Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/287

 Cruise of' i In ('/,,,- . I >/ .1/vA.r.

few feet (.1 her. Approaching still nearer, another shot dropped still closer to her, which somewhat dampened the ardor of her cap- tain and tin citi/en volunteers, who had come out as if for a frolic, and considering discretion the better part of valor, the captain put his vessel about, and hauled oft out <>t range, to wait for the co-ope- ration of the Chesapeake. It is but just to state that officers and soldiers were anxious to continue on and run the cutter down, but the accumulated advice and disjointed comments of the bewildered citizens and the fear for the safety of his vessel were too much for her captain, and he put her about. When he met the Cheapeake they held a council of war, and again started for the Gushing, with the intention of running her down. Coming within range, Read aijain opened fire on them, and fired three shots, but unfortunately for him at this time, his ammunition (all he could find) gave out, and his prisoners would not tell him where the ammunition was stowed. There were 500 pounds of powder and ninety solid shot for the thirty- two-pounder gun on board. Had he found this, there would have been some warm work before the day was over. That he did not make this his first search when coming on board was very singular, and cannot be accounted for on any ground, except that he had been under such a severe nervous strain for the last few weeks that he was almost entirely exhausted.

HE FIRED HER.

Seeing that there was no further chance for him in so unequal a contest now, he nevertheless determined not to let the cutter be re- captured, and deliberately set to work to destroy her, first putting his prisoners in a boat and throwing them the keys to their irons, so that they could release themselves. The few well-directed shots had made the steamers cautious about approaching him very rapidly, so he had ample time to set the cutter on fire fore and aft, and then took to his boats. The coolness and deliberation of this act are worthy of the highest praise in a naval officer. As soon as they had left the cutter the flames burst from her in many places, and the steamers were afraid to approach her, fearing the explosion of her magazine. They, however, bore down on Read in his boats, and, as further resistance on his part was now useless, he surrendered himself and party as prisoners of war. After picking up Lieuten- ant Davenport and his crew, they then stood out to sea a little far- ther and captured the schooner Archer, which only had three men on her. The cutter blew up about 12 o'clock. Thus ended the cruise of the Clarence-Tacony-Archer. Read and his gallant little