Chapter II: Part 2

"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.