of honor.
"Respectfully,
"WM. B. CUSHING, U.S.N."
THE HERALD DESPATCHES.
[Mr. Galen H. Osborn's Despatch]
"FORTRESS MONROE, VA., November 1, 1864.
"The United States steamer Valley City arrived at Hampton Roads
from the blockading squadron of the Sounds of North Carolina, this
morning. She brings the glorious tidings of the destruction of the
rebel iron-clad ram Albemarle. The terror of the Sounds is at the
bottom of Roanoke river. She was blown up by a torpedo early on the
morning of the 28th ultimo; and her destruction is due to the
personal heroism and reckless daring of Lieut. W. B. Cushing, of
the Navy. All the particulars I have been able to collect
concerning this feat, which stands prominently forth as one of the
most gallant of the war, I hasten to forward for the information of
the _Herald's_ readers.
"On the night of Thursday, October 27, Lieutenant Cushing, who has
on several previous occasions especially distinguished himself,
manned a steam-launch with a party of thirteen officers and men,
mostly volunteers, and proceeded, under cover of the darkness, up
the river towards Plymouth. Eight miles from the mouth of the
stream the Albemarle lay, surrounded by a pen of logs and timber,
established to prevent her destruction by torpedoes.
"As he approached this framework, Lieut. Cushing was discovered by
the officers of the ram, who hailed him. He gave no answer, the
enemy meantime maintaining against him a severe and galling fire,
to which he replied effectively with frequent doses of canister.
Finding that he could not approach the ram as he desired, a
complete circle was made by the Lieutenant, and the launch was
again brought fairly against the "crib," bows on, pushing back a
portion of it, and leaving the bows of the launch resting on the
broken timbers.
"At this moment, by a most vigorous effort, Lieut. Cushing
succeeded in driving a torpedo under the over-hang of the ram, and
exploded it. Simultaneously with the explosion, one of the
Albemarle's guns was fired, and the shot went crashing through the
launch. At the same instant a dense volume of water from the
torpedo came rushing into the launch, utterly disabling her.
"Lieut. Cushing then ordered his men to save themselves. He himself
threw off his coat and shoes and sprang into the water. Several of
his men were captured and some were drowned, but I have not been
able to ascertain his exact loss. Lieut. Cushing, taking to the
swamp, managed to secrete himself from the enemy's pickets, and
brought up alongside of the steamer Valley City at about 11 o'clock
the next night, in a small skiff which he discovered and
appropriated on his way.
"The steamer Valley City brought Lieutenant Cushing as a passenger,
and he reported in person to the Admiral the accomplishment of the
daring mission he was specially selected to perform. Though much
fatigued by the severities of his recent task, he is yet in good
health and spirits, and is at this moment the hero of the squadron.
He is the same officer that went to Smithville and captured General
Whiting's chief of staff, while a regiment of troops was quartered
in the buildings on the opposite side of the way. It was he who
took a small boat up the Wilmington river, past the forts and
batteries, landed and captured a rebel mail, staid three days in
the enemy's country, and finally came away in safety with his
trophies. But this last act of his stamps him as one of the most
daring men in the service. To attack an iron-clad like the
Albemarle, with a launch and a baker's dozen of men, would seem the
height of reckless folly; but to have succeeded in such an
enterprise, is to have earned a life lease of glory.
"In the affair, paymaster Swann, of the Otsego, is known to have
been wounded, and master's mate Howarth, of the Monticello,
captured. Lieut. Cushing speaks very highly of the conduct of all
who were with him.
"The destruction of the ram was not definitely known until the
following day, the 29th, when negroes sent to gain information
returned with the glorious news. Reports from other quarters
corroborated this intelligence, and finally a reconnoissance by the
Valley City revealed the Albemarle resting on the bottom, with only
her smoke-stack visible above the water.
"The yellow fever is said not to have entirely disappeared from
Newbern, although the succession of sharp frosts in that vicinity
has somewhat dispelled it. The steamer John Farron left for that
port yesterday, taking an immense mail, and a number of officers
who have been congregating here for some time, waiting for the
sickly season to terminate."
[Mr. Oscar G. Sawyer's Despatch]
"HAMPTON ROADS, VA., NOVEMBER 1, 1864.
"The most audacious, brilliant and successful affair of the war,
occurred in the waters of North Carolina last week, in which, after
the briefest contest, but one as it will prove of the best results,
the rebel iron-clad ram Albemarle was effectually destroyed and
sent to the bottom by a torpedo discharged by Lieutenant William B.
Cushing, of the Navy. The great mailed monster that has so long
excited the apprehensions of the Navy Department, and held in the
Sound a force greatly in excess of that which was usually stationed
there, now lies quietly at the bottom of the Roanoke river, a
subject of curious contemplation and dread to the fish that
frequent these waters. In the squadron every one feels a sense of
relief in realizing the fact that the Albemarle is no longer
afloat, or capable of doing further damage; for it is no secret
that she was one of the toughest customers for wooden vessels to
confront that has yet floated. Her raid on the flotilla, on the 5th
of last May, proved that fact beyond a shadow of a doubt. She then
encountered and fought to great advantage three heavily armed
double-enders--the Sassacus, Mattabessett and Wyalusing--and
retired, after a long contest, but slightly damaged. While she
floated, no post held by us and accessible to her was safe. She
could go her way as she chose, in spite of the efforts of our
wooden vessels, unless some accident occurred to her which should
prevent her steaming. None of the light-draft monitors were ready
to confront her, and she threatened to clear our forces out of the
State of North Carolina.
"Such was the state of affairs subsequent to the 5th of May. Our
squadron in Albemarle Sound had been largely increased by the
addition of several light draught, heavily-armed vessels; but, even
with these, it was somewhat doubtful whether the possession of the
Sound was insured us; so it was determined to get rid of the
monster in some more expeditious and certain way.
"Lieutenant William B. Cushing, a young officer of great bravery,
coolness and resource, submitted a project to Admiral Lee, in June
last, by which he hoped, if successfully carried out, to rid the
Sound of the Albemarle, and insure us its possession. Admiral Lee
entered warmly into the scheme, as did the Navy Department, which
immediately detached Lieutenant Cushing from the Monticello, and
placed him on special duty, at the same time giving him every
facility to carry out the object in view.
"Lieutenant Cushing at once proceeded to New York, and in
conjunction with Admiral Gregory, Captain Boggs, and Chief Engineer
Wm. W. W. Wood, fitted one of the new steam picket boats, which is
about the size of a frigate launch, with a torpedo arrangement, and
then took her down into the Sound for duty. Having made several
reconnoissances up the Roanoke river, which gave him some valuable
information, and having perfected his arrangements, on the night of
the 27th ultimo he got under way from the squadron off the mouth of
the river, and steamed boldly up stream. In the steam launch were
Lieutenant Cushing, Paymaster T. H. Swann, a volunteer from the
Otsego, Master's Mate W. L. Howorth, of the gunboat Monticello, and
Third Assistant Engineer Stolsbury, in charge of the engine, with a
crew of ten men, nearly all of whom volunteered for the service. An
armed cutter of the Shamrock, with an officer and ten men, was
towed along for the purpose of attending to some of the minor
details of the work. It was known that the enemy had pickets along
the river banks, and on the wreck of the gunboat Southfield sunk by
the Albemarle last spring, and which lay about a mile below the
town of Plymouth. The pickets, who were in the habit of stationing
themselves on the hurricane deck of the Southfield--the only
portion of the wreck above water--were to be turned over to the
care of the Shamrock's cutter when the proper time came, whilst
those along the river were to be passed in silence, and without
giving alarm, if possible.
"At about midnight the little picket-boat entered the narrow river,
and steamed silently and cautiously up without giving the least
alarm. The Southfield and three schooners alongside of her, engaged
in raising her up, were passed at a short distance--almost within
biscuit-toss--without challenge or hail. It was not till Lieutenant
Cushing reached within pistol-shot of the Albemarle, which lay
alongside of the dock at Plymouth, that he was hailed, and then in
an uncertain sort of way, as though the lookouts doubted the
accuracy of their vision. He made no reply, but continued to press
towards the rebel monster, and was for the second time hailed. He
paid no attention to the challenge, but kept straight on his way,
first detaching the Shamrock's cutter, to go below and secure the
rebel pickets on the Southfield.
"In another instant, as he closed in on the ram Albemarle, the
rebel Captain Walley, in a very dignified, pompous, studied manner,
shouted, 'What boat is that?' The reply was an invitation for him
to go to ----! Thereupon arose a terrible clamor. The rattle was
vigorously sprung, the bells on the ship were sharply rung, and
hands were called to quarters, evidently in great consternation and
some confusion. A musketry fire was immediately opened on the
torpedo-boat, and a charge of canister was fired, injuring some of
the crew. Along the dock to which the Albemarle was tied, were a
large number of soldiers, evidently stationed there to guard
against a landing of our force after a surprise; and in front of
their lines blazed cheerily up a number of their camp fires, which
threw a strong light on the rebel vessel and the bosom of the
river. By the aid of this glare Lieutenant Cushing discovered the
raft of floating timbers which surrounded the ram on the accessible
sides, to guard against the approach of rams and torpedoes; and by
the aid of the same light he plainly saw the large body of soldiers
thronging to the wharf and blazing away at his boat. To quiet these
fellows, he brought the bow of his boat around a little, and
discharged a heavy stand of canister into them from his
twelve-pounder howitzer mounted at the bow, and sent them flying.
Making a complete circle under a scorching musketry fire, at less
than thirty yards, he came around, bow on, at full steam, and
struck the floating guard of timbers, pressing them towards the
hull of the ram. His boat soon lost headway, and came to a
standstill, refusing to back off or move ahead. The moment for
decisive action had now arrived. The enemy fired muskets and
pistols almost in his face, from the ports of the ram, and from the
hundred small arms on shore. Several of his men were injured, and
Paymaster Swann had fallen severely wounded. The officers and crew
of the Albemarle cried out: 'Now we've got him! Surrender!
surrender! or we will blow you to pieces!' The case looked
desperate, indeed; but Lieutenant Cushing was as cool and
determined at that moment as one could be under the most agreeable
circumstances. He knew that the decisive moment had come, and he
did not allow it to glide from his hands. He seized the lanyard to
the torpedo and the line of the spar, and crowding the spar until
he brought the torpedo under the over-hang of the Albemarle, he
detached it by one effort, and the next second he pulled the
lanyard of the torpedo, and exploded it under the vessel on her
port side, just below the port-hole of the two-hundred-pounder
Brooke's rifle, which at that moment was discharged at the boat. An
immense volume of water was thrown out by the explosion of the
torpedo, almost drowning all in the steam-launch; and to add to the
peril of the moment, the heavy shell from the enemy's gun had gone
through the bottom of the boat, knocking the splinters about in a
terrible style. She at once began to sink in the most rapid manner,
and Lieutenant Cushing ordered all hands to save themselves as best
they might. He divested himself of his coat and shoes, and plunged
into the river, followed by those of his men who were able to do
so. All struck for the middle of the river under a hot fire of
musketry, the balls perforating their clothing and striking all
about them, and in two or three instances, it is feared, so badly
wounding the swimmers that they sunk before boats from shore could
reach them. Lieutenant Cushing heard the rebels take to boats and
push after the survivors, demanding their surrender. Many gave up,
but two of his seamen were drowned near by him--whether from wounds
received or exhaustion, he could not state. Paymaster Swann was
wounded and is a prisoner; but how many others fell into the rebel
hands has not as yet been ascertained. Lieutenant Cushing swam down
the river half a mile, until, exhausted and chilled by the cold
water, he was compelled to struggle to the shore, which he reached
about daybreak. After lying in the weeds along the river bank for
some time, he recovered his strength sufficiently to crawl into the
swamp further, till daylight found him lying in the swamp grass,
between two paths, and in speaking distance of the enemy's fort.
While lying there but partially screened by the low sedge, he saw
rebel officers and men walk by, and heard their conversation, which
was entirely devoted to the affair of the morning. From their
remarks he learned that the torpedo had done its work effectively
and thoroughly, and that his great object was accomplished. He did
not learn any of the details of the sinking, but heard it stated
that the ram had gone down by her dock, and was a complete loss. He
also learned of the capture of the paymaster and some others of his
crew from the same source.
"Finding that there was great danger of his detection if he
remained in his exposed position all day, lying within a few yards
of two frequented paths, and so near the river, he began to move
slowly away towards the swamp. He was obliged to move cautiously,
so he lay on his back, and by pushing his heels into the ground, he
slowly pushed himself along, and after a long and exhausting
effort, passed over the sixty yards of ground that lay between him
and better cover. Once concealed, he laid up for the day and rested
himself. He was fortunate enough before midnight to get hold of a
negro, whom he sent into town to learn the extent of his success.
The negro obeyed his instructions, and reported that the Albemarle
was out of sight--'clar gone sunk.'
"At night, Lieutenant Cushing struck through the swamp, and after
the greatest and most exhausting toil and pain--as he was in his
stocking-feet, and continually plunging over roots, briers, logs,
oyster-shells, and lacerating his flesh severely--he reached a
point four miles below the town, where he discovered a skiff used
by a picket. Watching his chance, he seized this, and, with a
single paddle, paddled off to the squadron, four miles distant,
which he reached in safety. Only one besides himself--William
Holton, a sailor on the Chicopee, who had volunteered on the
occasion--returned to the squadron. He was picked up by the Valley
City, the following day, nearly exhausted.
"Lieutenant Cushing immediately came here on the special
despatch-boat Valley City, and reported to Admiral D. D. Porter.
To-night he will go to Washington and report to the Department. He
is worn out and in need of rest, which we hope he will be permitted
to enjoy.
"This last brave and gallant action of his is likely to gain him an
advance of one grade in his rank, and it will also, if the law is
rightly construed, be a great financial success, which is somewhat
more substantial. His share of the prize-money from the Albemarle,
if she is fairly placed at a valuation, would be in the
neighborhood of fifty thousand dollars, an acceptable sum to any
one. Lieutenant Cushing has been ordered to the command of the
gun-boat Monticello, which will await him until his return from a
short leave.
"The destruction of the Albemarle will release the large squadron
of powerful light-draught vessels which have, since her _debut_
last May, been maintained in the Sound. They can go elsewhere now.
"On a reconnoissance by the Valley City, to within a mile of
Plymouth, it was discovered that the enemy had sunk the schooners
which were engaged in attempting to raise the Southfield, directly
across the channel, thus temporarily blockading the river. Although
the town was in sight, not a trace could be seen of the rebel ram;
and it is proved in other ways, beyond a doubt, that she lies in
thirty feet of water, from which it will be impossible to raise her
again.
"Captain Walley, who had assumed command of the ship only three
weeks ago--relieving Captain Cook, who commanded her in the action
of May last--began his duties in a very bombastic style. He
mustered his officers and men, and assured them that in three weeks
he could again attack the enemy and sink and scatter his fleet, and
then he would re-take Newbern and drive the Yankees from every foot
of North Carolina soil. With the Albemarle and their aid, with the
co-operation of the gallant army, he would, before the new year,
regenerate the state, and leave not a trace of a Yankee within its
borders.
"It is not improbable that he might have effected a good deal of
damage, and perhaps have endangered for the time being our tenure
of Newbern and Roanoke Island, as he was nearly ready for his raid.
Thanks, however, to the gallant Cushing and his brave comrades,
through whose coolness, courage, and skill the _coup de main_ was
so admirably administered to the mailed monster, all danger has
passed, and another destructive blow has been given to the
declining rebel navy.
"A meed of credit and praise should be awarded to Chief Engineer
William W. W. Wood, of the navy, to whose inventive abilities and
experience in submarine warfare we owe the contrivance of the
torpedo and the successful arrangement by which it is handled and
exploded. The one fired by Lieutenant Cushing contained but fifty
pounds of powder; but it did its work to a charm. There was no
chance of its failing in his hands. The entire arrangement is
exceedingly ingenious, and it would be manifestly improper to
describe at this time.
"The cutters of the Shamrock, we omitted to mention, captured four
rebel soldiers on picket on the Southfield, and brought them along
safely to the squadron.
"THE ALBEMARLE.
"The Albemarle was an iron-clad vessel, similar in general features
to the Merrimac and Tennessee, but much stronger. It is said her
iron mail was twelve inches in thickness, and backed by several
feet of solid timber. She was armed with two two-hundred pound
Brooke's rifles, and was perfectly shot-proof. Her weak point
proved to be below. She could have been captured only by ramming,
and for that purpose much heavier vessels were needed than any that
could be got into the Sound. The torpedo was the only means of
destroying her, and that proved successful when tried.
"The Albemarle is probably the last formidable vessel that the
rebels have in the inland waters of North Carolina, and they will
hardly have an opportunity of building more."
"THE HERO OF THE ALBEMARLE IN WASHINGTON.
"WASHINGTON, NOV. 2, 1864.
"Lieutenant Cushing arrived here to-day, bringing with him the
official report of the particulars attending his destruction of the
rebel ram Albemarle. This act relieves all the sounds of North
Carolina from floating enemies, and thus leaves them free to the
operations of our fleet. Lieutenant Cushing is a citizen of, and
was appointed from, the State of New York. He is satisfied that a
large number of lives must have been lost by the blowing up, as the
Albemarle's guns were all manned. The Secretary of the Navy will
recommend to Congress a vote of thanks, and he will be promoted to
a Lieutenant Commander."
After landing Captain Wm. B. Cushing aboard the flag-ship of the fleet,
the Valley City the same day, at 2-1/4 p.m., weighed anchor, and
proceeded to Norfolk, Va., and from thence to the United States Navy
Yard at Gosport, Va., and was put there on the dry dock for repairs.
After the repairs of the Valley City were finished, on Sunday, November
27, at 4-1/2 p.m., we got under weigh, and arrived at Hampton Roads,
Va., at 6-1/2 o'clock p.m. On Monday, November 28th, at 11-1/2 o'clock,
a.m., we weighed anchor, and arrived at Hatteras Inlet at 9-1/2 o'clock
a.m., Tuesday, November 29. At 2 o'clock a.m., on Wednesday, November
30, the Valley City arrived at Plymouth, and at 3-1/2 o'clock of the
same morning the Valley City was ordered to Newbern: we weighed anchor
and proceeded towards Newbern. We arrived at Roanoke Island at 11-1/2
o'clock a.m. Our orders were then countermanded, and at 2 p.m. the
Valley City steamed towards Plymouth, where we arrived at 10. p.m.
During the month of November, 1864, whilst the Valley City was absent
at Norfolk, the remainder of the fleet, commanded by Commander Wm. H.
Macomb, steamed up the Roanoke river, then across through Middle river,
and then up the Cashie river to Roanoke river, down which it steamed
and made an attack on Plymouth, which, after a hot action, fell into
the hands of the Federals. The ram Albemarle was soon afterwards raised
by the United States government.
On Thursday, December 1, I went ashore at Plymouth, and observed the
ram Albemarle as she lay at the bottom of the river. At 12:15 p.m., we
left Plymouth, and arrived at off Edenton at 2 p.m., and at 4 p.m., the
Valley City weighed anchor for Roanoke Island, where we arrived at 8
o'clock, a.m., December 2, and at 9-1/2 o'clock p.m. the Valley City
left Roanoke Island, arrived at Newbern at 1 o'clock p.m., Saturday,
December 3d; Sunday, December 4, I attended church at Newbern.
Monday, December 5, I visited the graves of Captain Charles W. Flusser
and Acting Assistant-Surgeon George W. Wilson. The latter died after
two hours' sickness, of yellow fever. He was stationed, at the time, on
the United States steamer Hetzel, off Newbern, and was the surgeon of
that vessel when he contracted the disease. He was a young man, and was
expecting soon to return North and visit his aged parents, and also a
betrothed young lady. They waited, but he never came.
On Tuesday, December 6th, at 4 o'clock p.m., we left Newbern, with
Commander W. H. Macomb and his son on board, and on Wednesday, December
7, at 8-1/2 o'clock a.m., we arrived off Roanoke Island. The Valley
City left Roanoke Island at 12 o'clock m., and arrived at Plymouth at
10 p.m. On Thursday, December 8, at 12-1/2 o'clock p.m., we left
Plymouth and arrived at Edenton at 2-1/2 o'clock p.m. We left Edenton
at 8 o'clock p.m., and anchored at 10 o'clock p.m., at the mouth of the
Roanoke river, where the U.S. steamer Ceres and a schooner were
anchored. On Friday, December 9, at 9 o'clock a.m., the Valley City
weighed anchor and proceeded to Plymouth, where she arrived at 10
o'clock a.m.
RAINBOW BLUFF.
HOW A FLEET WENT UP THE ROANOKE AND CAME DOWN AGAIN.
In the fall of 1864, when General U.S. Grant was shortening his lines
around Petersburg, it was his policy to have every man, both in the
army and navy, employed, in order to draw off as many as possible from
General Lee's forces at Petersburg. Accordingly, for the purpose of
capturing Rainbow Bluff, the fleet composed of the United States
steamers Wyalusing, Otsego, General Berry, Bazeley, Valley City,
Chicopee, tug Belle, and the picket launch No. 5, weighed anchor at 5
p.m., December 9, 1864, and proceeded up the Roanoke river, with
Commander W. H. Macomb on board the Wyalusing leading, the Valley City
second, and the Otsego third, followed by the Chicopee, Bazeley,
General Berry, tug Belle, and the steam launch No. 5.
Commander Macomb was informed by what he supposed was reliable
authority that there were no torpedoes in the river from Plymouth to
above Jamesville, twelve miles up the river. A fortunate occurrence for
the Valley City took place on our passage to Jamesville. The engine of
the Valley City gave out, and the engineer slowed up and repaired the
damage, the Otsego in the meantime passing on ahead. By this
circumstance the Valley City became third, and the Otsego second. We
arrived off Jamesville about 9 p.m. The Wyalusing signaled the fleet to
come to anchor, and just as the fleet was slowing up previously to
anchoring, we heard a loud report, the concussion of which shook the
Valley City, which was a short distance off, as if there were an
earthquake in the locality. Presently it was reported that the Otsego
was lost, two torpedoes, one before and the other aft, striking her
simultaneously, and sinking her to the bottom of the river. From some
fortunate occurrence, the Wyalusing had passed safely over the place
where the Otsego was blown up.
On the following day, December 10, there was found to be a perfect nest
of torpedoes in the river off Jamesville, and while passing near by the
wreck of the Otsego, the Bazeley was blown literally to pieces, Captain
Aimes, in command of her, and the pilot and also paymaster, Louis
Sands, of the Shamrock, were in the pilot-house at the time the
explosion took place, and were blown with the pilot-house about thirty
feet into the air, and alighted in the river unhurt. William C.
Rossell, a lad, and John Gerrard, first-class boy, were killed. Captain
Aimes then immediately reported to Commander Macomb that "the Bazeley
is gone up," but by that time she had gone down.
The Roanoke river, from Jamesville to Poplar point, a distance of
thirty miles, was dredged for torpedoes. In all, in the river between
these two points, the dredging party took up and exploded eighty
torpedoes. From Jamesville on, the Valley City took the lead, having
previously rigged a torpedo-fender on her bow. The river was dredged by
means of six boats' crews, each two of which were paired, rowing about
twenty feet apart, with a chain suspended between them, dragging along
the bottom of the river. Each torpedo was anchored at the bottom of the
river by means of a rope, one end of which was tied to the torpedo, the
other end to a staple fastened in the centre of the surface of a
hemisphere of iron six inches in diameter, resting at the bottom of the
river. The rope was sufficiently long to float the torpedo just beneath
the surface of the water. The torpedoes were made of tin, each about
eighteen inches long and ten inches in diameter, and divided into two
separate apartments, one for air, the other for powder. Through the
centre of each torpedo, running longitudinally, there was an iron bar
placed, extending beyond each end. On the upper end there was a spring
trigger, which was held by a light iron cross bar, ingeniously attached
to the longitudinal bar, so arranged that from the lightest touch it
would fall off, letting the trigger fall on the upper part of the
torpedo, striking a percussion cap immediately underneath it in the
powder chamber, thus exploding the torpedo.
The boats were protected as much as possible by the Valley City
following close after, watching the banks of the river on either side.
There were dykes on each side of the river, behind which in the
undergrowth the rebels often lurked. To obviate this, Commander W. H.
Macomb ordered the marines to march a short distance ahead of the
dredge-boats on either side of the river; but notwithstanding this
precaution, the men in the dredge-boats were fired into, and several
were either wounded or killed by the sharpshooters. Sometimes the
marines ashore would be driven back. The farther up the river we
proceeded, the more numerous the rebels became, and the more our
difficulties increased. The men in the dredge-boats did not consider
the place a very safe one by any means, and often went into the boats
with many forebodings. It was not a desirable place either on the
Valley City, for there was a constant dread of torpedoes below and
sharpshooters above.
UP AND DOWN THE RIVER.
The Valley City left Jamesville at 8 a.m., December 12, and dredged the
river, as I have described. In the evening we had proceeded a few miles
above Jamesville. I will now quote as I have it in my diary, which was
written at that time.
Tuesday, December 13, at 5:30 p.m., we were ordered back to Jamesville
to cover the army. (I will state by way of parenthesis that the army
forces at Plymouth, commanded by Colonel Frankle, had promised the
fleet their co-operation, but in this the fleet was disappointed.) We
proceeded down the river as far as the fleet, when our orders were
countermanded and we returned to dredge the river. The remainder of the
fleet would lay at anchor, whilst the dredging party, with the Valley
City, would proceed four or five miles up the river; then the balance
of the fleet would get under weigh and steam up to the Valley City, and
then come to an anchor again; but when the rebels commenced to thicken
in the woods along the river, the fleet kept together behind the
dredging party.
Friday, December 16.--We have been dredging the river, and have
advanced to within a short distance of Williamston. At 12 m. we arrived
at Williamston. I went ashore at this place. It is a small place on the
right bank of the Roanoke river--the ground rising gently from the
river to the rear of the town. The houses are built of frame, and very
much scattered. A family I visited there showed me a hole in their
house made by a Federal shell passing through it. One of the inmates of
the house had been sitting in a chair in a room in the line of the
shell, and just a moment before the shell came crashing through the
house the lady went into an adjoining room, thus escaping. The chair in
which she had been sitting was knocked to atoms. At 1 p.m. we left
Williamston, and at 5 p.m. we anchored.
Saturday, December 17.--We lay at anchor all day. In the morning I was
astonished to see a hog swim across the Roanoke river immediately in
front of us, because I have always heard it said that swine will not
swim. This was the first and only hog I ever saw swim. At 11 a.m. I
went ashore to where an old man lived; he was covered with rags, and
lived in a secluded spot close by the water's edge. He had no family
but a little boy about eleven years of age. There was not even a cow or
horse to be seen--everything around him betokened distress and misery.
I asked him how long he had been living here. He replied, "I have been
living here six years." I then asked him if he enjoyed this sort of
life. He answered, "No." I asked him if he had an education. He said,
"I can neither read nor write." I then asked if he intended to give his
son an education. He replied that before the war he had intended to
give his son an education, but now times were so hard that it was
barely possible for him to get sufficient to eat. After bidding him
farewell, I returned aboard.
Sunday, December 18.--At 2 p.m. we got under weigh to dredge the river.
At 5 p.m. we anchored for the night. The nights are dark and foggy, and
the rebel musketeers and sharpshooters frequently come up under cover
of the darkness behind the dykes, and give us a wholesome dose from
their rifles; but they are soon hurled back again by a dose of grape
from our guns. During the nights, to prevent floating torpedoes coming
down the river, small boats or skiffs that we had captured from the
enemy were tied in line across the river above the fleet.
Monday, December 20.--The launches that have been dredging the river
have been fired into, and Acting Master Wells and two men of the
Chicopee were wounded. This event caused the rowers to become so much
panic-stricken that they dropped their oars, lay down in the bottom of
the launches, and allowed their boats to float down with the current.
It was with much difficulty that Captain J. A. J. Brooks, by calling to
them from the Valley City, could get them aroused; but finally they
came alongside. We, however, kept on dredging the river till we came to
a point in the Roanoke river, where we anchored. The river at this
point where the fleet is anchored makes a bend like that of a
horseshoe. The ground on the inside of the bend, on the right bank of
the river, is low and level, and covered with young saplings or
undergrowth. At the heels of this horseshoe bend ran a high ridge,
covered partly with poplar trees and partly with white-oak trees. The
fleet lay on the Plymouth stretch of the river, or near stretch, and at
the end of the far stretch where the river runs under the high bluff,
the rebels, as we ascertained afterwards, had fortified with artillery,
and an army said to be ten thousand strong. We did not then suspect we
would find the rebels in force, till we got to Rainbow Bluff. This
place was known by the name of Poplar Point.
All the fleet was at anchor, and had been since 3 o'clock p.m. The day
was beautiful. The fish were nibbling at pieces of hard tack which had
been thrown overboard by the sailors. The current of the river rushed
swiftly past, making the rudder flap in the water. The men were
lounging about on the berth deck, resting. The cook was preparing
supper, the messenger boys were carrying victuals from the galley to
the ward-room, and placing them on the table. The officer of the deck
was pacing to and fro on the starboard side of the vessel. Captain
Brooks was in his cabin. Many of the officers were in the ward-room.
All else was quiet. I was pacing the port side of the Valley City.
Pilot John A. Lewis was standing on the after hatchway, a little above
the gun-deck amidships. As I approached him in walking from the bow of
the vessel towards him, I said to him, "Pilot, what do you think of the
prospect of getting to Rainbow Bluff?" He replied, "I think we will get
there by and by, if we have patience and the rebels don't blow us up."
Just as I was turning to pace to the bow of the Valley City, I heard a
report ashore like that of a number of barrels of fire-crackers
exploding. Simultaneously with this explosion, I heard the zipping of
bullets in the air close to my head, and striking the bulwarks of the
vessel close by me. Then artillery fire commenced.
In the meantime three loud and prolonged rattles were sprung by the
officer of the deck, calling all hands to quarters. I ran down the
forward hatchway and through the berth-deck to the dispensary, which
was my station, and which was just in front of the boiler on the
berth-deck, and at the foot of the steps of the hatchway on which John
A. Lewis was standing when the firing commenced. He was passed down to
me, killed by a bullet from a sharp-shooter, passing through his head
from ear to ear. John A. Lewis was pilot of the ill-fated Otsego, and
had been ordered aboard the Valley City for general duty after the
sinking of that vessel. At the time that pilot John A. Lewis was
killed, I had my full officer's uniform on, but he had on a blouse and
soft felt hat. I felt certain at the time that the ball that killed
John A. Lewis was intended for me, as I was nearly in line of the shot.
The rebels made it pretty warm for us from 5 to 9 o'clock p.m. The
Valley City was struck three times with shell, and fired one hundred
and thirty-six shots. One of the shells that struck the Valley City
came into a lamp-closet just over my head and near the end of the
boiler, but did not explode. An old sailor sitting near by where I was
standing, upon seeing the ceiling broken above my head, said, "Don't be
alarmed; lightning nor shells never strike twice in the same place."
Another shell went crashing through the ward-room, down through an old
family Bible (which Acting Ensign Milton Webster had captured ashore),
and then out of the ward-room through a passage-way in which some
negroes off the Otsego were lying concealed, killing them, and then
exploding in the river. In the meantime, the remainder of the fleet
kept up a constant fire.
During the battle, Acting Ensign Milton Webster performed some acts of
daring, by taking the end of a hawser in a cutter, manned by negroes,
ashore, and making it fast to a tree, under a shower of bullets and
shells. The cutter was pierced several times with bullets, but nobody
in it was hurt. The hawser was made fast to the tree for the purpose of
drawing the stern of the Valley City around so as to bring her guns to
bear on the enemy.
After a brisk fire from the fleet for four hours, the rebels ceased
firing, but annoyed the fleet during the night by squads of infantry
firing from behind the dykes and then running away. It was dangerous to
have a light aboard the vessel, and we were therefore compelled to take
our suppers as best we could in the dark.
Tuesday, December 20.--We are engaged in burying the dead and
skirmishing with the enemy, the rebels with their accustomed barbarity
firing on the burying party. We were annoyed all day by the
sharpshooters and batteries of the enemy, but continued to hold our own
and to keep the enemy back.
On Wednesday, December 21, the Valley City weighed anchor at 2:10
o'clock p.m. The Confederates were firing musketry at the Wyalusing. At
2:40 p.m. the Valley City steamed ahead, around the turn which opened
up the far stretch of the river. This stretch of the river was covered
by rebel artillery. The Valley City had scarcely showed her bow around
the turn, till she received a severe shot from the rebel batteries,
which plunged diagonally through the pilot-house, which was lined
outside with half-inch iron, knocking off the door thereto, wounding
three men--the pilot John A. Wilson, Charles Hall, and John Wood: the
latter two were mortally wounded. The Valley City immediately dropped
out of range of said battery, and came to anchor at 3:05 p.m. In the
evening the fleet dropped farther down on the near stretch of the
river. The Valley City lost her torpedo-fender.
December 22.--Last night we were again annoyed by musketry and
sharpshooters ashore. During the day, after burying the dead, the
Valley City dropped down below the fleet to arrange on her bows another
torpedo-fender. About 2:20 p.m. we heard loud whistling from steam
launch No. 5, which was bringing up the mail from Plymouth. I was
standing on the poop-deck, and through the bushes on the flat on the
inside of the bend I saw a regiment of rebels running towards the
launch, at the same time keeping up a rapid fire at her. The Valley
City dropped her torpedo-fender, steamed down, and after firing a few
shots of grape at the rebels, they retreated. In the meantime,
Commander W. H. Macomb learned that the rebels had been removing their
batteries that commanded the far stretch of the river to a point below
us, so as to command the near stretch, and if possible prevent our
returning down the river, and thereby capture the fleet. Matters were
becoming desperate, and Commander Macomb therefore determined to
retreat down the river. The Valley City was the first to go by the
rebel batteries, the remainder of the fleet keeping up a rapid fire at
them. The current of the river was so strong, and the bend under the
rebel batteries so sharp, that the Valley City whirled round like a
water-wheel, first striking the bow against the shore, and then the
stern. I was fearful we might be boarded. An attempt was also made to
fell trees on the fleet whilst passing. After the Valley City had
passed safely by the rebel batteries, she came to anchor, trained her
guns on the enemy, and in conjunction with the remainder of the fleet
above the bend of the river, kept up a rapid fire whilst a second
vessel passed; and thus one vessel of the fleet after another passed
safely around the turn of the river, under fire of the rebel batteries.
Commander Macomb now gave the Valley City orders to proceed down the
river cautiously, and have the river dredged in our rear. For a short
distance Captain J. A. J. Brooks had the men in cutters, dredging the
river; but after consulting his executive officer, Milton Webster,
Acting Assistant Paymaster J. W. Sands and myself, as to the propriety
of steaming down the river without dredging it, it was agreed upon to
call the dredge-boats in, and we proceeded down the river, shelling the
woods on right bank of the river and then came to an anchor above
Williamston.
Friday, December 23.--The Valley City continued steaming down the
river, and anchored off Williamston at 12 m. At 1 p.m. she weighed
anchor and steamed to off Jamesville, where she arrived at 5 p.m., the
remainder of the fleet following close in our rear.
On Saturday, December 24, the Valley City proceeded two miles up the
river to tug the Chicopee off, which had got transversely across the
river, preventing the fleet behind her from descending. The Valley City
returned and anchored off Jamesville at 10 o'clock a.m. The fleet is
all now anchored off Jamesville, and is engaged in destroying the wreck
of the Otsego. During this expedition I never had my clothes or shoes
off.
On Thursday, December 29, at 11-1/2 o'clock a.m. the Valley City
weighed anchor and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 12-1/2
p.m.
[Published in the New York Herald of January 9, 1865.]
NEWBERN.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF THE EXPEDITION
UP ROANOKE RIVER.
THE FLEET REACHES POPLAR POINT.
FROM OUR NEWBERN (N.C.) CORRESPONDENT.
NEWBERN, N.C. DECEMBER 27, 1864.
The expedition that left Plymouth, N.C., on the 9th instant, has
returned and anchored off Jamesville, Roanoke river, having by
arduous labor accomplished results that reflect great credit upon
the commanding officer and his subordinates.
ORGANIZATION OF THE EXPEDITION.
The naval portion of this expedition sailed from Plymouth on the
evening of the 9th instant, in the following order: Wyalusing,
Lieutenant Commander Earl English, bearing the broad pennant of
Commander W. H. Macomb, commanding the fourth division of the North
Atlantic squadron; Valley City, Acting Master J. A. J. Brooks;
Otsego, Commander Arnold; Chicopee, Commander Hannell; Bazeley,
Acting Ensign Aimes; tug Belle, Acting Master Green; and the picket
launch No. 5, Acting Ensign Chapman. The Shamrock was to follow.
A land force commanded by Colonel Frankle had started from Plymouth
at daylight the same morning, to co-operate with the fleet.
THE OTSEGO DESTROYED BY A TORPEDO.
Without interruption, the squadron at 9 o'clock the same night
arrived at Jamesville, a small town above Plymouth some twelve
miles, when the signal to anchor was made from the flag-ship. The
night being dark, and the river flowing rapidly in its narrow and
tortuous channel, it was thought best to proceed no further until
daylight. The Wyalusing had just let go her anchor a few yards
above the town, when two loud reports were heard astern, and dense
volumes of smoke and steam were seen to envelop the Otsego. That
fine vessel had struck two torpedoes, one under the port
coal-bunker, the other beneath the keelson, driving a large hole
through her bottom, and throwing one of her hundred-pounder rifled
Parrotts into the air. She sank in fifteen minutes in three fathoms
of water, being a complete wreck. Her officers and men lost all
their clothing, except what they had on at the moment of the
explosion, but were cared for by their comrades of the other
vessels, who hurried to their rescue, and periled their own lives
in saving their shipwrecked fellow-sailors. Commander Arnold
behaved with great coolness, and his self-possession soon restored
order and discipline on board the sunken ship, or rather on her
hurricane deck, which alone remained out of water.
DESTRUCTION OF THE BAZELEY.
In the morning orders were given to drag for torpedoes, when it was
found that the Otsego had struck upon a perfect nest of them. The
boats which had been passing and repassing to and from her during
the night, had rowed over numbers of them, happily without touching
them. Several were picked up alongside the Otsego, and two were
hanging to the torpedo-fender rigged at her bow. The steamer
Bazeley during the morning was ordered to run down to Plymouth, to
convey orders and dispatches, taking on board for that purpose
Paymaster Louis Sands, of the Shamrock, who had been detailed as
one of Commander Macomb's aids in this expedition. On her way down,
being directed to communicate with the Otsego, Captain Aimes ran
towards the sunken vessel, when a torpedo struck the Bazeley under
the pilot house, blowing a hole clear through her, killing Wm. C.
Rossell, a lad, and John Gerrard, first-class boy, and sinking the
ship instantly. The officers and remainder of the crew escaped by
swimming, and were picked up by boats. Captain Aimes, upon
returning to the flagship, thus laconically reported his loss to
Commander Macomb: "Sir, the Bazeley has gone up."
The destruction of two of our vessels so quickly made things look
blue, but the grit and metal that headed the expedition were
sufficient to overcome such disasters.
A FRESH START.
Preparations were now fully carried out to drag the river by boats
for the torpedoes, which were constantly found in the richest and
choicest clusters, in some places eight or nine being placed across
the river in a line, and having susceptibilities of the most
sensitive nature, going off on the slightest provocation.
Communication with Plymouth having been obtained, the signal was
made to advance, the Valley City taking the lead.
Mr. Chamberlain, a civilian, had volunteered to go with the
expedition with a calcium light, which proved to be of great
advantage to the fleet in the intense darkness of the nights. The
light was placed on the leading vessel, and made our pathway as
clear as broad daylight. The fleet proceeded slowly, having six
boats constantly employed in dragging and picking up torpedoes,
which continued to be found in great profusion. Large numbers were
found at Shad Island Bend and other points, and many exploded in
the attempt made to get them on shore. Eighty were taken up in a
distance of thirty miles.
LIVING ON THE ENEMY.
The fleet anchored off several of the plantations along the river,
and the men were allowed to regale themselves with fresh provisions
and other luxurious articles that were contraband of war. All
articles of military value were taken or destroyed, and a quantity
of cotton pressed into the service as bulwarks against the
sharpshooters who lined the banks of the stream. Mr. Speller, a
rich planter, owning a place called Speller's Landing, was arrested
and sent to Plymouth. He had accepted a nomination to a seat in the
rebel Legislature, had three sons in the rebel army, and was
himself a bitter reviler and opponent of the government. Other
prominent rebels were also seized and sent to Plymouth. One of them
offered Commander Macomb and Lieutenant Commander English a large
amount of gold, which he had on his person, to release him; but
like Paulding and Van Wert of old, the patriotism of the sailor
chiefs revolted at the attempt to bribe them, and an order to place
the rebel in closer confinement was the only result of the
proposition. Corruption has been little known in this war among our
naval officers; and though many of them are far from wealthy, their
honor and good name are more precious in their eyes than millions
of dishonorable wealth.
THE OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY.
It was part of the programme that Colonel Frankle should
communicate with the fleet at Jamesville; but without waiting for
the arrival of the vessels, he pushed on his men to Foster's Mills,
where a skirmish ensued with the enemy, who were repulsed. The
mills were burned, and Colonel Clark was left to hold the place,
while the main body proceeded onward, the rebels retreating on
Rainbow Banks, a very strong and commanding position on the river,
twenty miles above Williamston. The fleet learned the news by one
of Colonel Clark's scouts, and the next day one of our picket
boats, which had been sent back to Jamesville, returned to the
fleet, bringing additional intelligence that the army, getting out
of provisions, had fallen back to Jamesville. Commander Macomb sent
a dispatch to Colonel Frankle commanding, stating that time was
precious; that the fleet would proceed at all hazards, and would
turn back for nothing until it reached the bluff; and urging that
the troops should go forward at once. A promise was returned that
the troops would again move forward in a short time.
THE FLEET APPROACHES POPLAR POINT.
The fleet kept on its way for several days more, dragging the river
at every step, exploding torpedoes, fighting sharpshooters, and
pressing forward toward Rainbow Bluff; until, on the evening of the
20th, we turned a bend in the stream exposing to view Poplar Point,
a high bluff thoroughly commanding the river.
THE MARINES ON SHORE DUTY.
On our left, after doubling the bend, was a large marshy plain
protected by a dyke, behind which sharpshooters were thought to be
lurking. Commander Macomb ordered the marines of the squadron to
land, and under command of Acting Ensign Fesset, of the Wyalusing,
to move along the bank, behind the levee, and look out for the
enemy. They soon found the rebel pickets and skirmished with them,
the rebels being driven back towards the point. Soon a large body
of rebels was found, and a brisk little action took place. A
prisoner being captured by Sergeant Kane, of the Shamrock,
belonging to Whitford's rebel regiment, reported that his regiment
was in the swamp, as the advance of the rebels, whose entire
strength was some six thousand men. The marines continued the
skirmishing until nightfall, when they were recalled, having
throughout the day behaved admirably, retaining the good reputation
which that branch of the service has always held.
THE VALLEY CITY ENCOUNTERS A BATTERY.
No sooner had the Valley City, which continued to be the leading
vessel, shown her head around the point, than she was saluted by a
battery which the rebels had placed there so skillfully as to give
them accurate and deadly aim. She replied with great effect, and
silenced the battery; but night fell, and the firing ceased. During
the night all the vessels were annoyed by the rebels, who would
sneak up under cover of the trees, fire a volley upon our decks,
and skedaddle, their retreat being often accelerated by a wholesome
dose of grape. During the day the Valley City had suffered badly
from the rebel battery. Pilot John A. Lewis was shot through the
head with a Minie ball and instantly killed. He was buried on the
bank of the river--the rebels, with their accustomed barbarity,
firing on the burying party.
A shell exploded in the pilot-house of the Valley City, badly
wounding her other pilot. A number of her men were also badly hurt.
THE FLEET IN A TIGHT PLACE.
The 21st and 22d were passed in shelling the batteries on Poplar
Point, and endeavoring to drag the river for torpedoes, that were
now thicker than ever. As fast as our boats would leave the ships
to commence dragging, the rebels would open on them, wounding and
killing the men. A new battery opened on the Valley City,
inflicting serious damage on her. The other ships, with their
hundred-pounder rifles, drove the rebels off repeatedly, but only
to return whenever our fire slackened. It was plain that we could
no longer do without a land force to drive the fellows off and
clear the way for our dragging boats. Every moment the rebels
thickened in the woods; the trees and bushes were alive with
sharpshooters; batteries were discovered in process of erection in
our rear; and in a word, the position of the squadron was critical.
THE FLEET WITHDRAWS TO JAMESVILLE.
Commander Macomb again sent a despatch to the colonel commanding
the land forces, begging him to press forward without delay. The
reply was that the army would advance when transportation
permitted. The position of the fleet was untenable for twenty-four
hours more; to have remained would have insured the loss of another
vessel; to advance was impossible without army co-operation: so,
very reluctantly, Commander Macomb gave the order to fall back to
Jamesville, there to await the action of the army. The fleet fought
its way back for seven or eight miles, and the rest of the way was
passed in quiet.
The Otsego had not yet been put out of commission--Commander Arnold
and a portion of her crew remaining on her hurricane-deck, and
living _al fresco_. Her heavy battery had been removed to the
Shamrock and Wyalusing, but her brass howitzer still remained on
her hurricane-deck to defend her crew. A survey was now held upon
her, and it was decided that it was impossible to raise either her
or the Bazeley. Everything that could be removed was taken away,
and two torpedoes were placed in her hull and exploded, thus
finishing the work of the rebels. Her remains were then set on
fire, and she was burned to the water's edge.
The entire fleet, with the exception of the Chicopee and
Mattabessett, are now at Jamesville; and the United States steamer
Lockwood, to which Captain Aimes was ordered after the loss of the
Bazeley, joined it last night, having sailed from Newbern to do so.
COMMANDER MACOMB.
The indomitable perseverance of Commander Macomb and his captains,
in pushing on through a river filled with torpedoes and lined with
sharpshooters for fifty miles, dragging almost every foot of the
way, and driving the enemy before them, is unsurpassed even in the
brilliant naval history of this war. Many commanders would have
faltered after losing two of their vessels; but there was no
faltering in Macomb. It was not until all hope of land co-operation
was exhausted, and until it was demonstrated that without a land
support he could go no further, that he consented to retire.
Throughout the whole expedition, he asked his men to encounter no
danger that he did not himself share. His exposure of himself to
death was constant and unflinching; his coolness and
self-possession never left him; and in him his officers and men
beheld an example worthy of their emulation.
Thanks of the officers of the Otsego, to Captain Wood and officers
of the transport, General Berry:
"WRECK OF UNITED STATES STEAMER OTSEGO,
"ROANOKE RIVER, N.C., DECEMBER, 15, 1864.
"The officers of this vessel desire to express their thanks to
Captain Wood and other officers of the army transport, General
Berry, for the politeness and kind consideration they received on
board that boat, after their own vessel was blown up by torpedoes,
on the night of December 9, and the polite manner in which they
furnished both officers and men with every facility for obtaining
the comforts they so much needed.
"H. N. T. ARNOLD, _Lieutenant Commander_.
"HENRY D. FOSTER, _Ensign and Executive Officer_.
"J. P. GALLAGHER, _Ensign_.
"WM. H. MCLEAN, _Ensign_.
"GEORGE C. REYNOLDS, _Assistant Surgeon_.
"SAMUEL C. MIDLAM, _Acting First Ass't Engineer_.
"R. A. ROLFE, _Captain's Clerk_.
"ROBERT S. HOUSTON, _Paymaster's Clerk_.
"FRANLIN STEDMAN, _Acting Master's Mate_."
THAT OLD FAMILY BIBLE.
A Bible captured near Windsor, North Carolina, during the expedition up
Roanoke river, on the night of December 16th, 1864, by Ensign Milton
Webster, on a marauding expedition, is over a hundred years old, as is
shown by its title-page: "Edinburgh: Printed by Alexander Kincaid, his
Majesty's Printer, MDCCLXIX." The book originally belonged to W. A.
Turner, of Windsor, North Carolina, as that name appears in gilt upon
one of the corners of the Bible; and on a page in the book appears the
following record:
"David Turner and Elizabeth Armistead were married Tuesday, August
16, 1785.
"David Turner born September 2d, 1738; Elizabeth Armistead born
December 29th, 1759.
"Thomas Turner born July 18th, 1786, 4:30 afternoon; William
Armistead Turner born December 13th, 1787, nine o'clock a.m. They
were both baptized Sunday, August 2d, 1789, by the Rev. McDowell.
"George Turner born November 24th, about 5 o'clock in the morning,
1789, and baptized Sunday, twenty-first of February following, by
the Rev. W. Blount.
"Sarah Turner born April 28th, fifty minutes after nine in the
morning, 1791, and baptized November 27th, same year, by Rev. W.
Wilson.
"Mary Turner born November 8th, at eight o'clock in the morning,
1793, and baptized June 4th following, by Rev. Mr. Petigro, and
died August 8th, 1794, some time between three and four o'clock,
which was before day.
"Hannah Turner born October 17th, about eleven o'clock in the
morning, 1796, and was baptized second Sunday in July following, by
the Rev. W. Joseph Gurley.
"George Turner departed this life August, 1801.
"David Turner was born September 2, 1738, and died May 17th, 1802,
in the 64th year of his age.
"My dear little Sarah and Hannah Turner both departed this life
March 15th, 1805.
"Elizabeth Turner departed this life May 17, 1822, aged 62 years, 4
months and 18 days.
"Thomas Turner died on the 6th day of January, 1847.
"All the forenamed persons, with the exception of the writer
hereof, are buried in the graveyard at the plantation whereon the
father, David Turner, and family lived, two and one-half miles west
of the town of Windsor."
No doubt the writer of the above is also dead, and time and the chances
of war may have scattered any remaining members of the family.
THE VALLEY CITY AND HER OFFICERS.
The officers of the U.S. Steamer Valley City were as follows: Acting
Master Commanding, John A. J. Brooks; Acting Ensign and Executive
Officer, Milton Webster; Acting Master's Mates, Charles F. O'Neill and
John Maddock; Acting Assistant Paymaster, J. Woodville Sands; Acting
Assistant Surgeon, John M. Batten; Engineers--Second Assistant in
charge, James M. Battin; Acting Third Assistant, John Minton; Acting
Master and Pilot, John A. Wilson.
Captain J. A. J. Brooks was a North Carolinian by birth, and was
acquainted with the waters and people of North Carolina. He was a
full-sized man of fine figure, 35 years of age, brown piercing eyes,
light hair, and in general appearance a fine-looking officer. He was
brave, and ever on the alert. Many nights whilst the Valley City was
laying at the mouth of Roanoke river watching for the rebel ram
Albemarle, I found Captain Brooks at all hours on deck--I often
wondered when he slept. In battle he was cool and brave. Under his
command the Valley City was considered, by the Confederates in that
vicinity, a terror to the waters of North Carolina.
It was on the Valley City, whilst in a fight at Elizabeth, N.C., a man
sat over the opened end of a barrel of powder to prevent it from being
ignited, after an enemy's shell had entered and exploded in the powder
magazine, and thus saved the vessel. The man was immediately promoted
to a gunner.
At many places to which the Valley City steamed, Captain Brooks would
be anxious to ascertain how many Confederates there were in the
locality. Upon asking some colored people, who were always assembled to
greet us, how many rebels there were at a certain locality, they would
make the following reply: "I don't know, sah; but dar is a right smaht
number dar." Upon pressing them for a more definite answer they would
repeat, "I don't know, massa; but dar is a right smaht number dar."
The Valley City, and I believe all naval vessels, were directed to go
ahead, fast, slow, or stop, or back fast or slow, by a bell hung in the
engine room connected with the pilot-house by a wire which was pulled
by the pilot. One bell was to start; two bells, go ahead slow; four
bells, go ahead fast; and one bell to stop (that is when the vessel was
in motion); three bells back; two bells, back slow; and four bells,
back fast.
The time of day was noted by means of a bell, as follows: One bell,
12-1/2 o'clock, p.m.; two bells, 1 o'clock, p.m.; three bells, 1-1/2
o'clock, p.m.; four bells, 2 o'clock, p.m.; five bells, 2-1/2 o'clock,
p.m.; six bells, 3 o'clock, p.m.; seven bells, 3-1/2 o'clock, p.m.; and
eight bells, 4 o'clock, p, m.; then, one bell, 4-1/2 o'clock, p.m., and
so on till 8 o'clock, p.m.; then, one bell, 8-1/2 o'clock, p.m., and so
on till 12 o'clock, p.m.; thus the time during the first twelve hours
of the following day was noted, and in the same way any succeeding
twelve hours.
Each watch remained on duty four hours, say from 12 o'clock m. until 4
o'clock p.m., when it was relieved by another watch, which would remain
on duty until 8 o'clock p.m., when this watch was again relieved by
another watch, which would remain on duty four hours, or until 12
o'clock p.m.
It would be an officer's duty on arriving aboard his own or another
vessel, to salute the quarter-deck by taking off his hat, even if there
were nobody on the deck. All who were on the deck would return the
salute also, by taking their hats off. An officer arriving on board his
own vessel would always report to the captain of the vessel, as
follows: "Captain, I report myself aboard, sir." The captain would
reply: "Aye, aye, sir."
Some very dark nights the Captain, in order to time the crew and
officers of the Valley City in getting to their quarters, would spring
the rattle for general quarters; and such a time there would be in
getting out of our berths, and going to general quarters! The whole
affair would be very amusing, and sometimes ridiculous.
The small boats attached to a man-of-war are the Captain's gig, dingy,
cutters and launches. The man who guides or commands one of these small
boats is known as the coxswain. A small boat is manned by seven to
fifteen men, according to the size of the boat. The coxswain's command,
if he wants to turn sharp to the left or port, is "Hold water port,
give way strong starboard." If he wishes to turn sharp to the right or
starboard, his command would be, "Hold water starboard, give way strong
port." In rowing alongside of a vessel, when the boat had sufficient
headway to carry it alongside, the coxswain commands the men to drop
their oars. There are many other commands given by the coxswain, but it
is unnecessary to name them in this place.
It is a very beautiful sight to see a boat rowed by fourteen trained
men, all dressed similarly.
Saturday, December 31, at 2 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh and
proceeded up the Chowan river. We arrived in sight of Winton, when the
Valley City returned down the river and anchored for the night. Sunday,
January 1, 1865, at 4 o'clock p.m., we steamed down the river, and at
5-1/2 o'clock p.m. we anchored off Edenton and went ashore. The weather
is cold and windy.
Tuesday, January 3d, 1865, the Valley City, at 10-1/2 o'clock a.m.,
weighed anchor and proceeded to Plymouth, where she arrived at 1 p.m.
At 8 p.m., left Plymouth and proceeded to off Edenton, where we arrived
at 10 p.m.
Wednesday, January 4th, 1865, we left Edenton at 7 a.m., and arrived at
Plymouth at 9-1/2 a.m. Mr. Stevens is aboard. The weather is cold.
Saturday, January 7.--During the week the Valley City has been cruising
up Chowan river, Simon's Creek, and around Edenton Bay, watching for
the Philadelphia, a blockade runner. Captain Brooks, Paymaster Sands
and I, frequently went ashore at Edenton. The weather during the week
has been mild, moist and rainy.
Sunday, January 8, at 5 a.m., we proceeded from Chowan River to Edenton
Bay, where we arrived at 7 a.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Acting Master
James G. Green, Paymaster Sands and I, went ashore and took dinner with
Mr. Samuel B. At 6 p.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to the mouth
of Chowan River. The weather is cold.
Monday, January 9.--The weather is delightful. We lay during the day at
the mouth of Chowan River. Tuesday, January 10th, at 5 a.m., the Valley
City got under weigh and proceeded up to Poole's Landing, on the Chowan
River. At 11:45 a.m., we discovered the Philadelphia. We immediately
steamed toward her, and at 12:15 p.m., Mr. Milton Webster, executive
officer, took a launch with a crew of men and boarded the Philadelphia,
which was laying near Colerain, with a cargo of 257 bales of cotton,
and tobacco. At 1 p.m. we got under weigh, with the Philadelphia in
tow, and proceeded to Plymouth. At 5 p.m., we anchored at the mouth of
Roanoke River. The weather is raining and blustering, accompanied with
thunder and lightning.
Wednesday, January 11th, at 8 a.m., we weighed anchor and proceeded to
Plymouth, where we arrived at 9-1/2 a.m. At 1-1/2 p.m., the Valley City
got under weigh and proceeded to Edenton, where we arrived at 3:25 p.m.
Captain Brooks, J. W. Sands and I, went ashore, and called on Mr.
Samuel B. At 5:30 p.m. we got under weigh and proceeded to Plymouth,
where we arrived at 8 p.m. The weather is cold but pleasant. At 9 p.m.,
we left Plymouth and proceeded up Chowan River.
Thursday, January 12.--The Valley City came to anchor at 1 a.m., at
Holly's Island. At 6 a.m. we got under weigh and proceeded up Chowan
river. At 7:30 a.m. we came to anchor off "Camp Winfield." Mr. Milton
Webster went ashore, and in company with Mr. Winslow, they traveled
seven miles into the country, and returned safely at 1 p.m., with Mr.
Winslow and his brother. In the meantime, Captain Brooks, Paymaster
Sands and crew went ashore, and captured several bales of cotton. We
arrived at Edenton at 7 p.m. Captain Brooks, Paymaster J. W. Sands, Mr.
Cannon, and Messrs. Winslows, went ashore. The weather is delightful.
Friday, January 13.--At 6:20 a.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded to
Plymouth, where we arrived at 8:20 a.m. The weather is beautiful. I
spent nearly all day ashore. At 7 p.m. we got under weigh, and
proceeded toward Roanoke Island. Saturday, January 14, at 2 a.m., we
anchored in Albemarle Sound, and at 8 a.m. we arrived at Roanoke
Island. The weather is windy. Sunday, January 15, the Valley City got
under weigh at 4 o'clock p.m., and proceeded toward Plymouth. Mr.
O'Neill, acting master's mate, was very severely injured by a hawser to
which the schooner was fastened in tow, slipping on a kevel. The
weather is windy, and the Sounds are rough. Monday, January 16, we
arrived at Plymouth at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, January 17.--We got under weigh at 11 a.m., and proceeded to
Edenton, where we arrived at 12:30 p.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Acting
Master James G. Green, J. W. Sands and I went ashore and took tea at
Mr. Samuel B----'s. We spent a very pleasant time. Mr. Skinner, D.D.,
was present. At 8 p.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded to Chowan
river, and came to anchor at 9:25 p.m. for the night. The weather is
delightful. Wednesday, January 18, at 5 a.m. we got under weigh, and
proceeded to Holly's Landing, where we anchored at 7 a.m.
Thursday, January 19, at 9 a.m., we got under weigh, and proceeded to
Edenton, where we arrived at 12 m. In the afternoon I attended the
marriage of Acting Master James G. Green and Miss Cornelia B----, which
took place at Mr. Samuel B----'s, the father of the bride. There were
quite a number of the fleet's officers present. At 8 p.m., the Valley
City proceeded towards Roanoke Island, with the bride and groom and the
bride's two sisters and cousin aboard.
Friday, January 20, at 1:30 a.m., we came to anchor, and at 8:30 a.m.
we got under weigh, and arrived at Roanoke Island at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, January 21st, 1865, I went ashore at Roanoke Island. The
weather is rainy, foggy, and windy. Monday, January 23, at 2 p.m., we
got under weigh and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived in the
evening. The night is dark and foggy. Tuesday, January 24, the Valley
City arrived at Edenton, and landed the sisters and cousin of the
bride, Acting Master James G. Green and his wife having proceeded from
Roanoke Island north, on a short tour.
Saturday, January 28, 1865.--At 6 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh
and proceeded to Colerain, where we arrived at 10 a.m. The weather has
been extraordinarily cold the last three days.
Wednesday, February 1.--The weather has moderated and is pleasant. The
Valley City is laying here for the purpose of protecting the troops
ashore, commanded by Colonel Frankle, and for that purpose we shell the
woods occasionally. The boat Alison ran against a snag here and was
sunk, and is now being raised.
Saturday, February 4.--At 5-1/2 p.m., we got under weigh with boat
Alison in tow, which had been previously raised so as to be buoyed up
by two schooners, and arrived at Edenton Sunday, February 5, at 2 a.m.,
where we anchored the Alison, and at 11 a.m. we proceeded to Plymouth;
but at the mouth of Middle river we were met by the tug Belle, from
which we received orders to return to Edenton, to tow the Alison to
Plymouth. We arrived at Edenton at 3 p.m., and at 7 p.m. the officers
and two boats' crews went ashore. At 9 p.m. we took the Alison in tow,
and arrived at the mouth of Roanoke river, where we anchored at 2 a.m.,
Monday, February 6. There is a rise in the Roanoke river, and its
current is very swift, so that the Valley City could make but little
headway up the river.
Thursday, February 9, at 9-1/4 a.m., proceeded to Plymouth, where we
arrived at 9-3/4 a.m. Tuesday, February 21, at 12 m., we weighed anchor
and proceeded to Salmon's creek, where we arrived at 2:10 p.m. Here
there were a number of contrabands and their effects taken on board.
One of the contrabands stated she was 112 years of age, and had seen
Washington in her early life; she is apparently very old. At 10 p.m., a
boat, with a rebel soldier and two old men, with bacon, beef and fowls,
were hailed, and the men and their effects were brought on board the
Valley City.
Wednesday, February 22d, at 6 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh and
proceeded toward Plymouth. At 7 a.m., we came to an anchor off Walnut
Point, and took on board more contrabands, and at 10 a.m. we proceeded
to Plymouth, where we arrived at 11:20 a.m. At 3 p.m. we got under
weigh, and arrived at Edenton at 5 p.m. I went ashore with Captain J.
A. J. Brooks, and called on Mr. Samuel B----. The fleet at Plymouth
fired a salute in commemoration of the birth of Washington.
Thursday, February 23d, at 3 a.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to
the mouth of Chowan river, and returned to Edenton, where we arrived at
8 a.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks and I went ashore, and called on Messrs.
Samuel B----, Henry B----, and Mr. M----. In the afternoon, we interred
Matthew Sheridan, landsman, who had died of typhus fever. At 5 p.m. we
returned to ship and got under weigh and proceeded down the Albemarle
Sound to Laurel Point, where we arrived at 9 p.m., and anchored. The
weather is pleasant.
Saturday, February 25, at 5-1/2 a.m., got under weigh and proceeded to
the mouth of Little Alligator river, where we arrived and anchored at
9-1/4 a.m.
Sunday, February 26, at 1-1/2 p.m., the Valley City got under weigh and
steamed toward Roanoke Island, in pursuit of a schooner which was
supposed to be running the blockade; but upon boarding her, it was
found she had permission to trade with the inhabitants in that
vicinity. At 6 p.m., we came to an anchor at the mouth of Alligator
river.
Monday, February 27, at 6 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh and
steamed up the Alligator river to Chincapin Ridge, where Captain J. A.
J. Brooks, Acting Master's Mate O'Neill, and myself, with two crews of
men, fourteen in number, went ashore and marched three miles into the
country, through pines and cypresses. Along the road we put up a mark
on a tree and fired at it; and although I was not an expert marksman, I
put a ball nearest the mark. We finally came to a house occupied by a
man and his wife and their children, who were very poor. The house was
illy furnished, and had only one apartment. The appearance of it,
inside or outside, was not very inviting. Captain J. A. J. Brooks asked
the man whether he could provide dinner for the party. He demurred at
first, but finally agreed to provide such a dinner as the viands in the
house would permit of. All the party were very hungry, and were glad to
have the opportunity of sitting down to any sort of a dinner. The woman
went to work to cook a dinner. In the meantime, the officers, men, and
host, employed themselves in shooting at a mark. During this time the
host told us the war had been a benefit to him, in so far as it had
made a temperance man of him. Before the war, he said, he had been an
immoderate drinker of intoxicating liquors, but now he was temperate
from necessity, as he could get nothing stronger than water to drink.
Dinner was soon announced. It was set on a table about two feet square,
without a tablecloth. Our dinner consisted of bacon, corn bread, and
coffee made from corn. Only four could be seated at the same time
around the table, consequently there were five successive tables
served, occupying altogether about two hours in eating. We all enjoyed
the dinner, as we were very hungry from traveling through the pines.
After remunerating our host in a substantial way and thanking him for
his hospitality, we returned to the vessel.
Tuesday, February 28.--The Valley City got under weigh at 9 a.m., and
arrived at Roanoke Island at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at 7 p.m.,
we weighed anchor and proceeded to Plymouth. At 10 p.m., we got aground
near Croatan Sound. Thursday, March 2, at 5-1/2 o'clock a.m., we got
under weigh and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 2 p.m. We
brought with us as passengers Messrs. Douglass and Winslow, from
Roanoke Island.
Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m., we proceeded to the mouth of Roanoke
river, for the purpose of towing a coal schooner to Plymouth. We
arrived at Plymouth at 3-1/2 p.m. The weather has been very warm.
Wednesday, March 8, at 8 p.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to
Roanoke Island, where we arrived the following day at 6-1/2 a.m. Mr.
Harris, Second Assistant Engineer, and I, went ashore.
Friday, March 10, at 9-1/2 a.m., we got under weigh, and at 1 p.m.
anchored in Albemarle Sound. As the Valley City was steaming toward
Plymouth, suddenly and unexpectedly a heavy squall came up, and tossed
the Valley City about so much that we were fearful she might be
capsized. The guns were not made fast at the time. The officers had
just sat down to dinner as the Valley City commenced rolling and
pitching tremendously. First we endeavored to save the contents of the
dinner table; finally this effort was abandoned in order to save
ourselves. We were tossed about the ward-room in an uncomfortable
manner. The contents of the dinner table went to the floor and were
lost, and to mend matters the Valley City got into the "trough of the
sea." The howitzers and ammunition above our heads on the poop deck,
were being tossed from side to side, and so were also the large guns on
the gun deck. The line officers and crew were soon engaged in getting
the Valley City out of the "trough of the sea," and securing her guns
by making them fast. The gale continued about a half hour, after which
the Valley City steamed quietly to Plymouth. On Saturday, March 11, at
11:20 a.m., we anchored off Edenton, and at 4:35 p.m., proceeded to
Plymouth, where we arrived at 7:15 p.m.
Wednesday, March 15, the Valley City got under weigh and proceeded to
the blockade above Plymouth. Monday, March 20, the Valley City got
under weigh and proceeded to the mouth of the Cashie river, where we
arrived at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, the Valley City got under weigh
and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 3-1/2 p.m. At 4-1/2
p.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to Edenton, where we arrived at
6-1/2 p.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Paymaster J. W. Sands, Major
Willis, Mr. Tiffing and myself, went ashore. Friday, March 24, at 5
p.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at
7 p.m. The weather is beautiful. Saturday, March 25, at 1-1/2 p.m.,
Commander Macomb came aboard, and the Valley City proceeded toward
Newbern. At 8-1/2 p.m., we anchored in Croatan Sound. Sunday, March 26,
at 5-1/2 a.m., we got under weigh, and at 7-1/2 a.m. we came to anchor.
At 10-1/4 a.m. we got under weigh and proceeded to Newbern, where we
arrived the following day at 1 a.m.
Friday, March 31, at 3 o'clock, a.m., we left Newbern, with Commander
Macomb still aboard, and arrived at Roanoke Island at 5-3/4 p.m. At 7
p.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded as far as Croatan Sound, where
we got aground, and stuck fast till the following day, when at 12-1/2
a.m. we got afloat, and anchored till 5 a.m., when we proceeded to
Plymouth, where we arrived at 2 p.m. Commander Macomb went on board his
own ship, the Shamrock. At 4-1/2 p.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded
by way of Albemarle Sound and Chowan river to Winton, and then up
Meherrin river to Murfreesborough, N.C., in company with the U.S.
Steamers Shamrock, Wyalusing, and Hunchback. We dragged the Meherrin
river for torpedoes from Winton to Murfreesborough, but found none,
arriving at Murfreesborough on Monday, April 3, at 6:35 p.m.
Murfreesborough is a small, beautifully-located town, on a high plateau
of ground on the right bank of the Meherrin river, surrounded by woods.
There were two female seminaries in the place, one a Baptist, the other
a Methodist. The people were intelligent, but very much interested in
the success of the Confederacy. This place was opened up by the fleet
for the purpose of being a depot of supply for Sherman's army, and was
intended to be the next point of landing after Sherman left Raleigh. In
Murfreesborough there were about one thousand rebels, who gave us great
annoyance till they were finally captured by the 3d New York cavalry.
On the following Tuesday, April 4, Acting Ensign Milton Webster and
myself went ashore for the purpose of ascertaining the whereabouts of
Paymaster J. W. Sands, who had previously gone ashore. At a point
midway between the cliff of the river and the town, we met a colored
man who told us we had better be careful, as there were rebel cavalry
in the town. We then went away from the town in a line parallel with
the river, across a ravine which was at right angles with the river.
Just as we had crossed the ravine, we saw the rebel cavalry coming down
on the opposite side. We took to our heels and ran under fire till we
got to the woods, and thence to the fleet. When we arrived aboard the
Valley City, we found that Paymaster Sands had returned on board, and
had taken about the same route ashore as we had.
On Wednesday, April 5, the marines were put in line and marched into
the town under cover of the fleet; but as they marched in the rebels
marched out. Acting Ensign J. B. Fairchilds was very seriously wounded
by an accidental discharge of his own pistol before starting.
On Thursday, April 6, several officers and men of the fleet were
ashore, but did not go into the town. In the afternoon many of our men
approached near the city, where the rebel cavalry could be seen
plainly. Paymaster J. W. Sands and I had walked about one-half the
distance from the river towards the town, when we saw the rebel
cavalry. We then returned nearer the river, to a cabin in which two
very old colored people lived, in the rear of a large log on which
Captain J. A. J. Brooks was standing, we both went into the cabin.
After a few minutes' stay there in conversation with the colored
people, I happened to look out of the window and saw the officers and
men of the fleet running. I immediately said to Paymaster Sands, "The
rebels are coming!" Then we ran out of the cabin under fire down toward
the fleet. The bullets fell all around me as I was running, and just as
I came to a path which led down the cliff, on which a lot of scrub oak
was growing, the fleet opened fire, and the branches of the trees over
my head were cut by the flying shells. I immediately fell out of range
_of the shells_, and took an unfrequented path which led to the mouth
of the ravine. I soon arrived at the mouth of the ravine, near by the
river. Meantime the fleet was keeping up a rapid fire. The remainder of
the officers and men came down, but soon learned our supposed enemy was
the 3d New York cavalry, who also thought we were Confederates. This
cavalry force had made a raid from Weldon, and had approached the town
from the opposite side from where the fleet was laying, and in so doing
captured the rebel cavalry in the town of Murfreesborough. There was
fortunately nobody injured. The horses of the cavalry were covered with
foam and very much heated--so much so that the saddles were taken from
their backs, and they were led around for an hour before they cooled
off.
The same afternoon, after the third New York cavalry had arrived, many
of the officers of the fleet, feeling they might visit the town with
impunity, did so. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Lieutenant Joseph P. Fyffe
of the Hunchback, James M. Battin, chief engineer of the Valley City,
Paymaster J. W. Sands and myself, by invitation, took tea with a Mr.
C---- of the place.
The next morning, Thursday, April 6, the third New York cavalry marched
through the main street and left the town. All the windows of the
houses on the main street were closed, and none of their occupants were
to be seen. This was done in contempt for the Federal troops. After our
cavalry had departed, the officers and the marines returned to the
fleet, and at 4:15 p.m. got under weigh, and arrived off Winton at 10
p.m., where the fleet remained for some time.
Wednesday, April 10, at 12 m., the Valley City got under weigh and
proceeded by way of Edenton to Plymouth, where we arrived at 2:15 a.m.
the following day. At 3:05 a.m. we got under weigh and returned to
Winton, where we arrived at 12 m. At this point and time we first
heard, through the New York _Herald_, that the Confederate troops under
General Lee had been driven from Petersburg by the Federal troops under
General U.S. Grant. There was great rejoicing aboard the fleet. The
U.S. steamers Shamrock, Wyalusing and Hunchback, fired a salute in
celebration of that event. At 3-1/2 p.m. the U.S. steamers Valley City
and Whitehead proceeded to Murfreesborough, where we arrived at 6-1/2
p.m.
Friday, April 14, at 7:50 a.m., the Valley City and Whitehead got under
weigh, and proceeded down to Winton, where we met the Wilderness, with
Commander Wm. H. Macomb and Lieutenant Commander Earl English aboard,
when we received the news that the Confederate forces under General Lee
had surrendered to General Grant.
The U.S. steamers Valley City and Whitehead were ordered to proceed to
Murfreesborough and deliver the news to the citizens at that place; and
now, after having read a copy of the New York _Herald_, they were
thoroughly convinced that the war was over. Saturday, April 15, at
11:45 a.m., the U.S. steamers Valley City and Whitehead got under weigh
and proceeded to Winton, where we arrived at 7:55 p.m.
Tuesday, April 18, we first received news of President Lincoln's
assassination, which event cast a gloom over the entire nation. At
12:45 p.m., the U.S. steamers Valley City and Whitehead got under
weigh and proceeded up the Chowan river to Blackwater river, up which
we steamed to Franklin, Virginia, where we arrived at 8 a.m. the
following day. We visited the people ashore at different times during
our stay at that place. Thursday, April 20, at 8-1/2 a.m., the Valley
City and Whitehead got under weigh, and proceeded down the Blackwater
river to Chowan river, down which we steamed to its mouth, where we
anchored.
There are a great many fish in the Chowan river, and the Valley City
has often caught shad and herring by the barrel, in a large seine which
the inhabitants of that vicinity use for the purpose.
Saturday, April 22, at 4:25 a.m., the U.S. steamers Valley City and
Whitehead got under weigh, and at 8:30 a.m. arrived at Plymouth, where
we anchored. At 3:20 p.m., the Valley City and Whitehead got under
weigh, and arrived at Edenton at 5:30 p.m., and at 11 p.m. the Valley
City and Whitehead got under weigh and steamed toward Hertford, N.C.,
where we arrived on Sunday, April 23, at 7-1/2 a.m. At 10 a.m. the
officers of the two vessels in full uniform went to an Episcopal
service held in a church in Hertford. The members of the congregation
were sparsely scattered on seats throughout the church. Upon the
officers entering and occupying two pews on the left hand side of the
church, that portion of the congregation occupying the same range of
seats as ourselves very abruptly and hurriedly sought seats on the
other side. After listening to a sermon which was nervously delivered,
we quietly and orderly returned aboard our respective vessels.
Hertford is a small town on a body of water extending from Albemarle
Sound, called Perquimans. The people were usually kind and courteous,
after they discovered that our disposition was to be friendly toward
them. There were people living there who were in sympathy with the
Federal government, and to whose hospitality we were kindly invited and
welcomed. One day during our stay at Hertford, Paymaster J. W. Sands
and myself procured a buggy and horse, and drove to Edenton, a distance
of twenty miles, and returned to Hertford in the evening. The trip was
not considered a very safe one, on account of the number of
bushwhackers there had been in that vicinity.
Monday, May 1, at 8-1/2 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh, and
arrived at Edenton at 2:10 p.m.; and at 5 p.m. left Edenton and arrived
at Plymouth at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, the Valley City got under weigh
for the purpose of clearing the Roanoke river of torpedoes. The U.S.
steamer Iosco, commanded by Lieutenant Commander James S. Thornton,
accompanied us.
Saturday, May 13, the Valley City and Iosco arrived at Hamilton, N.C.
Captain Thornton, Third Assistant Engineer Amos Harris, Ensign Hull,
and myself went ashore and spent the afternoon. In the morning before
arriving at Hamilton, Lieutenant-Commander James S. Thornton of the
Iosco went ashore, and visited Rainbow Bluff. Captain Thornton made the
remark that the place would have been very difficult to capture with
any naval force, so strongly was it fortified.
Lieutenant-Commander James S. Thornton was executive officer aboard the
U.S. steamer Kearsarge at the time this vessel sunk the rebel blockade
runner Alabama, in which the transaction was so quick and complete.
Captain Thornton stated that at 11 o'clock a.m., of a Sunday, when he
received the report of there being a ship in sight, he was seated in a
chair, with his feet resting on the wardroom table, reading the Bible.
The rattle for general quarters was rung, and the Kearsarge got under
weigh, and proceeded toward the Alabama, sunk her, and by 2 o'clock of
the same afternoon the Kearsarge arrived at Cherbourg, France. Comments
by the citizens of that place were made on the cleanliness of the
Kearsarge after sinking so formidable a vessel as the Alabama.
Monday, May 15, at 1 p.m., the Valley City arrived at Palmyra, N.C. I
visited the town. It is a place of about a half-a-dozen houses, about a
mile from the right bank of the Roanoke river. At this place Captain J.
A. J. Brooks joined the Valley City with the Cotton Plant and Fisher,
two steamers which the Confederates had captured from the Federals at
Plymouth at the time the Southfield was sunk by the rebel ram
Albemarle. There were aboard these boats fifty bales of cotton. In the
evening, pilot John A. Wilson ran the Valley City hard and fast
aground, so that it took the greater part of the night to get her
afloat.
Thursday, May 16, the Valley City steamed up to Ergot's Landing, and
took aboard thirty-nine bales of cotton. Thursday, May 18, the Valley
City got under weigh and proceeded down the Roanoke river and came to
anchor five miles above Hamilton.
Saturday, May 20, at 9 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh, and
proceeded to Hamilton, where we came to an anchor. On Tuesday, May 23,
in the morning Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Paymaster J. W. Sands and
myself went hunting for squirrels. Paymaster Sands separated from us
early in the morning. The Captain and I soon came to a mulberry tree,
on which he shot a squirrel which was after mulberries; another came
and was shot, and before night we shot a dozen. In the evening, upon
returning to the vessel, we met Paymaster Sands, who was also returning
to the vessel. He had been traveling all day in the woods, but did not
shoot a squirrel. We all proceeded to the Valley City, and had the
squirrels cooked for supper, of which we ate heartily, for we were very
hungry. This was the last supper I ate aboard the Valley City.
The following morning, Wednesday, May 24, at 5:30 o'clock, I was
relieved by Acting Assistant Surgeon L. W. Loring, and ordered North on
a two months leave of absence; and now I am to say farewell to the
officers and crew of the Valley City, with whom I have shared their
dangers, their sorrows and their joys, and the old ship I am also to
leave, which has buoyed us so safely over the short and rugged waves of
the waters of North Carolina, amidst the torpedoes, the sharpshooters,
and the artillery of the enemy. This is certainly an occasion of joy,
yet mingled with sadness. "Farewell is a word that has been, a word
that must be, a sound which makes us linger--yet we must say,
farewell."
HOMEWARD BOUND.
I went aboard the Eolus, which proceeded up the Roanoke river, and at
4:30 p.m. we met the Cotton Plant, with Commander W. H. Macomb aboard,
eight miles below Halifax. The Eolus, with the Cotton Plant, returned
to Edward's Ferry, where we arrived at 7 p.m. I went ashore. This
place, which is a large plantation, and was owned by Mr. Wm. Smith, who
owns, or did own, quite a number of slaves, who worked the plantation.
At this time the slaves were cultivating corn. The male slaves, with
hoes to hoe the corn, followed after the female slaves, who drove the
horses and directed the cultivators or ploughs. The rebel ram Albemarle
was constructed at Edward's Ferry, and there was another ram or
iron-clad in process of construction at this place; but it was
destroyed by the rebels at the close of the war. I saw the landing
where these rams were constructed; the chips from them could be seen
lying all around.
Thursday, May 25.--We left Edward's Ferry at 10 a.m., and at 8 p.m. the
Eolus came to an anchor near Poplar Point, where we visited the graves
of those who had been killed in the late action at this place.
Friday, May 26.--The Eolus, with Commander W. H. Macomb on board, got
under weigh and steamed to Plymouth, where we arrived at 12 m.
Commander W. H. Macomb went aboard his own vessel, the Shamrock. At 8
p.m. the Eolus got under weigh and steamed towards Roanoke Island, and
came to an anchor at 12 p.m. in Albemarle Sound.
Saturday, May 27, at 4-1/2 a.m., the Eolus got under weigh and
proceeded to Roanoke Island, where we arrived at 7:15 a.m. At 2-1/2
p.m. I took passage in the boat Washington Irving, which got under
weigh and steamed till 9-1/2 p.m., when I changed into the boat Arrow,
which steamed two miles up the Dismal Swamp canal, and passed by the
wreck of the Fawn, which had been previously captured, sunk and burned
by the rebels, and there came to an anchor. During the night I slept on
a bench, with my boot for a pillow.
Sunday, May 28, the boat Arrow left Coinjock at 5 a.m., and arrived at
Norfolk, Va., at 1 p.m. I took dinner at the National House in that
place. At 2-1/2 p.m. I took passage from Norfolk in the Louisiana, and
arrived at Fortress Monroe at 3-1/2 p.m. We passed by the wreck of the
rebel iron-clad Merrimac. At 5 p.m. the Louisiana got under weigh for
Baltimore, where she arrived Monday, May 29, at 6 o'clock a.m.; and
then I went by way of Philadelphia home, where I arrived about noon of
May 30, 1865.
The atmosphere never seemed to me more salubrious than at this time;
the grass never appeared greener, the flowers never seemed to exhale
more fragrance, and the people never seemed kinder. It seemed a perfect
Paradise compared with the swamps of North Carolina.
During the time of my "leave of absence," I met with the following men
of note, all of whom are now dead: Hon. Thaddeus Stevens I met in the
reading-room of the United States Hotel at Harrisburg, Pa., seated on a
chair with his feet resting on a table, reading the newspapers, a
number of files of which he had lying all around him. He would first
glance at one file and then at another, till he had examined all. I
have heard of two anecdotes told about him. One was, whilst meeting an
enemy face to face on the street in Lancaster, Pa., his enemy said to
Mr. Stevens, "I never turn out of the road of a fool." The latter said
sharply, "I do," and passed around the former. The other incident
occurred whilst Mr. Stevens was very ill in Washington, D.C. A friend
visited him and complimented him on his appearance. Mr. Stevens very
jocularly replied that it was not his appearance that interested him
(Mr. Stevens) so much as his disappearance. I have since visited his
grave in Lancaster, Pa., which has the following inscription upon the
tombstone:
Thaddeus Stevens,
Born at Danville, Caledonia County, Vermont,
April 4, 1792.
Died at Washington, D.C.,
August 11, 1868.
STEVENS.
I repose in this quiet and secluded spot,
Not from any preference for solitude,
But finding other cemeteries limited as to race
by charter rules,
I have chosen this, that I might illustrate
in my death
the principle which I advocated
through a long life,
Equality of man before his Creator.
1792-1868.
I also met in Lancaster, Pa., about the same time, ex-President James
Buchanan. But in the month of June, 1862, I had the curiosity to call
on that gentleman at his home near Lancaster, called Wheatland. I found
an affable, friendly, heavy-set and gray-haired old gentleman, seated
in a chair in his library. After entering into conversation with him
upon general topics, he touched upon his early life, his struggles as a
young man in the profession of law, his nomination and election to the
Presidency of the United States, and also upon his occupancy of that
office. There was anticipation at that time of Richmond being captured
on or before the coming Fourth of July. I asked Mr. Buchanan if he
thought Richmond would be captured by that time. He replied that he did
not, but he hoped that the war for the preservation of the Union would
be successfully terminated by the following July a year. I then asked
him if he thought Napoleon would give his aid to the Confederacy, as it
was rumored at that time that he would do so. He answered that Napoleon
was a man who kept his own counsel. During my stay there, there was a
gentleman called upon him for the purpose of soliciting aid in
defraying the expenses of celebrating the coming Fourth of July at
Lancaster, Pa. He contributed liberally, and told the solicitor if the
amount he had already given him was not sufficient, to call again, and
he would contribute more.
I have since visited his grave at Lancaster, Pa., which has the
following inscription upon the tombstone:
Here rest the remains of
James Buchanan,
Fifteenth President of the United States,
Born in Franklin county, Pa., April 23d, 1781.
Died at Wheatland, January 1, 1868.
(Second side.)
1781-1868.
(Third side.)
BUCHANAN.
I also called on Dr. Samuel Jackson, who, during a long and extended
practice in his profession, had been at one time Henry Clay's
physician. I attended a course of his lectures at the Medical
Department of the University of Pennsylvania. He had lost the use of
his lower extremities, and was seated in a chair, at his home in
Philadelphia, Pa. He stated he had from early life to the present been
a hard student; and as he was about to pass through the portal of this
life into another, he expected still to be a student there. He stated
that it had at different times of his life been a matter of serious
consideration as to how much inflammable matter in a given time the sun
used in warming the space included in the solar system. He said he
expected to be able to make this calculation in another life.
I also met with General James L. Kiernan, in New York city. I was
called to attend him whilst visiting in that city, in an attack of
congestive chills, which he had contracted whilst on duty in the State
of Louisiana. He had stumped several of the northern States for
President Lincoln's second election, and had been appointed United
States Consul to China after that election. He filled this office till
the close of President Johnson's administration. He was a man about
forty-five years of age, an excellent conversationalist, a good
companion, and a fine orator.
On September 23, 1865, I was ordered to Cairo, Ill., for duty aboard
the U.S. monitors Oneota and Catawba, as a relief to Acting Assistant
Surgeon Geo. C. Osgood. I reported to Commodore J. W. Livingston for
duty October 6, 1865, having arrived in Cairo on the previous evening.
I stopped at the St. Charles Hotel all night. The weather was very hot
and dry, the river was low, and for a distance along shore an unhealthy
green foam had gathered along the edge of the river. Congestive chills
were quite prevalent there that fall.
Cairo is a large and thriving town, situated at the extreme southern
point of the state of Illinois. Many of the houses then were built on
stilts or posts. The sidewalks were also resting on stilts or posts, so
that in crossing a street a person would have to walk down a pair of
stairs, then across the street, and mount another pair of stairs.
During the time of a rise in the Mississippi or Ohio river, the place
was flooded, and then the citizens would use boats for the purpose of
navigating from place to place. The town was somewhat protected from
overflows by levees.
The monitors were very nicely finished and furnished inside. The deck
was about six inches above water. There were four monitors anchored in
line in the middle of the Ohio river off Cairo. The names of them were
as follows: Oneota, Catawba, Manyyunk and Tippecanoe. The officers of
all these vessels messed aboard the U.S. monitor Oneota. Acting
Lieutenant Commander Wells was the captain of the Oneota. He was
afterwards relieved by Acting Master H. E. Bartlett. Thomas Cook was
her chief engineer, and Don Carlos Hasseltino was chief engineer of the
monitor Catawba. One of the officers of the Oneota was a persistent
story-teller, and the only way to get him to stop telling his story was
to suggest to him to make a chalk mark and finish the remainder of it
the following day. One day, early in the morning, he and I went ashore
in Kentucky, hunting; and hunted all day without any dinner. I got very
tired and left him, and returned to the boat, which was made fast
ashore opposite to the junction of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers,
where I lay down on a brush-heap and fell asleep; but when my companion
started to row to the Oneota, the rattling of the oars awakened me,
otherwise I would have been left. One time, during a freshet in the
Ohio river, I think in January, I had occasion to go to one of the
monitors anchored in the rear of the Oneota. After arriving on that
monitor, in our attempt to return, I found that the boat could make no
headway against the current. We struck over along the Kentucky bank of
the river, and did what the sailor calls "cheating the current;" that
is, we rowed up along the bank of the river. After rowing above the
Oneota, we crossed the bows of the Oneota and threw out the end of a
painter, which was instantly tied around the stanchion of the Oneota.
The painter broke, and down the river the boat was carried by the
current; but somebody aboard the Oneota threw the end of a rope
overboard, which we caught, and we were pulled back aboard. Another
time during the freshet, Mr. Thomas Cook and I went ashore, and were
nearly carried by the swift current between two packet boats, but we
fortunately saved ourselves.
A pilot wishing to cross with a packet-boat before or in front of the
Oneota's bows, from a landing on the Cairo side of the river to the
Kentucky side, ran the boat into the Oneota, and the packet was sunk.
The packet-boat was laden with passengers, who were all saved.
Don Carlos Hasseltino was chief engineer of the U.S. monitor Catawba,
but spent most of his time on board the U.S. monitor Oneota, and was
one of the mess-mates of that vessel. I associated with him constantly
from October 6, 1865, to January 16, 1866. He was a jolly, kind,
sympathetic, and intelligent associate. In height he was about six
feet, and had a large, wiry frame. His hair and eyes were black; he
wore a black moustache. He never gave offence to any one, but would not
suffer himself to be insulted. He carried two Derringers in leather
pockets buttoned to his pantaloons above the hips. He was very polite
and chivalrous; woe to the person that gave offense or offered insult.
I insert here a sketch of his life.
[From the Cincinnati Enquirer of 1880.]
"A LIFE OF ADVENTURE.
"GENERAL DON CARLOS HASSELTINO'S STORY OF HIS STARTLING
CAREER--REBEL SPY AND UNION OFFICER--HIS ADVENTURE IN THE ARMY IN
PERU AS A CUBAN REFUGEE.
"General Don Carlos Hasseltino was met by an _Enquirer_ reporter on
a Wabash train the other day. His life has been one of adventure.
Previous to the war he graduated at Oxford, in Butler county, in
the same class with the gallant Joe Battle, who, with his brother,
fell beside their father at Shiloh, while fighting under the flag
of the Lost Cause. After graduating he went to Hamilton and read
law with Judge Clark, who acquired some notoriety at Hamilton by
his advocacy of the right of secession in 1860-61. When the war
begun, Hasseltino determined to risk his fortunes with the
Confederacy. He started South under the pretext of escorting to her
husband in Tennessee Mrs. Dallie, the wife of Adjutant Joe Battle,
of the Sixth Tennessee. They passed south from Louisville on the
last train which left that city before the war, and arrived at
Nashville. From there, young Hasseltino went to Montgomery, Ala.,
then the Confederate capital, where he was appointed Major, and a
little later Lieutenant-Colonel; and was ordered to Pensacola, Fla.
When that place fell into the hands of the National troops, he was
captured; but within a day or two he made his escape. His next
point of duty was at Fort McHenry, from whence he went to
Louisville and bought for the Confederate troops a quantity of
supplies, and succeeded in getting them safely within the
Confederate lines. When General Grant was advancing upon Fort
Donaldson, he went out as a spy, and spent most of three days with
the Federals. Being recognized, he was ordered to be shot at nine
o'clock in the evening, but in the rain and darkness made his
escape, and reached the fort at daylight the next morning, drenched
and almost frozen. Upon his report being heard, it was decided to
evacuate the fort with most of the forces. From Island No. 10 he
fell back to Memphis; and, believing that nothing would stay the
victorious march of the Union arms, sent in his resignation, which
was accepted.
"SECURING A PASS NORTH.
"When the Federals occupied Memphis he remained here, trusting to
nerve and luck to get away. To his horror he learned the next day
that Colonel Alexander, of the Forty-eighth Indiana, with whom he
was at college, was made Provost Marshal of the post, and that no
one could leave the city except on a pass issued by him. He had
some knowledge of French, and had grown quite a beard since leaving
school, and he determined to take the risk. Walking into the
Colonel's room, with many shrugs and gesticulations he asked for a
'Permissio San Louie,' and urged it with such vehemence that the
Colonel finally said to his assistant, 'Give the d--d Frenchman a
pass to St. Louis.' While going up the river he was in constant
dread of recognition, but fortunately did not meet a soul whom he
knew. Hardly had he landed when he met a former school-mate and
intimate friend from Hamilton, who was then Assistant Engineer in
the Navy. His friend knew that he had gone south, and accused him
of being in St. Louis as a spy. This he denied, and then told him
all the details of his adventures, and finally appealed to his
friend for advice as to what he should do or where he should go,
for he began to feel unsafe there. His friend advised him not to
return to Hamilton, where he would be in certain danger; and
finally suggested that he apply for an appointment as an assistant
engineer in the navy. 'Why, I don't know a steam-engine from a
horse-power,' was his answer. But his friend proposed to help him
out, and provided him with a lot of books, which would teach him
all the theory; and at them he went; and in six weeks he went
before the Examining Board and passed as a first assistant
engineer, and was ordered to duty on the gunboat Essex, the
flag-ship of Commodore Porter, who was in command of the
Mississippi river flotilla. This was jumping out of the frying-pan
into the fire. He knew nothing practically of the engine, thinking
then, as he told his friend, that 'the pumping engine must be for
the purpose of moving the vessel sidewise.' But luck was on his
side. While lying in port, or before going to duty, he got a few
talks with Commodore Porter, and succeeded in getting to the rank
of Chief Engineer in the navy, and assigned to duty on the staff of
the Commodore. If those who read this will take the trouble to read
the report of the Secretary of the Navy to Congress in 1864, they
will find that that official transmitted to Congress that part of
Commodore Porter's report which embraces a report of Chief Engineer
Hasseltino on the construction of iron-clad gunboats, and
recommended the adoption of the report.
"INSPECTING GOVERNMENT IRON-CLADS.
"After the close of the ill-fated Red river campaign, Hasseltino
was ordered to St. Louis to inspect and superintend the
construction of the iron-clads which were being built by McCord &
Co. But just before leaving his vessel he had a quarrel with a
fellow-officer, whom he challenged; but when the challenge was
declined he opened on the other party with a battery of Derringers,
fortunately missing the object of his aim.
"In 1865, he went to some European port and brought a blockade
runner, the name of which I have forgotten. In the early part of
1866, he was mustered out of service and went to New Orleans,
intending to go into business. In the July riots he was shot
through the shoulder; and, thinking the climate unhealthy, went to
St. Louis. Here he fell in with a representative of the government
of Chili, and went to South America.
"In an attack on Callao--for Peru and Chili were at war--he fell
into the hands of the Peruvians, and with his usual luck was
sentenced to be shot. By bribing the guards, he succeeded in
escaping and making his way on board of an English vessel, and was
landed at Panama. Crossing the Isthmus to Aspinwall, he found a
vessel ready to leave for New Orleans; and, though without money,
managed to secure a passage to that place.
"Without money he was naturally open for any adventure, and a
representative of the Cuban rebellion was the first to offer him a
chance. He sailed directly to Nuevitas, and before he had been in
that port a week had fallen in love with a young Cuban widow, who,
though childless, was possessed of an immense plantation. After the
briefest possible courtship, they were married in the latter part
of 1867 or early in 1868; within three months of the wedding she
died from yellow fever; and before the end of the year her estate,
which he had inherited, was confiscated, and he barely escaped with
his life, landing in Florida in an open boat and in a half-starved
condition, without friends or money. He managed to reach
Indianapolis in July, 1869, when a naval acquaintance and friend,
James Noble, gave him an outfit of clothes and money sufficient to
take him to Chicago. Here he determined to locate, and went to work
to find business. He got an agency for the sale of coal, and soon
had quite a start in the coal business. When the Chicago fire broke
out, on that dreadful Sunday night, he was out on the lake boating
with a party of friends. When he got back, the conflagration had
swept his little coal pile, his office and sleeping room, and he
was again left in the world without a change of clothes, and with
less than five dollars in money. The third day of the fire he was
found by Otto Hasselman, of the Indianapolis _Journal_, who was
on the ground with a corps of reporters; and by him sent to
Indianapolis, where he was again furnished with an outfit and a
ticket to St. Louis. Shortly after reaching that place he entered
the service of the wholesale house of R. L. Billingsley & Co., and
remained with them until a year ago, when he purchased a farm in
Illinois."
January 16, 1866, I received a two month's "leave of absence," at the
expiration of which I received the following discharge:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The war for the preservation of the Union having, under the
beneficent guidance of Almighty God, been brought to a successful
termination, a reduction of the naval force becomes necessary.
Having served with fidelity in the United States Navy from the 22d
day of March, 1864, to the present date, you are hereby honorably
discharged with the thanks of the Department.
Given under my hand and seal, at the city of Washington, this 23d
day of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy.
Acting Assistant Surgeon,
John M. Batten,
U.S. Navy.
_Guthrieville, Pa._
THE END.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Reminiscences of Two Years in the
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