Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 37.djvu/362

 A GOOD SHOT EXPLODED THE BOILER.

Sir,—Will you please allow me a little space in your paper to make a statement that I know to be a fact. In the Confederate Column of last Sunday's issue of The Times-Dispatch, there appeared an article written by Lieutenant Fielder C. Slingluff, in which he speaks of an ironclad car that disputed our passage across the river at what we heard called Green Spring Station, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He says the ironclad car was struck by a ball from the Baltimore Light Artillery, and immediately left. His memory is at fault. I was gunner of the piece, and I know, as I supposed every one present knew, that the shot entered the boiler and blew it up, thereby destroying its propelling power.

The ironclad car, or battery, was made up of four freight cars and a locomotive engine, the engine being in the centre. The cars were loop-holed for riflemen. The outer cars had one cannon each. The ironclad disposed of, we had yet a blockhouse to reckon with; so running the gun across the river we unlimbered in the water, then sent a flag of truce and demanded the surrender of the blockhouse, which was complied with, and we marched on, after burning the cars.

Where are all those men that I heard yell that morning when they saw the stream burst from that boiler? Isn't there one of them yet living who can attest to the truth of what I say?

Very respectfully,

G. W. McAlwee.