:
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5
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342 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

The difficulty was there was a mixture of something like
kelp and sand, which melted on the bars of the grates and
choked the draft, making a deposit they called slag. It was
terribly hard on the firemen to keep them clear.

The discipline of this ship is very bad. The sailors came
and demanded their bounty the first day, and the second, the
firemen came up on the quarter deck, a thing quite contrary
to ship etiquette, and inade the same demand. They ought
to have been paid at once according to custom, but while it
was wrong to withhold the money, it was not right for them to
demand it as they did.

October 9, 1863.—I am now on board the Ad-Vance, (Lord
Clyde), about 100 miles from the North Carolina coast. It
is 4 o’clock, p. m., and I am sitting on the bottom step of the
paddle box, from which I can look down directly into the
water and see how beautifully it divides before the bow of:
the steamer, darting through at a noble speed. This is one
of the most pleasant days as to temperature I ever felt, clear,
coolish, without being cool and something life-giving in the
air.

It is a day for thought, a time for review and anticipation.
To-night we will know our fate, whether it is to be the bot-
tom of the sea, a northern prison, or Richmond. I am not
apprehensive, but I know the risks. We have heard nothing
from Wilmington. No steamers came out while we were in
Bermuda, though several were expected. We may be run-
ning into a trap—as we know not what progress the Federals
may have made in the way of excluding blockade-runners.
We may be damaged by the fire of the fleet, even if we succeed
in running the gauntlet and although I do not repent coming,
and notwithstanding the uncertainty, I have no desire to turn
back, yet I know we may be disappointed just on the happy
eve of getting home and indeed may never reach it at all. I
have spent much time this morning in prayer, in solemn con-
secration of myself to God, and in supplication for a spirit of
submission to His will. I try to commit myself and my dear
family and church to His holy keeping. 4

We have just been mustered on deck and had our places in
the boats assigned to us, in case we have to abandon the

 

RUNNING THE BLOCKADE ON THE “AD-VANCE.” 343

steamer to-night. I go with Colonel Crossen and Mrs.
Pender, and the rest of our boat’s crew are firemen and sail-
ors. Terry, Burton, Walker and Regnault go in the other
life-boats, the rest of the crew in the two aft boats. This
looks like business. It is the purpose to destroy the Ad-
Vance and take to the boats if we are intercepted. I should
dread capture on my dear wife’s account. It would almost
break her heart, after our long separation and the sorrow
she has borne. (The death of their oldest son while he was
in England.—M. R. G.)

But I believe the good Providence which brought me out
and gave me such success abroad, will open a door for my safe
return to my home and work again.

Wilmington, N. C., October 12, 1863.—I, now on shore,
ean complete my notes of this voyage. It had a memorable
termination. In the record of the events of the 9th, I stated
I was making my last entry (a prayer I did not copy, as it
was too personal.—M. R. G.) expecting to get ashore that
night. We were disappointed, however. Although the Cap-
tain and Colonel made an observation at 12 M., they failed to
detect the fact that the current of the Gulf Stream had swept
us far to the north of our course. About 9 o’clock at night
we saw a light and the dim outline of the land. At first it
was thought to be the signal light near Fort Fisher, and Mr.
Smith wanted to make signals, but after long inspection, dis-
covered that it was a light-house. We then changed our
course southward and ran along shore, all night in doubt as to
where we were. Colonel ©. once thought we might be south
of the entrance to Wilmington and running toward Charles-
ton. This shows how completely at sea we were! When it
grew light enough to see the coast more plainly, our officers
recognized certain localities on Masonboro Sound, the salt
works, ete., and we ascertained we had just made the land
north of Cape Lookout, 80 miles from the point we expected to
strike. Colonel Crossen prepared to run up near enough to
see which blockaders were within view and I supposed he
would then stand out to sea and lie off until night and then
run in at his leisure, but to my astonishment, although it was
about 8 o’clock in the morning, the sun shining brilliantly