Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/98

 90 Suiltln'i'ii

our arrival at Point Lookout, the Saint Nicholas came to the wharf. After reaching the Maryland side I signed the draft and Colonel Thomas took the Patuxent boat and went on to Baltimore and Phil- adelphia to purchase the arms, etc. I directed him to get the arms and return down the bay in the Saint Nicholas, and get as many men to join him as he could. I also stated to him that I should join him at Point Lookout. At 12 midnight I went on board with my party; I saw Colonel Thomas dressed as a woman, to avoid suspicion, as he had high, large trunks such as milliners use; they contained arms and ammunition. I told Colonel Thomas to hold himself in readi- ness; as soon as we cleared the wharf we would take the steamer. In a few minutes we left the wharf and I soon made the appointed signal. The trunks were then opened, the men seized the arms; I took a musket, or rather a Sharp's rifle, and a pair of pistols, ran up to the wheelhouse, put my hand on the captain's shoulder, and told him I had captured his boat, and ordered him to take the boat over to Coan river, but he declined saying he was no pilot. I told him I knew he was a pilot, and that if he did not pilot me over, I would set fire to the Saint Nicholas and land all of my men in his boats, as I was determined she should not fall into the hands of the enemy. I have learned since that the captain became so uneasy, that another man piloted her over. About half an hour after my arrival at Coan river landing, a body of Confederate soldiers and sailors came down to assist me, the soldiers commanded by Captain Lewis. I then read the Baltimore morning papers and ascertained that Captain Ward had been killed while making an attack on Mathias Point, and all the gunboats had left the river and gone up the river to Washington to the funeral.

There were several passengers on board, but I landed them and gave permission to all who wished to return to Baltimore to do so. Few returned, as nearly all were on their way South; and although it was Sunday the ladies amused themselves by making Confederate flags out of the Yankee flags I had captured.

Finding there was no chance of capturing the Pawnee, and deem- ing it unsafe to remain where I was in a steamer without guns, I resolved to go up to Fredericksburg, and immediately ran out into the Chesapeake bay. I saw a fine brig; ran alongside of her; she proved to be the brig Monticello, from Rio, loaded with coffee, and bound for Baltimore. I merely captured her, taking the crew on board the Saint Nicholas, and leaving the captain and his wife on board, as I did not wish to terrify the lady, or render her uncomfort-