eSB, ee MNAL

 

398 Norru Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

come not as mercenary adventurers to enlist under the ban-
ner of the Confederacy, but like true knights errant to join
as honorable volunteers the standard of the bravest lance in
Christendom, that of the noble, peerless Lee. (Cheers—
‘hear hear!’) In gaining this Palestine of our chivalrous
aspirations, we have successfully encountered the more than
ordinary perils of the sea in storm, the lingering chase, and
hazards of the blockade. Through all vicissitudes there was
a mind to conceive, a hand to guide, a courage to execute.
Gentlemen, I propose the health, happiness, and speedy pro-
motion of the officer who merits these commendations—our
worthy commander.’

“Mingled with vociferous applause came the customary
hip! hip! huzzah! hip! hip! -huz-

“The half uttered huzzah froze like an icicle on the petri-
fied lips of the orator, who—

** ‘With wild surprise, :
As if to marble struck, devoid of sense,
A stupid moment, motionless stood.’

as the apparition of a Federal midshipman appeared upon
the cabin stairway.

“Who commands this steamer? was the Federal’s in-
terrogatory. :

“*T am that unhappy individual,’ groaned the commander
as reminiscences of a long confinement came painfully to his
mind.

“*Youn are a ptize to Admiral Porter’s squadron, and I
relieve you from all further responsibility. Gentlemen, as
paroled prisoners, you are at leisure to finish your repast.’

“The withering enunciation of capture blighted like a
black frost the hopeful blossoms that had under the inspir-
ing influence of the sparkling Epernay, bubbled into poetic
existence. One by one the lights soon faded in this banquet
hall deserted, their last glimmer falling mournfully on the
debris of the unfinished congratulatory repast. Ere an hour
elapsed two more unfortunates, lured by the channel lights,
entered and likewise anchored off the mound, and became a
prey to Admiral Porter’s fleet.

“My cargo being important and the capture of Fort Fisher

BLocKADE Runnina. 399

and Cape Fear cutting me off from Wilmington, I deemed it
my duty to make an effort to enter the harbor of Charleston
in order to deliver the much needed supplies. I had been
informed that the blockade of that port was more stringently
and numerically guarded than ever before since the begin-
ning of hostilities. The Owl’s speed was more accommodated
to the necessary time of arriving off the bar, which was 10 p-
m. Throughout the day vigilant steamers were seen along
the shore inspecting inlets and coves regardless of their want
of capacity for blockade purposes. This spirit of inspection
and watchfulness was most assiduous, as if an order had been
issued to overhaul even the coast gallinippers to see that aid
and comfort in the shape of muskets and pistols were not
smuggled into the needy Confederacy. Ocasionally one of
these constables of the sea would fire up and make a dash
after the Owl; a little more coal and stirring up of the fire
draft was sufficient to start the blockade-runner off with such
admirable speed as to convince the Federal that he was after
the fleetest steamer that ever eluded the guardians of the
channel-ways.

“Seasonably making the passage, 9 o’clock p. m., found us
not far from the mouth of Maffitt’s Channel. Anticipating
a trying night and the bare possibility of capture, two bags
were slung and suspended over the quarter by a stout line.
In these bags were placed the government mail not yet deliv-
ered, all private correspondence, and my war journal, in-
eluding the cruise of the Florida, besides rhany other papers.
An intelligent quartermaster was ordered to stand by the bags
with a hatchet, and the moment capture became inevitable,
to cut adrift and let them sink.

“When on the western tail end of Rattlesnake Shoal, we
encountered streaks of mist and fog that enveloped stars and
everything for a few moments when it would become quite
clear again. Running cautiously in one of these obscura-
tions, a sudden light in the haze disclosed that we were about
to run into an anchored blockader. We had bare room with
a hard-a-port helm to avoid him some fifteen or twenty feet,
when their officer on deck called out, ‘Heave to, or I’ll sink
you!’ The order was unnoticed and we received his entire